JESUS INVITED TO A WEDDING

JOHN 2.1-11

INTRO. – This is the first miracle that Jesus performed (v.11).

There are 8 miracles recorded in John.  The first three show how salvation comes.

1.  Water to wine. 2.1-11 – Salvation by the Word.

2.  Healing the Nobleman’s son. 4.46-54 – Salvation by faith.

3.  Healing the paralytic. 5.1-9 – Salvation by grace.

The next five show the results of salvation.

4.  Feeding the 5000. 6.1-14 – Salvation brings satisfaction.

5.  Stilling the storm. 6.16-21 – Salvation brings peace.

6.  Healing the blind man. 9.1-7 – Salvation brings light.

7.  Raising Lazarus. 11.38-45 – Salvation brings life.

8.  Catch of fish. 21.1-14 – Salvation brings souls.

I.                  THE MARRIAGE. 1-4

A.    The third day.

1.                  2 Peter 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

B.     “Mother of Jesus” – The name of “Mary” in reference to Jesus’ mother is not in John.

C.      Jesus was invited to the marriage.

1.                  When Jesus and His Word in part of a married couples life, their life will be more honoring and blessed.

2.                  It’s sad that today Jesus is not invited to most weddings.

3.                  People will plan for months a guest list and not even think of Christ.

4.                  Many marriages today are on the “rocks” instead of on The Rock – Jesus Christ.

Latest Statistics from US Census Bureau

The latest US Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics contain updates through June, 2003.  The Census 2000 data has not yet been fully incorporated, however. 

Ø      The ratio of marriages to divorces is 2 to 1 (Marriages and Divorces).

Ø      Total Marriages showed a sharp drop in 1998.

Ø      Marital Status for Females 15 and over (1950 - 2003) shows that the population of unmarried women will soon surpass the number of married women.  This indicates a rejection of the Divine Institution of Marriage by the population.

Ø      The number of Unmarried Couple Households (liveins) is increasing steadily.

Ø      Where are the children living (with one or two parents) due to divorce?  Children living with only one parent has increased from 9% in 1960 to 28% in 2002.  Of those 84% of the children live with the mother.

5.                  God instituted marriage.

Gen. 2.18-24

Eph. 5.21-31

Heb. 13.4

6.                  God intended the marriage to last to death.

II.              THE MESSAGE. V.5

A.    The best words of advice in the Bible.

B.     The message to be born again. John 3

C.    The message to repent. Luke 13.3, 5

D.    The message to believe and be saved.

1.                  The Romans road.

2.                  John 14.6

III.          THE MIRACLE. V.6-11

A.  A thirsty crowd.

Isn’t this a picture of the lost world today? They are tasting the world’s pleasures but finding no personal satisfaction, and what fulfillment they have eventually runs out. The Bible invites thirsty sinners to come to Christ for salvation and satisfaction (John 4:13-14; 7:37; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17).

B. Empty water pots.

Representing the human heart, which is hard and empty. The Word of God compares the human being to a vessel (2 Cor. 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:20-21). The sinner’s life may look lovely on the outside, but God sees it is empty and useless unless He is able to work a divine miracle.

C. Filled with water.

Water for washing is, in the Bible, an image of the Word of God. (See Eph. 5:26; John 15:3.) All that the servants had to do was fill the empty water pots with water, which is like the servant of God filling the heart of the unbeliever with the Word. It is not our job to save souls, but it is our job to give people the Word and let Christ perform the miracle of salvation.

D. Water to wine.

When the sinner’s heart has been filled with the Word, then Christ can perform the miracle and bring joy. In Acts 8:26-40, Philip filled the Ethiopian with the Word, and when the man believed, the miracle of salvation took place. The Ethiopian went his way rejoicing. Note John 1:17—“The law came through Moses”; in the Old Testament water was changed to blood (Ex. 7:19), which indicates judgment. But Christ turned water into wine, which speaks of grace and joy. Wine symbolizes the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).

E. The beginning of miracles.

Salvation is the beginning of miracles, for after a person is saved, God performs one miracle after another for him; and the miracles we experience bring glory to Christ.