John, the gospel writer carefully selects 7 signs to tell us about in his book. What we might call 7 miracles.
The first sign was Jesus turning water into wine. Although of course it shows us that Jesus has the power of God, there is more to it than that. It is a signpost about his mission. The wine he creates is a sign a sign of the change to a new order – from religion, from legalism to trust in the transforming power of Jesus.
We need the Power of Jesus. He has the power to transform lives just as he can transform water to wine.
Jesus can replace religion that could never really make us clean with something so much better, like the new wine replaces the tasteless water.
He does what we have failed to do. Just like the groom failed in his duty to provide wine, we have failed to be what we should be for God. But Jesus makes up for our faults.
The consequence is that we can now celebrate, just as we do at weddings. Part of that celebration can happen now, but we wait for the great celebration when Jesus returns and ushers in the new kingdom.
His disciples put their faith in him: will you?
To listen to sermons in the John series click here
Monday, 18 October 2010
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Isaiah - feel the words
We are studying Isaiah 40 to 60. You could say it's the easy bit, with lots of references to the perfect servant Jesus, but it's still pretty demanding: Long readings, emotionally demanding. Repetition. Isaiah is written in poetic style. It is full of grand sweeping dialogue and descriptions. It's meant to make us feel something. We feel the grace and feel the disgrace.
God is great and He hasn't given up on His people. His people are forgetful and ungrateful.
And by the way idols are nothing. Idols can't do anything. God can do anything.
So what are your idols?
To listen to sermons in the Isaiah series click here
God is great and He hasn't given up on His people. His people are forgetful and ungrateful.
And by the way idols are nothing. Idols can't do anything. God can do anything.
So what are your idols?
To listen to sermons in the Isaiah series click here
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Following Jesus (John 1:35-51)
This Sunday we were looking at the next part of John chapter 1 where John records for us the first men to start following Jesus and we noted two things:
Firstly that John the Baptist role has come to an end, he is no longer required to testify that Jesus is the Messiah. So his words recorded in John are “Look, the Lamb of God”, Andrew and another disciple (probably John the evangelist) hear him and begin following Jesus. It is only natural and logical that those who were following him should transfer their allegiance to the one he pointed too. John the Baptist’s message has always been Look at Him, You must follow and that is the same message that we are called to speak. It was what Andrew did after spending time with Jesus, he went and got his brother Simon (Peter) and said we have found the Messiah, effectively look at Him you must follow.
I wonder how often we are quick to say that to folk, look at Him, look at Jesus, you must follow? Or are we more concerned that people follow us?
The second thing we noted was that Jesus begins to say Follow me and you will see. So Jesus upon meeting Philip says “Follow me” and Philip follows. Philip then goes and fetches Nathanael saying effectively Look at Him, you must follow. Nathanael comes and as he does Jesus reveals that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip called him. Jesus’ demonstration of supernatural knowledge is enough for Nathanael to believe and he declares that Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Israel. To this Jesus says “you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Jesus’ promise to those who follow him is that they will see great things, they will see the greatness of the Son of Man. Just as Jacob in his dream saw the gateway to heaven and saw the house of God, Genesis 28. Jesus says you who follow will see even greater things than that, you will see THE gateway to heaven, Him, and you will see THE house of God, Him, and you will see how awesome Jesus is as he dies and is risen for the sake of mankind. Have you seen how awesome Jesus is?
Are you following him?
Some Bible reading resources
A few Bible verses with explanation, application and prayer each day.
If you have a smart mobile phone then the application from this company is worth a look. As well as the whole Bible is has various reading plans.
Bible reading and commentary. You can sign up for a daily email, or read it online or there is a Smart phone application
https://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/wordlive
Another online bible with reading plan and some other useful links
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/
https://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/wordlive
Another online bible with reading plan and some other useful links
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/
From here you can create a podcast in iTunes
http://www.dailyaudiobible.com/
Also, the DAB is a massive online community, hosting the "Windfarm" project, which is essentially round the world constant prayer. They also sell coffee... "The WindFarm Blend was exclusively roasted by Mission Coffee Roasters for the Daily Audio Bible family."
http://www.dailyaudiobible.com/
Also, the DAB is a massive online community, hosting the "Windfarm" project, which is essentially round the world constant prayer. They also sell coffee... "The WindFarm Blend was exclusively roasted by Mission Coffee Roasters for the Daily Audio Bible family."
If you have a smart mobile phone then the application from this company is worth a look. As well as the whole Bible is has various reading plans.
Also worth a look
In the beginning... John Chapter 1
No, not more on the Genesis series!
John's book is about bringing forward evidence so that we may believe in Jesus and have eternal life, but he begins with some simple but profound statements of the nature of Jesus Christ. He begins in the beginning with the Word, the Son of God, the agent of creation, the one who came from heaven to make is possible we could become children of God.
Do you want to know God? Look at Jesus.
Then we have the witness of John the Baptist. He says I'm nothing special but there's someone who really is unique and worthy of my service. John the Baptist points Jesus out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In other words, Jesus will be the sacrifice to pay the price for our failure to put God in His place as King. That’s for everyone. Not just Jews, not just religious or respectable people. It’s for people like you and me.
John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and in the genius of God’s salvation plan He is also the sacrifice provided by God? No-one else could do it
And last Sunday we looked at Jesus calling the first disciples with the invitation to “come and see.” One of them, Andrew, goes and does the same thing to Nathanael. And what are they going to see? That through Jesus it's possible to have access to heaven. Well worth seeing. Well worth telling your friends
To listen to sermons in the John series click here
John's book is about bringing forward evidence so that we may believe in Jesus and have eternal life, but he begins with some simple but profound statements of the nature of Jesus Christ. He begins in the beginning with the Word, the Son of God, the agent of creation, the one who came from heaven to make is possible we could become children of God.
Do you want to know God? Look at Jesus.
Then we have the witness of John the Baptist. He says I'm nothing special but there's someone who really is unique and worthy of my service. John the Baptist points Jesus out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In other words, Jesus will be the sacrifice to pay the price for our failure to put God in His place as King. That’s for everyone. Not just Jews, not just religious or respectable people. It’s for people like you and me.
John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and in the genius of God’s salvation plan He is also the sacrifice provided by God? No-one else could do it
And last Sunday we looked at Jesus calling the first disciples with the invitation to “come and see.” One of them, Andrew, goes and does the same thing to Nathanael. And what are they going to see? That through Jesus it's possible to have access to heaven. Well worth seeing. Well worth telling your friends
To listen to sermons in the John series click here
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