Sermons on John
Hope for the Desperate
Hope for the Desperate – John’s Gospel chapter 4 verses 43 to 54 Hope for the desperate. The twin themes of desperation and faith. The superficial faith of the curious crowd They were there to see His miracles. 43 After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honour in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in…
All Christians are to be evangelists
All Christians are to be evangelists – John’s Gospel chapter 4, verses 27 to 42 Jesus talks to an outcast woman …and his followers are shocked! Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, ‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking with her?’ John 4:27 She wants to tell everyone …and forgets her water jar. ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done. Could…
Whoever You Are, Whatever You’ve Done
Whoever You Are, Whatever You’ve Done – John’s Gospel chapter 4, verses 1 to 26 Too Far Gone? Does “whoever believes in Him” really include me? (John 3:16) 3 Important bits of information She was a Samaritan, Jesus a Jew, and she was shocked that He should speak to her. Then, they were beside Jacob’s Well, the heritage of both. And it was midday, the hottest time of the day. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said…
How to Deal with Jealousy
How to Deal with Jealousy – John’s Gospel chapter 3, verses 22 to 36 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” – Proverbs 14:30. Envy and jealousy can find their way in anywhere, even in church, and bring bitterness. Jealousy Rises verses 22-26 The rise of Jesus’ influence. But John still had a ministry. Many flocked to him in the north. But a dispute: perhaps about who’s baptism was better – “everyone is…
How Does a Person Become a Christian?
How Does a Person Become a Christian? John’s Gospel 2:23 to 3:15 Jesus know the heart of Man 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:23-25 A Q&A between Jesus and a Religious Teacher Jesus…
Zeal for the Worship of God
Zeal for the Worship of God – John’s Gospel chapter 2, verses 12 to 22 Jesus, compassionate – yes. But also justly angry. We must not make a caricature of Jesus – here is just anger at those who had turned the place of prayer, where people could seek God, into a noisy marketplace. The wrong place for this. He was angry that people were being obstructed from seeking God. “Instead of solemn dignity and the murmur of prayer, there…
A Miracle at a Wedding
A Miracle at a Wedding – John’s gospel chapter 2, verses 1 to 12 The Invitation Jesus was not a monk. He went to the wedding. He approves of both joy and marriage. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2:1-2 The Problem A social embarrassment – they had run out of wine! Mary is confident he will…
Two Big, Vital Questions
Two Big, Vital Questions – John’s Gospel, chapter 18, verses 28 to 38 The circumstances The early hours of Jesus’ last day, facing the Roman governor. Though the common people heard Jesus gladly, their leaders hated him, and came to Pilate for permission to execute Him. The first question Why are you here? 37 ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the…
Come and See!
Come and See! – John’s Gospel chapter 1 verses 43 to 51 Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel Jesus finds Philip, verses 41-44 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. John 1:43-44 Philip finds Nathaniel, verses 45-46 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also…
Jesus’ First Disciples
Jesus’ First Disciples – John’s Gospel, chapter 1 verses 35 to 42 Here is the very first beginning of the Christian church. Two people are prompted to see, hear and follow Jesus 35 The next day John [the Baptist] was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. They are invited to come 38 Turning round, Jesus saw them…
The All-Sufficient Sacrifice of Jesus
The All-Sufficient Sacrifice of Jesus – John’s gospel chapter 1 verses 29 to 34 “He is here, look to him, follow him” 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came…
Humble Witnesses
Humble Witnesses – John’s Gospel chapter 1, verses 19 to 28 John the Baptist – the Humble Witness 19Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ John 1:19-20 John points to the true Messiah 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,…