John’s Gospel

1. Brief ‘outline’ –

1:1-18 the thesis;

1:19 – 20:29 the BODY;

20:30-31 PURPOSE,

ch. 21 the conclusion.

2. No study would be correct without considering the author’s stated purpose -

3. NOT a biography –

a. Only mentions about 20 days

b. 1/3 of verses deal with last 24 hours

c. Selections that PROVE Jesus is the SON of God.

4. Was written in John’s old age

a. M, M, L all had been written earlier –

b. Recalls his three years with Jesus –

c. Such shows why HE ‘yet’ believed – in order that we would continue to believe

AND MANY OTHER SIGNS TRULY DID JESUS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK

1. many … SIGNS …DID Jesus

a. SIGN – to signify, to authenticate,

1. credential, as a policeman’s badge…

2. Road signs – contain a message of importance.

b. Three words which differ – 2 Cor. 12:12; Acts 2:22, power / sign / wonder

1. power – dunamos – to produce results,

2. Wonders - effect on those who saw them..

3. Sign – the value of the operation – what it means or signifies.

c. HENCE, this book a study of what the miracles of Jesus prove to US, John 3:1-2

2. In the presence of his disciples –

a. Many of his wonderful works were done in crowds, and many in the crowds did NOT understand..

b. Disciples DID grasp the meaning of the signs – the purpose of the miracles.

3. OTHERS not written in THIS book – only 11 (out of 48) such,

a. WHY – John 21:25

BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN

1. This shows the necessity for careful selection.

a. John knew ALL that Jesus had done and said – John 14:26

b. Ample and proper testimony to convince others was needed.

c. the Holy Spirit guided him in the selection (John 14:26)…

2. Written testimony presented

a. John not ‘prove’ – but present the evidence for all generations to consider.

b. We examine the evidence and decide whether to believe or not – it is so written that one readily sees that it is easier to believe than to disbelieve.

3. ORAL testimony would require signs through all generations; continuous miracles would soon lose their proof power.

THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE

1. The purpose of these miracles – signs to CONFIRM or show that God was with the man speaking – that his words were agreed upon by God (inspired by God).

a. Moses caused people to believe by the use of signs – Ex. 4:1-9

b. Gabriel made a ‘believer’ out of Zacharis with a sign, Luke 1:18-20

c. SO, Jesus signs were used to validate his claim of sonship – Acts 2:22

d. 2 people involved – the ‘doer’ and the ‘seer’ –

1. ‘doer’ not need such validation –

2. ‘seer’ has the word confirmed –

e. NOW, the ‘seer’ has given his testimony / witness. Through SUCH faith now comes – cp. John 17:20, John 20:30-31, 1 John 1: ,

f. Heb. 2:3-4, now God confirmed their testimony with such signs –

2. Faith is produced by such testimony – Heb. 11:1; Rom. 10:17; etc.

THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

1. The evidence is sufficient for anyone to believe that Jesus is THE Son of God.

a. Not as the modernist – ‘a’ son AS we are sons….

b. 10 times in John, but 3 in particular –

1. John 5:17f, = making himself EQUAL with God

2. John 10:36, accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God

3. John 19:7 – should die for claiming to be the Son of God…

c. WAS GOD, -- John 1:1 (Col. 1:15-17)

d. CREATOR, - John 1:4

2. Just believing SOMETHING about Jesus won’t do –

a. A good man –

b. A prophet – but raised from the dead?

c. the SON OF GOD – hence the ‘signs’ – the virgin birth, the miracles, resurrection,

BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME

1. Faith can lead to life – John 1:12

2. Must be a living faith – one that will demonstrate itself, cp. John 8:30, 44

3. Must be a continuing faith – be not removed from Him….

Adapted from Show Us The Father, by Hamilton