I am preaching through the life of Christ, we had begun with HIS forerunner, John the Baptist, then to HIS birth and we will go all the way to HIS ascension.
In all of that, we have many events, parables and miracles to cover.
Jesus said in Matthew 11.29 to “learn of me”.
That is exactly what we are going to do, is to learn of Christ.
We are to learn of Christ, this is the Christian faith.
Sunday school has really inspired me to look further into these events.
Today we are going to look at Christ’s first miracle.
In this miracle we will see the pattern of all the other miracles.
Does anybody believe in miracles anymore?
A miracle is “In theology, an event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event.”
A supernatural event, an event that is not explainable by the laws of nature.
We are talking about the intervention of an All Mighty God in the affairs of man.
I stand before you this morning convinced GOD IS NOT DEAD!!!
I am convinced God is still working in the affairs of man.
Why don’t we see God doing more things?
Because our view of God is too small.
The bible says…
Matthew 17:14-21 (KJV)
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
We are this faithless and perverse generation.
We cannot believe God for anything.
Can we really believe God for a spiritual awakening in this community, can we really believe God to save our loved ones, can we really believe God to give us spiritual victories in our lives.
How does the miracle working power of God work?
Miracle Needed
Do you need God to do anything in your life today?
Is there a need for a miracle in your life?
Here we read of a need for a miracle.
John 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
This is an interesting passage; a wedding feast runs out of wine.
Is this really a big deal, is this really a need.
There are a lot of suggestions offered as to the importance of this passage such as, Christ’s endorsement of marriage, Christ ‘s endorsement of our participation in regular affairs of life, a picture of the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus wants to do miracles in the smaller things in our lives or a teaching on the relationship between Mary and Jesus.
However we look at this passage we will learn of Christ.
Like how HE does miracles.
It would appear that Mary carried some of the responsibility of the feast.
The burden of the lack of wine fell upon Mary.
Culturally this would be a disaster for the bridegroom.
The lack of wine could have been an oversight, it could have been the cause of too many guests or it could have been the result of poverty.
Regardless there was a lack of wine.
Mary calls upon Jesus to do something about it.
The exchange between Mary and Jesus seems to be out of place, unless we look at it in the perspective of Jesus being God and Mary looking to Him as God.
Jesus addresses several women in the bible as “woman”, here HE is looking at Mary not as the “mother of God” but as a woman created for HIS purpose and good pleasure.
Mary approaches Jesus as if HE could do something.
Mary’s approach to Jesus is to be our approach to Jesus.
Mary approached Jesus as if HE could do something about it.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Man’s Cooperation
We see the need of a miracle, now we are going to see the cooperation of man in the supernatural work of God.
God does a lot of HIS work through man.
I got saved because a group of young men sought the saving of my soul.
I grew in the knowledge of God by the use of men who taught and preached this book.
God used man to establish the institution of church, God used man to preserve HIS words.
Here in this passage we read the same thing, God using man in the performing of this supernatural act.
John 2:5 (KJV)
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
This is great advice, I heard a sermon on this passage one time, and it was called the gospel of Mary.
What is the gospel of Mary, we just read it, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”
Mary rightly points the servants of the feast to Jesus.
Again we too, are to point those working with Christ to the orders Christ gives.
John 2:6-8 (KJV)
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Jesus gives very specific instructions.
This is not a onetime thing; Jesus gave very specific instructions on many things.
In fact, HE wants HIS disciples to follow HIS very specific instructions.
The test of your love for Christ is your obedience to HIS instructions.
John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21 (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Have you ever felt Jesus does not love you, have you ever felt that HE had forsaken you?
The bible tells us HIS love is manifested to us when we obey.
The LORD will produce fruit in us according to our obedience to HIM.
John 15:7-8 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:10 (KJV)
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
John 15:14 (KJV)
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
How can we expect God to do anything, when we are not willing to be used by HIM?
We pray OH LORD send a spiritual awakening, but our heart says OH LORD send a spiritual awakening by using somebody else to knock on doors, by using somebody else to spend hours in prayer, by using somebody else who gives themselves wholly over to you.
What would have happened if the servants said no?
The whole thing would not have worked, there would have been no wine for the guests, the hosts would have been shamed, and there would have been a great loss.
Folks this book is to be obeyed, the gospel is to be obeyed.
What happens to the sinner who does not obey?
2 Thessalonians 1:8 (KJV)
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Miracle Performed
What happens, the servants do exactly as they were told.
John 2:9-10 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
The water was turned into wine, not only wine but good wine.
Now let’s use some common sense here.
There are two kinds of wine in the bible, one kind has bacteria in it and the other does not.
In our day wine is simply an alcoholic beverage, but wine in the bible is not always alcoholic.
Proverbs 23:29-34 (KJV)
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
The bible says that there is wine we can look upon and there is wine we are not look upon.
When the wine changes, when it has bacteria growth in it, when it goes through fermentation, or as the bible says “when it moveth itself aright” is when we are NOT look upon it or drink it.
That gives us a definition of bacteria infested wine.
Now let us look at the bible definition of the other kind of wine.
Luke 22:17-20 (KJV)
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
The bible calls it the fruit of the vine, we call it fresh juice.
Not only is it called the fruit of the vine but it pictures Christ blood.
Some churches use fermented wine and some use un fermented wine, when they serve the Lord’s Supper.
To use fermented wine is to picture Christ’s blood as impure, tainted or bacteria infested.
You can picture Jesus’ blood as impure, tainted and bacteria infested or you can picture HIS blood pure.
In other words you can have a Christ that sinned, who can do nothing for you or you can have a Christ without sin who was able to die in your place for your sins.
We might also add that bacteria infested wine has a bitter taste to it, so when the governor said “thou hast kept the good wine until now” wouldn’t he have been speaking about the taste?
He was talking about something that had tasted good and something that was pure.
It is a crying shame that somebody would use this great miracle of our LORD to rationalize their alcoholic drinking.
I do not know how many times I have heard “well Jesus turned the water into wine” as an acceptable excuse to drink whatever.
Something else I want us to notice what Christ used for this miracle, HE used the things that were readily available, such as the waterpots, water and the servants.
God uses the simplest things to accomplish the greatest of things.
This goes back to the earlier point that we are a “faithless and perverse generation” to think God cannot use the little bit of money we collect, this store front, this group of people, and this literature that we pass out.
We sing the song “little is much when God is in it” do you believe that this morning?
1 Corinthians 1:25-28 (KJV)
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Let us look at the results of this miracle.
Manifests His Glory
John 2:11 (KJV)
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Two great results came from this miracle and I believe this to be the importance of this passage.
This miracle manifested HIS glory, what glory?
John 1:14 (KJV)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
This miracle showed Jesus to be the Son of God.
This miracle also brought the disciples to a place where they believed on HIM.
If only people will believe on Jesus today.
One of the things that really compelled me to consider salvation before I got saved was the miracle of a changed life, THE MIRACLE OF A CHANGED LIFE.
TOO many Christians show no evidence of the miracle of a changed life, this is why these same Christians never see God doing anything to day, and this is why these same Christian do not believe God can do anything today.
Where are you at Christian, are you believing God today to work the works of God and are you cooperating with HIM to work the works of God.
Maybe you are reading and the miracle of salvation is something you do not understand.
Please read the following by clicking on the link.
By Jason LaPat
5.30.2011
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