Sunday Sermon
Sunday
Morning Service 20th April 2008
John 3:31-36
The reason we are going through another Gospel is so that we can again look at Jesus and see more about him. Who is he? What is he like?
In seeing him the hope is that we will love, adore, worship and follow all the more.
Those of us who believe need to constantly come back to Jesus. Our faith is in Him!
Thus we need to continually make sure that we are worshipping Him as he is revealed in scripture - not as our imaginations would like to see him.
And if we are not following Jesus we still need to consider Him.
He is undoubtedly the greatest person ever to walk the face of the earth.
His influence is still at work today through his millions of followers.
Why is that, what is it about Jesus that still impresses people today?
In this last section of John 3 we are told three things about him.
1) where he is from 2) why he came 3) how he was responded to.
1) The origin of Jesus
v31 He comes from above, and thus is above all.
This is either John the Baptist testifying to who Jesus is or it is the Gospel writer.
It makes no difference.
I think it is the authors narrative as he comments on Johns testimony v27-30.
But what does it tell us?
The verse is contrasting earthly understanding and divine understanding!
John the Baptist had limited knowledge and power.
He was from the earth, just like you and me.
Jesus however, is from above.
From heaven, with all the authority and understanding that Divinity entails.
The Baptists ministry was getting smaller, the ministry of Jesus was growing! Why? Because of who they both were, simple.
Our ministry is not about us. Not about our denomination. Not even about our theology!
In fact our ministry, if it is our ministry is bound to fail. We are here to proclaim the ministry of Jesus. We are here to bring people to Him, to worship Him.
The glory of Jesus is to be our one concern!
2) the mission of Jesus v32. (why he came.)
32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no-one accepts his testimony.
This verse tells us why Jesus came. It is a very simple statement of the mission of Jesus. What was it he came to do? Proclaim a message! Speak words to people!
Some people talk about how ‘words’ really have no power. (sticks & stones ….)
How freedom of speech should have no limits because words lack power.
But in fact words are the most powerful weapons in the world.
It is words that change people, start movements, revolutions, bring peace or suicide bombers! Words.
What were the words that Jesus brought? What was his testimony? The message was simple - “repent for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” The Good News.
Jesus’ mission was to tell people that Heaven was open and anyone could apply for entry!
2b) the power behind the mission
34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
Christ was astonishing - truth telling, miracle making, death defying!
How was he able to do all he did?
Because He was full of the Spirit.
Before Jesus there were those who were given the Spirit in order to do the works that God had called them to. But to each one only a measure of the Spirit was given.
Jesus is given the Spirit without measure!
Again underlining his superiority. Unique status.
2c) the reason for his confident and relaxed manner at mission:
35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
Note the way Jesus went about his ministry.
He was never stressed out. Never worried. Never in a rush. Never lacked in resources.
Why was that the case?
Because he knew he was loved by God.
He knew he was loved by God because of what he had been given - “everything”
Authority, responsibility, power - all belong to Christ.
We know we are loved by God because we have been given Jesus.
And in Jesus we too have everything!
Love shows itself in what it gives!
3) the twofold response to Jesus v32-33 & the consequence of that response v36
Some don’t accept him v32. Others do accept His message v33.
33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
Like to any evidence we can only respond by either believing or disbelieving.
Yet the way to test this evidence is to try it out - to see if it works.
Does following Jesus work, if he spoke the truth - then it will work.
Where are you?
The evidence is before you - you have to respond.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Responding positively leads to life.
Responding negatively - that is not believing - leads to nothing!
That is, no change, you remain under God’s wrath!
Outside of life, outside of the Kingdom, on your own, without hope!
sunday evening 20th April 2008
John 4 v1-26
In this chapter we see an outworking of the good news. 3v36
Belief leads to life regardless of ones past history, ones knowledge, ones previous beliefs.
V1-6 introduction.
Jesus had to leave Judea because he was becoming to popular.
Going back to Galilee he went through Samaria and came Jacobs Well at Sychar
V6 - Jesus was tired, he sat down to rest. It was midday.
Note : the chapter opens with a picture of the humanity of Jesus. He was tired, he needed to rest, it was the hottest part of the day.
From this point of human weakness the chapter takes a distinct turn!
What happens? Jesus begins to work! He had just been resting, now he has to work.
How do we know that Jesus is at work? V31-34
So what was his work on this occasion?
His work was the same as it always was! To bring people to salvation.
How does he do it?
A) the offer of Living Water
V7-9 opening questions
- note what he is doing. Just starting a conversation!
Just bringing some words to another person!
See the power of words!
Note the mission of Jesus 3v32 He testifies to what he has
seen and heard,
V10 If the woman knew who Jesus was she would have asked for living water.
Jesus obviously knew this woman, he knew she was desperate!
She was thirsty - life had drained her.
But she had no understanding!
What is Jesus doing here? Why this turn in the questioning?
Jesus is giving her the opportunity to receive the good news!
He is trying to grab her attention!
Application:
Consider the power of words over a simple conversation.
The bible tells us much about the tongue and its misuse!
As believers we have a great responsibility to use words well,
words may lead to salvation!
B) Two misunderstanding and clarifications:
1) To begin with the woman does not understand.
V11-12. Thinks Jesus is talking about normal water.
Jesus clears that mistake up - v13-14.
The water he was talking about was the water of life - salvation.
What is this imagery all about?
A spring of water is constantly flowing and constantly fresh - a luxury for such dry regions as Israel.
In contrast a well can be full of warm, stagnant, disease carrying water!
So Jesus is saying that he can give that woman fresh, never ending, totally satisfying life / fresh water. In place of her well water life!
Application:
That is what the gospel is. It is offering people life!
Need to modernise our pictures of what the Gospel offer is.
Jesus used relevant pictures to explain the glory of what was on offer.
2) Still the woman does not grasp it v15. Thus Jesus explains further v16-18
Thinks it is something magical that will simply mean that she would no longer need to drink.
To enable the woman to understand Jesus delves into her past life: v16-18
He points out that he knows all about her previous husbands and the new man on the scene! He knows it all.
He knows it all, yet he still offers her new life!
Application:
Patience is required when telling the good news. Most are slow to understand.
Have to be none judgmental. Jesus only delved into her past to show her that he really knew who she was.
C) The Woman begins to understand and is thus ready to
receive Jesus:
she begins to understand:
V19-26 revelation about the nature of true worship
Then Jesus goes onto speak theology of worship with her.
V23-24 are the crunch verses. : they show three things
1) God is seeking worshippers - again this is evangelistic. Jesus wants this woman to know that he is not like other Jews who close off the worship of Yahweh to the Samaritans.
2) the physical place of worship is no longer relevant. Again this was another stumbling block that Jesus simply takes out of the way
3) Jesus is the key to worship. He gives the Spirit and he is the Truth.
She begins to show some understanding and even reveals a hope in the Messiah v25
Ready to Receive Jesus : Jesus then reveals himself to her - v26.
The Messiah has spoken to her!
This woman of ill repute, who had to go out in the heat of the day to collect water - probably to avoid any more shame from disapproving neighbours!
The Messiah speaks to her! Offers her a new life.
Satisfying water that leads to eternal life - for her!
Application:
All our witnessing has to aim at revealing Jesus. The message is Jesus.
Eternal life is in Him, because of what He has done; because of who He is.