Author: Art Davison

JESUS GOES TO GALILEE

JOHN 4:43-54

Although Jesus was as welcome among the Samaritans as he could be anywhere, and had better success, yet after two days he left them because he had to preach to other cities. Luke 4:43-44, “And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. 44And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.”

I. A PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY

A. The Lord leaves Samaria to go to Galilee, v. 43, “Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.”

1. Jesus had success in Samaria, vs. 41-42, “And many more believed because of his own word; 42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

a. The Samaritan woman had testified about Jesus, v. 39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”

b. Some had heard for themselves and believed, v. 41, “And many more believed because of his own word;”

2. There He openly declared Himself to be the Messiah, vs. 25-26, “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

a. Jesus could not do that in Judea until later in His ministry because of their belligerence.

b. In Samaria there were no political implications with the Jews.

B. The Lord goes into Galilee, v. 43, “Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.”

1. Jesus is received by the people, v. 45, “Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.”

2. Jesus had avoided His hometown because He knew the people, v. 44, “For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.”

a. He knew how they thought, John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

b. He knew that they would not accept Him, Mark 6:4, “But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”

C. He came unto His own…

1. He came to His own world, the one He had created, but there was no welcome, John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

2. He came unto His own people, the Jews, but was rejected by them, Isaiah 53:1, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”

II. EVEN IN GALILEE THE POWER OF GOD IS NOT LIMITED

A. Jesus does His Second Miracle.

1. Jesus encounters a certain nobleman (ruler) in Cana where He did His first miracle, v. 46, “So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.”

2. Apparently he was a Jew because Jesus includes him in those who wanted to see signs, vs. 47-48, “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:22, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”

3. Jesus heals the nobleman’s son, v. 50, “Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”

a. The nobleman believes and goes his way.

b. There is confirmation of the Lord’s power, vs. 51-53; Luke 4:14, “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”

CONCLUSION:

Verse 54 say, “This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.” The Lord had done two miracles in Galilee and still the Jews were not convinced that He was the Christ. He had told them directly in Luke 4:15-30, and they tried to kill Him.

JESUS GIVES THE SPIRIT

JOHN 20:21-23

Introduction:

There are two great truths mentioned by the Lord in these verses. The first is the giving of the Holy Spirit to indwell the believer. The second is that of the forgiveness of sins not by man, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

I. THE SPIRIT GIVEN

A. Our Lord’s breathing upon the Apostles reminds us of when God breathed life into Adam, Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

B. God breathed the Word of God referring to the inspiration of His Word, 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

C. In the same fashion Jesus breathed the Spirit of God into each individual, v. 22, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”

1. Here we see the Spirit of God indwelling a new creature in Christ, Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

a. The Spirit of God, Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

b. The Spirit of Christ, Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

c. The Spirit of Truth, John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

2. The Spirit of God now lives in the believer, Galatians 4:6-7, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

3. The presence of the Spirit is one of the tests of life.

a. We know that we are His sons by the presence of His Spirit, 1 John 3:24, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

b. We know that we dwell in Him by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, 1 John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

II. THE QUESTION OF FORGIVING SIN

A. There is no instance in the New Testament of any apostle forgiving sin.

1. Peter speaking of Jesus Christ.

a. Jesus the Savior, Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

b. Remission of sins through His name, Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

2. Paul speaking of the Lord.

a. Through this Man,.. Acts 13:38, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”

b. Through the shedding of His blood, Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

c. To receive forgiveness of sins, Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

1) In whom=In Jesus, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

2) Redemption through His blood, Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

B. The Apostles spoke by the authority of Christ.

1. Paul magnified or honored the ministry of his office, Romans 11:13, “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”

2. God’s chosen vessel to the Gentiles to preach the truth, 1 Timothy 2:7, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

3. Paul never forgave anyone his sins, but preached forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

JESUS FULFILLS THE LAW

JOHN 2:12-17

Introduction:

Here we have a short visit Christ made to Capernaum, v. 12. It was a large and populous city, about a day’s journey from Cana. It is called “his own city,” in Matthew 9:1, “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.” because he made it his headquarters in Galilee, and what little rest he had was there. It was a place of concourse, a meeting place for commerce, and therefore chosen by Christ that the fame of his doctrine and miracles might spread from there and beyond.

Now He goes to Jerusalem for the first of four Passovers that He observed during His ministry in order to fulfill the Scriptures.

I. JESUS MADE UNDER THE LAW

Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

A. The first step in fulfilling the Law was His Baptism, Matthew 3:14-15, “But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”

1. John sees his own need, v. 14, “But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?”

2. John acquiesces or rests satisfied in the Lord’s word, v. 15.

B. The Lord’s First Concern was to do the Will of the Father, John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

1. That is His “Meat,” John 4:32, “But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.”

2. Jesus felt as Job did, Job 23:12, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”

3. That was His Delight, Psalm 40:8-9, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”

C. He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, determined to do God’s will.

a. Jesus KNEW what was ahead, Matthew 16:21, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”

b. His determination was to FINISH the work that God had given Him to do, Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”

2. The Lord’s Example ought to motivate us to greater service for Him, John 13:15-17.

a. The Lord does not mean that we should wash each other’s feet.

b. He means that we should be willing to do as He did, 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

II. JESUS’ ZEAL FOR THE LAW

A. The Lord’s zeal for the Law is seen in our text, John 2:14-17.

1. The money changers, Mark 11:15, “And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;”

2. The disciples remembered the Scripture, John 2:17, “And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.”

B. The Lord’s zeal for the truth.

1. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

2. Jesus is full of grace and truth, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

3. Jesus is the truth, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

4. Jesus said the truth shall make you free, John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

5. Our worship of Jesus is to be in Spirit and in truth, John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

6. Jesus’ Word is Truth, John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

C. Jesus expects His churches to have His zeal.

1. To repent of wrongdoing and do God’s will, Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

2. To be a people zealous of good works, Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

CONCLUSION:

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:7.

IN THE GARDEN

JOHN 18:1-11

The Lord had finished His prayer to the Father and had eaten the Passover with His disciples. He also instituted the Lord’s Supper after Judas Iscariot had departed on his mission to betray the Lord.

Now He goes over the brook Cedron, which runs between the Temple in Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, v. 1. He had set His face to fulfill the will of the Father.

I. JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

A. Jesus went to pray, Luke 22:41-44, “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

1. Here in the garden He separates Himself a bit from the disciples, Matthew 26:36, “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.”

a. Here alone Jesus begins to suffer for our sins, Luke 22:44, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

b. Here it was that God send His angel to strengthen His Son, Luke 22:43, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”

2. Here in the garden we see His determination to do the Father’s will, Luke 22:42, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

B. Jesus went to be betrayed, vs. 2-5.

1. It was Jesus’ custom to retire at night to the Mount of Olives when in Jerusalem; there his quarters were, in the skirts of the city. This was much like Daniel, Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

a. David had prophesied this, Psalm 110:7, “He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.”

b. The Brook Cedron, the black brook, so called either from the darkness of the valley it ran through or the color of the water, tainted with the dirt of the city; is typical of His suffering.

2. Judas knew the place where Jesus went to pray, v. 2.

a. Judas was very intimate with Jesus knowing where he went to pray, Luke 21:37, “And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.”

b. Many know about Jesus, but like Judas they don’t know Him in their heart, 2 Peter 2:21, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it , to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

C. Jesus is betrayed, v. 3; Matthew 26:47-49, “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.”

1. Judas was guide to them that took Jesus, Acts 1:16, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”

2. Here with Judas was a great multitude; that the scripture might be fulfilled, vs. 3; Psalm 3:1, “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.”

“The soldiers . . . officials from the chief priests, and Pharisees united in their hostility toward Jesus. The detachment of Roman soldiers was a cohort (speiran, 10th part of a legion), which here included about 600 men.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary.

3. Peter intervened, but the Lord stopped him, vs. 10-11, “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

CONCLUSION:

The Lord Jesus all the way knew exactly what was going to happen. His courage was second to none, as was His determination to fulfill the will of His Father.

IF ANY MAN THIRST

JOHN 7:37-53

Introduction:

Jesus invites man to come and drink at the well of living water. This is the same water that Jesus offered the woman at the well in John 4. This is the water of life that satisfies for eternity.

This water gives eternal life that the Lord is offering to man. All that man has to do is DRINK believing and trusting in Jesus as his Savior.

Then Jesus tell us that no one will be turned away. God is not like man. His love extends beyond our unfaithfulness. He loves us even when we are unlovely.

I. LET HIM COME UNTO ME

A. You will not come to me, John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

1. Because man loves darkness, John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

2. They do not want to hear the truth, John 8:45, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”

3. They did not even believe His miracles, John 12:37-38, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

B. I will not cast you out, John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

1. The Lord has never lost one who came in faith to Him, John 6:39, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”

2. We will be with Him, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

3. He will give us rest, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

a. He will give us rest for our souls, Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

b. His rest is glorious, Isaiah 32:17, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

II. LET HIM COME AND DRINK

A. Let him drink from the Rock, Exodus 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

B. That Rock was Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

1. It is a spiritual drink of living water, John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

2. If you have thirst, Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

a. If you are thirsty, come draw from the well, Isaiah 12:3, “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

b. Take of the water of life freely, Isaiah 55:1, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

III. LET HIM BELIEVE IN ME

A. He that believeth on me…

1. Shall never thirst, John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

2. Has everlasting life, John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

3. Will have the Holy Spirit indwelling him, John 7:38, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

4. If you believe on Jesus you believe in the Father, John 12:44, “Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.”

5. Will do greater works, John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

B. He that believes in Jesus will enjoy the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Those of us who have drunk of the water of life have never been thirsty again. The water of life gives perfect satisfaction.

The benefits of drinking at the wells of salvation are beyond our imagination. We have salvation, but there is so much more to look forward to, especially the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.