JOHN 2:1-11
1 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. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
JOHN 1:19-28
9 Now 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.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” 24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
JOHN 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
JOHN 21:1-6, 9, 12-25
1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered.6He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
_
9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
_
12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
LUKE 19:28-42
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace— but now it is hidden from your eyes.
If you love me, keep my commands. – John 14:15
But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” – 1 Samuel 15:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. – James 1:22
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” – Luke 11:28
EPHESIANS 4:11-12
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-26
2 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Acts 2.0 Can It Happen Again?
“Mankind cannot send the wind of revival – all mankind can do is set the sales of their ship so when the wind comes, they are ready to go. ” – Rick Warren
Not Without Vision!
“ALL THE BELIEVERS were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” ACTS 2:44-47
Not Without Faith
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” HEBREWS 11:6
3 TYPES OF FAITH
- Saving Faith
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ROMANS 5:1
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” EPHESIANS 2:8
2. Doctrinal Faith
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” JUDE 1:3 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13
3. Practical Faith
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” HEBREWS 10:35-36
JESUS on FAITH
“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of LITTLE FAITH?” MATTHEW 6:30
“He replied, ‘You of LITTLE FAITH, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” MATTHEW 8:26
“You of LITTLE FAITH,” he said, “why did you doubt?” MATTHEW 14:31
“Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, ‘You of LITTLE FAITH, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?’” MATTHEW 16:18
He replied, “Because you have so LITTLE FAITH. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” MATTHEW 17:20
Jesus… marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” LUKE 7:9
CONDITIONAL FAITH
STAGNANT FAITH
SAFE FAITH
Three Life-Changing Commitments
Commitment #1 PUT GOD FIRST WITH MY TIME
A DAILY TIME WITH GOD
The Purpose:
“…Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” JAMES 4:8
The Practice:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a
solitary place, where He prayed.” MARK 1:35
The Promise:
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners
take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who
meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which
yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” PS 1:1-3
The Power of Spending Time With God…
Reconnects you with God – JAMES 4:8
Rekindles your Hope – ISAIAH 6:1
Renews your Confidence – PS 34:4
Renews your Perspective – PS 73:16-17
Releases your Anxieties – 2 CHR 20:1, 12
Restores your Joy – NEHEMIAH 8:10 | PS 16:11
Commitment #2 PUT GOD FIRST WITH MY MONEY
A WEEKLY TITHE TO GOD
The Purpose:
“…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” MATTHEW 6:21
The Practice:
“On the first day of every week, set aside some of what you have earned and give it as an
offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.” 1 COR 16:2
The Promise:
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running
over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured
back to you.” LUKE 6:38
“I shovel it out, and God shovels it back—but God has a bigger shovel.”
– R. G. LETOURNEAU (who tithed 90% of his income to Christian causes and lived on 10%)
“A checkbook is a theological document. It tells who and what you worship.”
– BILLY GRAHAM
Commitment #3 PUT GOD FIRST WITH MY RELATIONSHIPS
BEING REGULARLY INVOLVED
IN FELLOWSHIP
THE POWER OF CONNECTING…
How Will Small Groups Equip Me For Life?
The Purpose:
“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together….Instead, let us ENCOURAGE each other…”
HEBREWS 10:25
The Practice:
“They met day after day in the temple courts and from house to house.” ACTS 5:4
The Promise:
“Two are better than one, because together they are more effective. If one falls down, the other
can help him up.” ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” PROVERBS 27:17
A GROWTH COVENANT
“…We are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing,
and our spiritual leaders are affixing their seals to it.”
NEHEMIAH 9:39
LUKE 19: 1-6
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.