Embracing Light, Service, and Celebration in Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of using spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ within the local church. He then addresses the controversy surrounding Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, arguing that it was indeed real wine. The pastor uses the story of Noah in Genesis chapter 9 as evidence that people in those times knew how to make real wine. He concludes this section by emphasizing that Jesus only wants the best for his followers and encourages the congregation to give their lives to Jesus because he desires immeasurably more for them than they could ever imagine.
The pastor then addresses the fears and concerns that people have about the darkness and chaos in the world. He emphasizes that as followers of Jesus, they are called to be the light in the midst of darkness. The pastor encourages the congregation not to put their hope in the government or other things, but to recognize that the Church of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. He urges the congregation to go public with their faith, not keeping it to themselves, but sharing it with others. The pastor concludes this section by emphasizing the importance of serving and volunteering, expressing gratitude to those who serve and reminding everyone that serving is not only a way to see miracles in their own lives, but also in the lives of others.
The pastor then invites those who have just prayed a prayer for the first time to let the church know so that they can receive support and guidance. He emphasizes the importance of community and the role of the church in helping one another. The pastor acknowledges that in life, we cannot navigate through it alone, but we need the help of God and others. He encourages the congregation to take advantage of the opportunity to talk with someone, receive prayer, and seek guidance if they are struggling with something.
The pastor then discusses the idea of Christianity and celebration going hand in hand. He acknowledges that these two words are not typically seen together, but he believes that the church should be a place of celebration. He references the Old Testament, where God instructed the nation of Israel to shut down and celebrate seven times a year for a week. The pastor also addresses the criticism he sometimes receives that the church feels more like a concert than a place of worship, and he embraces this comparison, stating that concerts are a place of celebration and enjoyment.
Finally, the pastor introduces a new series called "The Master of the Miraculous" and explains that they will be exploring the miracles performed by Jesus in the Bible and how they are relevant to believers today. The pastor emphasizes the belief that if these miracles happened in the Bible, they can happen again today because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus only wants the best for his followers and desires immeasurably more for them than they could ever imagine. He turned water into real wine at the wedding in Cana, demonstrating his desire to provide the best for his followers. ([12:45])
- As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the light in the midst of darkness. The darker the world becomes, the brighter the church can shine and show people who Jesus is. Our hope should not be in the government or other things, but in the Church of Jesus Christ. ([24:30])
- Serving and volunteering are not only ways to see miracles in our own lives, but also in the lives of others. Serving is essential for becoming who God has called and created us to be. ([36:15])
- Christianity and celebration should go hand in hand. The church should be a place of celebration, just like concerts are places of celebration and enjoyment. ([48:50])
- If the miracles that happened in the Bible can happen again today because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We should believe in the possibility of miracles in our lives today. ([59:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 2:1-10
2. Hebrews 13:8
3. Malachi 3:6
Observation Questions:
1. In John 2:1-10, what was the significance of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana?
2. What does Hebrews 13:8 tell us about the nature of Jesus Christ?
3. How does Malachi 3:6 relate to the unchanging nature of God?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Considering the miracle at Cana, what might this suggest about Jesus' desire for his followers?
2. How does the statement in Hebrews 13:8, that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, influence our understanding of miracles in the present day?
3. In light of Malachi 3:6, how might this verse provide assurance for believers in times of darkness and chaos?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on the miracle at Cana, how can you trust Jesus more in your life, believing that He wants the best for you?
2. Given that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, how can this truth encourage you to believe in the possibility of miracles in your life today?
3. In a world that often feels chaotic and dark, how can you be a light and bring hope to those around you this week?
4. How can you go public with your faith this week, sharing it with at least one person in your life?
5. Think of a way you can serve or volunteer in your community this week. How might this act of service bring about a miracle in someone else's life?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Best from Jesus
Jesus desires to give us the best, even more than we can imagine for ourselves. His miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana is a testament to this. He doesn't just provide, but He provides abundantly, exceeding our expectations and needs. [12:45]
Ephesians 3:20 - "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."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you are settling for less than God's best? How can you start trusting Jesus to provide abundantly in those areas?
Day 2: Being the Light in Darkness
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the light in the midst of darkness. The darker the world becomes, the brighter we can shine to show people who Jesus is. Our hope should not be in the government or other things, but in the Church of Jesus Christ. [24:30]
Matthew 5:14 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community this week? What are some practical ways you can show the love of Jesus to those around you?
Day 3: Serving to See Miracles
Serving and volunteering are not just duties, but opportunities to witness miracles. As we serve, we become instruments of God's miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. Serving is essential for becoming who God has called and created us to be. [36:15]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What are your spiritual gifts and how can you use them to serve others this week? How might serving others open the door for miracles in your life and theirs?
Day 4: Celebrating in Christianity
Christianity and celebration should go hand in hand. The church should be a place of celebration, just like concerts are places of celebration and enjoyment. Our faith is not just about solemnity, but also about joy and celebration. [48:50]
Psalm 100:1-2 - "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."
Reflection: How can you incorporate celebration into your faith journey this week? What are some reasons you have to celebrate and give thanks to God?
Day 5: Believing in Miracles Today
The miracles that happened in the Bible can happen again today because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We should believe in the possibility of miracles in our lives today. [59:20]
Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need a miracle? How can you exercise faith and trust in Jesus for this miracle?
Quotes
"His mother told the servants do whatever he tells you... these are the only instructions that Mary ever gives anywhere in scriptures anywhere in the Bible... when it comes to following Jesus just do whatever he tells you to do." [20:00]
"If Jesus says stop doing something, stop doing it. If he tells you to start doing something, start doing it... on the other end of obedience is a miracle that will absolutely blow your mind." [21:48]
"Jesus said, 'What I've been telling you to do over here in private, now it's time to get out of the walls, now it's time to go out and show everybody.' Christianity is a personal issue, absolutely, but it's not a private one. Jesus called us to go out into the world, Jesus called us to be light into the dark." [29:35]
"Don't shortcut Yourself by saying no to the process. You're in the middle of a process, and you're closer to a breakthrough than you could ever possibly imagine. You're going to see things that are absolutely going to blow your mind. Don't give up, keep fighting through the process, keep listening to Jesus and do what he says." [27:53]
"The reason we exist as a church is to help each other. We understand that in life we can't get through this life without the help of God and the help of others." [42:08]
"Usually, man, people start off with the good stuff... the Cabernet is 20 years old from France and the oak barrel... and then three hours in we enter the Mad Dog 2020 from sparkies like that... you start with the good stuff when everybody's had a lot of the good stuff you give them the cheap stuff CU they don't care anymore... Jesus turned the water into wine... you have kept the best until now... Jesus only has the best in mind for you." [34:49]
"Jesus has immeasurably more for you than you could ever imagine. He's not the god of a little bit, he's not the Jesus of a dab of blessing. When Jesus blesses you, you will know it." [22:21]
"Here's the beauty of this text: Jesus used incomplete, unclean vessels for the miracle." [24:52]
"If it happened in the Bible it can happen today... Jesus Christ said he's the same yesterday today and forever and God said I the Lord do not change and so if he did it then he can do it today." #!!00:40!!#
"Jesus only uses incomplete unclean people because incomplete unclean people is all there are and so if you're here and you feel incomplete and unclean woo congratulations you're the candidate for a miracle ain't that awesome." #!!25:31!!#
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