That you may believe (Page 2)
Unexpected Kindness Shown to a Large Numbers of People
Unexpected kindness shown to a large number of people. John’s Gospel chapter 6, verses 1 to 15 A change of scenery 6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing those who were ill. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. John 6:1-3 A…
The Identity of Christ Confirmed
The Identity of Christ Confirmed – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 31 to 47 Background Jesus had compassion on the paralysed man and healed him on the Sabbath day, creating controversy with the religious rulers. His startling claim to be one with God angered them. Now He calls witnesses in His defence. Jesus’ five witnesses He engages in a mock trial, calling 5 witnesses. There is no shortage of evidence. God the Father 32 There is another who testifies in my…
The Controversial Claim of Christ
The Controversial Claim of Christ – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 16 to 30 2 Things: Jesus, a controversial figure 16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. John 5:16 Just before this He provoked controversy by healing an paralysed man on the Sabbath. Jesus’s controversial claim 7 In his defence Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.’ 18 For…
A Surprising Solution to Suffering
A Surprising Solution to Suffering – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 1 to 15 A surprising solution to suffering. The problem of suffering is ever with us. What could be worse than being sick? A miraculous poolside healing 5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great…
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…
The Greatest Expression of Love
The Greatest Expression of Love – John’s Gospel chapter 3 verses 16 to 21 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not…
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…