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FIRST THINGS FIRST - John 1:19-2:25 (Kent Smith Notes 1/28/24

FIRST THINGS FIRST

JESUS’ FIRST DAYS OF MINISTRY

JOHN 1:19 - 2:25

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Relationship with spouse:


First time we met.

First date.

First time we held hands.

First kiss.

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THE FIRST WITNESS - JOHN 1:19-34


THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

  • I am not the Christ

  • I am not Elijah (Mal. 3:1)

  • I am not the Prophet (Deut. 18:15-19)

  • A message of Repentance - Make Ready for the Lord (Mal 3:1)


THE WITNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (John 1:30-36) John said…

  • “Behold the Lamb of God”

  • “After me comes a man of higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”

  • “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained on Him”

  • “He who sent me said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit’ ”

  • “I myself have seen, and have testified this is the Son of God.”

  • The next day John observing Jesus said, “Behold the Lamb of God.”

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This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who [t]has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 I did not recognize [u]Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Jesus’ Public Ministry, First Converts

35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 

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THE FIRST DISCIPLES (JOHN 1:35-51)

John 1:37-51

  • Two disciples of John the Baptist left him to follow Jesus.

  • Andrew (and tradition holds that the other was John.)

  • Andrew sought and found Peter and brought him to Jesus

  • Jesus found Phillip the next day

  • Then Phillip found Nathanael.

  • Nathanael was skeptical at first because Jesus was from the hick-town of Nazareth.

  • Jesus tells Nathanael that He saw him under a fig tree before Phillip called him.

  • Nathanael declares, “You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel.”

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At this time there may have only been six disciples.

Andrew and Peter

James and John

Phillip and Nathanael

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THE FIRST SIGN (JOHN 2:1-12)

THE WEDDING IN CANA OF GALILEE

  • Mary, Jesus, Jesus’ brothers, and the disciples were all invited.

  • The wine ran out! (A major social embarrassment!)

  • Mary implores Jesus to help, but Jesus resisted his mother’s pressure.

  • Mary tells the servants to do whatever he says.

  • Jesus tells the servants to fill the water pots.

  • Jesus tesla them to draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.

  • The headwaiter called the bridegroom and asked him why he had kept the best wine till now.

THIS WAS A SIGN OF THE POWER OF JESUS OVER THE ELEMENTS OF EARTH. HE MANIFESTED HIS GLORY AND THE DISCIPLES BELIEVED IN HIM.

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(Likely a family affiliation. Mary’s words carried authority with the servants.  Jesus was invited as well as His disciples.)


The water pots were the containers for the rituals of purification.  It was expected after traveling or just through the normal routines of life that a person would become ceremonially impure. A ritual of washing the hands (and on occasions the feet)  was necessary in a social setting to be ritually cleansed.


These water pots that were filled.  There were six of them due to the nature of the celebration with the expectation of many guests.


(Some folks believe that Jesus made wine that had no alcohol content, because it wouldn’t have had time to ferment.

1. But if He could turn water into grape juice, He could also certainly turn it into wine, or even chocolate milk if he wanted.

2.  The headwaiter was equivalent to the caterer, and it is reasonable to assume for such an important occasion the hired caterer would be familiar with what is good wine and what is not.  The Headwaiter was so shocked about the wine that he confronted the bridegroom to ask why he had saved the best wine for last!  It would be expected that the best wine would be served first; because after imbibing, people would be less likely to discern the quality of wine served later during the prolonged celebration.)

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THE FIRST OBJECTION (jOHN 2:13-23)

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM DURING THE PASSOVER

  • Jesus entered the temple complex and witnessed folks selling animals for sacrifice and money changers in the outer court, which was the only place Gentiles could come to pray.

  • He crafted a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple, poured out the coins of the money changers, and turned over their tables.

THE JEWS OBJECT AND QUESTIONS HIS AUTHORITY

  • What sign do you show us as your authority for doing this?

  • Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

  • He was speaking of His body being raised from the dead.

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Jesus came from heaven with the authority of the Father to accomplish His will.


Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

John 17:1-2  

He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 

Colossians 2:10

Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

Jude 1:25

To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.

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THE FIRST FRUITS (jOHN 2:23-25)

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, MANY BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, OBSERVING HIS SIGNS WHICH HE WAS DOING.

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The thing of first importance today -  is what will you do about Jesus?


He claimed to be the Son of God

He claims to be the Savior and Redeemer

He claims to be Lord over all the earth.

He claims equality with God.

He claims to have all authority over heaven and earth.

He claims His death on the cross satisfies the debt you owe to God.

He claims His resurrection proves His ability to give eternal life to whom He chooses.

He claims that He has the divine right to be Lord over your life.


What is first in your life?  What should be first?

God calls each of us to be third.

He is to be first – without equal – without competition – without anyone or anything becoming even a close second. (Including ourselves!!)


And when we consider who should be second, He says it should be Others – “you before me” is how God defines love, and He has shown us love!

We are third.


What does God have to do, to prove to you,  that your life would be better if He was first?


He can take the emptiness of your life and fill it with the nectar of joy!


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