THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”

JOHN 8:12-32–LESSON 18

John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Introduction:

We live in a dark world of violence, distrust, immorality and sin in general because we have left the “Light of the World” out of our lives.

The Word of God gives us everything we need to know right here in this message to set everything straight with God. Consider what Jesus said in these passages as we look to the Word of God.

I. THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS.

A. Darkness is a symbol of evil. 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.”

B. Darkness is a symbol of sin and death, Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

C. Darkness is a symbol of ignorance. Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

II. “LIGHT” IN THE BIBLE IS A SYMBOL OF GOD AND HIS HOLINESS.

A. Paul fell on his face before the light of God, Acts 9:3-4, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

B. God is light, 1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1. Jesus is the “Light” of God, John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

2. He is the only Light, “the true Light” for the whole world, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

3. He is the Light to enlighten the Gentiles, Luke 2:32, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

4. Christ is the Sun of righteousness, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

III. HE THAT FOLLOWS ME, AS A TRAVELLER FOLLOWS THE LIGHT IN A DARK NIGHT, SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.

A. It is our duty to follow his LEADERSHIP, Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

1. Many follow false lights that lead them to destruction; but Christ is the true light, Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

2. It is not enough to look at this light, and to gaze upon it,

a. But we must follow it,.., 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:”

b. Believe in it, and… John 12:36, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”

c. Walk in it, 1 John 1:6, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

d. For it is a light to our feet, not our eyes only, Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

CONCLUSION:

John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Here we have Jesus’ promise. If we walk in His light, we will NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. He says, “but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE.” The “light of life” that He refers to, is ETERNAL LIFE by trusting in Him as your SAVIOR!

 THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY

JOHN 8:1-11–LESSON 17

Introduction:

These verses are not accepted by the liberal theologians of our day. They say that they are not in the best manuscripts of the New Testament. However, they have met the approval of thousands of good preachers of the truth for many years and God has blessed this part of His Word as He has the rest of the Scriptures.

This portion treats the subject of the woman taken in adultery, and is an attempt to catch the Lord in an error by the Scribes and Pharisees. Let’s consider these verse and how the Lord resolves the situation.

I. THE LORD’S PREPARATION, v. 1.

A. The Mount of Olives was where the Lord went to prepare Himself for the task of the day, v. 1, “Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives.”

B. The Mount of Olives was the Lord’s place of prayer.

1. This was where he went to ask God’s counsel regarding the choosing of the twelve apostles, Luke 6:12-17, note verse 12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

2. It was on the Mount of Olives where the Garden of Gethsemane is located. There Jesus prayed for strength before He was arrested and crucified, Luke 22:39-46.

C. The Mount of Olives and other mountains in the area were a place of refuge for the Lord in order to rest His body. However, He returned in the morning ready for the day, v. 2, “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.”

II. THE LORD’S CUSTOM, v. 2.

A. On this occasion the Lord came from the Mount of Olives ready to teach the Word of God in the Temple, v. 2, “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

B. Jesus taught in the Temple many times even though He knew that the religious leaders sought to destroy Him.

1. Jesus was at home in the Temple teaching the Word of God.

2. He sat down and taught which was the custom.

3. Jesus taught with authority and not as the religious leaders, Matthew 7:29, “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

III. THE LORD’S WISDOM, vs. 3-11.

A. The case proposed to him by the scribes and Pharisees, v. 3, “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,”

B. The intent of bringing this woman before the Lord was to catch Him in a difficult situation, v. 6a, “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.”

1. Those that were taken in adultery were by the Jewish law to be put to death, v. 5, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” Leviticus 20:10, “And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”

2. The intent of the Jews was obvious, Luke 20:20, “And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.”

a. They pretended to be “just men.”

b. They want something contrary to the Law to accuse Him of.

c. The Jews wanted to destroy Him.

C. The Lord’s wisdom is far greater than the trickery of the Pharisees.

1. They asked his judgment in the case, v. 5, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”

2. Jesus is silent on the case for a while, v. 6, “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.”

3. Jesus gives His judgment, v. 7, “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

a. If he should confirm the sentence of the law, and let it take its course, they would censure him as inconsistent with himself (he having received publicans and harlots).

b. If he should acquit her, and give his opinion that the sentence should not be executed (as they expected he would), they would represent him in two ways:

1) First, As an enemy to the Law of Moses, and as one that usurped an authority to correct and control it.

2) Secondly, As a friend to sinners, and, consequently, as one who is in favor of sin.

4. The method he took to resolve this case shows His great wisdom.

a. He seemed to slight their question, and turned a deaf ear to it: He stooped down, and wrote on the ground, v. 6b, “But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.”

b. When they importunately, or rather impertinently, pressed him for an answer, He turned the conviction of the prisoner upon the prosecutors, v. 7, So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

D. The results of the Lord’s wisdom in this case.

1. Here Christ avoided the snare that they had laid for him, and effectually saved his own reputation.

2. In the net which they spread for the Lord, is their own foot taken. They came with expectations of accusing Jesus, but they were forced to accuse themselves.

3. Having given them this startling word, he left them to consider of it, v. 8, “And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.”

a. He would not seem to wait for an answer, lest they should on a sudden justify themselves.

b. He gives them time to pause, and to commune with their own hearts, for He needed not to say more, Jeremiah 17:1, “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;”

4. They went out one by one, v. 9, “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

a. Perhaps his writing on the ground frightened them, as the handwriting on the wall frightened Belshazzar.

b. What he said frightened them by sending them to their own consciences; he had shown them to themselves.

c. They went out one by one, that they might go out softly, and not by a noisy flight disturb Christ; they went away by stealth, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle, 2 Samuel 19:3, “And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.”

E. Where are your accusers? vs. 10-11, “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11- She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

1. The prosecutors are called: Where are those thine accusers?

2. They do not appear when the question is asked: Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord.

3. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

JESUS RETURNS TO JERUSALEM–JOHN 7:1-53–LESSON 16

Introduction:

This section prepares the way for another confrontation of Jesus with His opponents in Jerusalem. This ministry in relative obscurity in Galilee provides a delay in the coming conflict.

“After this” is a vague time reference. Since the events recorded in chapter 6 took place shortly before the Passover (6:4), that is, in April, and the Feast of Tabernacles (in October) was now near (7:2), about six months were spent by Jesus in His ministry in Galilee. Galilee was safer because His enemies were in Judea . . . waiting to take His life.

The Feast of Tabernacles (v. 2) was one of the three great Jewish feasts. This feast, also called the Feast of Ingathering, was a time of thanksgiving for harvest. It was a happy time; devout Jews lived outdoors in booths made of tree branches for seven days as a reminder of God’s provision in the desert during their forefather’s wanderings. The feast also signified that God dwells with His people.

Jesus’ brothers, sons of Mary and Joseph after Jesus’ birth, were at this time unbelievers (cf. Mark 3:21, 31-35; 6:3; John 7:5). The argued that the popular Feast of Tabernacles would be the right time for Jesus to present Himself as the Messiah. The felt that he needed to show his power, v. 3-5.

Jesus did not feel the time was right and always did that which pleased the Father. John pointed out this fact that Jesus’ time had not yet come (2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20). It is interesting to note that His time came just before the Cross as noted in His Intercessory prayer, “Father, the time has come” (17:1; cf. 12:23, 27; 13:1).

I. JESUS ANTICIPATES THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, vs. 10-13

A. Jesus makes a covert entry into the city.

1. The reason, v. 1, “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.”

2. Everyone seemed to know this, v. 25, “Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?”

B. The widespread debate and opposition was growing, John 6:41, “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

1. There was widespread whispering among the Jews.

2. “The charge, He deceives the people, had ominous tones for the penalty for this, according to Talmudic law, was death by stoning.” [Edwin A. Blum]

II. JESUS AT THE FEAST, vs. 14-36

A. Half way through the feast Jesus began teaching in the temple courts.

1. Three days had passed and He had not been seen.

2. The religious leaders (the real threat) listened to Him teach and were amazed, Mark 1:22, “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

3. His teaching was learned and spiritually penetrating. Yet He had never been a disciple in any Rabbinic school. They wondered how this could be possible.”

B. Jesus states that His teaching was from God who had commissioned Him.

1. The Father hath sent me, John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50-And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”

2. If you don’t believe that, believe me for the very works sake, John 14:11, 24, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 24-He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”

3. Faith is the prerequisite for understanding. Without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

C. Jesus challenges the religious leaders, vs. 18-36.

1. Jesus speaks not of himself, v. 18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

2. He does the work of God, John 6:28,29 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29-Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

3. The audience boasted in Moses’ Law, John 9:28, “Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.”

a. Jesus attacked their self-confident religion for He knew them, 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.”

b. They assumed they were Law-keepers. But their hearts (inner thoughts) were full of evil, Mark 7:6-7, 20-23, “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7-Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 20-And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21-For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22-Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23-All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

4. Instead of repenting they accuse Jesus of having a demon, v. 20, “The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

a. People had said the same of John the Baptist, Matthew 11:18, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.”

b. Jesus had told His half-brothers the world hated Him, John 7:7, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

c. Because “everyone who does evil hates the light,” John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

III. THE LAST DAY OF THE FEAST, vs. 37-53

The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with certain festival rituals. One was a solemn procession each day from the temple to the Gihon Spring. A priest filled a gold pitcher with water while the choir sang Isaiah 12:3 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Then they returned to the altar and poured out the water. This ritual reminded them of the water from the rock during the wilderness wanderings (Num. 20:8-11; Ps. 78:15-16).

A. This ritual also spoke prophetically of the coming days of Messiah, Zechariah 14:8, 16-19, “And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 16-And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17-And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18-And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19-This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.”

B. Streams of living water will flow from within one who believes in Jesus. That is, he will have a continual source of satisfaction, which will provide life continually, John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

C. John explained that the “living water” was the coming gift of the Holy Spirit, vs. 38-39, “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.)”

D. The debate about who Jesus was continued.

1. Some saw Him as the Prophet mentioned by Moses, Deuteronomy 18:15,18, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 18-I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”

2. Some said Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Messiah, but others rejected that idea because He came from Galilee, v. 52, “They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.”

CONCLUSION:

“And every man went unto his own house.” That ended the discussion for the moment.

SERMON ON THE BREAD OF LIFE–JOHN 6:22-71–LESSON 15

The theme of the message is Life Sustained. Jesus told the crowd about food the “which endureth unto everlasting life,” v. 27. Those who are sustained by this bread “shall never hunger,” v. 35. Jesus also promised to sustain a relationship with those who trust Him, vs. 56-57.

I. “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE,” vs. 32-40.

A. Moses did not give Israel the Bread of Heaven, v. 32.

B. Jesus sets the record straight. God the Father gave the manna to Israel, v. 32, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.”

C. This is the first of the “I AM” declarations that Jesus made.

1. Jesus is the bread of God divine bread, v. 33, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

2. “Bread of life” is that which provides life.

3. That bread is the “true bread from heaven.”

a. The manna in the wilderness sustained life only for a while.

b. The “true bread” is spiritual bread and sustains life for eternity.

4. That bread give everlasting satisfaction, v. 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.” The “never” is emphatic in the Greek text, “no, never.”

5. Jesus states the will of the Father, v. 40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

II. THE JEWS SAW JESUS AS A MAN ONLY, vs. 41-42.

A. The Jews saw Jesus only as “the son of Joseph.”

B. They did not see the incarnate Son of God, 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.”

1. They did not see the WORD, the Son of God, John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2-The same was in the beginning with God. 3-All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

2. They did not see “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” of John 1:29 as John the Baptist saw Him.

The did not see Him as the PROPHET OF GOD, John 4:44, “For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.”

3. They did not see Him as the “Bread of Life,” as He claimed. v. 41, “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

III. “NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM.” vs. 43-46.

A. God reveals His Son to whom He wills, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

B. God educates a man regarding his need of Jesus Christ, v. 45, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

IV. “YOUR FATHERS DID EAT MANNA IN THE WILDERNESS AND ARE DEAD.” vs. 47-51.

A. The Jews had eaten manna in the wilderness, but they died because it was only a type of the Bread of Life.

B. Jesus is the Living Bread, v. 50, “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.”

1. This bread came down from heaven, v. 51.

2. “The bread that I will give is my flesh.” v. 51.

V. “EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.” vs. 52-59.

A. As often happens, Jesus’ teaching was not understood, John 4:15, “The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

B. Jesus is saying that a man must IDENTIFY himself with Jesus Christ in order to go to heaven. He must TRUST HIM AS SAVIOR!

1. In the OT the sinner had to identify himself with his offering by putting his hand on the head of the animal as he confessed his sin, Leviticus 1:4, “And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”

2. Only then did the priest accept the offering.

VI. THE JEWS ARE OFFENDED, vs. 60-71.

A. As the people began to understand His teaching, they found it to be totally unacceptable.

B. Many of the Galilean disciples turned away from Him, v. 66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

1. The popular enthusiasm for Jesus as a political Messiah was then over, v. 15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

2. They saw that He was not going to deliver them from Rome.

C. They were offended at Jesus and His teaching, v. 41, “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

1. Paul wrote that the crucified Messiah was a “stumbling block” (skandalon) to the Jews, 1 Corinthians 1:23, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” The same Greek word translated “stumblingblock” is the word used for offend in verse 61.

2. Many have been offended over the year and have rejected Christ as the Jews did that day. They died just as the Jews died in unbelief in the wilderness.

D. Jesus questioned the Twelve; “Will ye also go away?”

1. Peter responded for the group, v. 68, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

2. These twelve knew who He was, Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

3. 6:70-71. Jesus then asked, Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? John’s Gospel does not record Jesus’ choice of the Twelve. He assumed his readers knew the Synoptics or common church tradition (cf. Mark 3:13-19). This choice was not election to salvation, but was Jesus’ call to them to serve Him. Yet, He said, one of you is a devil! In the light of John 13:2, 27, Satan’s working in Judas was tantamount to Judas being the devil. In 6:70 the Greek does not have the indefinite article “a,” so it could be translated “one of you is Satan (devil).” Jesus’ knowledge of Judas (who was called Judas Iscariot because his father was Simon Iscariot) was still another example of His omniscience (cf. 1:47; 2:24-25; 6:15, 61). Later in the Upper Room, Jesus again said one of the Twelve would betray Him (13:21). John called Judas “the traitor” (18:5). The disciples later could reflect on this prophecy of His and be strengthened in their faith. Judas was a tragic figure, influenced by Satan; yet he was responsible for his own evil choices.

THE LORD’S KINGDOM AND POWER–JOHN 6:15-21–LESSON 14

Introduction:

The Lord had just manifested His power by feeding 5,000 men plus who knows how many women and children that were with the men. The disciples were amazed at this great miracle. The people took note also and were about to move to crown Jesus their king. However, the Lord had other plans and moves to avoid this from happening.

As the disciple cross the Sea of Tiberias a storm causes them to fear for their lives, but Jesus is near to manifest His power once again.

I. THE LORD’S KINGDOM.

A. They were going to take Him by force, v. 15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

1. Jesus knew their thoughts on the subject, 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.”

2. All things are open before the Lord, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

B. Their intent was to crown Him King over Israel.

1. They had seen what He could do with a few fishes and two loaves of bread, vs. 5-13.

2. They knew of the miracles that he had done.

a. The water turned into wine, John 2:1-11.

b. The healing of the nobleman’s son, John 4:43-53.

c. The healing of the impotent man on the Sabbath, John 5:1-9.

3. They wanted a King that would free them from the Roman domination.

C. My kingdom is not of this world, John 18:36, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

1. The time was not yet, Acts 1:6-7, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7-And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”

2. However, the time for the coming of the Lord is near when He will set up His Kingdom on this earth.

a. John the Baptist preached that it was near, Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

b. Today we preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand also, Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

II. THE LORD’S POWER.

A. The Storm affords an opportunity to teach the disciples a lesson in faith, vs. 16-18.

1. Jesus’ disciples go down to the sea and take a boat to the other side, vs. 16-17, “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17-And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.”

2. They leave without Jesus and get into trouble, v. 18, “And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.”

3. The Sea of Tiberias or Galilee is infamous for its storms. Perhaps it is a symbol of the storms of our life.

a. Jesus can calm to storms of life, Mark 4:39, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

b. Jesus can also raise a storm in your life, Psalm 1107:25-26, “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26-They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.”

B. Jesus is always near when needed, vs. 19-21.

1. Just when all hope was gone, Jesus appears, vs. 19-20, “So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20-But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.”

2. He is there to comfort, John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”