Jesus Christ's Influence
Over People
Part One
INTRODUCTION
I. The apostle John's emphasis was on the
deity of Jesus Christ.(Jones' Notes)
II. One way in which He proved His deity was
through the use of miracles
III. Schaff calls this Gospel the "Most Important
literary production ever
composed!"
(Halley's, p. 527)
IV. The gospels contain circa 35 of Christ's
many miracles during His earthly
ministry.
17 bodily cures
9 miracles over forces of nature
6 cures over demoniacs
3 raised from the dead.
V. John's gospel intended to supplement
the synoptic gospels.
A. Many
of the 40 parables, the Galilean ministry, many miracles, the
nativity, and the institution of the Lord's Supper are not located in
John's gospel.
VI. The objectives of the last gospel
were to cause belief in Jesus Christ, God
made
man, and to confirm the His Word.
[John 20: 31].
VII. Coffman calls it a "progressive narrative."(Coffman,
p. 6)
A. The
progression towards Lazarus [Chap 11] is obvious by the
progressively greater and greater works that preceded it.
B. Neg.
side: the raising of Lazarus is considered the "trigger"of His death.
BODY; How Jesus Christ Influenced
People!
I. How Jesus Christ's seven signs/miracles
influenced the people.
A. Four
of Christ's nine miracles over the forces of nature
are in John's Gospel.
1/4. Christ's first miracle (one of 8 miracles
in John's gospel),
turning water
into wine, was the commencement of His work. [2: 1-11]
A. 1/9
miracles over the forces of nature through the 4 Gospels,
4 of which are in John's gospel.
B. It
revealed His power over time.
C. It
was "a speeding up process that required actual creative power."(H534)
D. Halley
says that Christ's miracles to follow were done mostly to "relieve
suffering", but His first miracle was done at a wedding feast in Cana to
show His "ministering to human joy, making people happy, as if Jesus
wanted to announce, right at the start, that the religion which he was
now introducing into the world was no religion of asceticism, but a
religion of natural joy."(H533)
E. Christ
was placing His blessing on their marriage. He was concerned
for their welfare and happiness and acted upon His concern.
1. He wanted to influence them to a simple joy, especially
in light
of the embarrassing turn of events at this most memorable occasion.
F. He
(1) "manifested (revealed) His glory"--He has always been God and
our Creator [1: 3, 14]--and (2) "His disciples believed in Him." [2: 11]
Christ's life prior to the wedding must have
2/4. Feeding the 5,000; 4th/7 great signs
[6: 5-14]
A. 1/9
miracles over the forces of nature; 4 of which are in John's gospel
B. ONLY
miracle told in all 4 gospels.
[Mt 14: 13-33; Mk 6: 32-52; Lk 9: 10-17]
C. At
the NE shore of the Sea of Galilee
1. A spot 2 mls SE of the Jordon's entrance fits the description.
D. At
Passover; 1 yr bef C's death.
[6: 4]
1. Multitudes are en route to JER.
2. Christ didn't go to this Passover, because last yr they
plotted to kill
Him.
[Jn 5: 1, 18]
3. Poss the 1st Passover He missed since going to JER since
12 yrs.
4. He celebrated it by perf 1 of the most marvelous miracles
for these
masses en route to the Passover.
E. We
must notice His love of order.
1. Sit down in co. of 50's or 100's.
[Mk 6: 39-40]
2. Poss arranged around Him in a circle or semi-circle?
F. Not
wasteful!
1. Left-overs gathered up.
[6: 12-3]
2. Today we don't respect left-overs, no appreciation, ungrateful!
G. Passover
masses were so impressed.
1. When will your Kingdom come?
[14-5; A 1: 6; Jn 18: 36< Pilate]
2. They wanted to make him a worldly king.
3/4. Jesus Christ walking on the sea; 5th/7
great signs
[6: 15-19-21]
A. 1/9
miracles over the forces of nature; 4 of which are in John's gospel.
B. In
the 4th watch = after 03:00
[Mk 6: 48]
C. Christ
had spent most of the night alone on the mountain.
[Mk 6: 46
D. Disciples
were rowing to Capernaum.
[Jn 6: 17]
1. By way of Bethsaida.
[Mk 6: 45]
2. Bethsaida was at the entrance of the Jordan to the Sea of
Galilee
3. Capernaum was c.5 mls SW of the Jordan entrance.
4. They were hugging the shore because of the storm?
5. Christ appeared to them while they were 25-30 furlongs =
3 or 4 mls
out = ½ way down the sea.
E. Peter
saw Jesus Christ walking on the water, he wanted to do it also!
1. Dear, lovable, impetuous Peter.
2. Peter began to sink.
3. JESUS CHRIST rebuked Peter for his lack of faith.
a. In man's eye: Peter had the faith to at least try
b. JESUS CHRIST's eye/perspective/understanding: not enough.
c. Peter didn't understand all.
i. He denied JESUS CHRIST 3 times.
ii. Peter's attitude was grieved because his love
[21: 15-17
wasn't the sacrificial/agape love that he should have had.
iii. Do you/Peter love me more than the fishing bus.?
iv. Like a friend asking for a confidential ear/help &
then
asking whether he/she is still friends with us?
B. Shows
His power over His body to walk on the water and His power
over the sea to quiet it.
4/4. Christ's 8th/last miracle in Jn's Gospel;
Second draught of fish [21:1-23]
A. 1/9
miracles over forces of nature, 4 of which are in John's gospel
B. Finishes
His miracles just as He started them.
1. Capernaum was his headquarters for His Galilean ministry.
a. Demon-possessed man is cleansed in synagogue.
b. Simon's m-i-l's fever departs.
c. Demon-possessed & infirm were healed by JESUS CHRIST.
2. Fishermen > Fishers of men.
[Lk 4: 43-5: 11]
a. Symbolic hint of the redemptive movement among men?
b. They were to initiate it.
CONCLUSION (Power over Nature!)
1/4 H2O
to Wine :
Power over time.
2/4 Feeding of the
5,000: Power over sustenance of life;
the bread of life!
3/4 Walking on sea/H2O:
Was their livelihood & w/o it no travel, nor food.
Egypt's worshiped the god of the Nile.
4/4 Bringing in the
Fish. We need to worry
about seeking spiritual
matters & all will be given to us.
Copyright 1999 by Neil
C. Prokop may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to
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