WTTW HIS WORD

JOHN 2:1-11 SERMON: “His House, His Word, His Body”


Introduction: In this passage John tells his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the temple because of:

A. His Father’s House v 13-16 – His Holy House

B. His Messianic Word v 17 - Prophecy Foretelling It

C. His Resurrected Body vv 18-22 - The New Temple

This morning we’ll begin by looking at Jesus’ temple cleaning authority in relationship to:

A. HIS FATHER’S HOUSE

Explanation:

vv 13-16 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”

-Passover - annual feast all Jewish men were required to celebrate in Jerusalem (Ex 12:11)

-Temple Courts - the place where Gentiles could come to pray

-Cattle, Sheep, Doves - required for sacrifices

-Exchanging Money - into currency acceptable to the temple authorities

Leviticus 11:44-45 44 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. 45 I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
Holy Place turned into a Market Place – a Market Place exploiting God’s People!

Illustration: To illustrated this, let’s fast forward a short period of time to after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to shortly after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit had come to Jesus’ followers and what we call the New Testament Church was at its very beginning.

Acts 5:1-11 Ananias & Sapphira v 4b “What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Application: So what do we make of this today?

What is John telling us today in this portion of the passage about Jesus authority to keep his Father’s House clean-to keep the Church a place that is Holy?

Is God’s Holiness relevant today?

Does God’s Holiness still serve as the basis for Jesus authority to cleanse His Church in our day?

PTL Scandal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGgWhX-zNXI

The Church is where the Holy Spirit dwells amongst the Body of Christ – the Body of Believers.

This doesn’t mean churches are for holy people – churches are for the unholy.

It does mean that the church is different from the world with respect to tolerance of sin.

The world tolerates Sin – A Holy God doesn’t.

Out call to holiness as believers is stated in 1 Peter 1:15-16,

15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2)

And John 3:16 tells us God sent His Son so we could be.

The Apostle Paul tells us the effect Christ has on our lives in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

God’s plan for cleaning His people, for cleaning His Church is His Son – who newly creates us through the washing away of our old sinfulness by the blood He shed for us on Cross.

Summary: Jesus had the authority to cleanse the temple because it was His Father’s House and Holy Fathers have Holy Houses.

Question: How clean is your house? Any closets you still need to clean out? To let Jesus into?

Transition: Let’s move on to look at the second reason John gives us for Jesus’ temple cleaning authority:

B. His MESSIANIC WORD - PROPHECY FORETOLD IT (Who He Was & What He Would Do)

Explanation:

v17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Psalm 69:7-9 For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons, for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. - a Messianic Prophecy of David (foreshadowing the sufferings of Christ) - 2nd most quoted Psalm in New Testament after Psalm 22

Matthew, Mark, Luke - record a cleansing of the temple at the end of Jesus’ ministry

Differing details:

-selling of cattle and sheep in John 2:14,

-the whip in John 2:15,

-the statements of Jesus in Matthew 21:13 “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be
called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

Isaiah 56:7 these things I will bring to my holy mountain and give them
joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. - a Messianic Prophecy of Isaiah
(regarding Salvation for all Nations)

His Messianic Word – Psalm of David & Prophecy of Isaiah

Foretell Who He Is & What He Will Do

So when He does it, when He cleans the temple, when he keeps it a house of prayer, when this comes true, it validates who He is – the Messiah, the Son of God

And, the Messiah has the authority to clean the temple.

Illustration:

Has anything ever foretold or prophesied or predicted about you come true?

Has anyone, a parent, a teacher, a spouse, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a neighbor, someone who just came up to you on the street ever predicted something about you that came true?

Has anyone ever said you were going to do exactly what you turned out to do in life?

How about, has anyone ever said exactly what you were going to say in a specific situation at a specific time in your life?

What would you think if they did?

What would you think if someone said on the day you were born that at 12 noon on Easter Sunday during your 30th year alive you will say something that will upset the establishment so much it will seal your fate?

What if someone said this 400 years before you were born or 1000 years before you were born?

What would you think then?

What would you think if someone said this and then it was coming true in your midst like for the disciples?

What if you said something that was so controversial and upsetting and challenging to the religious establishment that it was clear you were a dangerous person to them and your days were numbered - maybe not challenging to the religious establishment but to the establishment where you go to church or where you work?

What would you think about the authority of their words about you?

What would you think about the authority of the words you spoke in a situation like this?

Well, it is unlikely that you have or will experience a foretelling like this but if you did it would give your words would have a historical amount of weight behind them.

Jesus temple cleaning words had a historical amount of weight behind them!

Application: So what can John be telling us today about the Messianic Words of Scripture and Jesus’ authority today to keep his Father’s House clean-to keep His Church a place that is Holy?

In another book written by the Apostle John, the Book of Revelation in the 21st Chapter starting with the 1st verse it says,

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This is Messianic Prophecy as well.

It is Prophecy about the Messiah’s Second Coming written some 2000 years ago by a 90 year old disciple of Jesus Christ imprisoned on an island.

Do we believe them? Do we believe in the Second Coming of the Messiah?

Do these Messianic Words of the Prophet John carry authority like the Messianic Words of Isaiah and David did in foretelling the Messiah’s First Coming and what he would do – about His Zeal for His Father’s House – a House that is Holy, a House of Prayer?

Do these words carry authority that the Messiah will return - and as the first three chapters of Revelation are about that He cares about the state of His House – His Church?

And do these words of the Prophet John carry authority that when He returns He cares about the state of your house?

In Revelation 22:12 Jesus says,

12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

while in 22:17 the Prophet says,
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
The Prophet of Revelation, the Prophet John tells us it is important to get our house, our life in order and that we do this through the free gift of the water of life.

Remember Jesus I AM’s. I AM the way, the truth and the life!

Accept this Life! Hold on to His Life! Live this Life!

Summary: Jesus had the authority to cleanse the temple because Messianic Prophecy Foretold who He was and what He would do - the Messianic Psalm of David (69:9) and the Messianic Prophecy of Isaiah (56:7) – it identified him as the Messiah, the Son of God!

Transition: John gives us a final reason for the authority Jesus had for cleansing the temple:

C. HIS RESURRECTED BODY - THE NEW TEMPLE

Explanation:

When his authority was questioned in Matthew he silenced them by telling them he would only answer them if they first told him if John’s baptism came from heaven or from men. When they wouldn’t answer him he told them he wouldn’t answer them either.

In our text today,

vv18-22 Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this? Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

To understand this:

1. Psalm 16:10 (Messianic Psalm) because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

2. John 20 The Empty Tomb

-v 6b-7 He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been
around Jesus’ head.

-v 15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for??

-v 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand
and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Jesus Body was not abandoned to the grave to decay but rose again to life!

His Body is the New Temple and by extension of His Holy Spirit ours too…

Illustration:

1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Application: So what is John telling us today about Jesus’ authority with respect to His Resurrected Body being the Temple and keeping his Father’s House clean-about keeping His Church a place that is Holy?

You don’t connect with God in the temple like was done prior to Jesus.

You connect with God through the risen Lord, Jesus Christ through His Spirit – the Holy Spirit

The Resurrected Christ is what the temple used to be – it is our connection to God.

And the Resurrected Christ through the Holy Spirit is an eternal connection to God!

This is the ultimate authority there is. There is no greater authority than the Risen Christ!

It is Christ’s death and resurrection that give Him the authority to keep His Father’s House clean, His Church clean, us clean.

His sacrifice was so great it gives him total authority over His Church, His Body of Believers.

It gives Christ the authority to keep His House clean and that is what he does when he allows corruption to be exposed in His Body, when he allows scandals to be seen, to come into view.

Christ isn’t afraid of scandal destroying the Church, he is afraid of cover ups, lies, and deception destroying the Church.

These are of Satan.

Jesus is light and he brings what is in the dark into the light so that there can be healing.

Without light there is no healing and without healing there is no Holiness.

Transition:

In this passage, John tells his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple because it was His Father’s House, because of His Messianic Word or Prophecy Foretelling who He is & what He would do and because His Resurrected Body would become the New Temple – the holiness of God within us that connects us eternally to God!

Conclusion:

In this passage, John tells us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church because it is His Father’s House, because of His Messianic Word or Prophecy foretelling His return and what He will do and because His Resurrected Body has become the New Temple – the holiness of God within us that eternally connects us to God.

His Father’s House, His Word (Messianic Prophecy), His Resurrected Body – His Authority!

The basis for His Father’s House, His Church, His Body of Believers being Holy.

The basis for our house, our body, being Holy.

The basis for our life being Holy.

In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.

WTTW: HIS WORD "WILL WE?"

TEXT: JOHN 2:1-11 SERMON: “Will We?”

Introduction: In this passage John tells us Jesus’ disciples had faith In Him when He revealed his Glory (v 11) at a wedding banquet by:

A. Turning Water into Wine vv 1-7

B. Providing the Best Wine Last vv 8-10

Let’s look at the first way John tells us Jesus revealed his Glory at a wedding banquet.

John tells us Jesus disciples had faith in Him when He revealed his Glory by:

A. TURNING WATER INTO WINE

Explanation:

“His Glory” – Messiah, Christ, Anointed One, Son of Man, Son of God

Isaiah 35:1-2 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

“New Wine” – Gospel, Good News, New Testament, New Covenant

Joel 3:18 In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias.

Amos 9:13 The days are coming, declares the Lord, when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills.

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Luke 22:19-20 And he took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Illustration:

In the process of making wine after the grapes are picked they are crushed to squeeze out their juice and then the juice is allowed to undergo the process of fermentation – a process involving yeast interacting with sugars in the juice to make alcohol and carbon dioxide. Fermentation is a conversion process whereby grape juice becomes another substance wine. When Jesus turned water into wine this conversion occurred supernaturally, not naturally which is what the process of fermentation is.

Application: So what is the significance for us today that Jesus’ revealed His Glory by turning water into wine at a wedding banquet over 2000 years ago?

Jesus turns water into wine, water that is ordinarily stored in large stone jars for the purpose of keeping the Jewish sanitary laws – water for washing away the dirt from one’s hands to prevent one from getting sick.

Jesus turns the water into wine a common everyday drink created by the process of crushing grapes and fermenting the beverage which converts it from juice to wine

-a process not unlike his body went through when it was crushed for
our Sin, spent 3 days fermenting in the grave before rising in a
converted resurrected state – the conversion state of our resurrected
body.

– A process that also converted the harshness of the Law into something
new: God’s Grace and Forgiveness.

Not only is the dirt washed off our hands, our soul is cleansed of its Sin!

And He gave us a meal to remind us of what changed, the conversion that occurred when he died on the Cross and Rose again from the Grave

– a meal of bread to remember his crushed, broken body

– a meal of wine to remember his blood shed for our Sin.

– a meal of Grace - a Resurrection meal!

Summary: Jesus’ disciples had faith in Him when He revealed His Glory by turning water into wine at a wedding banquet.

We have faith in Jesus when He reveals His Glory by providing us bread and wine, His Body, His Blood at His banquet, His Supper - the Lord’s Supper – when we take and eat in remembrance of Him, in remembrance of what He has done for us, for what He did for us on the Cross, for the empty grave that He left.

Transition: John tells us Jesus’ disciples had faith in Him when He revealed his Glory to them in another way - by:

B. PROVIDING THE BEST WINE LAST

Explanation:

THE LAW WAS FIRST GIVEN TO MOSES

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (“I AM” Psalm 50:21) –dependable & faithful eternal God who desires full trust of His people – established the LAW with Moses

JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

JESUS FULFILLS THE LAW AS THE GREAT I AM

John: The Seven Great “I Am’s of Jesus

“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35, 48 – the living bread, the bread that gives life

“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12; 9:5 – God is Light (1 John 1:5) – Jesus lights the way for life

“I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7, 9 – the one way into salvation

“I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11, 14 – lays down his life, will die for his sheep

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25 – these are his nature such that final death is impossible for Him

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6 – I am the way to the Father in that I am the truth and the life

“I am the true vine.” John 15:1, 5 – real connection to God, allows production of quality fruit

Illustration: Wine Spectator’s: The Essentials of Wine By Harvey Steiman

When Wine is Release

In an old commercial for Paul Masson winery, Orson Wells intoned, “We sell no wine before its time.” The joke among start up wineries is that their banks say when “its time.” Its when the payment is due on the loan.

In Europe, appellation laws stipulate the earliest date that a wine can be released. In general, white wine is ready sooner than red; most regions get their basic whites out within a year, reds within two…

…In the New World, no regulations require that wine be sold at any given time. As a result wineries can release wine whenever it make sense for them. This creates a moving target for collectors and wine writers who want to know how good a particular vintage is and which wines are worth buying from it. For any given vintage the wines come onto the market over a span of two years for Chardonnays and up to four years and up to four years for Cabernets. At any given time store shelves are full of newly released wines.

We sell no wine before its time. When was Jesus’ time?

In John 3:16 it says… For God so loved the world that He sent… He sent His Son when it was time for Him to come..

Wineries releasing wines whenever they want is a little bit like today’s culture in which there are so many wines being released at one time, so many different belief systems and so great a cry for tolerance, so great a cry that all beliefs are equally true, equally valid and equally tasty to the pallet when in fact they contract each other.

Application: So what is the significance for us today that Jesus revealed His Glory by providing the best wine last at a wedding banquet over 2000 years ago?

The Law was given to Moses - prophesying about Jesus’ coming.

Jesus is the best wine – His blood is the best wine.

Jesus shed blood forgives us of our Sin.

It Liberates us from our burden.

It is our Salvation!

Jesus came after Moses. He came after the Prophets. He came last.

His Glory is revealed to us as being the best wine served last.

And, we have faith in Him because of His Glory!

No other belief system, no other religion has Jesus, has His Glory.

Without His Glory what would you believe in? have faith in?

Summary: Jesus’ disciples had faith in Him when he revealed His Glory by providing the best wine last at a wedding banquet.

We have faith in Jesus when He reveals His Glory by fulfilling the Law – when He reveals Himself as the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God – the Great “I am.”

Transition:

In this passage, John tells us that Jesus’ disciples had faith in Him when he revealed His Glory to them at a wedding banquet. Jesus revealed His glory to His disciples by converting water to wine and by saving the best wine for last.

In this passage, John tells us that Jesus’ disciples had faith in Him when they recognized who He was by His Glory – the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb of God who take away the sin of the world.

Conclusion:

John also tells us that we can have faith in Jesus when He reveals His Glory to us:

whenever we celebrate His banquet – each time we participate in His
Supper - the Lord’s Supper

whenever we “take and eat” His body, His blood – a broken body that
in fulfillment of the Law sets us free from our Sin.

We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper later in the service today.

Will we recognize Jesus Glory when we do?

As we eat and drink will we see Him converting water into wine?

Will we see the Glory of His death and resurrection – His converting death to life!

Will we see the Glory of God’s timing in sending His Son to fulfill the Law – in becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the world?

Will we?

In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.

WHY FOLLOW JESUS? TESTIMONY!

TEXT: JOHN 1:35-51 SERMON: WHY FOLLOWJESUS? TESTIMONY!

Introduction: In this passage John tells us we follow Jesus for two reasons, because of:

A. His Testimony – What He says…

B. Other’s Testimony – What they say…

Let’s look at the first reason why John tells us we follow Jesus.

John tells us we follow Jesus because of what Jesus tells us, because of:

A. HIS TESTIMONY 

Explanation: John records for us Jesus Testimony, what He said, He said:

1. Come and See. (v 39)

2. Follow Me. (v 43)

3. I know you. (v 48)

4. I am the Savior (v 50)

Let’s look closer at each of the things Jesus said…

1. COME AND SEE

 Intrigued by what John the Baptist says, two of his disciples ask Jesus where he is staying

 Jesus Response  “Come and See”  Spend Time Examining Me

 Andrew’s Response  Finds his brother and tells him about Jesus.

2. FOLLOW ME

 Finding Philip

 Jesus Response  “Follow Me”  Spend Time Together With Me

 Philip’s Response  Finds Nathaniel and tells him about Jesus.

3. I KNOW YOU

 Nathaniel doubts but comes  Jesus call him “A true Israelite, Nothing False”

 Nathaniel asks, How do you know me?

 Jesus Response  “I saw you…”  I know you, I care about you, I love you

 Nathaniel’s Response  “Son of God”

4. I AM THE SAVIOR

 Jesus: “You shall see greater things than that…You shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” vv 50-51

 Jacob’s Dream at Bethel: Genesis 28:12 (13) He has a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angel’s of God were ascending and descending on it. (There above it stood the LORD, and he said: I am the LORD the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendents the land on which you are lying.)

 Jesus himself is the bridge between heaven and earth (John 14:6)

 Jesus is the only mediator between God and men (I Timothy 2:5)

 Jesus: Son of Man  Jesus most common title for himself, 81 times in the Gospels, only by Jesus, a Messianic title

 Son of Man  Daniel 7:13-14 In my vision at night I looked and there before me was one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him.

Illustration: A parent’s testimony about their child

Like Jesus, they know, care about child & love their child.

Like Jesus, by spending time together, by relating, they bond to their children as their children attach to them.

Like Jesus, in relationship, through examination, their children discover who they are.

Like Jesus. they bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood, helping the child move from confinement (dependency) to freedom (independency).

Application: So what is the significance of Jesus’ testimony for us today?

 When Jesus tells us “Come & See” do we stop what we’re doing to spend time with Him, to examine who He is, what He says, what He has done?

 When He tells us “Follow Me” do we drop what we’re doing to be with Him, to learn from Him, to allow our hearts to change because of Him, to allow our pain to heal because of Him?

 When Jesus tells us that he knows us, do we believe Him and do we know that when He tells us he knows us He is telling us He cares about us, that he loves us?

 And what is our response? How do we respond when He tells us to “Come & See”, to Follow Him” and when he tells us He knows us?

 Like Andrew & Philip is our first response to go and tell someone else about Jesus  a family member, a friend?

 Like Nathaniel is our first response to confess Him as the Son of God?

And when He tells us he is the bridge, the stairway, between heaven and earth, the mediator between mankind and God do we realize He is our SAVIOR?

 Have you heard His testimony? Have you responded? Are you following Him? Are you HIs disciple? Is He your Savior?

Transition: John tells us there is another reason why we follow Jesus, because of what others say about Him, because of:

B. OTHER’S TESTIMONY 

Explanation: John tells us we follow Jesus because of who they say he is:

1. The lamb of God (v 36) John the Baptist

2. The Messiah. (v. 41) Andrew

3. The One Moses wrote about. (v. 45) Philip

4. The Son of God. (v. 49) Nathaniel

Let’s look closer at each of these testimonies about Jesus…

1.THE LAMB OF GOD (v 36) John the Baptist

 John 1:36 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

 Isaiah 53:7-9 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

 Jesus will be the “sacrifice” that will atone (like the Passover lamb) but for the sin of world

2. THE MESSIAH (v. 41) Andrew

 Christ (Greek)  “The Anointed One”

 In OT “anointing” signified being “set apart” for service, like with the Kings

 Jewish hopes of a “National Deliverer”

3. THE ONE MOSES WROTE ABOUT (v. 45) Philip

 Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

 Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

 Numbers 21:9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

 Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

4. THE SON OF GOD (v. 49) Nathaniel

 John 1:14, 18, 34; 3:16; 20:31

Illustration: A child’s testimony about their parents

Like a King, she delivered me.

Like a Lamb, they sacrificed for me.

Like Moses, he was my leader.

Like the Son of God, they saved me.

Application: So what is the significance of their testimony for us today?

What does it mean that Jesus is your Lamb? Has the blood of the Lamb been shed for you? Has it been shed for your sins?

Is Jesus your Anointed One?, Your King, Your Deliverer?

He has crushed Satan’s head, striking a fatal blow with his death and resurrection?

Do you look to the Cross for Salvation like those wandering in the desert looked to the Bronze Snake on a Pole in order to live?

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?

Transition: In this passage, John tells us that we follow Jesus based on two types of testimony: first based on the Testimony of Jesus Himself and secondly based on the testimony of others.

Conclusion:

Jesus’ Testimony tells us that if we take time to be with Him we will discover He knows us, cares about us, and loves us.

Spending time with Jesus leads to the discovery that Jesus loves us so much that He came to Save us, that he came to bridge the gap that exists between us and God because of our Sin.

And like parents, who love their child helping them move from helpless dependency to autonomy and independency, Jesus Liberates us from the confines of Sin and its effect on our life. He frees us from this burden and heals our heart, our pain, our suffering, our lives.

Other’s testimony, the testimonies of John the Baptist, Andrew, Philip and Nathaniel, tell us that Jesus is our sacrificial lamb, our king / our deliverer, our leader, and the Son of God.

He is like a mother delivering a child brining it to life, a parent sacrificing for their child’s good, a parent who leads the way for the child in life, and the parent who is there to save their child in times of trouble.

Why follow Jesus?

Because of what he says!

Because of what they say!

In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOD'S WORD: WHO CHRIST IS

GOD'S WRITTEN WORD: John 13:19-34 SERMON NOTES: “WHO CHRIST IS”

I. John tells us in this passage who “Christ” is.

ii. How does John tell us in this passage who “Christ” is?

III. John tells us in this passage that “Christ” is:

A. “Not” John the Baptist

B. Jesus

Let’s look at the first way John tells us who Christ is.

John tells us who Christ is by telling us who he isn’t, he is:

A.“NOT” JOHN THE BAPTIST 

Explanation

 John, the Apostle, tells us that: John, the Baptist, was the one who:

1. Called out in the desert. (v 23) 4. Was unworthy to untie his sandals. (v 27)

2. Made straight the way of the Lord. (v 23) 5. Revealed who “Christ” was. (v 30-31, 33-34)

3. Baptized with water. (v 24-26)

Illustration:

 Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice of one calling: In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

 Baptism by water = an external baptism or cleansing of repented “acts” of sin

 Baptism by the Holy Spirit = an internal Baptism or cleanings by the Holy Spirit of the “nature” of sin

 Matthew 3:11-12 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 Untying sandals was a task for slaves – John is beneath a slave in his worthiness next to the holiness of Jesus.

 John 1:34 I have seen (the Holy Spirit come down & remain on him) and I testify that this is the Son of God.

Application:

 Where is our voice in the world today? Are we calling out?

 Are we calling out to make the road straight for the LORD, or to the LORD for those who don’t know him?

 And do we live our lives baptized by water or by the Holy Spirit? Do we proclaim Christ by how we live?

 Do we become greater for the world to see or smaller so Christ is the one who is seen?
 What is our testimony? 1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Transition:

The other way John tells us who Christ is in this passage is by telling us who he is:

B. JESUS

Explanation

 John, the Apostle, tells us that: Jesus is the One who:

1. Is the Lamb of God. (v 29) 4. Baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (v 33)

2. Takes away the sin of the world. (v 29) 5. Is the Son of God! (v 34)

3. The Spirit came down from heaven and remain on. (v 32)

Illustration:

 “Lamb of God” expression found only in John 1:29 & 1:36

 John 1:36 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

 Isaiah 53:7-9 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked.

 Jesus will be the “sacrifice” that will atone (like the Passover lamb) but for the sin of world

 Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”

 John 1: 33-34 …The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain on is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify this is the Son of God.

Application:

 Like John, do we see the Lamb of God passing by?

 Where do we see him? In the Cross, in the Word, in the Elements, in live giving self-less acts of believers, in the sufferings of those around us, in our sufferings?

 Like John, when we see the Lamb of God passing by do we say something, do we point him out to others?

 Do we acknowledge the Lamb of God, Jesus as Christ the Son of the Living God?

 Do we point him out and acknowledge him to others so that they too may follow him as Christ, the Messiah?

 And, have we experienced the descending of the Holy Spirit upon us like our Savior?

 Have we been baptized by the Holy Spirit? Has our sin nature been cleansed in this way? Have we been claimed as a child of God through Christ in this way?

Transition:

In conclusion, John tells us who Christ is in this passage in two ways: first by telling us who he isn’t, that he is “Not” John the Baptist and secondly by telling us who he is, that he is Jesus.

 One called out in the world to prepare for and make Christ known.

 One came as Christ - the Spirit-filled Son of God who died for our sin.

 What is our testimony?  What have we seen and heard”  What has happened in our lives?

 Are we preparing to make Christ known?  Are we preparing others to know Christ?

 Are we doing it so He, not us, is the one seen.

 Are we aware of Christ in the world today?  Can we point others to the Cross, the Word, the Elements?

 Can we point to sufferings in the world, to our own suffering and the sacrifices of others?

 Can we say like John, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”

In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYER

Our Father, forgive the sins we commit each day that make us unworthy to be in Your presence without the mercy and forgiveness You show to a repentant and contrite heart.

Our Father, we thank You for Your Lamb that takes away the sin of the world and for Your baptism with water and the Holy Spirit.

Our Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit empower us to be a voice calling out in our barren world, to those who are spiritually thirsty.

Our Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit empower us to make straight the way of the Lord to those who are seeking Him and like John, help to reveal “the Christ” as the “Son of God” to others through our witness and testimony.

Our Father, we pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

GOD'S WORD: CREATOR, NEIGHBOR, SAVIOR

GOD'S WRITTEN WORD: John 13:1-18 SERMON NOTES: “CREATOR, NEIGHBOR, SAVIOR”


I. John tells us that Jesus Christ is eternal God who came into this sinful world to make known His Father’s righteousness & grace. v 18

II. How does John tell us that Jesus Christ is the eternal God who came into this sinful world to make known His Father’s righteousness & grace.

III. John tells us that Jesus Christ makes known His Father’s righteousness & grace in this sinful world as the:

Jesus makes known His Father’s righteousness & grace in three ways: as the Word of God, the Flesh of God & as the Way to God.

Let’s look at the first way Jesus makes this known.

A. “Word” of God.  “Creator” GOD vv 1-5

Illustration:

 Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.... 1:3 And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.

 “In the beginning” – eternal

 “Word” – Greeks (Logos -rational principle that governs all things); Jews (God)

Application:

 Jesus is the Word of God and the Word of God is the Bible.

 When we read our Bibles we get to know Jesus as eternal God and see his reflection of God’s righteousness and grace.

 How well are we able to see Jesus reflecting God’s righteousness and grace in our lives at this time?

 He wants us to see it, He provides the Words to makes this happen.

 Will we read them?, Will we let them change us? Will we let them heal us?

Transition:

The second way Christ makes known His Father’s righteousness & grace is as:

B. “Flesh” of God.  “Neighbor” GOD vv 14

Illustration:

 John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

 John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.

Application:

 Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we can live. His flesh was sacrificed and he completely gave his life for us.

 How have we responded to what he has done for us?

 How would we respond if someone saved us from a burning house, a car crash, a near drowning, an illness?

 Do we need to respond to what he has done today?

Transition:

The third and final way Christ makes known His Father’s righteousness & grace is as:

C. “Way“ to God.  “Savior” GOD vv 6-13, 15-17


Illustration:

 “believe” – this word is used 98 X’s in Gospel of John

 John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

 John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 John 20:30-31 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Application:

 Jesus has been offered as a “gift” by God – to all who “received” him (v 12)

 We receive the “gift” God offers us by “believing” in his name (v 12)

 His name is “Jesus Christ”, i.e. Jesus = Yahweh Saves, Christ = Messiah (Savior).

 Do we “believe” Jesus Christ is the Savior, the One Yahweh (God) sent into the world to save it (3:16)?

 If so, how are we going to respond to this gift from God? How do we respond when we are given other gifts?

 If you accept the gift given to you, you receive it.

 We are told we receive God’s gift of Eternal Life by believing in His Son’s name:

 “Jesus Christ” – because of what his name represents  who he is and what he has done

 Jesus Christ is Yahweh Saves, the Messiah, the Savior,

 He is the eternal God who in the Flesh died on the cross for our sins to save us.

Transition:

In conclusion, Jesus makes known his Father’s righteousness and grace in three ways as: the Word of God, the Flesh of God, and as the Way to God.

 As the Word of God he created us.

 As the Flesh of God he died for us.

 As the Way to God he saved us.

 Do we believe in his name?

 Do we believe who he is, The Word, the Flesh, the Way?

 Do we believe he is your Creator, your Neighbor, your Savior?

 Do we believe what he has done?

 Do we believe as eternal God in the flesh he was crucified on a cross for our sins?

 Have we responded? Have we received God’s gift of “life to the full” and his gift of eternal life?

 Have we received these?

In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.



PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You and give You praise for Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word, who is eternal, who is God, who was with You from the beginning, and who is the Creator of all things.

Our Father, we praise You for the Life and Light he brought into the world and we ask Your forgiveness when we hide in the darkness of this world, when instead of coming into his Light and Life, we try to cover our sins because of our shame.

Our Father, we ask that Your righteousness which we have received when we believed in Your Son’s Name, in the Name of Jesus Christ – that Your grace that we have received, lead us to repentance and to not fear returning to the Light and Life that Your Son has brought to our lives.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son made his dwelling place among us, became our neighbor and with our belief in his Name makes his dwelling place within us, within our hearts through the power of Your Holy Spirit so that we are never separated from Your Love.

Our Father, we thank You for making Yourself known to us through the grace and truth we have received from Your Son’s sacrifice for our sins, for the Eternal Life that this brings and for the darkness that this brings us out of and the Light that this brings us into.

Our Father, we pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

GOD'S WORD: LOVE, COMPASSION, HUMILITY, SACRIFICE

GOD'S WORD: John 13:1-17

Paraphrase

At a meal just before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that in coming from God everything had been placed under his power but that now his time had come to return to God and leave the world and those whom he loved. The meal progressed with the devil having already incited Judas to betray Jesus as he stood up, took off his outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist, took a basin of water, began washing his disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel.

When Peter asked him if he was going to wash his feet, Jesus told him he didn’t understand what he was doing now but would later on, although Peter protested anyway telling Jesus he should never lower himself to washing his feet. Jesus responded by telling Peter that unless he washed his feet he had no business being with him which led to Peter quickly changing course and asking Jesus to wash his entire body instead. Jesus answered by telling him that since he had bathed his body was clean and only his feet were dirty and in need of cleaning – indicating that not everyone of them had a clean body in the sense of sin knowing that Judas was planning to betray him.

When he was done washing their feet he returned to the table asking them if they understood what he had just happened telling them that they correctly call him Teacher and Lord yet he had lowered himself to serve them by washing their feet as an example for how they are to serve one another. Jesus told them since a servant isn’t greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one with the message, He had done this so they would be able to humble themselves as servants knowing it was blessed to do so.

Principles

Central Idea of the Text (CIT)
Interrogatory (INT)
Answer (ANS)


A. Meaning for 1st Century Readers

I. CIT: John told his 1st Century Readers that Jesus taught his disciples how to serve one another.

II. INT: How did Jesus teach his disciples to serve one another?

III. ANS: Jesus taught his disciples to serve one another through:

A. Love (people) v 1

B. Compassion (power) vv 2-3

C. Humility (serving) vv 4-11

D. Sacrifice(example) vv 12-17


B. Meaning for 21st Century Readers

I. CIT: John tells us today that Jesus teaches us how to serve one another.

II. INT: How does Jesus teach us to serve one another?

III. ANS: Jesus teaches us to serve one another through:

A. Love – Neighbor as Self
“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35


B. Compassion - Non-Abusive Power

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—Matthew 20:25-27


C. Humility - Serve Others First
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many.” Mark 4:5
•

D. Sacrifice - The Cross “Take Up Your Cross Daily and Follow Me”

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23


Prayer

Our Father, Teach us to love as You Love.

Our Father, Make our servant hearts humble.

Our Father, Fill us with Your compassion.

Our Father, Keep us from abusing power & authority.

Our Father, Give us courage to sacrifice in Your Name.

Our Father, Help us to put others first like Your Son.

Our Father, We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior,

Amen.