All the Sermons

John 2:1-11 Key Verse: His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." John 2:5 John tells us that this is Jesus' first real miracle.  This is probably accurate.  However, something else is true as well.  This is probably one of Jesus' most private miracles.  Providing the wine was merely a byproduct of Jesus' real task, which was to glorify His Father and strengthen the faith of those who had responded when Jesus said, "follow me." Jesus' actions are not revealed in this story at all except to the servants and his first, possibly only six, disciples.  Jesus is at the wedding because He has been invited, along with His family and, evidently His disciples.  In other words, Jesus was among people who knew Him as a friend or relative.  In those days, it was common for a celebration, such as a wedding, to go on for seven days.  In this particular case, the party had run out of wine.  Who knows why!  Was it poor...

John 1:43-51 Key Verse: "Come and see," said Philip.  John 1:47B Jesus found another local man, Philip.  We have no idea what attracted Jesus to Phillip.  Evidently, that is not important.  Philip, in turn, invited Nathanael to come along with the rest of them.  "We have found the Messiah," Philip said.  "We have found the one that Moses and the prophets promised would come!"  How could Phillip know this after possibly only hearing one sermon?  How different was Jesus from the usual religious talkers of the day?  Phillip may have also been influenced by John the Baptist.  What we know is that Jesus singled him out to follow Him.  There could be no doubt in Phillip’s mind as to his calling.  So, he goes to fine Nathanael.  "But," Nathanael asks, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  We've already explored why Nathanael might think this way.  Nazareth was in Galilee, part of the land that had bee...

Matthew 4:18-22 , Mark 1:16-20 , Luke 5:1-11 & John 1:35-42 Key Verse: "Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17 Now begins the fun of trying to discern what really happened on the shores of Galilee.  While we may not be able to figure out exactly what happened, we know two things for sure.  Jesus said, "Come, follow me," and by the end of the day, His first four disciples, Andrew, Simon, James and John, took up His invitation, left their nets, and obeyed.  The gospel of John mentions that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist first.  So, we already see that Andrew has more interest in spiritual matters than fishing.  He had probably already been having many conversations with his brother Simon, and James and John, and family friends or relatives, while they were out in the boats fishing or doing the tedious work of mending the nets after the catch had been gathered.  Now Jesus arr...

Isaiah 9:1-3 , Matthew 4:13-17 Key verse:  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:2& Matthew 4:16 Jesus prepared to begin His ministry in a difficult place.  While Jesus was in the wilderness, John had managed to infuriate Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee, and the religious leadership, enough that he was closely watched for any sign of trouble.  John, you see, had been outspoken about Herod's illicit affair with Herodia, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.  Under such circumstances, you might think that Jesus would choose to go to a safe place to avoid some of the controversy that John had evidently stirred up.  But instead, in Galilee, just a few short miles from Herod's palace and the seat of his government, Jesus began his ministry in the teeth of a real political storm.  This dangerous situation was only amplified by Jesus’ close association wit...

Luke 4:13 , Matthew 4:11 , James 4:7-8 Key Verse: Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  James 4:7B The second phase of Jesus' ministry was now over.  First, Jesus was ordained for ministry at the Jordan River.  Next, He was tested, not so much for His benefit, but for ours.  We have witnessed Jesus face the temptations, common to man, that so easily entangle us.  We have seen, through Jesus, that they can be resisted.  We have learned, from Jesus, how to resist.  Now, the third phase of Jesus' ministry is about to begin.  It is time for Him to mingle with the people, to heal all their infirmities and to teach them about the true love of God.  Just for this moment, however, there is a pause.  Satan is defeated and has departed until a more opportune time.  For now, the angels, who love Jesus more than life itself, have come to minister to Him.  Fatigued and perhaps battle weary, it is time for Jesus to re...

Deuteronomy 6:13 , Matthew 4:8-10 , Luke 4:5-8 , Key Verse: "Fear the Lord your god, serve Him only and take your oaths in His name." Deuteronomy 6:13, Matthew 4:10 & Luke 4:8 How absurd this seems; the creator bowing down to the created?  To think that the fake splendor of this world could even be considered a possible temptation to the one who came from Heaven and knows what true splendor is?  How, we ask, could this have been a temptation for Jesus at all? However, what if Jesus could have gained the world without the cross?  What if He hadn't had to suffer, to accomplish His goal?  Satan wouldn't know this of course.  Satan was offering what many mortal men seem to want: fame, power, control.  Satan was also speaking a truth when he claimed that all the nations of this world had been given to him.  Is he not referred to as, "the prince of this world?"  What he was forgetting is that he is only a prince, not the King....

Deuteronomy 6:16 , Psalm 91 , Matthew 4:5-7 , Luke 4:9-12 Key Verse: Jesus answered: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7 & Luke 4:12 Is satan daring Jesus to prove Himself here?  It sure looks like it.  It would appear that satan finds it hard to believe that all powerful Jesus wouldn’t want to resist show off His power just a little.  Could this have been a vulnerability for Jesus?  Is this really a temptation to prove Himself? It would appear here that Satan is offering Jesus a different entrance into ministry.  Jesus wouldn't have to mingle with the rabble.  He could show off for the teachers of the law, the rabbis and the Pharisees.  They would be impressed and he would have their allegiance no matter how the crowd would treat Him.  Instead of compassionate ministry, he could use his power to show off the way the Pharisees like to do, be one of them.  It looks like an easy way to gai...