INTRODUCTION
I.        The apostle John's emphasis was on the deity of Jesus Christ.(Jones' Notes)
                 A.   One of the ways in which He proved His deity was through the
                        use of miracles.

II.   The gospels contain at least 35 of C's miracles during His earthly ministry.
                17 bodily cures                                3 are in John's account
                9 miracles over forces of nature        4   "   "    "        "
                6 cures over demoniacs;
                3 raised from the dead;                     1 is    "    "        "

III.   At least 40 Parables are found within the gospels.

IV.   John's gospel Lord intended to supplement the synoptic gospels.
        Many of the parables, the Galilean ministry, many miracles, the nativity, and
        the institution of the Lord's Supper are not located in John's gospel.

V.   The objectives of the last gospel were to cause belief in Jesus Christ, God
       made man, and to confirm the His Word                        [John 20: 31].

VI.   Coffman calls it a "progressive narrative."(Coffman, p. 6)
        The progression towards Lazarus [C11] is obvious by the progressively
        greaterand greater works that preceded it.
         Negative side: the raising of Lazarus is considered the "trigger" for His death.

BODY
I.   3 of Christ's 17 miracles over bodily curses are in Jn's Gospel

    A.   Healing the nobleman's son's fever        (2nd/7 great signs?)        [4:43-]
        1.   The Nobleman was one of Herod's officials in Capernaum
                a.   Probably Jewish because He stated "Ye people" = doubting Jews.
                b.   They doubted throughout the Old Testament.

        2.   Capernaum, where the boy lay, was 15mls NE of Cana

        3.   By Jesus Christ's will, the Nobleman's son, who was suffering with a
              fever, was healed
                a.   His power/mastery over distance at Capernaum

        4.   It must have been frustrating for our Savior to deal with doubters!     [48]
                a.   1 Cor 1: 22:  "For the Jews require/request a sign, & the Greeks
                      seek after wisdom!"

        5.   Signs & Wonders = 2 qualities in every miracles.
                a.   WONDER = something exciting, phenomenal, & extraordinary;
                b.   But the same deed, viewed in light of Jesus Christ = SIGN of
                        Lord's Deity!

        6.   The rebuke is one to encourage the nobleman.
                a.   NOT a rebuke of his lack of faith.
                b.   The nobleman had never seen any of Jesus Christ's miracles
                          previous to this!
 

B.   An impotent man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem.     [5: 2-8]
        1.   Healing of the infirm/lame man; 3rd/7 great signs
        2.   Healings on the Sabbath, at Jerusalem.
        3.   Jesus Christ's omniscience knows the man's condition, but he
              challenges us!
                a.   He questions the man's DESIRE to be made whole,
                     (He heals the man.)
                b.   Med fact: Long-time invalids rely on the services of others,
                        rather than take the burden upon themselves.
                        i.   They don't DESIRE to be made well
                        ii.   Same application spiritually!
                        iii.   Jesus Christ demands accountability, even after 1 or 38 yrs!

        4.   Jesus Christ/Deity, commanded & there was an instantaneous result!
 

C.   Restoration of the man born blind; 6th/7 great signs        [9: 1-14]
        1.   A type of Jesus Christ; Jesus saving men from their sins (Coffman p 245)

        2.   Lord healing on the Sabbath at JERUSALEM.
                a.   Mk 2:28     "Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath"
                      But because the Jews didn't want to respect His authority as Deity,
                      they ostracized/excluded Him from their corrupt inner circle!

        3.   Jesus Christ; Master of Compassion!
                a.   Sin isn't hereditary                                        [Ezek 18: 20]
                b.   Jesus Christ was driven to compassion, to heal
                c.   Notice the blind man's obedience!
                d.   Jesus Christ saved this man's blindness from birth, but how much
                          more would he rejoice if he could save us from our spiritual
                          blindness!
 

II.   Christ's power over death; one of the three resurrections from the dead that
        Christ performed, not including His own eternal resurrection, are in John's
        Gospel.

A.   The raising of Lazarus; 7th/7 great signs        [11: 21-7Martha, 32-42]
        After Jesus Christ's resurrection, this would be the climax of John's gospel.
        Less than a week before His personal resurrection, He shows His creation
        His own power over the grave.

CONCLUSION
I.   The opening verse of John's gospel calls Christ both God and Creator.

II.   John was convinced that Christ is eternal.

III.   The  LORD: reassured His chosen ones, loved them, encouraged them,
        & protected them in every way poss.

IV.   Parents can reassure, love, encourage, & protect their loved ones by
        influencing their infants > toddlers > children > teens > adults to take the
        Word of God to "passionate" heart!
 

Jn 20: 30-1
        (1) To confirm that Jesus Christ was Lord

        (2) To confirm His Words.
 
 
 

INCLUDE for the Future!

I.   How Jesus Christ's seven miracles influenced the people.
        A.   Four of Christ's nine miracles over the forces of nature.
        B.   Three of Christ's 17 miracles over bodily curses.
        C.   Christ's power over death; one of Christ's three resurrections from the
              dead, not including His own eternal resurrection.
 

II.   How Jesus Christ's teachings influenced people.

III.   How Jesus Christ's example influenced people.
 

Woman at the well.                                                           [4: 1-42]

Chapter 7-10; controversy over the name of Jesus Christ.
        Washing feet; 13: 1-20
Jesus discloses Judas' betrayal.                                           [13: 21-30]
        prophesies Peter's denial;                                           [13: 36-8]

        The stone's removal [20: 1-10]
        The empty tomb[20: 1-10]; Jesus Christ's resurrection.
        The undisturbed grave clothes.
Appearance to the 10 (w/o Thomas).                                  [20: 19-25]
Appearance to the 11.                                                        [20: 26-29]
        Appearance to John, Mary Magdalene, & Thomas       [20: 1-10?]
 
 
 

Copyright 1999 by Neil C. Prokop may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.