The Gospel of John

"In Him Is Life"
John 1:1-5

Introduction:
A. What makes Christianity different?
(1) Different from every human effort at reaching God
(2) Different in that it actually accomplishes what it promises to do
B. The simple answer is in Christianity, man does not approach God, God came to us
(1) In human form – “the Word became flesh” (v 14)
(2) Not just to show the way, but to become the way
C. Today we begin a study of the Gospel according to John
(1) Our text for today in chapter 1, verses 1-5
(2) Out text contains these significant elements – Eternity, Divinity, Creation, Conflict, Victory

I. Eternity
A. “In the beginning”
(1) That is, before the beginning of time
(2) The Triune God was
(3) Genesis 1:1-2, 1 John 1:1
B. “The Word was with God”
(1) Perfect fellowship, face to face
(2) Christ’s high priestly prayer – And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:5

II. Divinity
A. “And the Word was God”
(1) All cults deny this teaching
(2) New World translation (?) “word was a god”
B. The Nicene Creed
(1) I believe in...And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
(2) Clear affirmation of Christ’s deity

III. Creation
A. “Through Him all things were made”
(1) “without Him nothing was made”
(2) He is the one who will make all things new (Revelation 21:5)
B. Consider the magnificence of creation
(1) Over one-hundred billion stars
(2) If you counted them, 1 per second, and started at the time of Christ, you would still need 500 more years
(3) Consider Genesis 1:16
C. Mankind is the crown of God’s creation
(1) Given the mandate to rule (Genesis 1:28)
(2) Called to Christ, and commanded to witness to the world (Acts 1:8)

IV. Conflict
A. The Word, Christ, is light
(1) The world loves evil – original sin
(2) The world loves darkness – the effect of sin
B. Christ, the light, “shines in the darkness”
(1) The darkness suppresses the light (Romans 1:18)
(2) The darkness does not understand the light
C. We must understand this conflict as it is all around us
(1) It is a subtle conflict, so much so that many are either unaware or only aware of symptoms
(2) What does the future hold?

V. Victory
A. In a world plagued by death, He is life
B. In a world plagued by darkness, He is light
C. This life is the light of mankind, this is Spiritual victory
(1) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already... 3:16-18
(2) Compare John 14:6

“A Witness to the Light”
John 1:5-13

Introduction:
A. Can you see that?
(1) Have you ever been asked such a question?
(2) The world is full of blindness
B. Today we continue our study of the Gospel of John
(1) John does not discuss the circumstances of the birth of Christ or John the Baptist
(2) He simply tells of their mission

I. A man named John
A. John, “sent by God”
(1) Jesus was also sent by God
(2) The Spirit is also sent by God
B. We have focused on the “Purpose Driven Life”
(1) John’s life exemplifies this concept
(2) Certainly, from before conception, his life had purpose and direction
(3) Do you feel this about yourself?
C. John was not “the light”
(1) It was clear that John brought no light of his own
(2) He was simply a witness to the light
(3) His mission was to testify, to bear witness

II. A light with Power
A. This light is universal
(1) Not that all are saved
(2) But all have opportunity to see
(3) Psalm 19:1-4a The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
(4) Romans 1:18- 20 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
(5) John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
B. The Light is the true Light
(1) Religion is itself an evidence that there is light and that there is a quest for the light
(2) John’s testimony is that it is only in Christ that true light is found
(3) John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

III. “To all who received Him” (verse 12) who saw the light
A. “To all who received” clearly suggest that “all did not receive
(1) He came to His own – the Jews
(2) Large number of them did not believe
(3) But some did and continue to, as do gentiles as well
B. Those who believe (faith, trust)
(1) In His name – not just letters of the alphabet, but in what His name represents
(2) Those born of God, God’s purpose and plan
C. “He gave the right” (verse 12) power
(1) Power to become more than they already were
(2) Power to become children of God

"The Word Among Us"
John 1:14-18

Introduction:
A. One of our radio speakers this week made the point that Christianity is like all other religions except in the areas of teaching about God, sin, judgment, salvation, justification, resurrection, and Christ
B. Our text today is foundational to these differences

I. A Unique Son
A. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus was God’s “One and Only Son”
(1) See verses 14 & 18
(2) 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. John 3:16
(3) Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Genesis 22:2
(4) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9
B. “The Word became flesh”
(1) This is speaking of the Son of God becoming flesh
(2) This is the point at which Christian thought breaks with all other, it speaks of God’s transcendence, something from “there” came to “here”
(3) All other thought speaks of either getting a message from “there” or being able to discern a message here
(4) Typically in John’s writings, flesh equates to that which is natural, superficial, powerless
(5) But here is denotes supernatural, all-powerful, real
C. “His glory”
(1) Not “glory through the flesh” but “in the flesh”
(2) When speaking of a person, glory speaks of how they appear, that is “attractive and honorable”
(3) In Hebrew thinking, the first born son bore special responsibilities and an only son, carried the burden of the family
(4) The glory of Christ reflects the character of His Father

II. A Dwelling
A. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”
(1) When Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt, she ceased to be Lot’s wife
(2) When the Word became flesh, He did not cease to be God, He also became one of us
(3) The Creator joined His creatures
B. A powerful tabernacle – He tabernacled among us
(1) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross Philippians 2:5-8
(2) He was here with purpose

III. A Testimony
A. John testifies
(1) “He who comes after me...”
(2) “surpassed me”
(3) “was before me”
(4) He was a man of grace
(5) We “received one blessing after another”
B. Law and grace
(1) Some see verse 17 as a repudiation of the law of Moses
(2) It is in reality a contrast between the law which as “given” and grace and truth which “came” through Christ
(3) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

"John’s Testimony"
John 1:19-28

Introduction:
A. The true purpose of the ministry of John the Baptist was to focus attention on the light (7)
(1) We are all familiar with the circumstances of his birth
(2) We are familiar with his clothing and food and preaching a message of repentance and his baptizing
(3) But John the evangelist (the author of this book) saw fit not to focus on any of that, he knew the other gospels did that, but on John’s purpose, his testimony
B. His message was of some interest and caused a stir among the people
(1) Suggesting that even the sons of Abraham needed to repent was a new idea to many
(2) As a result, many had come to be baptized
C. It was predictable that sooner or later, the powers that be would become interested or annoyed
(1) So they sent a delegation to the Jordan to inquire of John
(2) These priests and Levites essentially asked the following question...

I. Who are you?
A. John did not take the 5th amendment
(1) No refusal to answer
(2) He freely answered their questions
(3) John says “confessed freely”
B. But he never really said who he was, but that he was simply a voice (23)
(1) John does not tell us why
(2) But we can guess he understood his position as a forerunner
(3) His purpose was to point to Christ, not himself
(4) So much failure in Christians today has been in ministry where the focus has been on the man and not the message
C. It is interesting who they thought him to be
(1) “I am not the Christ” (20) the anointed one, Messiah
(2) Elijah – “I am not” (even though Luke says he went before him in “the spirit and power of Elijah” and Christ referenced him as such in Matthew 17:12)
(3) Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-18) – “No” 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
(4) Then who are you? We need an answer to take back

II. John’s answer was twofold
A. "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' (Isaiah 40:3)
(1) Who I am does not matter
(2) What matters is what I am doing
(3) I am he whom Isaiah spoke of
(4) Simply a lone voice crying in the wilderness
B. You need to prepare the way for the Lord
(1) This would have been an unwelcome message to the members of the Sanhedrin who most likely sent these men to inquire
(2) The Lord is coming and you guys are not ready

III. Why are you doing what you are doing?
A. If you are not Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet, why then are you doing what you are doing?
B. Your attention is misdirected
(1) There stands among us one you do not know
(2) I am unworthy to untie his sandals
(3) I baptize with water – that is outward, symbolic, man accomplished event
(4) But later - verse 33 - “who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'” inward, efficacious, power of God
(5) Romans 2: 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

"The Lamb of God"
John 1:29-34

Introduction:
A. Many people are reticent to open themselves to serve God for fear He will ask more of them than they can provide
(1) In one sense, this reveals our own lack of preparation
(2) In another it shows we really do not understand that what God requires, He will also provide
(3) John’s life shows life long providential preparation
(4) The key to John’s success was willingness and faithfulness
B. As we will see tonight, I have jumped a paragraph, John was somewhat cagey about his own identity, but very clear on the identity of Christ

I. The Next Day
A. We tend to view history, the past, as a one act play
(1) We tend to roll together the birth of Christ, His ministry, His death and resurrection as maybe three acts of a presentation
(2) The reality is that God works day by day
B. So one day, in the life of John, he looked up and saw Jesus coming
(1) Just one day in his life in the midst of many others
(2) Think about your own life and one day, consider tomorrow and what it will mean for Christ

II. The Lamb of God
A. “Who takes away the sin of the world!”
(1) Most likely a reference to the Passover lamb
(2) Associated with redemption and sacrifice
(3) Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together Genesis 22:8
(4) he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, Isaiah 53:7b
B. Undeveloped Theology
(1) John does not fully develop the Theology of the atonement, but he sets the stage for it
(2) He sees sin as that enemy which must be removed
(3) He sees Christ as the one “who takes away sin”
(4) We understand this to be sacrifice, redemption, and the cross

III. He was before me
A. John acknowledges revelation
(1) “I myself did not know Him...”
(2) But He is the reason I came v31
B. John understood he was only preparing the way
(1) He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light 1:8
(2) While He comes after me, He in fact “surpassed me”
(3) John knew Christ was the “true light”

IV. John’s Testimony (a powerful witness to emulate)
A. “I saw” – hard to refute a personal word of the power of God in your life
(1) Foundation of humility – “I would not have known...”
(2) Built on revelation – what he had been told
B. He was sent
(1) To baptize with water – given instruction
(2) Sent to accomplish a mission, a purpose
C. A man was coming who already was
(1) John knew he was dealing with a man
(2) This man is the lamb of God
(3) He had been told the Spirit, in the form of a dove, would rest upon him
(4) He would then baptize with the Holy Spirit
D. “I have seen” and now give witness
(1) What I was told (revelation, the Word)
(2) Has in fact happened before my very eyes
(3) This man who I was told was coming, is indeed “the Son of God”

"A Couple of Firsts"
John 1:35-42

Introduction:
A. Do you have a sense about you that God can use you?
(1) Could God actually use you to make a difference?
(2) What would it take to either give you that sense or motivate it in you?
B. Today we look at the third day in the ministry of Jesus

I. The next day
A. John A – that is the Apostle, author of this book, is giving us a day by day account of four days in the life of Christ
(1) This text is the third day, but lets look for a moment at day 2
(2) John B – that is the Baptist, was addressing a crowd
(3) He saw Jesus walking toward him
(4) No evidence of any impact on Andrew and John A
B. Now on day three
(1) Only two present, Andrew and John A
(2) John B again saw Jesus, but this time passing by
(3) John B says “Look, the Lamb of God”
(4) Evidence of big impact on Andrew and John A
(5) They followed Jesus – for the rest of their lives
C. Jesus turns around and saw them following and asked
(1) “What do you want?” not who do you want
(2) Was it seeking removal of their sins by this Lamb?
(3) Was it salvation and an open door into the kingdom?
(4) Whatever it was, (never stated) Jesus was certainly able to supply more abundantly than they could ever ask or think – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

II. A Simple Answer
A. Rabbi – great master or great teacher
(1) John A is writing mainly to gentiles and so he often explains Aramaic terms
(2) “Where are you staying?” – that is, we wish to visit with you
(3) Where obviously did not matter, but Who
(4) The answer was more than could have been hoped for “Come and see” – a personal invitation
(5) They then came and saw – "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened Matthews 7:7-8

III. The tenth hour
A. Some would ask what is so significant about the 10th hour?
(1) Some commentators spend half a page talking about the Jewish reckoning of time
(2) But the point is not what hour, could have been the 5th or the 3rd or the 9th, and remember John A was writing to gentiles anyway
B. What was significant is that John A, who was there, noted this most significant hour in his life
(1) It was like no other day
(2) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

IV. A Couple of Firsts
A. We see now two events, both the first of their kind, both of which continue to this day to change the world
(1) The first is that Jesus now had followers, disciples
(2) He was about His Father’s business
B. The second event was what Andrew did – “The FIRST THING ANDREW DID WAS TO FIND HIS BROTHER”
(1) Evangelism, he found his brother and told him “We (interestingly not “I”) have found the Messiah”
(2) “And he brought him to Jesus”
(3) Jesus looks at Simon and with prophetic voice says:
a. Simon you will become a steadfast rock
b. Cephas - Aramaic, Peter - Greek
c. That is your steadfastness will accomplish much

"Follow Me"
John 1:43-52

Introduction:
A. What is your response when you discover something that really touches you?
(1) Do you simply enjoy it?
(2) Or do you tell others, spread the word, hope others will join in?
B. Thus far in John we have seen the first three days in the ministry of Jesus recorded by one who was there
(1) Today we are in day four
(2) Jesus prepares for a journey

I. The fourth day
A. Jesus prepares to leave Bethany and go to Galilee
(1) The ministry of Christ, as that of Peter, Paul, and the other Apostles was a mobile ministry that was constantly on the move
(2) It was now time to depart for Galilee
(3) No specific reason is given, but we know later He told the Apostles to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
B. While making preparations to leave, Jesus crosses paths with Philip
(1) He was from Bethsaida (house of fishing) as were Andrew and Peter
(2) Given Andrews penchant for telling others about Christ, it is not unreasonable to think he had told Philip about Christ
(3) Interestingly only Philip and Andrew have Greek names and much later in John we read of Greeks wanting to see Jesus (12:20-23) and Philip and Andrew

II. Nathaniel joins the groups
A. Philip was not content with just knowing about Christ, he went and found Nathaniel
(1) “We have found the one...”
(2) Moses wrote about Him, as did the prophets (these guys knew the Old Testament)
(3) Only Jesus gives the Old Testament meaning
(4) It was as if these mean were saying “We have found the answer!”
B. Jesus of Nazareth
(1) The son of Joseph – as I am sure was commonly understood – Joseph and Mary knew otherwise
(2) “Nazareth!” – you got to be kidding – everything about Jesus does not fit the understanding and expectation of the people for God’s ways are not our ways
(3) Had Moses or any of the prophets given any clue that Nazareth was going to produce anything of value?

III. Come and See
A. This was the best answer that could have been given
(1) No effort to set forth a great defense
(2) Just come and see for yourself
B. One problem today is it that when people “come and see”, we are doing a poor job reflecting Christ
C. “Nothing false” is a rather poor translation, better “deceit”
(1) Most likely Christ is making a comparison to Isaac and his dealing with Jacob and Esau
(2) The use of trickery and deceit to gain selfish advantage
(3) But here is an Israelite without duplicity
D. Nathaniel did not just sit and smile
(1) “How do you know me?”
(2) Seems he may have thought Philip might have given Jesus a heads up about him
E. Before.... “I saw you...under the fig tree”
(1) The penetrating eye of the Messiah had even entered the sanctuary of Nathaniel’s own heart
(2) Obviously He got it right for Nathaniel responded

IV. Testimony and prophecy
A. “Rabbi...Son of God... King of Israel”
B. But you will see much more, a possible reflection on Jacob’s ladder

“The Glory of Jesus”
John 2:1-11

Introduction:
A. Even many pagans can tell you about Christ’s miracle
(1) Yet this first miracle is not just an event
(2) It shows the complete dedicated life of Christ
B. In our text today we see Jesus revealing Himself to an ever-widening circle of people

I. “A wedding took place”
A. A wedding in Cana of Galilee
(1) Jesus, His followers, and His mother had been invited
(2) Jesus too was invited and He attended
B. It is not small matter that Jesus attended
(1) All that Jesus did was with purpose
(2) Marriage is one of the two ”institutions” that were established by God before the fall that still continues to this day
(3) This was a happy occasion and Jesus did not attend to spoil the joy
C. Jesus attended in part because He was invited
(1) Mary, a widow by this time, may have in fact been the wedding coordinator
(2) She is also the one who had “....treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19
(3) She was the one who noted the wine was gone
D. A fau pax
(1) There were more guest than refreshments
(2) Mary notice they had run out of wine and no doubt knew Jesus was capable of correcting the matter
E. In passing I would like to note that a great deal of what we do in weddings is a cultural tradition and not a mandate or pattern of Scripture

II. “Do whatever He tells you”
A. The servants (attendants, deacons)
(1) Mary told them to do whatever Jesus told them to
(2) It is not unimportant to see the glory of Christ manifest in those who follow His instructions
B. Six stone water jars
(1) Jars used in ceremonial washing
(2) Each capable of holding 20 to 30 gallons
C. “Fill the jars with water”
(1) This is no small matter, no Culligan man
(2) Water is a precious commodity
(3) The jars were filled “to the brim”
D. “Now draw some out and take to the master...”
(1) They followed Christ’s instructions
(2) The master tasted the water that had been turned into wine, but he did not know this
E. Comments to the bridegroom
(1) This is unusual
(2) “Everyone brings out the choice wine first...”
(3) Then comes the cheaper wine when most guest have passed the stage of caring
(4) “But you have saved the best till now”

III. “My time has not yet come”
A. This was the response of Jesus to Mary’s comment about the lack of wine
(1) Note He referred to her as “dear woman”
(2) He was beginning the process of changing the relationship of mother son, to believer savior
B. When He said “My time has not yet come”
(1) It was a very mild, even loving, rebuke
(2) But it also contained a great promise
(3) The God of creation had entered His creation, He had entered time and space
(4) And He did so with purpose
C. Christ’s glory is now revealed
(1) The creator is on the path to becoming Savior
(2) The wine contained the demonstrated power of God
(3) The Bridegroom did not receive gifts, He gave them

"Turning My Father's House"
John 2:12-25

Introduction:
A. Is jealousy a good thing or a bad thing?
(1) Most people I have asked this question to, say bad
(2) A few have said, “It depends”
(3) Most of us have seen the destructiveness of jealousy
(4) Yet, the Scriptures tell us our God is a “jealous God”
(5) We do well to learn what He is jealous about
B. Today we continue our study of the Gospel of John
(1) Our text covers Christ’s clearing the temple court
(2) This is a different incident from that following Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion

I. In the temple courts
A. Christ found men selling animals for sacrifice
(1) Cattle, sheep, and doves
(2) All appropriate for temple sacrifices
(3) But obviously not present to assist worship
(4) Most likely priests were in cahoots with the salesmen
(5) If you brought your own sacrifice it would be rejected
(6) The alternative was to purchase one
(7) To aid this there were even money changers
B. Christ’s response was to correct the error, He did not leave, but...
(1) He made a whip out of cord mostly likely used to restrain the animals
(2) He then drove them all out of the temple area and scattered the coins
(3) “Get these out of here...”
(4) “How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!?

II. The immediate response
A. His disciples
(1) They remembers what was written
(2) They remembered a Psalm – 69:9 “Zeal for your house will consume me”
B. The Jewish leaders
(1) Demand a sign to show His authority – they did not look to the Scriptures
(2) Jesus response – verses 19 - 21

III. “My Father’s House”
A. Christ knew His Father’s house was a house of prayer
(1) A place for worship
(2) A place where God was to be glorified and His people to be encouraged
B. We have seen what Christ clearly understood His Father’s house not to be
(1) I wish now to very briefly explore some thoughts on a positive view of the use of God’s house
(2) If not a market place, then what?
(3) But first some comments on worship
C. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6
(1) Westminster Larger Catechism – Q108: What are the duties required in the second commandment?
(2) A. The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has instituted in his Word; particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ; the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word; the administration and receiving of the sacraments; church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; religious fasting; swearing by the name of God, and vowing unto him: as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship; and, according to each one's place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry
D. Comments on document in today’s bulletin

"The Second Birth"
John 3:1-15

Introduction:
A. It was during the Presidency of Jimmy Carter that the term “born again” became a common slogan
(1) But Mr. Carter did not originate it
(2) At that point in his life, he wanted to clearly draw a distinction between his faith and that of many others who referred to themselves as Christian
B. Many today still seem to think that those who believe themselves to be “born again” are in fact declaring they are perfect
(1) Of course this is nonsense
(2) Being born again simply means we are the ongoing workmanship of God and that we understand He is not finished with us yet
C. Our study today is of such a believer who was seeking to understand and live his faith

I. A Man of the Pharisees
A. Remember John the Apostle, author of this book was most likely present at most of the events recorded herein
(1) He now relates another significant encounter in the life and ministry of Christ
(2) A visit by a man named Nicodemus
B. Other information about him
(1) His religious affiliation – Pharisee
(2) His position – Jewish ruling council
C. I have said many times that most of the opposition to Christ came from religious leaders
(1) But as in most every case, there were exceptions
(2) Nicodemus was one such exception

II. The Pharisees
A. Very religious, held correct position on many points of doctrine
(1) God’s decrees, moral accountability, the resurrection of the body, life after death, etc.
(2) Produced some great men (eg. Gamaliel and Paul)
B. But their great error was to externalize religion
(1) There was great value in outward conformity
(2) To the point they established their own external moral code

III. A visit at night
A. As stated, Nicodemus was a significant exception within the Pharisees.
(1) Much is made his coming at night
(2) But even more should be made of the fact that he came seeking Christ
B. Rabbi, we know... – others in the Sanherdrin
(1) “You are a teacher”
(2) “Come from God”
(3) “Perform miraculous signs”

IV. A conversation with Jesus
A. In order to SEE the kingdom of God
(1) One must be born again
(2) That is, God must move first
B. Nicodemus understood the idea of birth, even second birth
(1) “How...?” v4
(2) “Enter a second time...” v4
(3) He was asking the right questions
C. Jesus draws a very well defined line
(1) “No one...” v5
(2) Born of water & Spirit v6
flesh & Spirit v6
earthly & heavenly v12
(3) Spirit is like the wind vv7&8
D. “How?” V9
(1) We must receive Christ’s testimony
(2) Just as many Hebrews did when Moses lifted up the snake in the desert
(3) Such ability to “see” results in faith and eternal life
(4) In passing, we note that we see Nicodemus again helping Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus – John 19:39

“He Must Increase”
John 3:22-36

Introduction:
A. How can we remove the scourge of jealousy from the church and Christian ministry?
(1) To deny it exists is just self delusion
(2) To practice it is consistent with our nature
(3) To overcome it gives freedom and power
B. John A records for us a vivid picture of how John B understood his role in the coming of God’s kingdom
(1) Remember, John A was an eyewitness to these events
(2) John’s role (calling) is changing but he does not decry his decline but rejoices in the uplifting of Christ

I. “After This”
A. After the celebration of the Passover and His conversation with Nicodemus
(1) Jesus and at least six disciples moved on in the Judean countryside
(2) Jesus spent some time with these disciples in what must have been an incredible learning experience
B. There was also baptism – though John tells us in the next chapter that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but He did so through the agency of His disciples
(1) The importance of baptism is emphasized within some of Christ’s final words in the great commission
(2) By Jesus not performing baptisms Himself, He shows Himself to be greater than John the Baptist
C. This took place before John was imprisoned
(1) John, writing after the synoptic gospels, wanted readers to understand a time differential
(2) Matthew 4:12 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.”
D. John continued his ministry
(1) Baptizing at Aenon, where there was plenty of water
(2) John’s ministry was not over, but as we will see, was following a new path

II. “A man can only receive what is given him...” v27
A. A controversy arose when those who had been following John were now gradually changing their loyalty to Jesus
(1) The controversy was most certainly jealousy
(2) They saw here a rivalry
(3) They saw John’s testimony about Jesus as a form of ministry suicide
B. A surprising and noble answer
(1) “A man can only receive what is given him from heaven”
(2) John was making no attempt to lay claim to any role in God’s kingdom than what God had assigned
(3) John calls them to remember words they heard themselves from his own lips v 28
C. A powerful acknowledgment vv 29-34
(1) The bridegroom’s friend, serves the bridegroom
(2) He rejoices at the bridegrooms coming for He is from heaven and is above all
(3) John says, “That joy is mine...”
(4) “He must become greater; I must become less”

III. The power of testimony
A. The one God sent, speaks the words of God
(1) Yet many reject this testimony
(2) But others receive it as God’s truth
B. The ultimate testimony
(1) The Father loves the Son
(2) And has placed everything in His hands
(3) Those who believe have eternal life
(4) Those who reject will not see life
(5) God’s wrath remains on them

"Jesus and a Samaritan Woman"
John 4:1-26

Introduction:
A. As we enter the fourth chapter of John we are confronted with five significant topics
(1) Jealously – again
(2) Racism
(3) Sin
(4) Evangelism
(5) Worship – again
B. This stems from a conversation with a Samaritan woman

I. A growing menace
A. Word got to the ever present Pharisees that Jesus’ following was growing
(1) This was not factually correct
(2) Jesus Himself was not performing baptism
(3) No one could boast “well, I was baptized by Jesus Himself”
B. However this was trouble and Jesus knew it
(1) So He left Judea and went to Galilee
(2) He was not doing so in fear, it was just His time for that level of confrontation had not yet come
(3) He was just avoiding a premature crisis

II. A shortcut to Galilee
A. Several routes from Judea to Galilee
(1) One by the coast was the longest
(2) One through Samaria was most convenient
B. A town on the route through Samaria was Sychar
(1) Nearby was land given to Joseph by Jacob
(2) Also nearby was Jacob’s tomb
(3) But more important was Jacob’s well
(4) Dug by Jacob most likely to have his own consistent supply of water, around 100' deep
C. Jesus was tired from the journey (an evidence of His humanity)
(1) It was about the sixth hour, most certainly equal to our own 6 p.m.
(2) His disciples had gone into town to buy food
(3) He sat by the well
D. A Samaritan woman came to the well
(1) Her purpose was to draw water
(2) Jesus asked her for a drink
(3) The woman responded in astonishment that He was a Jew and she was a Samaritan and beyond that, a women
(4) How could He ask her for a drink?
(5) Jews and Samaritan’s did not associate with each other
(6) Plus this cast His circumstances as weak and helpless and hers as self-sufficient

III. A serious conversation
A. Jesus turns the conversation as He begins to build a bridge to draw her from sin to faith
(1) Her self-sufficiency was in fact weakness, as is ours
(2) Jesus was the one with strength – with living water
B. She responds with great questions vv11-12
C. Jesus speaks of eternal life and sin vv 13-19
D. She then rightly understands He is a prophet

IV. A call to worship
A. Two places of worship vv 20-21
(1) This mountain
(2) Jerusalem
(3) Both will be no more
B. Worship in ignorance v 22
(1) One is empty, unknown and unknowing
(2) The other is truth and leads to salvation
(3) The Messiah will explain all this she said v 25
C. True worship vv 23-24
(1) That which the Father seeks
(2) In Spirit and truth – not hindered by physical restraint and based on clear definitive truth from the creator
(3) “I who speak to you am He”

“Accomplishing His Work”
John 4:27-42

Introduction:
A. How bad do you have to be before you are unfit to serve God?
(1) Evidently, five failed marriages and living with yet a sixth person does not cross that line
(2) Would you want to be seen having a conversation with such a person?
B. Today we resume our study of Christ’s conversation with a Samaritan women at Jacob’s well

I. R C Sproul - “Right now counts forever”
A. “Just then...”
(1) Christ’s disciples returned, not earlier or later, but right then
(2) God’s providence at work to build His kingdom
(3) Right now is the time for you to step up to the plate and help make a difference
(4) Email from Pastor John B Moses in India
B. “They marveled...”
(1) Kept on marveling but did not inquire as to what was going on
(2) Surely He knew He should not talk to a woman as per rabbinical rules
(3) The answer would have been to give her living water
(4) He asked for physical water but He gave water that was Spiritual
C. First things first
(1) She left her water jar and went to town – she could travel faster, and knew she was coming back
(2) She obviously did not care if Jesus drank from her jar (a total break with culture) but in full keeping with Christ’s teaching that serving God was Spiritual, not physical
(3) She then physically brought others to Christ – “Come, see”
D. Christ’s liberating ministry, the soul of a woman was no less precious than that of a man

II. The harvest is now
A. The disciples urged Jesus to eat
(1) He responded that He had food to eat they knew nothing about
(2) They assumed someone else brought Him food
(3) Jesus responded that what brought satisfaction to His soul was the sharing of the Spiritual food of His Father
(4) His nourishment was to accomplish the Father’s work
B. Four months to harvest
(1) Not a proverb but most likely a reckoning with the calendar
(2) “Look” and “lift up your eyes” – the time for the harvest of souls is now – not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now
(3) No doubt Jesus was making reference to the approaching Samaritans being led by the women at the well – not a pastor, not a seminary graduate, and in her case, one of poor reputation
C. Christ had sown a seed, then by the lady as she opened her heart to her people
(1) They are seeing a coming harvest
(2) Yet they had now sown
(3) But Christ said sower and reaper may rejoice together

III. “Many believed”
A. In contrast to the Jews who so often opposed Christ, these lower class Samaritans embraced the Savior
(1) Because of a woman’s testimony
(2) Because of Christ’s teaching
B. “This is indeed the Savior of the world”

"A Second Visit to Cana"
John 4:43-54

Introduction:
A. Why did Jesus do miracles?
(1) Some suggest they are the heart of the faith
(2) Others see them as acts of accreditation of Jesus as the Son of God and later, of the Apostles true calling
B. How should we look at them?
(1) Certainly to acknowledge Christ’s power then and now to heal
(2) But also to take heed to the warnings of false prophets (Matthew 7:21-23)

I. Departure for Galilee
A. After two days of teaching and discipleship training, Jesus now departs for Galilee
(1) He had responded to the request (40) to stay and worked with them for two days
(2) But then he departed for Galilee
B. The testimony of Christ was that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown
(1) Most understand (I think actually misunderstand) this to mean a prophet is rejected by those who know him the best
(2) I think a better understanding that Jesus was returning to where He was already well known and He would not draw the objections of the Pharisees
(3) Consider verses 1-3 and 44-45 together – Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast

II. A Fruitful ministry begins
A. Jesus came again to Cana
(1) Where He had preformed His first miracle
(2) The purpose of which was not just to be nice to the people, but to demonstrate His authority and power
B. Now in Capernaum there was an official whose ill son
(1) Capernaum most likely a strategic location (tax collectors, Roman officials, military outpost
(2) Not impossible that he was a Jew who had heard about the events at the wedding and or was even present at the Passover and the cleansing temple
(3) He hears that Jesus had come (adds some weight to the argument in I. B.)
C. He approached Jesus on behalf of his ill son
(1) Please come and heal him
(2) He was at the point of death
D. Two errors and Christ’s response
(1) Jesus must be present to have an effect
(2) Jesus has no power after death
(3) You must have signs an wonders in order to believe
(4) “Go; you son will live”

III. Living Faith at work
A. “The man believed the word that Jesus spoke”
(1) He trusted what Christ had said
(2) He took action – “went on his way”
B. A strange testimony
(1) As he traveled his servants met him with a message of recovery
(2) Christ did and does have healing power – for His own glory – not to appease or even bargain with men
(3) He was told his son was recovering – no act of faith on the sons part (nor Lazarus or many others in NT)
(4) And this recovery began at the very time Christ had said “Your son will live.”
C. The official believed as did his household and I am sure others, who learned to follow the words of the shepherd
D. The second sign to demonstrate that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and Savior of the world

“Calling God His Own Father”
John 5:1-18

Introduction:
A. Where would Jesus be ministering if He physically walked the earth today?
B. We have a record of where He ministered 2000 year ago
C. At this point in John’s eyewitness testimony to the work of Christ, approximately eight months had passed
(1) Jesus had done numerous miracles
(2) After just two days in Samaria He moved on to Galilee where He healed a young lad at a distance

I. The Pool of Bethesda (house of mercy)
A. In Jerusalem, by the sheep gate
(1) A real place that has been documented by archeologist
(2) Both the gate and the pool
(3) A word about archeology and the Bible
B. A pool surrounded by five porch covers
(1) Under these sat a multitude of hurting people
(2) Invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed
(3) People looking for help, for hope, for healing
C. There was an understanding after the pool had been stirred, the first to enter would receive healing
(1) Some understood this to be the work of angels
(2) Perhaps it was simply an underground spring like several locations in our nations most with the name “hot springs”

II. An invalid of thirty years
A. One of those who lay there day after day was a man unable to provide for himself for 30 years
(1) Very hard for most of us to imagine
(2) Some of us are aware of helping a sick or dying loved one for a few months to a few years, but 30 years!
(3) Who of us would not have long since lost hope?
B. Yet this man continued to hope and what must to most have been a hopeless situation

III. When Jesus...
A. First point, Jesus saw him, and knew of him
(1) How many of us walk right past opportunities every day, lacking a sympathetic eye
(2) Jesus not only saw, He “knew” about the man
(3) From this we should be motivated to pray for eyes of compassion
(4) And from this we should take comfort in a Savior who knows our every need
B. “Do you want to be healed?”
(1) Not a pointless question
(2) My guess is there might be some here today who were asked if you truly want to be changed would pause and think about it
C. This man had no need to pause
(1) He in essence said “I have tried and tried, but someone else always defeats me
(2) There was no one to help him
D. “Get up, take up your bed, and walk”
(1) As we saw last week, in Christ this is not so much a demonstration of power as it is authority
(2) “At once” John is not given to using words that show instant action, but here he so states with no lack of hesitation

IV. The religious people
A. There always seems to be those who are “religious”
(1) Blinded by their own efforts at self-righteousness
(2) No compassion, only outward conformity
B. They sought to nail Jesus for this act of kindness to a sorrowful man
(1) He brought healing and forgiveness of sin

"From Death To Life"
John 5:19-47

Introduction:
A. When any of us is accused of saying something we did not say, we immediately began to mount a defense
(1) Jesus had been accused of saying He and the Father were one
(2) What sort of defense does He set forth?
B. Does He backtrack and give a great speech saying how badly He has been misunderstood?
(1) Not at all
(2) He sets out to make His claim all the more clear

I. The Authority of the Son
A. Jesus clearly sets forth His authority in a way to answer hatred and unbelief of the Jews
(1) Their purpose is to put Him to death
(2) He was a serious threat to the manmade kingdom
B. Jesus simply makes clear that when you attack Him, you are in fact attacking the Father
(1) He does as the Father does
(2) He judges as the Father judges
C. They marveled at the healing of a poor crippled man
(1) Greater works are coming
(2) Resurrection from the dead for example – both physically, but more importantly, spiritually
D. The proper response to hearing the Son is faith (24)
(1) Not unbelief
(2) True faith passes from death to life by the authority of Christ
(3) False faith, unbelief will reap condemnation

II. The Witness to Jesus
A. Under the law of the Old Covenant, a matter must be established by the testimony of more than one witness
(1) Deuteronomy 17:6 required two or three witnesses
(2) In Matthew 18:16 Jesus instructed us to go back a second time to an unrepentant brother with one or two other witnesses
(3) Jesus follows this instruction and details those that have born witness to His deity and the only way to pass from death to life
B. His own witness to Himself (31)
(1) While He is trustworthy and true
(2) The Jews reject Him
C. The witness of John the Baptist (33-35)
(1) He had called Jesus the Lamb of God
(2) He had called Him the Son of God
D. The witness of the works He had done (36)
(1) Circumstantial evidence
(2) Evidence that points to the Father
E. The witness of the Father (37-38)
(1) By His voice from heaven
(2) By the Word He has given us
F. The witness of the Scriptures (39-47)
(1) They were blind to the Word by their hatred for God
(2) Moses (ie. God’s law) will rise up and testify against you
(3) If you had believed Moses...
(4) Moses spoke of Me
G. John elsewhere speaks of two other witnesses
(1) 14:16, 26, and 15:26 – the Holy Spirit
(2) 15:27 – the witness of individual believers

"A Heavenly King"
John 6:1-21

Introduction:
A. One of the most common questions I am asked is “What should I do?”
(1) Sometimes this comes from a multitude of options
(2) Other times when there seems to be no options
(3) But the question is always the same
B. One reason we have such difficulty in such situations is that we have taken our eyes off Christ
(1) He is never in a circumstance
(2) He always knows what to do
C. The setting of our text for today is a hilly plain about a mile from Bethsaida and north-east of the Sea of Galilee
(1) It was an isolated location
(2) It was drawing late in the evening
(3) There were over 5,000 people to feed
D. Verse 1 begins “After this...” which continues to make us aware this is not just an history, but an eyewitness account

I. Self-seeking Crowd
A. John says “a large crowd” followed Jesus
(1) In verse 10 we see it was 5,000 men
(2) We can add to this women and children
B. They followed Christ “because they saw the signs”
(1) The things He had done
(2) Water to wine, the man at the pool of Bethesda
(3) The officials sick son
(4) We can easily assume many others
(5) Perhaps they wanted to see what was next
(6) Perhaps they wanted to be next
C. But their interest in the external was such they ignored their own immediate needs
(1) Text does not mention water
(2) But practically speaking, no preparation for food
D. They were told to sit down and they did
(1) Perhaps just being respectful
(2) Perhaps expecting another miracle
II. Bankrupt Disciples
A. Bankruptcy here does not refer to lack of funds
(1) Even though that was the case
(2) But to Spiritual bankruptcy
(3) A failure to grasp the power and provision in Christ
B. Jesus talks with Philip
(1) How can we feed these people?
(2) Philip responded that 200 denarii (wages from 200 days of work) would not be sufficient
C. Then Andrew spoke of 5 loaves and 2 fish
(1) But even as he did, he betrayed an attitude of defeat
(2) “But what are they for so many?”

III. Sufficient Savior
A. Our text tells us Christ’s questions where not to supply an answer He did not already know
(1) He knew these people were earthly-minded thrill seekers
(2) Jesus knew this event would rob Him of rest
(3) Jesus knew they were seeking a political Messiah
(4) Good teaching does not just give answers
B. We all know the rest of the story
(1) He took the 5 loaves and 2 fish, gave thanks
(2) He then distributed all that everyone wanted
(3) Twelve baskets were filled with leftovers
C. He avoided their search for an earthly king

IV. Four More Demonstrations of Authority and Power
A. He walks on the water
B. He calls Peter to walk on the water (not listed by John)
C. He calms the storm (not listed by John)
D. He took them, boat and all, to the land

Conclusion:
A. The disciples without Jesus
B. The disciples with the unknown Jesus
C. The disciples with the Lord Jesus

"I Am The Bread Of Life"
John 6:22-59

Introduction:
A. How do you know when you are hearing the truth?
(1) Not just nice sounding words, but true truth
(2) Everyone has an opinion
(3) Today we are continually told all opinions are in fact equal
(4) But is this actually true?
B. In our text today Jesus makes clear that God the Father had "set His seal" upon Him
(1) His signs and wonders were not just for show
(2) Their purpose was to authenticate the ministry of Christ
C. Today we continue to follow the ministry of Christ after He had joined His disciples on the water
(1) His mode of transportation was of God
(2) But it left the people wondering

I. Where is Jesus?
A. What the people understood
(1) He had not gone with the disciples by boat
(2) Disciples were indeed gone
(3) No other boats had been available
(4) Therefore, He must still be in that area
B. What the people did
(1) Got in the boats now available and went to the other side Capernaum
(2) They found Jesus
(3) Then they asked of Him "When" not "How"

II. Why were they searching for Jesus?
A. They had seen the signs and wonders He had done
(1) Surely they understood He was no ordinary prophet
(2) There was something very special here
B. Yet Jesus reveals their search was for the external
(1) They had eaten their fill of loaves and fish
(2) Their search was motivated by the flesh

III. Are you truly hungry?
A. Do not labor for food that perishes
(1) It is not the purpose of Jesus to condemn eating
(2) Surely every person gets hungry
B. Jesus was calling them to eat the bread of life which satisfies forever
(1) This is in the same way the water of life quenched thirst forever
(2) The point is that our true hunger must be for the bread and water of the soul
(3) Surely the children of Israel had eaten the bread from heaven
(4) But this was not the provision of Moses the flesh
(5) But of the Father and represents the Bread of Life whom He sends into the world

IV. The Bread of Life
A. Whoever comes = no hunger, no thirst
(1) You have seen and not believed
(2) But I did not come to do my own will
B. The Father's will is that I lose none
(1) But all the Father gives me
(2) Will come
(3) None will ever be cast out
(4) &c verses 39-40
(5) This bread indeed truly satisfies

V. Two invitations
A. One is to join the crowd and grumble
(1) This is the son of Joseph
(2) Who does He think He is?
B. The other is to eat this bread
(1) Whoever believes has eternal life
(2) No one can come on his own
(3) This bread is my own flesh, the cross
C. More grumbling
D. More calling to come to Christ

“The Words of Eternal Life”
John 6:60-71

Introduction:
A. Words are important
(1) So are all kinds of communication
(2) What you assimilate into your worldview is critical
B. We do not acquire a worldview by swallowing a pill
(1) It is a process over the years
(2) Layer upon layer, precept upon precept
(3) We do well to pay heed to what words we hear and how we absorb them
C. Our text today teaches that in Christ alone do we hear the Words of life

I. Many kinds of hearers
A. Jesus knew there were three basic groups that were grumbling among themselves
(1) Jewish leaders and their followers
(2) The “disciples”
(3) The twelve
B. Previously we saw the Jewish reaction (6:38ff)
(1) This consisted of unbelief, self-satisfaction, the glory of tradition, murmuring, and belittling
(2) Systematic rejection of the Messiah
C. Our present section represents the disciples
(1) These were more or less folks who have grown to follow Christ around and perhaps some had embraced His teachings
(2) Yet, now this group is calling Christ’s Words “hard sayings”
(3) This does not mean difficult to understand but hard to swallow

II. Jesus said, “do no take offense”
A. Offense here can also be rendered “ensnared”
(1) The point being following a wrong teaching does not just misled
(2) It enslaves, traps, causes to fall into sin, and leads to death
(3) So what you hear (read, see, etc.) can easily lead you in the wrong direction
B. Jesus then asks “What would your response be to the Son of man ascending?
(1) Tell me, what would you say then?
(2) In other words, if you cannot grasp this, what can you grasp?
C. It is the Word of the Spirit that gives life
(1) Some did not believe
(2) It is at the Father’s call

III. Parting of company
A. After this...
(1) This had been a turning point
(2) The masses fell by the wayside – hearts of unbelief
(3) The casual had enough – ears that did not like the message of sin, death, and atonement by blood
B. But the twelve
(1) “Do you want to go away as well?”
(2) Now is your chance

IV. A glorious confession
A. Peter responds: “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
(1) There is none other like you
(2) You alone can save
(3) “You alone have the Words of eternal life”
(4) We are men of faith and “know”
(5) “You are the Holy One of God”
B. Christ responds that He was sovereign
(1) “I choose you”
(2) Even a “devil”

"Identifying The Truth"
John 7:1-24

Introduction:
A. Pluralism is said to be that factor that has made our nation great
(1) Yet, the pluralism that is spoken of, is really not historical, but modern
(2) Faithfulness to God is in reality, the foundation that has made our nation great
B. It is not pluralism, but faithfulness to what Dr. Francis Scheafer called “true truth” that yields the fruit of righteousness – but how do we find that truth?

I. True Discipleship
A. Go do some miracles to gain a following!
(1) This is the way to success
(2) People like the showy
(3) No one seeking to be a public figure does things in secret – just look at all the 2008 Presidential candidates every night on TV
(4) This is worldly advice, even from His brothers
(5) This was in fact, part of Satan’s temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 – it is about me (read us)
B. But Christ’s purpose was to reveal His Father
(1) It was not to gain a personal following
(2) He revealed His Father by faithfulness to Him
(3) But He did so according to God’s time, not His own, and certainly not theirs
C. The world hates the light
(1) The world loves the darkness as its deeds are evil
(2) Christ is the light of the world
D. Marching to a different drummer
(1) At the wedding, He told His mother His time was not yet come
(2) Here He tells His brothers His time is not yet
(3) But in both cases, in God’s time, He responded

II. Where is He and Who is He?
A. Jews were afraid to use His name – yet still they talked about Him
(1) Some acknowledged He was a “good man”
(2) While others said in effect He was a deceiver – which was punishable by death
B. It seems that at least some of the Jewish leaders truly understood the implications of the claims that were being made about Jesus
(1) The claims of Christ are enormous
(2) He is either the Son of God or a madman
(3) In our pluralistic culture, we seeming have lost any view of the significance of what is, and what is not truth
(4) Yet there are eternal consequences at issue – what one believes does make a difference

III. A Marvelous Teacher
A. During the feast Jesus began to teach
(1) The Jews marveled at this seemingly unlearned man who certainly had not studied under a known rabbi yet showed Himself to be a master teacher
(2) Again He points to the Father, not Himself
B. The Scriptures (Moses – Old Testament) really was not in question but whose interpretation was the issue
(1) Man centered – wants to be right, seeks personal honor, wants superiority of knowledge
(2) God centered - wants to know God, hungers and thirsts after righteousness, weeps over those in darkness and ignorance
C. You judge by appearances
(1) Man judges on the outside
(2) God judges the heart
(3) God reveals the truth to those who seek Him
(4) It is only in Christ, that God can be found

“Can This Be The Christ?”
John 7:25-36

Introduction:
A. If you create the rule and define all the terms, you can win any debate
(1) But you will find yourself in few debates because everyone else has their own agenda
(2) You might ask what makes “my” agenda better than “yours”?
(3) Of course the answer is nothing – two dead end roads area really no better than one, they both lead nowhere
B. When it comes to discussing thing eternal, who makes the rules and defines the terms actually matters eternally
(1) When finite man seeks to answer ultimate questions, the answers will always miss the mark
(2) When He who is eternal, structures the debate, the result is no less than life and death
C. The ministry of Jesus continues and we find numerous people seeking to define Him

I. What is going on?
A. The people recognized Jesus as the one they were seeking to silence, even to kill
(1) Yet, here He was, speaking openly
(2) The pilgrims who had earlier heard Him seemed to grant Him peace
(3) But these residence of Jerusalem, understood their own leadership better and knew they intentions
(4) They could not understand why Jesus was being allowed the freedom He had to spread what was nothing less than revolutionary
B. But they knew where He was from – son of Mary and Joseph
(1) He did not fit their own expectations
(2) From the time of Eve onward, people have done their best to put God in a box of their own design
(3) They were saying in effect “You cannot be Messiah because you do not fit the understand we have”
(4) Their idea was that He would just suddenly appear from nowhere

II. Jesus Responds
A. He continued to proclaim, to cry out the truth to those with ears to hear
(1) “You know me...” (verse 28)
(2) He was responding with irony – sure you know who I am and where I came from
B. The Father is the source of all truth – not you (or us)
(1) “You do not know Him, so you cannot know me”
(2) “I know Him, I am from Him, He sent Me”
(3) Christianity is not by the will of man but God’s revelation (2 Peter 1:12-21)
C. They then sought to do away with Him
(1) But they could not touch Him
(2) His hour had not yet come (30)
D. He told them He was going away but since they did not know where He came from, they lacked the ability to understand where and why He was going
(1) Not just to ministry to the Greeks – but salvation is also to the Greeks
(2) But obedience to the will of His Father

III. Was this truly the Christ?
A. Some said He had not done enough signs – water to wine, healing officials son, healing at the pool, feeding 5,000, walking on water
(1) Some were looking for the super man Messiah
(2) Some the political Messiah
(3) Some the medical Messiah
(4) Some the economic Messiah
(5) But few were looking for the forgiveness of sins
B. Part of God’s judgment is to withhold His grace
C.. Jesus was indeed a teacher, but they were not listening

"Living Water"
John 7:37-52

Introduction:
A. For many, the offer of the gospel is an obstacle
(1) Our text today defines the universal requirement to come to Christ – thirst and all that this implies
(2) Our text is also diagnostic in nature as it draws us to ask who, what, when, where, why, and how questions
B. This is not only a text that should grip our own hearts, it should motivate us to reach out to our friends and neighbors
(1) What we routinely see in others as personal issues
(2) Is in fact, an exhibition of unquenchable thirst

I. The incredible call
A. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”
(1) Water is a very significant element in the Christian faith
(2) Noah save from the flood
(3) Moses saved in the river
(4) Parting of the Red Sea
(5) Water into wine
(6) Jesus walks on the water
(7) Baptism’s element is water
B. Yet here (as in other Scriptures) human thirst is the issue
(1) But in reality, it is not simply a thirst that can be satisfied with a cool drink of water
(2) What is in view is nothing less than the condition of the human soul
(3) What is your estimation of yourself when you look at yourself in the mirror?
(4) Would an unquenchable thirst be a good description?
(5) David cried out - O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
C. In what must be such a context, Jesus makes this incredible offer
(1) I think it is clear that verse 38 refers to the Holy Spirit as mentioned in verse 39
(2) It is through the Spirit that this river of living water flows within us
(3) The Holy Spirit did not indwell God’s people until after Christ was glorified which followed His ascension which was followed by Pentecost

II. The incredible responses
A. “This really is the prophet” – view of some people
(1) He must be something special
(2) They just do not know what
B. “This is the Christ” – view of some skeptics
(1) It seemed to them He was the promised Messiah
(2) Yet, He was from Galilee, so He could not really be Messiah
(3) What must have been a superficial appeal to Scripture Bethlehem, a decedent of David
C. “Have you also been deceived” – view of leadership
(1) Incredible hostility by leaders
(2) Jesus did not fit their mold
D. “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” view of Nicodemus
(1) An appeal to the law to a full and fair hearing
(2) We see John’s purpose is to demonstrate how easily and quickly many people judge outwardly, by appearance, and with superficiality
(3) One point of human wisdom measured against another
(4) In this context, Nicodemus, who was taking the time to truly hear the Words of Christ, was willing to take what was surely an unpopular stand

“The Things Pleasing to Him”
John 8:12-30

Introduction:
A. It has been said that no claim you make, no matter how wild or outrageous, is out of bounds if you can back it up
(1) When you can put feet into your claims, they are valid
(2) In this world there have been many, many claims that are beyond belief – and they were not believed
(3) There have been others that were supportable and demonstrable – some have been believed and others rejected
B. In our text today, Jesus continues to taunt the Pharisees with claims they simply cannot handle
(1) This however did not make them false
(2) They only show the perverse mind that suppresses the truth (Romans 1:18)

I. A Dispute with the Pharisees
A. Jesus made a rather startling declaration – “I am the light of the world”
(1) Once the Beatles declared themselves to be more popular than Jesus Christ
(2) We dismiss such claims unless there exists an ability to back up the claims
B. Jesus added to His claim that those who follow after Him would “not walk in darkness”
(1) The world is a big place that alternates between darkness and light
(2) How could He provide such light?
C. Further, this light is “the light of life”
D. The Pharisees cry foul when He is witnessing about Himself
(1) Law of Moses required two witnesses
(2) Jesus seemed outside the law to them
(3) They look at the flesh, as so often do we
(4) Yet His testimony is true (truth) for it is also the testimony of the Father – fulfilling the law’s requirement of two witnesses
E. “Where is your Father?”
(1) Surely asked with disdain
(2) Jesus responded to such blindness and ignorance by noting they did not know Him or His Father
F. No one sought to arrest Him as it was not yet His Father’s will that His time be up

II. A Dispute with Jewish Leaders
A. “I am going away”
(1) To a place you cannot come
(2) Yet “you will seek Me”
(3) But “you will die in your sin”
B. Suicide was their response
(1) Light and darkness, life and death
(2) Their culture was death and so that is where they turned to understand the times
(3) They betray their ungodly world view – that from below or “of this world”
(4) By contrast, Christ is from above, from the Father, from the light and life
C. “Who are you?”
(1) “What I have been telling you...”
(2) You have not been listening, “He who ears to hear, let him hear”
(3) I have come to judge according to the righteous law of my Father
D. “He had been speaking to them about the Father”
(1) This will become clear when you lift up the Son of Man
(2) And that further, I do only the will of my Father, I claim no authority of my own
E. For “He who sent me is with me”
(1) He has never left me alone
(2) I speak as He taught me
(3) “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him”
F. The response
(1) Many believe
(2) But not all

“A True Disciple”
John 8:31-38

Introduction:
A. How would you define desecrating a Bible?
(1) There are many answers
(2) But the most common is.....
B. In Christ’s conversation, today we are not moving from one group of hearers to another, but from one attitude to another
(1) Jews as a group of listeners
(2) Jews who have come to believe in Him

I. “If you abide”
A. This and a number of other verses raise the question of perseverance – one of the supposed five main points of our faith
(1) The issue is not falling away, but not truly being in the faith in the first place
(2) 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt Hebrews 6
B. Abiding in the Word
(1) What does it mean to be “in the Word?”
(2) “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you away from the book”
(3) Desecrating the Bible through neglect

II. Knowing the truth
A. To truly know the Word, which is truth, and further to know the Author of the Word, who also is “the truth”
(1) Once you establish something is, you also establish that the alternative is not
(2) Consider the religions of the world...
B. Knowing the truth will set you free
(1) Slavery was their first response, and that their being the offspring of Abraham, thye have never been enslaved,
(2) So how can we be freed

III. What is freedom
A. You must first understand slavery
(1) “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin”
(2) This includes all of us
B. Sooner or later, the slave no longer abides in the house
(1) His usefulness is over
(2) The master puts him out
C. But the son remains forever
(1) The son is not a slave, but part of the family
(2) When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed
(3) Free from sin and its curse

IV. Abraham’s offspring
A. Jesus knew they were the physical offspring of Abraham
(1) That provided certain benefits
(2) But it also carries certain responsibilities
(3) Yet they were seeking to kill Jesus, the promised lamb when God spared Isaac
B. “My word finds no place in you”
(1) That is, “you reject my word”
(2) “I speak of what I have seen with my Father”
(3) “You do what you have heard from your father”

"Whoever is of God Hears the Word"
John 8:39-47

Introduction:
A. When in college, I once took a Bible course, New Testament survey, and in it I was taught Isaiah did not write Isaiah
(1) I thought this odd since to the best of my understanding, Isaiah was in the Old Testament
(2) And further, to the best of my understanding, Jesus quoted Isaiah numerous times and always gave the credit to Isaiah
(3) My view was pretty much “I will stick with Jesus over my college professor
B. Today we continue to follow the exchange between Christ and the Jews who were rejecting Him
(1) Those who rejected what Christ clearly taught
(2) The issue was who is the father?

I. Who is the Father?
A. Jesus and the Jews continue in a controversy over who the Father is
(1) The Jews claimed Abraham was their father and then by implication, God was their Father
(2) Yet Christ made it clear, their claims were empty as their claims and their actions were not just far apart, but totally contradictory
B. The Jews continued to chafe at the implication that Jesus was making concerning their father
(1) They regarded themselves to be Abraham’s offspring physically and spiritually
(2) Jesus in effect was saying, “If you really were Abraham’s offspring, you would be acting differently”
C. How? By acting like Abraham did
(1) In Genesis 18 when confronted by heavenly visitors, he received them
(2) By contrast, they were seeking to kill Him (40)
(3) Anyone who rejects Me, rejects the Father and vice versa
D. They respond by saying there were not illegitimate children
(1) Their claim was to be the physical descendants of Abraham
(2) And perhaps they were aware of the issues with Joseph before he and Mary were married and were implying that it was Jesus who was illegitimate

II. Their father is the devil
A. First off, many today reject the idea of the devil
(1) Yet is clear in this text that Jesus knew the devil was real
(2) And He knew these folks related to him as their father
B. What kind of father is he?
(1) A murderer - Genesis 4:7-8 (Cain and Able)
(2) A liar - Genesis 3:4 (temptation of Eve)
(3) A deceiver - Revelation 12:9 (Satan)
C. It is to this father their ears are tuned

III. Can you bear to hear the Word?
A. Jesus told the Jews they could not bear to hear the truth
(1) He had spoken to them the truth, saving truth
(2) He had spoken of His Father
B. He said if God was their Father, they would love Him
(1) Perhaps the truth we find recorded in 1 John 5:1 was what Christ was teaching them
(2) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.
C. They would rather believe a lie
D. Christ stuns them with a sobering truth
(1) “Whoever is of God hears the words of God”
(2) He leaves no room for speculation by adding “The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God”
E. Can you bear to hear the Word?
(1) If yes, then God is your Father
(2) Make the most of His grace

"Greater Than Abraham”
John 8:48-59

Introduction:
A. It is so frustrating to converse with someone when you know you really are not communicating
(1) It can be due to ignorance of the subject matter
(2) But it can also be due to blindness to the subject matter
B. Today we continue Christ’s conversation with a group of Jews
(1) It is clear they simply fail to grasp whom they are talking to
(2) Jesus speaks of Spiritual things, they hear temporal

I. Yet another demonstration of unbelief
A. The Jews (not all Jews, but these present) now make more clear their hatred of Christ’s claims
(1) “Are we not right” that is, this is a statement that is so obvious it cannot be contradicted
(2) “You are a Samaritan – this carries all the baggage of racism on their part, with no such fault being found in Christ
B. Further more you “have a demon” – for good measure, if the mud of being called a Samaritan does not stick, we will through in one more accusation for good measure
(1) You have an evil spirit
(2) It is that spirit that is causing you to make all these claims about the Father

II. Jesus reiterates the truth
A. “I honor my Father”
(1) This is the first and great commandment
(2) “I do not seek my own glory”
(3) No need for self vindication – the Father will make all creation His footstool, He is the ultimate judge
B. The key to discipleship and life eternal
(1) “If anyone” – not stating an impossibility
(2) But – for those who indeed do “keep my word”
(3) “He will never see death”

III. Who do you think you are?
A. “Who do you make yourself out to be?”
B. “Now we know you have a demon”
C. Do you think yourself “greater than our father Abraham?”
(1) After all he died and yet you talk of one who will never die
(2) What about the great prophets, they died too

IV. Once again Jesus replies
A. “If I glorify myself...”
(1) My glory would be nothing
(2) My glory comes from my Father
B. You say “He is our God”
(1) Yet you do not known Him
(2) You cannot stand my affirmation of my Father
(3) If I did otherwise, “I would be a liar like you”
C. Here is the difference and the pattern you must follow
(1) “I do know Him”
(2) “I keep His word”
D. Abraham, your father, “rejoice that he would see my day”
(1) “He saw it and was glad”
(2) He would be unspeakably displeased with these Jews

V. A final discourse
A. The Jews
(1) Seeing Jesus with no Spiritual eyes
(2) “You are not yet fifty...”
B. Jesus
(1) “Before Abraham was, I am”
(2) Abraham’s fleeting life span in contrast to Christ’s timeless presence
(3) Jesus is doing nothing less than declaring divinity
C. They could not even stone Him

“Open My Eyes”
John 9:1-12

Introduction:
A. Are you aware of the things that go on around you?
(1) Or are you oblivious to significant events that are right under your nose?
(2) I ask this not to indict but to remind us all of the countless opportunities all around us to make a mark for the cause of Christ
B. In our text today we read of Christ “As he passed by...”
(1) I want us all to answer the question in our own hearts as to whether or not things matter to us
(2) Is it anything to you that family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, are without Christ?
C. Our text today again draws our attention to the glory of God

I. A man blind from birth
A. One commentary noted that right off the bat the disciples turned this into a theological problem
(1) At first I thought that was a significant observation
(2) But the more I thought about it, I realized that in reality, everything is theological, but not necessarily a problem
(3) For after all, Christ said even the rocks were capable of crying out in praise to the Messiah
B. Who sinned to produce this result?
(1) Was it the man himself while still in the womb?
(2) Or was it his parents?
C. Jesus responds it was neither
(1) Not the man
(2) Nor his parents
(3) “But that the works of God might be displayed in him”
D. God was (IS) at work
(1) This no doubt troubles some to think that God would allow the “innocent” man to spend many years of his life blind
(2) This flows from the false idea that many have that God is sort of the tooth fairy on steroids

II. Why suffering?
A. The curse on the earth - Genesis 3:17ff, Romans 8:22f
B. To test and prove our faith - James 1:2f
C. To mature our faith - Hebrews 12:5ff
D. As a result of sin - Jeremiah 15
E. To demonstrate God’s glory - John 9:1ff, 11:4 (Lazarus)
F. As a result of serving Christ - Acts 7 (Stephen)

III. Whose work must be done?
A. Jesus reminds them His work (and their work) is no other than the work of Him who sent Christ
(1) We work now – the disciples had asked why, But Jesus moves on to what needs to be done
(2) Kingdom work
B. When we encounter others we can
(1) Be envious, jealous, disdaining of them
(2) Be curious, inquisitive
(3) Be loving, kind, helpful
C. Darkness is coming when we cannot work
(1) “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”
(2) Light and life
(3) Darkness and death

IV. A blind man’s eyes are opened
A. Jesus made mud with saliva
(1) He anointed the man’s eyes
(2) “Go, wash...”
(3) He came back with sight
B. The people’s reaction
(1) “Is this not the man...”
(2) “How...?”
(3) Jesus

"Speaking For Himself"
John 9:13-23

Introduction:
A. When we went through the 40 days of purpose several years ago, you will remember that it started with a declaration that “It is all about Jesus”
(1) You might ask a question as to why that is necessary 2000 years after the life, death, and resurrection of Christ?
(2) The reality is from the beginning of time onward, mankind has an uncontrollable desire to be a god unto ourselves
(3) We are certainly willing to embrace God, but on our own terms
B. Our text today shows us a group of Jews and a set of parents who practice this concept very well

I. Their Sabbath
A. We all have a propensity to say a law either does not apply to us, or reinterpret it so it fits our style
(1) This is what had been done with the law of rest, the law of the Sabbath
(2) This is to the point that a ministry of mercy, the healing of someone, was an evil act
B. Jesus had healed the man at the pool of Bethesda and now the man born blind
(1) One he told to carry his mat on the Sabbath
(2) The other he worked in the dirt, then told the man to walk a distance that was mostly likely greater than the 1,000 yard man made limit
C. While the Sabbath is God’s gift to man, (See Trinity Hymnal pp 860-61 and 873-74) man easily converted it to his own end
(1) So in reality, this was not the day God had decreed
(2) It was in fact their Sabbath

II. Their Son
A. Once again the young man who had been born blind was again required to tell his story
(1) He tells a shorter version, perhaps out of exasperation
(2) Yet he faithfully gives glory to Christ
B. The parents feel pressure
(1) While I am certain they were happy their son had gone from a beggar to productivity
(2) They were afraid to allow themselves to be too identified with all of this
C. The simplest explanation was that he in fact had not been blind
(1) To this the parents said he was their son
(2) But as to the question of how, they simply said “he is of age. He will speak for himself.”
(3) He was their son but they feared the Jews

III. Their Synagogue
A. Confessing Christ – a big no no
(1) The Jews had already reached an agreement among themselves that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be put out of the synagogue
(2) It was their place of worship
(3) They made the rules
B. The Jews were otherwise divided on Jesus
(1) Certainly he was not a man of God since He had disregard for God’s law
(2) But how could He do such miracles if He was a sinner like they were
C. They seemed to understand sin, even though they cooked the books (the law) to meet their own needs
(1) Yet in the end, it was all about them
(2) The Sabbath was theirs
(3) The young man belonged to the parents
(4) They held the keys to the synagogue

“One Thing I Know”
John 9:24-41

Introduction:
A. Have you ever been in a circumstance where you saw a calamity coming and no amount of warning mattered?
(1) It just seemed that those involved were blind or deaf or somehow just out of touch
(2) Try as you may, you cannot communicate with them
B. Now we conclude our study of the young man born blind
(1) The issue of sin has been discussed
(2) The issue of Christ’s miracle has been discussed
(3) And now the question, who really was blind?

I. “Give glory to God”
A. Wow! These guys are Presbyterians.
(1) Not so fast, their interest was not God’s glory as the humiliation of this young man and forcing him to lie
(2) He must tell them the “truth” that is, he must lie and implicate Jesus so they can arrive at the “truth”
(3) It was sheer double talk, politically correct speech
B. The reality is this man had already given glory to God with his faithful witness to what Christ had done
(1) He then states he does not know a lot about Christ
(2) But one thing he does know, “I was blind, now I see”
C. Notice this man is being asked to be a witness and he has not yet been to Sunday School, or Bible college or seminary, or whatever
(1) There were questions he could not answer
(2) And there were issues that agenda driven and those he avoided – labeling Jesus a sinner
(3) He also made clear to them that they were not listening as he had already answered their questions and they did not listen
(4) But what he knew, he really knew and that he could share and did share – what about you?

II. Whose disciple?
A. Are you asking me to repeat my testimony so you too can become His disciple?
(1) Surely he knew the answer to this question
(2) We have already seen that they are not listening
(3) But even so, again this man bears witness to Christ
B. Their response was to link themselves to Moses
(1) The fact is, if they had truly known Moses, they would have know he spoke of Christ (Luke 24:44)
(2) There are many in the church today who, unwittingly, find themselves to be disciples of Moses

III. Talk about blindness!
A. Again, as in chapter 7, we find “religious” people who are themselves the ones who are in darkness
(1) We know Moses, but not where this man comes from
(2) A condemnation of Jesus rather then dealing with the reality around them
B. “An amazing thing”
(1) He does not fit your mold, not what you expect
(2) Yet he has opened my eyes
C. Here is what we know
(1) God does not listen to sinners
(2) God listens to those who worship Him and do His will
(3) We are not aware of anyone opening the eyes of a man born blind
(4) This man has power because He is from God
D. What answer does this bring?
(1) You were born in utter sin (ie you are worthless)
(2) How can you teach us (ie we are superior to you)
(3) So this man, personally touched by Jesus, was cast out – in reality this drew him closer to Christ
E. Christ asked the young man “Do you believe?”
(1) “Who is the Son of Man”
(2) “You have seen Him...” (v 37)
(3) “I believe” and he worshiped Him
F. Christ’s twofold purpose for coming – judgment
(1) The blind will see
(2) The seeing will become blind
(3) Pharisee’s response – “you talking about us?”
(4) Your claims condemn you

“I Am The Good Shepherd”
John 10:1-21

Introduction:
A. It is no secret that sheep are dumb and need guidance
(1) It is clear the Bible identifies believers as sheep
(2) So we do well to find the Shepherd and follow Him
B. In Chapter 10, a sharp distinction is drawn between the Pharisees (evil shepherds) who put the young man out of the Synagogue and the “Good Shepherd” who enfolds His own
(1) It is at this point that the mark of departure from official Judaism and the true Messianic faith is clearly seen
(2) Many leaders in the OT are called shepherds, especially Moses - Psalm 77:20, and David - Psalm 78:70-72
(3) False shepherds will be condemned - Jeremiah 23:1f “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord.

I. The Sheepfold
A. “Truly, truly” - sit up and take note
(1) The following assertion is both weighty and certain
(2) There are those who appear to be shepherds who have entered in an ungodly way
(3) Such is a thief and a robber – not just a poor shepherd
(4) They are industrious in their deceit and we do well to be on watch
(5) Matthew 7: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
B. By contrast, the good shepherd
(1) Enters by the door where the gatekeeper is there on guard and is recognized
(2) This is the true shepherd of the sheep who enters not to rob, steal, and devour, but to care for them

II. The Shepherd
A. He truly cares for the sheep
(1) They hear his voice – recognize it, it is a sound their ears can identify
(2) He calls them by name
(3) He leads them (does not drive them)
B. By contrast the false shepherd has only his own interest at heart
(1) His voice is uncertain
(2) He does not bother to know their names
(3) In his attempt to drive them, they simply flee

III. The Figure of Speech
A. Verse six tell us Jesus used this figure of speech on them
(1) Elsewhere it is translated “proverb”
(2) It is a lesson, the meaning of which is not obvious to the casual hearer
(3) These Pharisees did not understand
B. Elsewhere, Jesus uses the phrase “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear”
(1) The text makes clear that the sheep hear, understand, and respond
(2) It is like He is saying, “The dense (spiritually dead) will not understand” and they respond by saying “We do not understand” thereby confirming His words.
(3) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

“Abundant Life”
John 10:7-18

Introduction:
A. Getting a second chance is a wonderful thing
(1) I remember a second chance I had nearly 45 years ago in running the 100 yard dash
(2) Our text today begins with Jesus “again” making clear the way of salvation
(3) In the same way the “word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time,” we see today the wonder of our heavenly Father
B. As John continues to trace the growing ministry of Christ we have seen His many miracles and proofs that He is indeed the Son of God
(1) Yet many do not believe
(2) And others only want outward relief from the pressure of life
(3) Yet there were those who truly believed and our text tells us how they entered so great a salvation

I. The door of the sheep
A. The scene
(1) In warmer weather, a shepherd would rest his sheep for the night under the open sky
(2) Only a fence of rocks topped with thorns to keep predators out
(3) It is said shepherds would have a number of such enclosures in the area where he watched sheep
(4) The shepherd himself would sleep at the entrance
B. So with this image in our minds, we understand that Jesus is now identifying Himself as that shepherd and the gate
(1) Those who enter any other way, are not true shepherds (pastors) but thieves and robbers
(2) Those who came before Christ and assumed a superiority to Him ultimately will not be heard by the sheep
(3) The traditions and formalities of men are rejected
(4) For these only come to steal, kill, and destroy
C. Verse 9 uses yet another term for entrance
(1) “I am the door” the only legitimate entrance
(2) It is the door of salvation
(3) It is a door through which the saved find pasture

II. Abundant Life
A. Jesus came to bring life
(1) Satan is the father of death
(2) But the life Christ brings is not just subsistence level
(3) Nor is it a key to an easy life
B. It is abundant living
(1) It is abundant because it meets the true needs we have
(2) As the sheep go out, they find green pastures
(3) As they come in, they find fodder
(4) Every need is meet, even in ways we do not often understand
(5) Abundant living is Holy living

III. “I am the good shepherd”
A. The good shepherd is the one who “lays down His life for the sheep”
(1) He does not run and hide
(2) He does not sacrifice the sheep
(3) He gives Himself
B. By contrast, the hired hand, with no real interest in the sheep, flees in the face of wolves
(1) The sheep are devoured or scattered
(2) There is no sacrifice for them
C. The good shepherd
(1) Knows and is known by the Father
(2) Lays down His own life for the sheep
(3) Knows His sheep and they know Him
(4) Has other sheep He brings to salvation

“Shall Never Perish”
John 10:19-30

Introduction:
A. What would your response be if someone asked you to simply explain to them the Christian gospel?
(1) Could you do it?
(2) Would you be afraid?
(3) Could you explain the gospel in five simple points?
(4) I am not talking about writing a systematic theology, just the simple gospel
B. It seems impossible, but 2,000 years after Christ walked on this earth, the simplicity of the gospel seem hard to find
(1) The gift of God’s grace through faith is just too little
(2) It just seems it needs to be more complicated
C. Today we continue in John 10

I. A passing testimony
A. The teaching and actions of Jesus have always brought division
(1) In many cases it was because he upset the accepted religious order of the day
(2) In others it was His teaching that He was in deed God
B. In verses 19 - 21 we find one of the many recorded examples of such division
(1) But this is not without purpose
(2) It, in reality, serves as a point of authentication

II. “Tell us plainly”
A. This simple request continues to made over and over, even today
(1) “Share with me the gospel as simply as you can!”
(2) The truth is, the gospel is so simply that many miss the message for they are looking for something much more complicated
B. It has been said there are 40,000 “religions” on this earth
(1) It has been further said that 39,998 of them can be lumped into a single category – those arriving at salvation through human effort, or even no effort at all
(2) Of the two remaining, one teaches salvation through Christ, plus...., so in reality the number above should be 39,999
(3) The remaining is Christ, and Christ alone
C. Jesus had told them simply, directly, demonstrably
(1) Yet they did not believe
(2) The works He did in His Father’s name were further testimony, but they did not believe

III. The Shepherd’s call
A. “My sheep hear my voice”
(1) Not just by implication, but by actual statement (v 26) Jesus was saying, those who are not His sheep, do not hear
(2) But those who are His sheep do hear
(3) They know Him (know His voice)
(4) And they follow
(5) Can you hear? Are you following?
B. “I give them”
(1) Does not say they earn
(2) Eternal life
(3) They will never perish
(4) No one will snatch them out of my hand or my Father’s hand
C. Why is this so?
(1) “I and the Father are one”
(2) God is greater than all
(3) If you belong to one (or more) of the 39,999 groups under point two, you easily conclude, “I won salvation by what I did, so I can also lose it”
D. Embrace the simple gospel of Christ

“I am the Son of God”
John 10:31-42

Introduction:
A. We often say “Don’t listen to what a person says, but watch what they do!”
(1) The clear purpose is that words are cheap and easy and in the end, it is what a person does that really matters
(2) Jesus once asked what was more profitable, someone who says yes, and does nothing, or the one who says no and then completes the task
(3) 2007 event at the Academy
B. The Jews were so opposed to Jesus that it did not matter what He did
(1) While He certainly made extraordinary claims, like “I and the Father are One”
(2) He also demonstrated that He controlled all things
(3) But He did not fit their mold

I. Some say Jesus never claimed to be God
A. The world either ignores Christ or reduces Him to simply be a man
(1) “Jesus Christ Superstar – ‘He’s just man’”
(2) How often do you see a thoughtful Christian on TV or in a movie
(3) We should not be shocked by persecution
B. Remember, John the author of this book, was one of the inner circle with Jesus and an eyewitness to these events
(1) The significance is great
(2) First of all because of his eyewitness status
(3) Secondly as a close personal friend of Jesus he could easily be seen as having motive to put the best foot forward
C. In this context, we see that the Jews present took up stones to kill Jesus
(1) It was not due to good deeds they found offensive
(2) But by their testimony, for “blasphemy”
(3) Because He a mere man made Himself to be God
D. This and other incidences recorded in the Scriptures make clear Christ’s claims
(1) Truly, He is not “just a man”
(2) “I am the Son of God”

II. Sent by the Father
A. Jesus begins an argument that is unanswerable
(1) “Is it not written...”
(2) You yourself have appealed to the law
B. He then uses Psalm 82, especially verses 6 & 7
(1) The Scriptures cannot be broken – they are inspired, infallible, authoritative – sola scriptura
(2) In verse 6 judges are called gods without protest
C. This provides Christ’s argument
(1) The Word (written) came to the judges
(2) The Word (incarnate) had come to them
(3) The judges were born like everyone else
(4) Jesus was sent by God
(5) The judges were sons of God – a general description
(6) Jesus is the only begotten Son of God
(7) The judges had an important but inferior task
(8) Jesus was consecrated by God as the only one who could save – sola christus
D. My works are genuine, so believe them, if you do not believe Me, believe what you see – the works
(1) “The Father is in Me and I am in the Father”
(2) Once again they sought His life

III. A final testimony
A. Jesus again crosses the Jordan to where John had been ministering
(1) The people remembered Jesus and that John had done no sign
(2) Yet His words about Christ proved true
B. Many believe the Word and were saved

“For the Glory of God”
John 11:1-16

Introduction:
A. How often do you feel like you are alone and wonder where Jesus is how nice it would be for Him to know what is going on in your life?
(1) While we easily acknowledge God is sovereign in all things, practically we act as if He is out of touch
(2) We plot and plan our way around circumstances we consider poor, when in all things God’s grip never grows tired, His knowledge never fails
B. The story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus provides a setting for us to explore such thinking

I. A fourfold significance
A. It points to Jesus as “the resurrection and the life”
(1) Feeding the 5,000 showed Jesus to be the bread of life
(2) Giving sight to the man born blind showed Jesus to be “the light of the world”
(3) Now “resurrection and the life”
B. It reveals Jesus to the Messiah (11:51)
(1) We should never simply read a gospel story by itself but always understands there is a continuous thread that runs throughout the gospel accounts
(2) He has continuously revealed Himself to an every widening circle and while some believed, many rejected Him
(3) Now with the raising of Lazarus and later His triumphal entry, He showed Himself to be the Messiah
C. This action eventually led to the decision to put Jesus to death and the plot necessary to accomplish that (47ff)
D. The details demonstrate the reliability of the Word

II. The story unfolds
A. “A certain man”
(1) Not just any man
(2) But Lazarus, but not just any Lazarus, but the one from Bethany
(3) But specifically Bethany the village of Mary and Martha
(4) You will remember Mary as the one who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, the mention of which assumes familiarity with the story recorded in Luke 10
B. These friends of Jesus send word that Lazarus was ill
(1) You can easily imagine their watching the time go by and wishing Jesus was there
(2) If only He knew what was going on, then....
(3) In effect they were saying to Jesus “Please listen”
C. Jesus heard, and He actually listened
(1) He noted it was not an illness unto death
(2) It was for God’s glory – Sola deo gloria
(3) It was for the glory of the “Son of God”

III. In God’s time
A. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
(1) Verse 5 tells us Jesus loved this family
(2) But verse 6 tells us He delayed in responding to them until after Lazarus had died
(3) Do we not often bristle at God’s timing?
B. It is time to return to Judea
(1) “are you nuts” – the Jews there want to kill you
(2) They did not understanding that suffering is necessary and it is why so many today lack effectiveness – we avoid suffering at all costs
(3) Hence walk in the day, avoid the obstacles
(4) Or walk in God’s timing and all is perfect
C. Now let’s go where Lazarus sleeps (is dead)
(1) “I go to awaken him” – he was not just in the sleep of sickness
(2) “For your sake” – this lesson is for your growth
D. “Let us also go...” but this was not God’s timing

“I Am The Resurrection”
John 11:17-27

Introduction:
A. What is the value of death?
(1) Can be big bucks in a law suit