Message 01: From Ordinary to EXTRAOrdinary!

BEGINNING today and going through June 4th, I’ll be going through the Gospel of John.
John’s Gospel is structured around SEVEN KEY MIRACLES performed by Jesus…

• The changing of water into wine
• The healing of the son of the Royal official
• The healing of the man who was lame
• Feeding 5000 people with one boy’s lunch
• Walking on water and calming the storm
• Granting sight to a blind man
• Raising Lazarus from the dead

Each of these miracles demonstrated that Jesus has SUPERNATURAL POWER over TEMPORARY PROBLEMS. They also gave CREDIBILITY to His message and identity.

I’ve entitled this series of messages: The Supernatural Jesus & Me. Because each of these miracles have significance for us today.

Each of these miracles present us with an important reality of WHO WE ARE in Christ and teach us how we can LIVE LIKE JESUS – SUPERNATURALLY!

This first miracle is about wine. Look at John 2:1…

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so,
and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” John 2:1-11

Verses 1 & 2 gives us the setting in which this first miracle takes place: In a small village called CANA, in Galilee, near Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. This is probably the wedding of someone very close to Jesus’ family. Notice that Mary, Jesus and His disciples are amongst the guests.

Now – look at verse 3-4…
“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”” V. 3-4

A crisis has come upon the wedding party – they’ve run out of wine!

A famous Rabbi once said: “Without wine, there is no joy!”

Wine was a vital part of a Jewish wedding feast, and for the young couple to run out of wine would be a major source of embarrassment, shame and humiliation. For hospitality was a very important aspect of Jewish culture!

So, we see Mary do something to intervene. She tells Jesus about the problem.

Now, Jesus’ response to His mother seems to our ears to be harsh. But it really isn’t. The Greek language in which this was originally carries more of this idea: “Mother, this isn’t my PRIMARY concern, I am about My Father’s business. And while my time has not yet come, I’ll take care of it…”

So, in verse 5, Mary says:
“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”” v. 5

There are two things I want you to get from this:

Firstly, this suggests that Mary has a place of responsibility and honor at this wedding. Why else would she be concerned about this, or expect the servants to listen to her. This is the wedding of someone very close to Mary and she has been given the privilege to make sure it goes off without a hitch.

Secondly, she has utter confidence in her son, Jesus to do something to makes things better, so she tells the servants to follow His instructions.

Which He gives in verse 6-8
“Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so,”

The Jars – these were not wine containers. They would ordinarily contain water that would be used for ceremonial washings. They Jews were big into ceremonial washing. When they returned home from being in the village, they would wash their feet. When they ate a meal, they’d wash their hands between courses. These Jars – six of them – were large – 20-30 gallons each.

Jesus says: “Fill them to the brim with water.” – which they did. Ordinary water was placed into the jars.
And then, Jesus says: “Draw some out and give it to the head-waiter to taste…” – which they did.

Now, here’s where the miracle happens… verse 9…
“and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

Notice John’s description:
‘water that had been turned into wine…’
– A transformation had occurred. Christ had done His first miracle!

Also, notice the quality of the wine… “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

When Jesus touches something – it is always first class! Jesus is a FIRST-CLASS miracle worker!

Now, look at verse 11:
“This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”

What did the miracle accomplish? The Impact of the Miracle:

• The glory of Christ was revealed! His true identity as GOD became clear! He showed Himself for Who He really is! And He is glorious! What does GLORY mean? It means the Splendor, Excellence, Majesty and Wonder of God!

Here you have a problem: The shame of not being a good host! And God’s Glory shows up – and shame is avoided!

But there’s more: verse 11 also says: “his disciples put their faith in him…”

• The miracle created faith! That’s right – the miracle created faith! The disciples saw Jesus is a new light – the light of His glory – and suddenly they believed in Him at a whole new level!

Next time you have a problem – don’t curse the problem – watch for the glory of God to be revealed – and build up your faith!

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

Mary tells the servants: “Do what he tells you”
1. Obedience to Christ precedes miracles!

Whenever you need a miracle from Christ, make sure you are doing exactly what He has told you to do. We need to obey the Lord in order to move into His miraculous powers.

For instance, you desire financial blessings? Then tithe.

Or, you need a physical healing? Than gather authentic believers – who really believe that God heals - around you to pray.

Or you are facing a major hurdle in your life? Then, find out what God says about it – and then speak faith until you have that hurdle conquered!

Now, also notice what got filled up with water… ‘six stone jars used for purification…’

2. Because He can take Water and Make Fine Wine – He can make me something Extraordinary!

The Bible uses ‘wine’ in two symbolic ways:
1. Wine refers to blood. Without the shedding of blood, we cannot be purified. Just as the water had to be poured into the jars, the blood of Christ had to be poured out of Him!

“The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness… Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people…” Hebrews 9:22, 27-28a

That’s why we share together in Communion each week. To remember the price that was paid.

Wine has a second meaning…
2. Wine refers to the Holy Spirit. As believers we know that we are to be… ‘filled with the Holy Spirit…” and when we are, it impacts our lives!

Worldly wine affects those who drink it. Drink too much wine, and you’ll have a headache, hangover and regrets. Overabundance of wine takes away good judgment and produces foolishness.

Spiritual wine – that is the filling of the Holy Spirit has its affects also. The Bible tells us that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it produces – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, self-control and a host of other good things.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit enables you to do what you cannot do in the flesh. The Holy Spirit gives ministry gifts – wisdom, healing, faith, knowledge, tongues and interpretation, prophecies, discernment and others.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit takes an ordinary believer – and enables them to live at a level of extraordinary level.

So, because Jesus changed ordinary water into extraordinary wine…
Why would you settle for an ordinary, average life?

You have been touched by a Supernatural Jesus – He is making you into a supernatural person!

Expect Him to do… “…immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20

Listen to me: Because Jesus demonstrated His ability to take the Ordinary and make it EXTRAORDINARY – He can do the same with you!

What ordinary problem or challenge are you facing that needs an extraordinary outcome? IT’S POSSIBLE! HE CAN DO IT!

In late 1968, DAVE ROEVER found himself in Vietnam for the first time serving with the United States Navy as a member of the elite Brown Water Black Beret. Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Roever was burned beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen months, where he underwent fifteen major surgeries. His survival and life are miraculous. Today, with his humorous style, Dave Roever is enthusiastically received both nationally and internationally as a public speaker. He is a gifted communicator and speaks in a variety of settings including public schools, military installations, business, men’s and youth conventions and churches. Dave is a frequent guest on national television talk shows. He is passionately involved in compassionate mission work in Vietnam and other places around the globe.

THE MIRACLE – Satan would have a man like Dave Roever hiding in the dark – instead, Christ puts Dave on stage in the fullness of light.

What about you? What needs changing from ordinary to extraordinary?

Well, Doug, you don’t understand. It’s too late. I’m too old. I’ve made too many mistakes, too many compromises. Too many regrets. I’m not smart, thin, rich, good-looking, educated… etc. etc.

STOP! Look one more time at our miracle story in John 2:10 – THERE’S ONE MORE THING:
The head-waiter takes a sip of Christ’s wine, corners the bridegroom and says:
“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”” John 2:10

Christ always saves the best for last. It’s not too late. The best is yet to come. The best is yet to come.
The world would have you believe that you’ve got to be a thin, rich, educated, smart. Etc. – and Christ says: “If that were true, you wouldn’t need me! If that were true, you wouldn’t be a candidate for a miracle! If that were true, you wouldn’t need a touch from the Supernatural! BUT IT ISN’T TRUE! I’ve saved the best for now! You can have the miracle! You can become EXTRAORDINARY!

I gave up trying to determine outcomes a couple of years ago. Instead, I choose to believe that…
“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6

I am an ordinary man – connected to an extraordinary God – and therefore, I will become extraordinary myself!

We have a Supernatural Jesus – let’s live like it. Today – who needs a miracle?