Scripture: John 2:1-12; John 14:15
Theme: Obedience
Title: “Whatever” Living
This sermon focuses on Mary’s five words to the servants – “Do Whatever He tells you” – this is the basis for a life of obedience which will lead to a life of victory and celebration!
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
I want to talk to you today about the subject of Obedience.
In particular, how vitally important it is for as Christ followers for us to live a life of obedience. If we really think about it, the only way to truly live the Abundant Life is to be totally committed and consecrated to the One who is able to make the Abundant Life a reality. That is to say, that they only way for us to experience the fullness of what it means to be Born Again is for us to be a person of obedience and faithfulness. The only way for us to live a life in which we see God show up and show out is to be a person of obedience and faithfulness.
The passage we read contains what is called a 1st Principle. What that means is it is a story that deals with something that is a first in the book of John. And when we see a 1st Principle in a book of the Bible it is usually vitally important.
And in this case we see that the story of the wedding at Cana is vitally important. For in this story, Jesus not only performs His first miracle (the first of seven signs) but we also see the first glimpses of what it means to see Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
Throughout the rest of John’s Gospel what is shared here crops up time and time again. In almost every encounter Jesus has with a person you are drawn back to what you see revealed in this passage.
Now, for some the wedding at Cana speaks overwhelmingly about the importance of marriage. And as you look at the passage it is possible to draw such revelation. Many marriage ceremonies contain a reference to this wedding.
Example: Dearly Beloved: We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that exists between Christ and His Church. This holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence and fist miracle that He wrought, in Cana of Galilee ….
For others, they like to see it as a great example of how Jesus wanted people to enjoy their lives here on earth. There is a wedding, there is a party and there is a great celebration of life. They like to focus in on the fact that right at the beginning of his ministry; Jesus is not hiding away but is mixing in life. He is dancing and celebrating the beginning of a couple’s new life together.
For others, it is simply a great story about wine. They see it as nothing more than a supernatural endorsement of having a bit of wine every now and then.
This morning, I believe that the Holy Spirit is directing us away from those aspects of the story and instead wanting us to focus on the words that Mary shares with those servants that day. Words that if we allow them will open up for us the way that we can always be assured that we will live a victorious and successful life here on this earth and on the New Heaven and New Earth some day in the future. Words that if we will allow them, will point us to the way that as a church we can make sure that we will always be a reflection of God’s Glory and Grace.
Those words are found in John 2:5. In my version of the Bible (ESV) they comprise only five little words. Five little words that if we will take them to heart, if we will allow them to become our central focus then we will experience a life with God that can only be called “AMAZING”.
Those five words – “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU”
They are words of action and mystery. They are words that center on Jesus. They are words that speak of being able to communicate with the Lord. And they are words that are personal as they are directed ultimately to all of us.
The story is a rather simple one.
+There is a wedding taking place near Nazareth in a town that is called Cana of Galilee
+In some way, Jesus’ mother is majorly involved. We do not know if she was one of the wedding planners or was just a close relative of one of the people getting married? Some have theorized that it perhaps it was one of her own children that was getting married.
We do know that Jesus had half-brothers and sisters. John Mark tells us this in his Gospel story:
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:3)
It could have been that it was one of Jesus’ half-sisters that was getting married and that is why Mary was so concerned over the crisis of their not being enough wine.
Tradition tells us that by this time, Joseph had died and with Jesus being the first born son, any potential crisis or face shaming event would become his responsibility. He would need to do whatever was necessary to bring an end to the crisis or make sure that the family name was not marred in any way. Mary might have gone to Jesus because without Joseph she would have leaned on Jesus at this time.
The truth is we don’t really know. All we know is:
+She goes to Jesus
+She has the authority to tell the servants (the waiters) what to do
Again, there is a great deal we could spend time with on this story, but, I really would like for us to lean into those five words – “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU”
For, this morning, if we want to be all that God wants us to be – those words have to become our words. They have to become our personal mantra. They have to be tattooed across our hearts and our minds.
“DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU”
As God’s servants, as Christ followers, this is, in a nutshell, what we are called to do. We are called clearly to do whatever God tells us. There are no ifs, ands, or buts in this passage. There are no pre or post set conditions to our immediate obedience.
Mary did not give any alternative conditions. She does not say for example:
+Do whatever he tells you if ….. (you want to, you think it’s a great idea …..)
+Do whatever he tells you as long as…. (it makes you look good, it doesn’t cost you anything ….)
+Do whatever he tells you except ….
Mary does not add anything but immediate and absolute obedience. Whatever Jesus says, just do it. Don’t argue. Don’t ask questions. Don’t try to figure it out. Don’t start a debate. Just obey.
Wow! Now, you can begin to see why the Holy Spirit leaned into John as he was writing His Gospel and told him to share this story first. You can begin to see why the Holy Spirit wanted John to put right at the beginning of the disciples journey the need for immediate and absolute obedience.
After all, isn’t that the very thing that could have saved Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? If they had only obeyed God, whatever God said then sin would have never taken hold of them. The Garden would have still been theirs and our world would look like, smell like and be like Heaven today.
This morning, let’s look at some things about their obedience.
1. It is the servants’ obedience that made this miracle story possible
It may sound rather simple but the fact is if these servants had not obeyed then we would not have this story. Their obedience allows us to be able to read and receive revelation, insight and understanding.
Their obedience opened the door to a miracle and to a time of celebration.
For a moment think about how other people’s obedience led to great breakthroughs:
Abraham’s obedience led to the creation of God’s Chosen People.
Moses’ obedience led to the Exodus Event.
Joshua’s obedience led to the fulfillment of the Promise Land.
King David’s obedience led to Israel becoming a mighty nation that in turn led to God’s People finding safety, security and prosperity.
The 3 Hebrew Children’s obedience led to a revival, their own salvation and the revelation that the God of Israel was the God above all other gods.
These were Mary’s words but they were more than just words. Mary understood these words. She lived out these words.
For, when Gabriel came and told her that the Lord God Almighty had chosen her to bring forth the Messiah she responded with words of obedience:
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant (Handmaid) of the LORD; let it be to me according to your word.” – Luke 1:38 (ESV)
Mary knew what it meant to do whatever God told her to do. She understood that if a person was going to go with God it meant going 100%. It meant being totally committed and totally consecrated.
Mary did not believe in a lukewarm relationship with the LORD. She knew that the only way to find joy, peace and love was to give God all of you.
Our obedience to God’s leading and directions open up new opportunities of revelation, insight and miracles. Our obedience to God’s leadings and directions opens up the windows of heaven and allows God to bring His anointing and power. Our obedience to God’s leadings changes the very atmosphere that we breathe.
Think about that for a moment. Our obedience to the LORD can make all the difference for us and all those around us. Our obedience can lead to a breakthrough in our lives, in the lives of our family and in the lives of others around us.
II. Secondly, we see that their Obedience led to a Partnership with God
Have you ever really thought about verse 7 –
“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’”
Have you ever really thought about what Jesus was asking them to do?
I mean in our day all that would mean is for us to go get the garden hose and start filling up these six jars that held around 25 gallons of water.
Now, the average modern garden hose is able to deliver about 15 gallons of water per minute (50 foot hose/5/8 inch diameter at 40 psi). So, that would take around nine to ten minutes to fill all the water jars if they were properly lined up and we had good access to a decent water spout.
No big deal. Right?
But there were no great faucets in those days and no great garden hoses.
The normal way to get water was to go out in the middle of the city or outside the city to where the well was located and draw water from the well by hand. Typically, that meant walking out to the well and filling up a three to five gallon container and carrying it back inside and pouring it in a container.
That’s right – walking to the well - drawing up the water – carrying it back – emptying it – again and again and again.
We are talking about over 40 trips back and forth.
Suddenly, this command of Jesus means a lot of hard work.
Why didn’t Jesus just wave his hand over these six pots and at his command they be filled with wine? Why did Jesus have these servants make all these trips getting enough water to fill all of those pots?
It’s because God enjoys working WITH US. He enjoys being our partner in all things.
When God created Adam and Eve he could have created another 1,000 men and women as well. He could have filled the earth with humans.
That is not the way God works. He partnered with Adam and Eve and gave them the responsibility to multiply and to create a place to live here on earth. God partnered with them in their life work.
Obedience will always lead us to a partnership with God.
The LORD does not require us to do anything to earn our breakthroughs on our own but He does require us to partner with Him.
Think about it:
+The Children of Israel walking around the city of Jericho lead to a partnership that saw the walls come tumbling down.
+David picking up those stones enabled God to use that stone to knock Goliath out so that David could finish him off with Goliath’s own sword.
+The 120 disciples praying in the Upper Room for ten days enabled the Holy Spirit come in a mighty way.
Every great movement of God includes both God and human beings. God partners with us to bring about rescues and redemptions. God partners with us to bring about revivals and transformations.
There are times that we find ourselves sitting by our water pots waiting for Jesus to fill them and turn them into wine.
We want Jesus to do all the work. We want Jesus to just get us out of our messes. We want Jesus to give us new friends. We want Jesus to bring us what we need on a plate. We want Jesus to fix all our problems while we wait for Him to do it.
Jesus is waiting for us to bring back the water. Jesus is waiting for us to be His partner.
There cannot be any wine without the water. Jesus transformed the water into wine but He did not fill up the jars.
Could it be true that some of the things that we want changed in our lives, in our churches and in those around need our works of faith?
Could it be that while we are waiting on God for the wine, God is waiting for us to draw the water?
Could it be that God is waiting for us to be ready to reach out for new friends so we can share the message of salvation?
Could it be that God is waiting for us to start eating better and exercising so that He can be supernatural healing and health?
Could it be that God is waiting for us to read, study and meditate on His Word rather than feeding on what we see on Netflix, Hulu, CNN or Fox?
This morning, do you have some water pots (some answers you need, some miracles you need) that need you to first pour in some water?
Let’s see what God can do with filled water pots!
III. God always does more than we could ever imagine
When they needed just enough wine for an additional day or two what did God do for this couple?
By the time we get to them being low on wine it is already around day five of their wedding week. They only needed wine for a day or two more. The normal wedding celebration took around a week (minus the Sabbath) so they only need a few more gallons.
When we partner with God we need to get ready for God to show up and then show out. God will always bring more back to the table than we can imagine.
Think about the story that Luke shares with us in Luke 5:1-11. It’s another story of how God showed up and showed out because some people obeyed Jesus’ word.
This time it involves some of Jesus’ first disciples. It happens when Jesus wants to speak to a group of people along the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The people were crowding Jesus so much that Jesus decided to use Peter’s boat as a floating preaching platform. He could push off a little off the shore and then turn around and speak to the crowd. He then sat down and taught the people.
Afterwards, Jesus asked Peter to take the boat out into the deep and cast out their nets.
Now, again you have to think about what is going on:
+Peter is a professional fisherman who by all accounts is an expert
+Peter knows the area like the back of his hand
+He knows where he can fish and where the best fishing areas are in his area of the Sea of Galilee
+Jesus is a stone mason/carpenter – not a professional fisherman
+Jesus is from Nazareth – a 20 mile trip or a good two day walk on dry land
+Jesus doesn’t own a boat
+Jesus has no nets of his own
+Jesus is a stone mason/carpenter turned rabbi
Have you ever tried to tell a professional plumber or a professional bricklayer how to do their business when you are not a professional? Usually they are not happy.
In fact, no one who is either skilled in an area or is a professional in an area really likes for amateurs to come up and give them advice or to tell them they know something better about their craft or profession. Especially – men.
+Peter sounds off a little with his statement – “Master, we have toiled all night and have caught nothing.” -
In other words – look preacher – we know what we are doing when it comes to fishing. Just cause you know how to preach does not mean you know squat about fishing. We just finished fishing all night and didn’t catch a thing. All our nets have been washed and they are drying. It’s getting hot and we are tired. Plus, what do you think all the other fishermen are going to say to us if we listen to you?
This was a test of obedience right at the start of their discipleship. Much like the test that the servants had in our Wedding Story.
Peter passes the test. He and the others row the boat out into the deep waters and cast out the nets.
The result was amazing.
It always is; whether it is water turned into wine or nets full of fish.
But in each case – there is obedience and partnership.
The Servants had to obey and go and get the water.
Peter and his gang had to row out the boat, cast out the nets and pull in the fish.
This morning, the LORD is looking for our waterpots – are they filled ready for Jesus to turn them into wine?
He is looking for our nets – are they ready to be cast out so that he can fill them with fish?
In other words, are our prayers mere words or words with action; with obedience?
Do we want new wine but have still have a bunch of empty waterpots standing around?
Are we ready to pick up the buckets and head to the well?
Do we want new people (new fish) but we still have our boats in dry dock and our nets are drying out?
I think what the Apostle John wants us to realize this morning is that in order for us to experience all that God has for us then we need both Obedience and Faith in Action.
Works without faith is dead. So too, is faith without works.
Obedience requires action.
This morning, I would like for us to close with Communion.
+Communion speaks to us of miracles, of obedience and of partnership. +Communion speaks to us of a time when God showed up and rescued us, redeemed us and enabled us to be restored into His Holy Image.
+Communion reminds us that we are called to be His People – People of Obedience and put our Faith into Action.
+Communion reminds us that God wants to heal us and make us whole (body, mind and soul)
Sharing of Communion/Prayer/Blessing
