Monday, December 12, 2011

Saving the Best 'Til Last

Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.

Recap of the sermon from December 11th (John 2:1-11):

Lessons at a wedding:

-Jesus brings joy: “…, it is most significant, therefore, that [Jesus] first miracle, which was an index to His whole ministry, was so related to the joy of a wedding feast. It rebukes the foolish fear that religion robs life of its happiness, or that loyalty to Christ is inconsistent with exuberant spirits and innocent pleasure. It corrects the false impression that sourness is a sign of sainthood, or that gloom is a condition of godliness. It indicates the transforming, enabling, transfiguring power of Christ, and shows how He came that we ‘may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (Dr. Charles Erdman)

-The new replaces the old: Judaism had become empty and bankrupt of meaning through its emphasis on ritual and externals while neglecting true spiritual matters. Jesus was the best that was saved till last.

-Jesus transforms: Even as He turned the water into wine, Jesus transforms sinners into saints. Jesus ministry is a ministry of transformation (regeneration) not renovation.

-Faith is not a static thing, it grows: The Disciples’ initial faith in Jesus grew and developed as they observed the ministry and power of Jesus.