Sermon John Chapter 2

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “JOHN CHAPTER 2.”

The Birth Of Jesus Is Not In The Gospel Of John

• I want to point something out about the Book of John that you may have noticed from John Chapter 1.
• We don’t see the birth of Jesus in the Book of John. We don’t see him as a young child.
• We don’t see the genealogy of Jesus within the Book of John.
• We don’t even see his baptism in the Book of John. We get straight to Jesus as God.
• We see this in the very first verse of the Book of John.

[3] John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

• The Gospel of John emphasizes the fact that JESUS is God. He is clearly not God the Father from verse 1.
• The 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, give us more details about Jesus Christ.
• We see his genealogy in Matthew and Luke. Joseph’s genealogy is in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Mary’s genealogy is in the Gospel of Luke. So, we get different details in each of the 4 Gospels.

So, what did we see in John Chapter 1?

• We learned that Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He was there in the beginning.
• He was WITH God. We saw that the Word was made FLESH. We saw John the Baptist declaring Jesus.
• John the Baptist bare witness of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist admitted he wasn’t Christ.

[4] John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

• I’m tired of false preachers teaching people that they can do these works to have their sin taken away.
• “If YOU do this great work, if YOU do that great act, if YOU keep this your whole life, if YOU keep that your whole life, IF YOU, IF YOU, IF YOU repent of your sin, THEN you might be saved in the end.”
• No, that’s false. That’s heresy. What did John the Baptist say?
• He said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Who takes away sin?

JESUS CHRIST takes away sin. And guess what?

• He won’t take your sin away unless you change your mind about Him.
• And it doesn’t take any work. It’s not a process. It’s a change of mind.
• It doesn’t take work to change your mind. Salvation is not of works in any way.
• Believe on Jesus, and Jesus says, “I’ll take your sins away.” He is the Lamb of God.

God is the only one that can take your sin away so we better do it His way. There’s only one way.

• That’s through believing on Jesus to save you.
• That means you can’t believe that you have to repent of your sin.
• Or that you have to be good, or that you have to be baptized.
• No, you aren’t going to help save yourself by doing those works.
• ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE YOU. Believe on Him and you’re saved. THEN, go do the good works.
• John the Baptist continued to tell people about Jesus Christ.
• “Hey, look everyone, THIS MAN, Jesus Christ, is the LAMB OF GOD. He takes away your sin.”

John The Baptist Had Disciples

John the Baptist had followers. He had disciples himself.

• He told them, “Don’t follow me. You need to follow that man, Jesus.”
• In John Chapter 1, we see Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael.
• Now, let’s start there in verse 1 of John Chapter 2.

[5] John 2:1-2 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

• This marriage is taking place in Cana of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is there.
• Jesus and his disciples were called to the marriage.
• This marriage is not mentioned in any of the other Gospels. The only account is in John.
• The marriage is happening on the third day from the conversation Jesus had with Nathanael.

[6] John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

• The people wanted wine. Mary tells Jesus that they have no wine. Yes, Mary is the mother of Jesus.
• She is the fleshly mother of Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh. Mary was not there in the beginning.
• When God created the heaven and the earth in Genesis 1:1, Mary wasn’t there.
• It wasn’t God, Mary, and Jesus in the beginning. Mary was a human just like us.
• Yes, she delivered the baby Jesus into this world and she knew who Jesus was. Keep this in mind.

[7] Luke 1:26-28 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

[8] Luke 1:29-31 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

[9] Luke 1:32-34 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

[10] Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

• Do you think Mary forgot about this? No!!! She knew that Jesus IS the Son of God.
• You wouldn’t forget the angel Gabriel. This is the same Gabriel in Daniel Chapter 9.
• Mary knew that Jesus is the Son of God. Mary is not a deity. Mary is not a god.
• The Bible never says anything like that. We do not pray to Mary. We do not worship Mary.
• We don’t make up lies about Mary. Jesus must increase. Mary must decrease. Just like John the Baptist.
• Who are we to worship? Who are we to fall down in front of and worship?

[11] Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

• We worship God and God alone. We don’t bow down to anyone else but God.
• We do not pray to Mary. Praying to Mary is like praying to a rock. Mary isn’t going to hear your prayer.
• The Bible NEVER commands us to pray to a human or to worship a human.
• Mary is not the queen of heaven. Mary didn’t stay a virgin. The Bible says so.

[12] Matthew 1:24-25 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

• Joseph knew her not TILL she had brought forth her firstborn son.
• That means they didn’t have that type of relationship UNTIL Jesus was born.
• Obviously, they had that relationship afterwards. Jesus had brothers and sisters.

[13] Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

• You can try to twist that Scripture all you want, but Mary did not stay a virgin. It’s obvious.
• Remember, faith is seeing the words of the Bible and believing what they say.
• Back to John Chapter 2 verse 3.

[14] John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

• Why would Mary the mother of Jesus look at him and say, “They have no wine?”
• Well, obviously, she knew that Jesus is the Son of God. She was looking for him to do something about it.
• “Hey son, I know you can do something about this. They need wine.”

Mary Doesn’t Control Jesus Christ At All

[15] John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

• Does it look like Mary controls Jesus Christ? Does Jesus submit to Mary?
• Catholics believe we pray to Mary and ask her to calm Jesus down for us.
• They believe Mary has some type of control over Jesus Christ. That’s evil and wicked.
• Whatever Jesus does is perfect. He knows best at all times. If Jesus is angry, he’s angry for a reason.
• His anger is justified. Mary doesn’t control Jesus. Mary doesn’t intercede for us to Jesus.
• Here’s what I found on a website that teaches you how to become a Catholic:

[16] “Like all prayers to Saints, our prayers to Virgin Mary rely on the Saints’ special power to intercede for us before Christ and the Father. But since Mary has a unique role in salvation, and a unique relationship to the Trinity, our prayers to the Blessed Virgin also rely on her special power of intercession.”

• According to Catholics, Mary has special powers where she can intercede for us.
• They place Mary between you and Jesus. That means you must go to Mary before you can reach Jesus.
• I must have missed that in the Bible every time I’ve read it cover to cover. It’s not there.
• That’s a man-made false doctrine that doesn’t exist in the Bible anywhere.
• There’s only ONE who intercedes for us.

[17] Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

[18] Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

• Jesus Christ made intercession for the transgressors or the sinners. That’s you and I.
• Jesus Christ interceded for us. Jesus Christ stands ALONE between us and God. That’s it.
• You don’t have to go to an earthly man or a woman or anything else to be forgiven of your sins.
• You don’t go to an earthly priest, prophet, or prophetess to be saved from your sin.

[19] Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes intercession for you to God.
• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. Jesus left us with that Helper who is God.
• We don’t need Mary. We don’t need Paul. We don’t need Peter to help us. God is our help.

[20] Psalm 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

[21] Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

[22] Psalm 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

[23] Psalm 70:5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

[24] Psalm 94:17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

• If you think someone else is helping you instead of God, you’re in trouble.
• You better go to the one who actually forgives sin. You better go directly to God.

[25] Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

• Mary didn’t make heaven and earth. Paul didn’t make heaven and earth. Peter didn’t.
• Combine all of the men and women from the Bible who the Catholics call saints. Combine them all.
• And together they can’t make heaven and earth. They can’t create life.
• They can’t speak things into existence. And they NEVER claimed to either because they weren’t evil.
• If you want help, you better go to God Almighty. You better believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.
• Jesus didn’t submit to Mary here in John Chapter 2. Mary doesn’t calm Jesus down.

Mary Doesn’t “Calm” Jesus Down As Jesus Is Perfect At All Times

[26] John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

• Jesus says, “WOMAN, what have I to do with thee?” This is clearly a rebuke.
• He says, “MINE HOUR IS NOT YET COME.” When Jesus does miracles, it gets attention.
• It wasn’t time yet for the attention to come. His hour was not yet there. It wasn’t time to be glorified.
• In John Chapter 7, we see Jesus say the same thing. “Hey, it’s not yet time.”

[27] John 7:2-4 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

[28] John 7:5-8 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

• In John Chapter 2 and John Chapter 7, his time is not yet come.
• We see that his hour has come in John Chapter 12.

[29] John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

[30] John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

• His hour was not easy. He knew what was coming. He was ready, but it wasn’t easy.
• His death, burial, and resurrection is the hour Jesus is talking about. The time is come.

[31] John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

• Remember, Jesus is the Passover lamb. His hour is coming. Jesus is glorified at His resurrection.
• Doing miracles would bring that time closer, and Jesus says, “Mine hour is not yet come.”
• But, he suffered her and did the miracle.

[32] John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

• Mary is telling the servants to do whatever Jesus asks because he is the authority.
• Just do what he says, and we’ll have wine. We are like those servants.
• Hey, just do what Jesus says, and he’ll take care of the rest.
• Follow his commandments and everything will work out.

[33] John 15:13-14 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

• If you want to be friends with Jesus, you need to do what he asks.
• Mary tells the servants, “Do whatever he asks.” The result is he’ll be friendly and we’ll have wine.
• This came from Mary. That’s called faith. Hey Jesus, we need wine. Servants, just do what he says.
• She knew he could make it all happen. Mary was a woman of great faith. The angel Gabriel visited her.
• She had a child without ever being with a man. She knew what Jesus could do. She didn’t question it.
• Jesus knew of her faith. He did the miracle she asked for here. He’s going to turn water into wine.

[34] John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

• These six waterpots of stone were there because the Jews used them to purify and wash.
• Each of the six waterpots contained 2 to 3 firkins apiece. What’s a firkin?
• The word is only used this one time in the entire Bible.
• The dictionary today says a firkin is about 11 gallons. So, each waterpot would hold 20 to 30 gallons.
• There’s 6 of those. So, 120 to 180 gallons in total. That’s a lot.

Jesus Turned Over 100 Gallons Of Water Into Wine

[35] John 2:7-8 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

• The waterpots were filled to the brim with water. This was a large amount of water.
• Jesus told the servants to now draw out from those waterpots and give to the governor of the feast.
• And they did so. Notice that these were waterpots. They already had wine at the marriage.
• As we read, you’ll see this. But Jesus didn’t add more wine to the existing vessels of wine.
• He used the waterpots that were after the manner of the purifying of the Jews.
• There was only water used in those waterpots.

[36] John 2:9-10 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

• The governor of the feast tasted the wine. He didn’t know where it came from.
• His judgement wasn’t based on who it came from or where it came from. Only the servants knew.
• This governor of the feast calls the bridegroom or the MAN who is getting married.
• He says, “Wow, you’ve kept the good wine until now.” So, we know we aren’t at the beginning.
• They have already had wine prior to this. But now the wine Jesus made was much better.
• Most marriages do the opposite. The good wine in the beginning. The worse wine is last.
• The bridegroom was most likely surprised as he didn’t know where the wine came from either.

So, let’s talk about this Scripture in verse 10.

• “And when men have well drunk.” The good wine is set forth first to satisfy people.
• Well drunk doesn’t mean that they get drunk. “When men have well drunk.” They have drunk sufficiently.
• They’ve drank enough to be satisfied. Let’s look at a note in the Webster’s 1828 dictionary.

[37] Note. Drunk was formerly used as the participle of drink; as, he had drunk wine. But in modern usage, drank has taken its place; and drunk is now used chiefly as an adjective.

• Drunk is drank in the way we use it today. “When men have well drank.”
• They’ve drank enough and are satisfied. Then, the worse wine is brought out.
• The good wine doesn’t mean that it’s highly alcoholic. It doesn’t have a higher percentage of alcohol.
• It doesn’t mean the people were already drunk or inebriated and Jesus gave them more.
• “GOOD” wine means high alcohol content to DRUNKS. “I want the good stuff!!!”

“GOOD” wine to people who aren’t drunks is great tasting wine.

• High alcohol content doesn’t taste better unless you like to drink alcohol all the time.
• Let’s get real. High alcohol content doesn’t make things taste better. It’s not good.
• It’s good to people who want to get drunk. Jesus didn’t get them drunk. That’s heresy.
• There are different types of wine in the Bible. One type of wine is the juice of the fruit.

[38] Isaiah 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

• Focus on the first part of that verse: “As the new wine is found in the cluster.”
• “THUS SAITH THE LORD.” God says, the “NEW WINE” is found in the cluster.
• So, if you have a cluster of grapes that you buy at the grocery store, there is new wine in the cluster.
• This is the juice that is within the grapes. Jesus made good wine or new wine.

New Wine Does Not Equal Highly Alcoholic Wine

New wine doesn’t have this high alcohol content, but it sure does taste very, very good.

• For someone who doesn’t drink alcohol all the time, the older wine is nasty.
• But new fruit juice or new wine is amazing. Ask a child. They’ll love new wine or juice from the cluster.
• Give them some older wine with high alcohol content, and they’ll spit it out. So let’s get real.
• Drinks with high alcohol content are nasty. They make you gag.
• Jesus didn’t turn water into high alcohol content wine. He turned water into good wine.

Jesus didn’t get people that were already drunk more drunken. The entire Bible preaches against this.

• Do you really think Jesus Christ himself would contribute to getting people drunk?
• If you do, then you don’t know Jesus Christ. He doesn’t contribute to sin in ANY way.

[39] Proverbs 23:20-21 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

• A winebibber is one that drinks much wine. Be not among these people the Bible says.
• “Oh, well, King Solomon wrote that. It doesn’t count.” No, the Holy Spirit wrote that.

[40] Proverbs 23:29-30 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

• Jesus didn’t turn water into mixed wine. Yes, there’s different types of wine in the Bible.
• We’ve seen new wine that is in the clusters of the grapes. A blessing is in that wine the Bible says.
• Now we see mixed wine. What does that give you? It sure isn’t a blessing.
• It’s woe, sorrow, contention, babbling, wounds without cause, redness of eyes.
• What does that sound like? Alcoholic wine. Wine that gets your drunken as we know it today.

[41] Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

• The Bible says to “LOOK NOT THOU UPON THE WINE.”
• This is clearly talking about wine with a high alcohol content.
• Watch what else Proverbs Chapter 23 says.

[42] Proverbs 23:32-34 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

• It stings like a serpent when you’re finished. Hey, it hurts. It’s not fun.
• Your eyes behold strange women. Yes, that’s what alcohol does to you.
• Your heart utters perverse things. Yes, that’s what alcohol does to you.
• You feel like you’re lying down in the middle of the sea when you’re drunken.

[43] Proverbs 23:35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

• This is what mixed wine does to you. New wine from the cluster of grapes doesn’t do this to you.
• You can get beat when you’re drunk, and you won’t even feel it. The Bible says so right there.
• You won’t even know what happened. But yet, people seek it again after they awake.
• The Bible says to not even look at this type of wine.
• Do you really think Jesus turned the water into a curse? No, he turned into a blessing which is new wine.
• It’s so obvious and yet false preachers teach that Jesus turned the water into alcoholic wine.
• And that Jesus made the “good stuff” so the people could get more drunken.
• Alcohol kills people. Jesus didn’t turn the water into a high alcohol content wine. No doubt at all.

[44] Song of Solomon 8:2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

• That’s the only instance of the word JUICE in the Bible. The juice of my pomegranate is called wine.
• Fruit juice is called wine in the Bible. New wine is the new juice from the fruit.
• Would Jesus tell us to drink alcoholic wine at the Lord’s Supper when the Bible says don’t even look at it?
• No, he wouldn’t and he didn’t. It’s that simple. Take in the whole Bible to understand wine properly.

[45] John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

• This is the first miracle recorded in the Gospels. Is it the first miracle Jesus ever did?
• Some preachers say this is the first miracle Jesus ever did.
• Jesus is all throughout the Old Testament. Who do you think did all of those miracles?
• This is the first Jesus did that is recorded in the Gospels and he did this in Cana of Galilee.
• Jesus was human when he did this miracle, but he made it clear that he was more than a man.
• He manifested forth his glory. He started to show his glory through the miracles he performed.

Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael Were Saved

And because of this, his disciples believed on him. And we know they were saved.

• Which disciples do we know were there at that time?
• We know there was Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael there at that time.
• Judas Iscariot isn’t yet there. I mention this because it says, “and his disciples believed on him.”
• It doesn’t list them out here, but it was just the third day after he spoke with Nathanael.
• John Chapter 1 gives us the disciples names that were with Jesus at this time.
• Judas Iscariot was not a saved man, and this verse is not talking about Judas Iscariot.

[46] John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

• After Jesus did this first miracle of turning lots of water into lots of wine, he went to Capernaum.
• He didn’t go alone. His mother, his brethren, and his disciples went.
• If you notice there, there is a clear distinction between his brethren and his disciples.
• The Bible doesn’t call his disciples his brethren there. It’s talking about his family.
• His brothers and sisters. Some of his brothers ended up being disciples.
• They continued there in Capernaum not many days. Why didn’t they stay there long?
• The Passover was near, and we learn that in the next verse.

[47] John 2:13-14 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

• Jesus goes to Jerusalem next for the Passover. He goes to the temple, and what does he find?
• He finds people selling oxen, sheep, and doves. He find the changers of money sitting.
• Now, why would people be selling oxen, sheep, and doves in the temple?

[48] Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

[49] Leviticus 1:14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.

• Oxen, sheep, and doves are for burnt offerings. Keep this in mind as we continue.
• It’s not like they were selling things that weren’t related to the temple.
• They were selling merchandise that could be used as offerings to God in the temple.

[50] John 2:15-16 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

• Jesus makes a scourge of small cords. It probably looked something like this.

[51]

• He drove them all out of the temple with this including the people, sheep, and oxen.
• He poured out the money. He overthrew the tables. He told the ones that sold doves to get out.
• And take the doves with you. “MAKE NOT MY FATHER’S HOUSE AN HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE.”

In other words, Jesus didn’t care if the things being sold were for offerings within the temple.

• He doesn’t want ANYTHING being sold in his Father’s house.
• In other words, Jesus doesn’t care if you’re selling Bibles and sermons at church.
• He doesn’t want anything being sold there. He doesn’t want coffee being sold.
• He doesn’t want a “Christian” book store in his house.

He doesn’t want fund raisers in his house. “But it’s for a good cause.”

• Well the offerings of oxen, sheep, and doves were too. Were they not?
• And after reading the Bible, people will still say: “But isn’t this okay? What about this? What about that?”
• Well, are you selling anything in the church? If you’re selling anything, it’s not allowed.
• Is that difficult to understand? People don’t get the answer they want so they keep asking.
• “What about this? This is okay, isn’t it?” Hey, listen, nothing is okay to sell in church.
• Don’t bring anything to sell at church.

Did You Choose A Church For Personal Gain?

Many people choose a church to get the most personal gain out of it.

• “Well, who else attends your church? What people are there?”
• “Is there anyone with some power there?” They choose a church for personal gain.
• I feel bad for those people. God is coming for them. They don’t understand God at all.

[52] Job 27:8-9 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

[53] Proverbs 1:19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

• In other words, you aren’t gaining ANYTHING. All of your so-called gain will be burned up.
• All the greediness of gain takes away the life of the owners. That’s what the Bible says. Not a good life.
• You have all these people in churches wanting to gain personally. They want more money.
• The churches want more money. They don’t care about learning God’s word.
• They care about making everyone happy including themselves. They DO NOT care what God wants.

[54] Proverbs 3:13-15 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

• Why aren’t these church people searching for wisdom? Why aren’t the preachers teaching God’s word?
• Why are the preachers and churches worried about putting on a show versus teaching God’s word?
• With God’s word comes wisdom and understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than money.
• And it’s not even close. There is no comparison. STOP making God’s house a place of merchandise.
• And NO!!! It doesn’t matter what you’re selling. JESUS says NOTHING is allowed!!!

[55] Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

• And no, Jesus didn’t do it nicely. “Hey, can you all please stop selling merchandise here in the temple?”
• “Well, Jesus, we’re sorry you feel that way, but I think we’ll continue selling here.”
• No, he wasn’t nice about any of this. He drove them all out of the temple.

[56] John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

• The disciples knew the Scripture so they remembered what was said in the Scriptures.
• They didn’t have the book of John yet so where does this come from?

[57] Psalm 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

• The zeal of thine house means Jesus had extraordinary passion and concern for his Father’s house.
• Selling merchandise in God’s house makes Jesus angry. I hope you see that today. Don’t make God angry.

[58] John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

• Jesus comes into the temple like he owns it. He comes in there and acts like that temple is his.
• The Jews say, “Who do you think you are coming into our temple like that? What sign do you have?”
• “Show us who you are if you think you have the authority.” They always want a sign.
• People in churches all over this country today are always looking for signs from God. We don’t need signs.

[59] Matthew 12:38-40 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

• An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. That’s very clear. Why are you seeking after signs?
• Jesus walked right in there because he does own the place. He owns the heavens and the earth.
• I read about Jesus not being violent when he came into the temple with the scourge.
• They say, “He wasn’t looking to hurt anyone. He wasn’t being violent.”
• Please. These scholars profess to know and represent God. Are you serious?

[60] Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

[61] 2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

• God owns the heavens and earth. God gets angry. GOD HAS GREAT WRATH.
• God doesn’t just own the heavens and the earth. He owns everything within and that’s you and I.
• He does what he wants with you and with I. He created you. He’ll give you life, or he’ll end you.
• But let’s see how Jesus responded to their question about his authority and giving them a sign.

[62] John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

• This statement by Jesus was used against him when he went in front of the high priest.
• But the so-called witnesses lied about what Jesus said.
• Notice EXACTLY what he says right there: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
• Jesus didn’t say, “I will destroy this temple.” He was talking about them crucifying him.
• But watch what the 2 false witnesses say when they accuse Jesus Christ.

Don’t Lie About Jesus Christ

[63] Matthew 26:60-61 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

• Jesus didn’t say, “I will destroy this temple.” The Jews crucified Jesus Christ. His body is the temple.
• And yes, God raised the dead body of Jesus Christ in 3 days. Jesus is God so Jesus said, “I will raise it up.”

[64] Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

[65] Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

• God raised the body of Jesus from the dead. This is the temple Jesus is talking about in John Chapter 2.
• The Jews didn’t get it. They said, “It took us 46 years to build this temple.”
• And remember the 70 weeks in Daniel. The first 7 weeks or 49 years is related to rebuilding the temple.
• From the command to rebuild Jerusalem, there would be 49 years.

[66] John 2:22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

• The disciples didn’t know what he meant at the time and didn’t believe what he said.
• But, they remembered the words from Jesus. After he arose, the disciples believed the Scripture.
• Not this Scripture. Again, they knew the words of the Bible.

[67] Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

[68] Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

• Jesus became the only begotten Son of God when he was raised from the dead in his body.

[69] John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

• Jesus received his new glorified body when he arose from the dead. He is the first fruits.
• He is the FIRST MAN and the only one right now in a glorified body.
• When the rapture comes, then we’ll have new and glorified bodies.

[70] John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

• Jesus kept the Passover throughout his life. He went to Jerusalem for the Passover.
• He did many miracles in the feast day. Remember, he will be killed on the Passover day.
• And this isn’t the Passover day in which he is killed. Happens once per year so that is a future year.
• MANY BELIEVED IN HIS NAME because they saw the miracles that he did there.
• Those people were saved. That’s the only requirement to be saved.
• But yet, all the scholars say, “No, you MUST show that you’re saved with works.”
• They say, “These people couldn’t have been saved here.” Well, it says they believed in his name.

[71] John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

• They believed on the name of Jesus Christ. They were saved right there. Over. Done. Works not required.

[72] John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

• Jesus didn’t commit himself unto those who believed or trust in those who believed.
• His time wasn’t yet come to be crucified. He still had work to do.
• People who believe on Jesus and are saved can fall back. The Bible teaches us that.
• This Scripture teaches us that. Jesus knew all men. Not some. He knows all. He knows what we do.
• He knows our thoughts. He knows what is in our hearts.

[73] 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Let’s pray.