Testimony of the Miracles

TEXT:  John 20:30-31;  John 5:36

INTRODUCTION:

A.      JOHN'S PURPOSE AND THEME - EVIDENCE - TESTIMONY.

B.      BEST TESTIMONY IS DIVINE.  GOD TESTIFIES( John 5:37 ).

C.      DIVINE TESTIMONY MANIFESTS ITSELF IN 5 WAYS:

          1.       Miracles.

          2.       His life and teaching       

          3.       Fulfillment of prophecy.

          4.       The resurrection.  

          5.       Testimony of the Holy Spirit.

D.      WE WANT TO CONSIDER GOD'S TESTIMONY THROUGH MIRACLES.

I.      THREE WORDS SIGNIFY THE MIRACULOUS.

A.      SIGN - "Of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him"

          ( Thayer ).  Not always miracles( John 20:30-31 ).

B.      WONDER - "Miracle performed by anyone"( Thayer ). Used only once( 4:48 ).

C.      POWER - "Power residing in a thing or person by virtue of its nature... specifically,

          the power of performing miracles"( Thayer ).  Not used in John.

D.      WORKS - "An act, deed, thing done. Of sundry or signal acts of Christ to rouse

          men to believe in him and to accomplish their salvation"( Thayer ).  To John,

          Christ's signs are simply works of God.

          a.       Teaching( 7:21 ).

          b.       Of God( 9:4 ).

          c.       Many good works( 10:32 ).

          d.       Words( 14:10 ).

II.     THE TESTIMONY TO THE SIGNS.

A.      NICODEMUS( John 3:2 ).

B.      THE JEWISH MULTITUDES( John 7:31;  11:45;  12:18-19 ).

C.      THE PHARISEES( 11:47-48 ).

III.    THE TESTIMONY OF THE SIGNS.

A.      WATER INTO WINE AT CANA OF GALILEE( John 2:1-11 ).

          1.       Power to create.

          2.       Master of quality.

B.      HEALS NOBLEMAN'S SON( 4:46-54 ).

          1.       Power over distance.

C.      HEALS A LAME MAN( 5 :1-9 ).

          1.       Power over sickness and disease.

          2.       Power over time.  Lame for 38 years.

D.      FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND( 6:1-14 ).

          1.       Power over material things.

          2.       Provider of all physical blessing( John 6:35;  James 1:17 ).

E.      WALKS ON WATER( 6:16-21 )

          1.       Power over natural law.

F.      HEALS THE MAN BORN BLIND( 9:1-12 ).

          1.       The giver of light( vs. 5 ).

          2.       Spiritual light( John 8:12 ).

G.      RAISES LAZARUS( 11:31-44 ).

          1.       Power over life and death( 5:24-29;  11:25-26 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      John 20:30-31.

B.      THE WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE FROM THE SIGNS - TO US - IS IN EFFECT

          UPON THOSE WHO BEHELD THEM.  JOHN WAS MADE TO BELIEVE

          THROUGH THAT WHICH HE SAW;  HE PRESENTS THIS THAT ALL

          MIGHT BELIEVE.

C.      John 10:37-38.