WATER To WINE—Declaring God's Anointed-VI—John 2:1-12
Need:
When we bypass Jesus’ glory, we bypass Jesus’ blessing. Our lives become meaningless & joyless...Our work laborious & pointless. Our relationships fleeting & distant.
Jesus turned water to wine in order to initiate/call attention to/set apart His public ministry.
Jesus is set apart as God’s Anointed.
Where is Jesus set apart as God’s Anointed?
8 stages for heralding upon which God’s Anointed is heralded.
Previously we have found that God’s Anointed is heralded on the stage of....
1. INSIGNIFICANCE(:1)
2. PRESSURE(:1-3)
3. DESIRE(:4)
4. TRUST(:5)
5. SUPPLY(:6-8)
6. TRANSFORMATION, SUPERIORITY, & JOY(:9-10)
‘RESULT’...Subdivided into CONFIRMATION(:11) & ATTRACTION(:12)
7—God’s Anointed is heralded on the stage of...
CONFIRMATION(:11)
Explanation:(:11)Faith/Glory/Manifestation/Sign/Outcome
:11—“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, & manifested His glory; & His disciples believed in Him.”
Changing water into wine was Jesus’ first “sign.” This initial “sign” predicated future signs.
Given that these are “signs,” they are not empty displays for impression’s sake, nor are they mere displays of compassion(Jesus never performed miracles apart from their aiding others), but they are specifically meant to point to/“manifest” Jesus’ “glory.”
Jesus manifested a particular “glory” which spoke of His character, motivation
This & other “signs” would be in answer to Jesus’ statement to Nathanael in 1:50-51.
Because of this “beginning of signs”, those who were already Jesus’ followers/disciples believed in him. They had believed enough to be His “disciples” before the sign, but the sign must have confirmed, cemented, expanded, & progressed their faith.
“Beginning”(See :10—prwton)—arch—1) Beginning, origin; 2) The person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader; 3) That by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause; 4) The extremity of a thing; 5) The first place, principality, rule, magistracy. Strong—(properly abstract)--A commencement, or concretely--Chief(in various applications of order, time, place, or rank).
“Signs”—shmeion—1) A sign, mark, token—1a) That by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others & is known, 1b) A sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. An unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature. Strong—An indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.
“Did”—poiew—1)To make; 2) To do. Poiew - denotes “To do”, prassw - "to practice"; poiew to designate performance, prassw intended, earnest, habitual, performance; poiew to denote merely productive action, prassw definitely directed action; poiew to point to the action result, prassw to the scope & character of the result. Strong—To make or do(in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Manifested”—fanerow—1) To make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. Fanerow is to manifest, as opposed to what is concealed & invisible. Fanerow is thought to describe an external manifestation, to the senses hence open to all, single or isolated. Strong—To render apparent(literally or figuratively).
“Glory”—doxa—1) Opinion, judgment, view; 2) Opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone; 3) Splendor, brightness—3a) Of the moon, sun, stars, 3b) Magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, 3c) Majesty; 4) A most glorious condition, most exalted state. Strong—Glory(as very apparent), in a wide application(literal or figurative, objective or subjective).
“Disciples”(See :2)—mayhthv—1) A learner, pupil, disciple.
“Believed”—pisteuw—1) To think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; 2) To entrust a thing to one, i.e. His fidelity. Strong—To have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. Credit; by implication-To entrust(especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ).
Argumentation:
Intention of Signs—manifestation of God’s glory, producing belief in Christ.
**Malachi 2:1-9—“And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,” Says the LORD of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your descendants And spread refuse on your faces, The refuse of your solemn feasts; And one will take you away with it. Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, That My covenant with Levi may continue,” Says the LORD of hosts. My covenant was with him, one of life & peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me And was reverent before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace & equity, And turned many away from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But you have departed from the way; You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” Says the LORD of hosts. Therefore I also have made you contemptible & base Before all the people, Because you have not kept My ways But have shown partiality in the law.”
True Christians are a ‘priesthood of believers’!
**Jn. 3:1-2—“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night & said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
**Mk. 9:17-27—“Then one of the crowd answered & said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, & becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” He answered him & said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, & he fell on the ground & wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire & into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us & help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out & said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf & dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him & enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, & came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand & lifted him up, & he arose.” **Jn. 14:10-18—“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, & the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father & the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; & greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, & He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you & will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
Were all Jesus’ “works” miracles in the strict sense? NO! He also lead, taught, preached, explained, etc.
**Jn. 10:37-38—“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know & believe that the Father is in Me, & I in Him.”
**Lk. 17:3-6—“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; & if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, & seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots & be planted in the sea,’ & it would obey you.”
**Heb. 12:1-3—“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, & the sin which so easily ensnares us, & let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author & finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, & has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary & discouraged in your souls.”
Illustration:
My sledding adventures when a kid/We had a large hill behind the house with a paved road running down to & over the creek at the bottom(just beyond our house)/If we had a ‘big snow’ all the neighborhood would turn out to sled down the hill/The adults would block off(or at least warn them) the traffic at the bottom/I loved the snow because we would not have to go to school!/I would brave the below freezing temperatures, cold, wet, numb, so many clothes I couldn’t move...but regardless, everybody(including myself) had a blast!!...I found & experienced its promise!/CONFIRMATION
The azaleas on the west side of the sanctuary were suffering from the drought we experienced(spring & early summer 2015)/I pass them most mornings on my way to the office/I noticed that the leaves were pekid, losing their color & beginning to wilt which I’ve never seen them do before/Since Mrs. Jackie has had to give up care of the flowerbeds, I watered the west side azaleas that evening/The next day they looked refreshed & not at death’s door/The water supplied their need refreshed them & restored their purpose/They responded appropriately!/CONFIRMATION
Reestablishment of your purpose results when you truly ‘see’ Jesus’ signs!
Application:
?Your Personal CONFIRMATION a stage upon which Jesus is heralded?
?You set the Stage for heralding God’s Anointed?
8—God’s Anointed is heralded on the stage of...
ATTRACTION(:12)
Explanation:(:12)Following/Enamored/Infatuation/Attention/Investigation
:12—“After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, & His disciples; & they did not stay there many days.”
Capernaum was “down”(in elevation?) from Cana since it was on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is still with His mother & with His disciples.
They all followed Jesus to Capernaum. Jesus did not go where His “mother,” “brothers” & (6?)“disciples” were but rather these all followed Jesus after the sign(:7-10) had occurred.
“all in the fresh glow of the glory manifested at Cana. Surely Mary's heart was full.”—RWP
“Went down”—katabainw—1) To go down, come down, descend; 2) of things—2a) To come (i.e. be sent) down, 2b) To come (i.e. fall) down—2b1) From the upper regions of the air; 3) metaph.--To (go i.e.)be cast down to the lowest state of wretchedness & shame. Strong—To descend (literally or figuratively).
“Stay”—menw—1) To remain, abide; 2) To wait for, await one. Strong—a primary verb; To stay(in a given place, state, relation or expectancy).
“Many/Few”—poluv—Adj.—1) Many, much, large. Strong—(singular)--Much(in any respect) or (plural)--Many; neuter(singular) as adverbial--Largely; neuter(plural) as adverb or noun--Often, mostly, largely.
Argumentation:
**Jn. 6:26-40—“Jesus answered them & said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves & were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered & said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it & believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven & gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, & he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me & yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, & the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son & believes in Him may have everlasting life; & I will raise him up at the last day.”
Do you have an initial Attraction, or an actual Trust in Jesus?
**Jesus’ own family:
Jn. 7:1-8—“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here & go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”
Mat. 12:46-50—“While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother & brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother & Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered & said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother & who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples & said, “Here are My mother & My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother & sister & mother.”
**Jn. 5:31-47—“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. “There is another who bears witness of Me, & I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, & he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning & shining lamp, & you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; & these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, & you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, & do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
**Jn. 9:29-33—“We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered & said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God & does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
**Acts 17:1-12—“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis & Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, & for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining & demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer & rise again from the dead, & saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; & a great multitude of the devout Greeks, & not a few of the leading women, joined Paul & Silas. But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, & gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar & attacked the house of Jason, & sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason & some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, & these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king--Jesus.” And they troubled the crowd & the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason & the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul & Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, & searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, & also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.”
Illustration:
‘Puppy love’/Very different from true love!/It is a focus upon one generally outward aspect of a person—Hair color, eye color, skin color, body shape, something they have gotten accolades for, etc. but does not graduate beyond that stage!/ATTRACTION
Again...My sledding adventures when a kid/We had a large hill behind the house with a paved road running down to & over the creek at the bottom(just beyond our house)/If we had a ‘big snow’ all the neighborhood would turn out to sled down the hill/The adults would block off(or at least warn them) the traffic at the bottom/I loved the snow because we would not have to go to school!/I hated the cold & have never liked the cold but...everybody was having so much fun!!/& because of that I would brave the below freezing temperatures, cold, wet, numb, so many clothes I couldn’t move...but everybody had a blast!—Yes...I had fun too!...was attracted by the response of others/I also found & experienced its promise!/ATTRACTION
‘Prove it to me’ stage/ATTRACTION
?What was Jesus’ manifested glory?—That He alone is your one-&-only Savior...your one-&-only Lord!!
Jesus’ sign was & is a springboard to commitment(:12)—
The mere presentation of these facts(Jesus’ manifesting Himself as the Messiah, Savior & Lord) as I am relating this to you now, is enough to bring about a like-same result in you(any listener)/If you do not respond favorably, you can blame it on my failure, the choir’s failure, the ambiance’s failure, the temperature’s failure, your pew-mate’s failure...but the fact remains that God has declared Jesus to be your Savior & Lord & you are now responsible for that which you know!/Will you respond appropriately?/ATTRACTION
!!?What has God wrought/brought about in you?!!
!!?How does God glorify Himself in you?!!
FOLLOW JESUS!!
Application:
?Your Personal RESULT a stage upon which Jesus is heralded?
?You set the Stage for heralding God’s Anointed?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
God’s Anointed is heralded on the stage of...
7. CONFIRMATION(:11)
8. ATTRACTION(:12)
1. INSIGNIFICANCE(:1)
2. PRESSURE(:1-3)
3. DESIRE(:4)
4. TRUST(:5)
5. SUPPLY(:6-8)
6. TRANSFORMATION, SUPERIORITY, & JOY(:9-10)
Pts. 7-8 Presented 08/30/2015pm to:
FBC Cbelle
209 Storrs Ave.(Ave. A) SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
