John 5:1-18
The Setting
The Time: Jewish festival
The Place: Pool of Bethesda- Represented a mixture of Greek healing ideologies and
Jewish healing ideologies.
The Debilitating Presence of Disability: This man has been lame for 38 years. This
was longer than most men lived during that time.
The Conversation (Part 1)
Jesus
o"Do you want to get well?"
The Lame Man
o"I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but
while I'm coming, someone goes down ahead to me."
I don't have anyone
It's not the right time.
I'm not in a good place
oHe is wounded physically, societally, personally, and experientially.
Jesus
o"Get up, pick up your mat and walk."
The Savior
He appears in a place where no religious leaders would ever go.
He goes to those who are embracing a different set of beliefs (Greek healing vs.
Jewish healing).
He associates with people that others would not.
Jesus "saw" and "knew" Purposeful and compassionate engagement with the
disabled man.
The Conversation (Part 2)
The Jews
o"This is the Sabbath. The law prohibits you from picking up your mat."
The Lame Man
o"The man who made me well told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk."
o(Notice he is still making excuses).
The Jews
o"Who is this man who told you, 'Pick up your mat and walk?' they asked."
But the man who was healed did not know who it was, because Jesus had slipped
away into the crowd that was there.
The Confrontation (Part 1)
After this…
oJesus found him in the temple
oAnd said to him, "see, you are well. Do not sin anymore, so that
something whose doesn't happen to you."
oThe man went and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made
him well.
oTherefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He was doing these
things on the Sabbath.
The Absence of Faith
Lame Legs & A Hard Heart
oThe disabled man is given two opportunities to express faith in Jesus
Christ as the Messiah. Both of these interactions with Jesus are marked
by a lack of faith rather than faith.
oThis is more serious than his legs. It's about his soul
The Confrontation (Part 2)
The Source of Life Sermon (Jn. 5:19-47)
oThe oneness of Christ (with the Father)
His equality with the Father (5:18)
His dependence upon the Father (5:19)
His responsibilities form the Father
Future resurrection (5:11)
Future judgement (5:22
His esteem by the Father
He is loved (5:20)
He is honored (5:23)
oThe twofold resurrection by Christ
The resurrection of the saved
Present day spiritual resurrection (5:24-25)
Future physical resurrection (5:28-29a)
The resurrection of the unsaved (5:27, 29b)
The Source of Life Sermon (Jn. 5:19-47)
oThe Fourfold Witness About Christ
The witness of John the Baptist (5:33-35)
The witness of his own work (5:36)
The witness of the Father (5:37-38)
The witness of the Scripture (5:39-47)
Jesus and the Scriptures:
Jesus acknowledged the importance of
the Scriptures.
Jesus recognized that it was entirely
possible to read the Scriptures and miss
the message of the Scriptures.
Jesus affirmed that the Scriptures bore
witness to Him.
How to Read the Bible:
The proper way to read the Scripture is
to read it in such a way that Jesus stands
at the center of our reading.
The central message of the Bible is
God's actions in Jesus Christ.
John 6:1-15
The Setting
The Time: Near Passover; the roads are more crowded than ever before. They're on
their way down to the festival.
The crowds: Following Jesus "because they saw the signs that he was performing by
healing the sick." They are coming towards Jesus and the disciples who are seated on
a mountain side. There are 5000 men in the crowd.
The compassion of Jesus: Even though the crowd is following Jesus for the wrong
reasons (and He knows it), out of compassion, love and mercy He will provide food
for them.
The Test:
oPhilip lived in a village nearby called Bethsaida Julia. He's local. So Jesus
asked, "Where…"
oPhilip's answer is not one of "where" but "how/how much"
oPhilip had seen the work of Jesus in the past
The other disciple: Andrew (who's always bringing people to Jesus) brings a boy and
his lunch as well as a question: "…but what are they for so many?"
In Summary (The Dire Circumstance)
oFive barley loaves: Food of the poor; food of the animals.
oTwo fish: Little/small dried or pickled fish
oThe bread is crummy and the fish are small, and more than five thousand
hungry people (who mostly care only for the miracles) are waiting to eat
as it is getting dark!
The Miracle: Jn 6:1-15
The Actions of Jesus:
oSeated: "Have the people sit down." Matthew says there was grass. John
says there was much grass in the place. Mark's Gospel adds green grass.
It's spring and probably an earlier Passover.
oPrayer: Perhaps Jesus prays the traditional prayer of the father over the
breaking of bread. If so, he prays
"Blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe, who brings
forth bread from the earth."
oThey would have all said amen, amen.
oFood Distribution: The bread and the fish are distributed to all in
attendance.
oCleaning Up:
"When they were full…"
"Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted."
"They collected and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from
the five barley loaves that were left over…"
Philip had figured for the minimum. Jesus had provided
"exceedingly, abundantly above all that we asked or think,
according to his riches."
The Results
oJesus
"…he withdrew again to the mountain by himself."
"…he went up into the hills by himself to pray." (Mk. 6)
oThe Crowd
"This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
"…they were about to come and take him by force to make
him king…"
oDisciples
"…his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat…"
"Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat…"
(Mk. 6)
Walking on the Water
oThe actions of Jesus:
He dismissed the crowd,
Sent
oThe Need
The Disciples Escalating Need:
Darkness had already set in
But Jesus shad not yet come to them.
A high wind arose
The sea began to churn.
After they had rowed about three or four miles
They saw Jesus walking on the sea… and they were
afraid.
Fourth watch of the night (3 a.m. - 6 a.m.) (Mk 6)
oJesus Response
He was coming near the boat (Best way to the disciples -there
was no other boat) (Jn. 6:22)
He intended to go past them (Mk. 6)
He said to them, "It is I. Don't be afraid." (Literally: "I am. No
fear.")
oConclusion:
"Then they were willing to take him on board…"
"at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading."
oThe Glory of God: Jn. 1, 6, & Mk. 6
"…he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to
pass by them." (Mark 6:48)
Old Testament Context: Moses and Elijah- God
passed by to reveal his glory. Now God in Jesus
again passes by to reveal his glory.
Jesus doesn't remain on the mountain. He is
praying and he could have stayed up there and
prayed for them. Instead, he left the mountain to
go out to his disciples. Then, he climbs into the
boat.
The God of glory is in the boat with his friends-
with us. In the place where we are straining, God is
with us to reveal his glory.
"We're all in the same boat." - Jesu says to us, "
The Bread of Life Sermon
oGroup 1: The Crowd (The Salvation from God)
They sought him only for physical bread
They were to seek him for that living bread.
They were ignorant about pleasing God.
They would please God by believing on His Son
They assumed the O.T. manna came from Moses
He told them the manna came from God and was a type of
himself
oThe Sovereignty of God
A guarantee that all the elect would come to Christ.
A guarantee that all the elect would continue in Christ.
Jesus affirmed the twin themes of election and perseverance
of the saints. These are prominent topics in John's Gospel
(because of the topic of the sovereignty of God). Those
predestined by God will come to Jesus, and Jesus will preserve
his own. No one can come to Jesus apart from the Father's
drawing him.
Group 2: The Jews
oThey were ignorant of His origin
Jn. 6:42
oThey were ignorant of His offer
Jn. 6:52
Group 3: The Unbelieving Believers
oThis is hard to hear (objectionable, offensive, impossible to accept and to
believe).
oWho can listen to it? ("Who can hear him?") or (Who is able to listen to
him)
oThese unbelieving believers objected to the entire discourse:
That Jesus should call himself the Bread of Life, that he
compared his works to Moses' works, that he claimed to be
above Moses, that he descended out of heaven, whose flesh
they must eat and whose blood they must drink as the real
food, full of life, and thus giving them life eternal and the
reassure
Group 4: The Disciples
oPeter confesses him
The twelve are challenged. Peter answered for them. He
recognizes the uniqueness of Jesus. He alone had promised
eternal life. They also come to see in Jesus the Holy one of
God.
oJudas was to betray him
Jesus actually called him a devil. It was only later that the
disciples learned the identity of the betrayer.
What is Faith?
o"This is precisely the problem with faith that is based on miracles. If no
more miracles are forthcoming, it wilts and even dies, like plant that is
not watered. Such faith is quite common, and most of us are attracted by
it…
oFaith certainly holds to a God who can and does perform miracles; but it
does not believe in God because God works miracles. Faith believes in
God simply because it trusts God, loves God, seeks to serve God." - Justo
L. Gonzalez
Jesus & The Feast of Tabernacles (Jn. 7:1-52)
Jesus' Brother's Request
oJerusalem
oFeast of Tabernacles
oReason 1: Urge Jesus to attend the feast
oReason 2: Fail to understand about His impending death
Jesus' Reason for not going to the Feast (Jn. 7:6-9)
oNot his time to die (avoiding vs. ensuring)
oNot his purpose to disrupt the city
Results of Jesus teaching in the temple (7:14-31)
oPeople marvel at his brilliance (7:15-16)
oChrist reveals the source of His learning and His divine humanity (7:17-
18)
oChrist accuses people of seeking to kill Him (7:19)
oPeople deny that they would kill Him (7:20)
oChrist exposes their ignorance (7:21-24)
oPeople become even more confused (7:25-27)
oJesus claims to be the Messiah (7:28-29)
oJews seek to kill Him (7:30)
oMany believe on Him (7:31)
Jesus questioned
oThe pharisees were ready to question Jesus.
oWhat is the Feast of Tabernacles:
1. Ordained of God
Leviticus 23:40-42
Seven days duration
In the fall
2. Jews live in booths
3. A memorial to God
For giving them the land
For giving them food that came from the land
4. A feast of gratitude to God
Ex. 23:26/Deut. 16:13-15
The Feast of Tabernacles
oWhen: The last and most important
oWhat: The water ceremony
oWhen: At the moment of silence
oWhat: "If anyone is thirty, let him come to me and drink. The one who
believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water
flow from deep within him."
oWhy:
The Impact: The People Are Divided
oSome believe He is the Messiah (7:40-41)
1. "When some from the crowd heard these words, they said,
"This truly is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah."
oSome remain confused (7:41-42)
1. "But some said, "Surely the Messiah doesn't come from
Galilee, does he? Doesn't the Scripture say that the Messiah
comes from David's offspring
oSome reject Him (7:44)
oSome are afraid (7:45-46)
oSome are self-confident (7:47-49)
oOne defends Him (7:50-53)
The Wisdom of Jesus: John 8:1-11
Who are the antagonists?
o"Then the scribes and the Pharisees…"
What is the nature of the hostility of these antagonists?
oAs the Gospel of John unfolds we see three reasons why they were hostile
towards Jesus:
Fearful of losing their position of dominance in Jewish society
Angry at Jesus claims to be divine or to have come from the
Father
They opposed many of Jesus' teachings and in particular they
were hostile to Jesus' reinterpretation of traditional beliefs
By what means do they pursue their hostility?
oThe Jewish leaders establish a test situation in which they hope they can
trap Jesus into denying the Old Testament Laws and thereby be subjected
to arrest.
What back-and-forth rhythm (sometimes a virtual debate) can we trace?
oThe conflict progresses as follows;
The posing of the test
Jesus ignoring/engaging his opponents by writing in the dust
Jesus challenge that the one who is without sin cast the first
stone
The Jewish leaders leave in defeat
Jesus' encounter with the woman
How is the conflict resolved, and what lesson can we carry away based on that
resolution?
oThe Lord's greatest desire is to deliver us form sin through repentance
and faith, rather than condemn us from our sins. Jesus Christ came into
the world to save sinners, even the worst of us, by His sacrifice on the
cross.
The Wisdom of Jesus
oAccusers aim to destroy our credibility and worth as individuals.
oAccusers aim to destroy our hope.
oOur guilt leaves us powerless to silence our accusers.
oJesus understands our (and our accusers) motivations.
oJesus sets us free form condemnation.
oJesus sets us free from punishment.
oJesus' mercy is geared towards our restoration.
Ignorance of the Pharisees: Jn. 8:12-59
Ignorance of His truthfulness (8:13)
oHe Pharisees accused Jesus of lying about who he was. Jesus replied that
He and the Father witness to His Messiahship.
Ignorance of His Father (8:19)
Ignorance of His identity (8:25)
o"Who are you?" they questioned.
Ignorance of destiny (8:22)
o"He won't kill himself, will he, since he says, 'Where I'm going, you cannot
come'?"
Ignorance of their own history (8:33)
Ignorance of His character (8:48)
Ignorance of His eternity (8:57)
Ignorance of His greatness (8:53)
The outcome of their ignorance:
oWhere: they were in the temple area
oWhen: It was the Sabbath
oWhat: Jesus had not been formally charged before the Sanhedrin
oHow/What: the religious leaders were ready to kill Him.
John 9:1-41: Act 1: What The Blind Man Saw
Scene 1: Healing the Blind
The Question: "Why was this man born…?"
The Answer: "…so the power of God could be seen in him."
The Action: Jesus heals the man by making mud, placing it on his eyes, and sending
him to wash it off.
Scene 2: Interrogating the Witnesses
The Neighbors:
oConfusion (Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?" followed by
curiosity
The Parents:
oSelfishness motivated by fear ("Ask him. He is old enough to speak for
himself."…they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced
that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the
synagogue.).
The Pharisees: He's not a prophet because he broke the Sabbath rules:
oMade a mud pack
oAnointed a man
oHealed a man
The Once Blind Man: A logical explanation
oWe know God doesn't hear sinners.
oGod hears those who do His will.
oTo heal a person blind from birth must be a miracle of God
oSince it is a miracle of God, the person performing the miracle must have
been obeying God. God heard him.
oTherefore, if Jesus were not form God, God wouldn't have given him the
power to work this miracle.
Scene 3: Excommunicating the Disciple
The Pharisees:
oDisciples of Moses
oPharisees state that he was born a total sinner.
Scene 4: The Seeing and the Blind
The Once Blind Man: From (spiritual) blindness to (spiritual) sight:
o"The man they call Jesus…"
o"I think he must be a prophet."
o"If this man were not from God…"
o"Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshipped Jesus.
The Pharisees:
o"Are you saying we're blind?"
Jesus:
o"If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty… but you remain guilty because
you claim you can see."
oTakes one to know one.
Act 2: What The Savior Said Jn. 10:1-21
Scene 1: The Shepherd and the Sheep
Thief/Robber/Stranger
oSneaks over the wall
oSheep won't follow
oSheep will run
oSheep don't know his voice
The Shepherd
oEnters by the gate
oCall his sheep and they come
oHe knows their name; they know his voice
oHe leads; they follow
Conclusion:
oThose who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he
meant
Scene 2: The Gate
Thieves and Robbers
oPurpose: Steal, kill, and destroy
The Gate
oThose who come through will be saved.
oWill come and go freely.
oFind good pasture.
oPurpose: Rich and satisfying life.
Scene 3: The Good Shepherd
Hired Hand
oRuns at the sight of a wolf
oAbandons the sheep (they don't belong to him; he isn't their shepherd).
oWorking only for the money.
oDoesn't care about the sheep
oResult: Wolf attacks and scatters the flock
The Good Shepherd (The Model Shepherd)
oSacrifices his life for the sheep
oKnows his sheep and they know him
Conclusion:
o"The people were divided in their opinion about him…"
5 Qualities of Leadership Modeled by The Good Shepherd
1. Friendship
2. Trust
3. Protection
4. Accessibility
5. Sacrifice
Inclusive Leadership:
oInclusive Leadership is a blend of transformational and servant
leadership
Transformational leadership: The mission of the church.
Servant leadership: The mode of carrying out the mission.
5 Values
1. Inclusive leadership brings the maximum number of individuals into participation
2. Inclusive leadership empowers individuals to reach their full potential while pursing
the common good of the particular populace.
3. Inclusive leadership develops a culture that perpetuates the morality of the worth of
the individual in such a way as to act as a preventive resistance against the ever-
present possibility of leadership by tyranny.
4. Inclusive leadership is intentional in the replication of today's leadership who model
the above characteristics with a commitment to allow future leadership to emerge.
5. Inclusive leadership is manifested in the development of appropriate boundaries
that maintain the integrity of the nature of the group or team without marginalizing
the rest of the people.
You Should Know Me: John 10:22-42
Setting:
oThe Festival of Dedication (When): what we would call Hannukah
Celebrates the time when Judas Maccabee (The Hammer)
expelled the enemy and then purified and rededicated the
Temple and the altar (which had been profaned).
This confrontation sets up a contrast: The Hammer vs. The
Lamb
oIn Jerusalem, (Where)
oIt was winter. (When)
oJesus was walking in the temple (Where)
oIn Solomon's Colonnade. (Where- more specifically)
Hannukah Questions: Question 1
The Jews Question: The Jews surrounded him and asked,
o"How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
oIf you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."
Their question is better understood as:
o"How long will you take away our life?"
o"How much longer will you provoke us to anger?"
The Problem:
oJesus has been speaking in metaphors, using such things as bread, light,
doors, and shepherds as imagery to convey his message. In a sense they
are saying, "Jesus, can you be more clear."
oJesus' Response:
I did tell you
The works testify to who I am
You do not believe
You do not belong to my sheep
oJesus' Contrast:
One cannot hear without following, nor following except he
hear.
oThe Shema
Deut. 6:4-5
Listen
Love
oJesus Uses
Hear & Follow
Those who listen/hear are those who love and follow. Why?
They are "my sheep."
Those who do not listen
oJesus' Promise
No distinction is made between the hand of the Son and the
hand of the Father. Security is doubled by the complete
identity between the purpose of the Father and the purpose
of the Son. God the Father and God the Son are intent on
preserving the hard won trophies of grace.
Hannukah Questions: Question 2
Response of the Jews: "Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him."
Jesus' Response:
oFrom OT: "I said, you are gods." Ps. 82:6
If the one who were sent the Word were considered gods,
then how much more the one who is the unique Word of
God.
oFrom the Evidence
Believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done,
even if you don't believe me. Then you will know and
understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father
Clearly it's not about clarity
o"I just need some clarity from God here."
oHave I boxed God in so that His clear answers don't fit my expectation? When we
put God in a box we expect him to act a certain way. When he doesn't we're
disappointed or disillusioned.
oIs my request for clarity simply postponing obedience? We do not wish to give to
God the radical obedience that we know He is demanding and therefore we hide
behind a supposed lack of clarity.
Conclusion:
oThen they were trying again to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Concluding Contrast
oThe Jews:
See the signs but do not believe
oNew Believers:
No signs but believe
oThey believed John the Baptist, though he never performed miraculous
signs. They are willing to believe without signs. There are believers and
the sheep who hear the shepherds voice. Two things that the Jews
demonstrated they were not.
