“God’s Glory Displayed at a Party”
John 2:1-12
Sermon Series: “Getting Acquainted With Jesus”
Introduction: Verse 11 says, “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” Remember that a sign is a “miracle with a message.” Therefore, this is a literal miracle, but it also contains a deeper spiritual meaning. Jesus revealed His deity by manifesting His glory through this miracle, and it built the faith of His disciples. Through this historical event, Jesus wants us to see Him for who He is, understand what He can do for us, and respond in faith and obedience.
1. The Revelation of the Person of Jesus
Jesus is a people person (see Luke 15:1-7, Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus is God manifest in human flesh (see John 1:14).
Jesus is God the Creator (that is what is pictured by Him instantly turning water into wine, see Colossians 1:16)
2. The Revelation of the Purpose of Jesus’ Coming
Ultimately, Jesus came to go to the cross to die for our sins (v. 4). He was following a divine plan and timetable that was headed to the cross, and He was not going to be detoured from His ultimate purpose and mission.
However, Jesus also cares about and meets our practical needs (Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:33).
Jesus wants to fill the emptiness of our lives. He came to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). The world promises us everything but leaves us empty while Jesus always gives us that which is truly the best. He came to transform us (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus came to give us a real and vibrant relationship with God instead of a dead religion (see John 17:3).
Jesus came to lavish the grace of God upon us (see Exodus 7:20, John 1:16).
Jesus gives true joy to life (John 16:24).
Jesus came to prepare a people to be with God forever in heaven (see Luke 22:18, Revelation 19:1-10).
3. The Proper Response of Those Who Follow Jesus
Obedience (v. 5-7). Jesus gave a command for them to fill up the stone waterpots. He chose to transform the water into wine, but this was not necessary. He could have just brought wine from nothing. God does not need us, but He has chosen to work through us. Often, when God intends to bless us, He gives us a command to be obeyed. How many blessings do we miss because we are not obeying His commands? Charles Spurgeon said, “Our earnest action in obedience to Christ is not contrary to our dependence upon him, but it is necessary to our dependence upon him.”
Faith (v.11). Faith and obedience really go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other (see Hebrews 3:16-19). If we really believe, we obey. If we obey, it is because we are trusting Christ.
Conclusion: Do you have an abundant life through Jesus Christ? Do you have real relationship with God through trusting Jesus or are you stuck in dead religion? Do you have a need that you need for Jesus to meet? Is there a command that He has given you that you need to obey? Does your faith need to be built up? Is there something you need to trust Him with? Are you living for the glory and fame of His name? That is ultimately what our lives are to be about. It is about Him-not us!
