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The Gift of the Groom

By David Robinson/ January 13, 2013

Series  Christian Discipleship

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  The Holy Spirit

Scripture  John 2:1-11; John 3:22-36

If you drink what Christ offers, you will become a spring, overflowing to the blessing of others.

Scripture: John 2:1-11; John 3:22-36

Sermon Notes:

  1. Running out of wine at the wedding would lead to social disgrace for the groom, and possibly even lawsuits.
  2. Jesus’ answer to His mother appears harsh; He is creating a distance and changing His relationship from son to Lord.
  3. Mary acknowledges His Lordship, instructing the servants to follow Jesus’ orders.
  4. Jesus’ making of wine was not an invitation to drunkenness.  God pours out His blessings upon us, but that is not an invitation to abuse them.
  5. God commands us to be sober (Ephesians 5:18).
  6. This was the first sign of Christ’s glory and power.  Jesus did this sign in Galilee and His disciples believed in Him.
  7. This passage signifies1) that Christ is the true and faithful bridegroom;2) that it’s not the water from the jars (used for purification) but it’s the blood of Christ that purifies us; and3) that Christ supplies an abundance of wine by the filling of the Holy Spirit.
  8. John 1 follows Genesis, recounting the first week of the new creation.  On day six, there is the first wedding.
  9. Jesus is the new husband (the new Adam) supplying the wine for the wedding feast.
  10. In John 3-4, Jesus again makes subtle references to Himself as the Bridegroom of the Church.
  11. The sixth day was the day of the wedding, but it was also the day of Jesus’ death in which He cleanses our hearts by His blood.
  12. If we confess our sins, Christ will cleanse us from our sin (1 John 1:9).
  13. Wine not only signifies the blood of Christ, but it is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the very next chapter, John the Baptist says Jesus offers the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34).
  14. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Spirit, and onlookers accused them of being drunk with new wine.  The Spirit is given to us without measure.
  15. Our heavenly Father will give us the Spirit, if we ask for it (cf. Luke 11:11-13).
  16. If you drink what Christ offers, you will become a spring, overflowing to the blessing of others.
  17. When we overflow with love, joy, peace, and patience we will become a blessing to others.
  18. We are not a container of the Spirit; we are to be a conduit of the Spirit.
  19. We bear that fruit for the blessing of the church and the people around us.
  20. When we are cleansed by Christ, we are freed from the power of sin, and this liberation is for a purpose: love and service to others.
  21. Christ provides the pure wedding dress, and He provides the wedding banquet filling us with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Application Questions:

  1. What are the significances of the wine that Jesus made?
  2. Are we drinking the new wine?  Are we filled with the Holy Spirit?   Have we prayed asking to be filled?
  3. How can we be freed from the guilt of our sin?
  4. Do we need to confess hidden sins in order to regain fellowship with the Holy Spirit?
  5. Are we filled to the brim with the love of God?
  6. What is God’s purpose in filling us with the Holy Spirit?
  7. How can we replace the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit in our lives this week?  Galatians 5:16-24.

Sermon Notes