Intro:
- Memory Verse: John 20:31
- Point of miracles: Glory to God; Faith increased for us
- What miracles don’t mean: 1. Not symbolic surprises; 2. Does not mean miracles on demand; 3. Back then, but not now.
- “Maybe the greatest rationalism of all is the recognition that rationalism is not conclusive.”
- You can understand the Bible yourself. Most passages are easy to understand, some are difficult, and very few are hard to understand.
1. Miracles flow from what we have (v 1-6)
- God sets us the assets ahead of time (makes me think of Psalm 90)
- Weddings were week long affairs in the Jewish culture. Every possible dollar was spent on the wedding. Every person they knew was invited.
- Jesus is 30 years old when this passage starts.
- Jesus and his disciples were invited
- The bible does not condemn the partaking of wine; drunkenness is sin
- 3 parts water, 1 part wine
- it literally means “the wine failed”
- in the era the grooms parents paid for the wedding
- the culture of the day was honor-shame; it’s different from our truth culture; what people thought of the family means everything
- the brides family could sue the grooms family for running out of wine, for shaming the brides family.
- Mary seems to have some hostess responsibility at this wedding.
- Jesus calls her “woman”, again it’s a cultural reference, it’s affectionate. Jesus esteemed women highly throughout the Gospels.
- “The Hour” – John 4:21, John 5:25-28, all the Gospel He used the word Hour to describe the time between the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane.Jesus knows the first time he does a miracle in public that the clock on his “Hour” has started
- There was no way Jesus was telling his mom “no.”
- 6 stone water jars (Lev 33) were used for purification not drinking, this would’ve enraged the religious leaders by going around their religious practices.
- Matthew 11 – Jesus came eating and drinking, He was not a fuddy-duddy
- To get the miracle the people had to do something, the stone pitchers were crazy heavy, and even heavier when filled with water. Â They had to be moved.
- What do I have: time, ability, love, prayer, some level of resource
2. Miracles flow through active faith (v 7-9)
- the servants were active – strength, water pots, water, etc.
- do what I can and trust God to do the rest.
- Hebrews 11: shows person and act before receiving the miracle.
- Footprints vs. Butt prints
- As you wait for the miracle: do everything you’re capable of doing?; do everything you’re counseled to do?; removed all impediments to prayer (confession)?: praying in faith?; praying with God’s glory as the motive?
3. Miracles flow to the glory of Jesus (v 9b-11a)
- stone jars are filled to the brim; God gives abundantly and quality
- sign – a distinguishing mark by which something is known
- it means He is the Christ, it confirms everything in John’s prologue.
- Why do I want this miracle? What am I really after? This should be sifting our motives.
4. Miracles flow from a deeper faith (v 11b-12)
- Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it no matter what circumstances are or how I feel about it.
Conclusion: