The 7 Signs of Jesus - John - Grace Bible Church

SIGNS #7 – Resurrection of Lazarus - John 11:17-44

May 19, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 11:17–44

“If someone believes it is our faith that heals us and forgets that it is God who does it, we should ask that person how much faith Lazarus had.” Eric Metaxas Sunday is a narrative of contradictions – Jesus loves his friend but delays his trip. Jesus says he 'sleeps' then confirms the death of Lazarus but then promises that this will 'not be unto death'! He goes to the house to mourn but weeps only at the tomb – then calls out to his deceased friend and Lazarus responds! Mary and Martha are both deeply disappointed yet affirm complete trust in the Messiah. Through all of these seeming contradictions I will take us into this story and hopefully come away with a clear message – Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life! So what is our attitude? Do we cling to life as though there is nothing else? Do we fear death or face life in faith? I love what Richard Baxter (1615-1691) said: “I preached as never sure to preach again, And as a dying man to dying men.” That is us – a dying people giving hope to dying people! Come celebrate this hope Sunday! Pastor Mike

Women who met Jesus - John 2, 4, 7, 11, 19

May 12, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 4, John 7, John 11, John 19, John 2

“I learnt more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.” John Wesley So many sermons have been preached about Esther and Ruth. I have done series in the past on both – and we have heard from Rahab and Hannah. Sunday I will turn out attention toward just a few that came in direct contact with Jesus and what was the result of each encounter. It is Mother’s Day so let’s hear from some of the women who met Jesus – women who came to see Jesus as Messiah – Savior – Lord – God! I cannot cover them all but I will do a few of my favorites – all from John. I originally thought I could cover 7 but as the weeks have progressed toward this Sunday 7 seems too ambitious (too long as well). What richness can we gain by studying the influence of women like Mary the Mother of Jesus or the sisters Mary and Martha or even Mary Magdalene? So, I will look at 5 and hopefully we can hear the words of Jesus to them and about them and they can be inspiring for our mothers on this Mother’s Day and everyone else too. See you Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day! Pastor Mike

SIGNS: #6 BLIND WILL SEE! - John 9:1-25

May 5, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 9:1–25

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert” Isa 35:5,6 This is a favorite story of Jesus healing the man born blind and it gives us lessons not only about faith but also about prayer, hope, and humility. We are confronted with two groups -- a man born blind who is willing to trust one he has never seen and a group of men with sight who are unwilling to trust what they can see with their own eyes. The second group is a body of men well trained and schooled in the Law and Prophets – yet were not looking for prophecy! They were abusing the Law as they accused Jesus of working on the Sabbath. The first man who was born blind did not spend the time in study or deliberation but accepted the ministry of Jesus without credentials and left his post of begging to journey to the Pool of Siloam without guarantee. He later blurts out those well know words, ‘this one thing I know – I once was blind but now I see!’. Sunday I will share this story and some of the Biblical backgrounds but in the end – we need to not trust only what we can see but put our faith the One who gives sight even to the blind! Join us this Sunday as the blind man is given sight and we will try to gain insight together! Pastor Mike

SIGNS: #5 Walking on Water - John 6:15-21

April 28, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 6:15–21

“Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Augustine 'Walk on water' – a phrase common in English that refers to an accomplishment that is a miracle and nothing less. This became an idiom of doing the impossible. That is what Jesus did – the impossible! The disciples had witnessed the Feeding of the 5000+ and the crowds had seized on the wrong idea – 'let's make Him a king!' - not what Jesus intended. The desire for the Jews to throw off Roman rule was widely held – they hated Roman rule. Jesus did not come to be a political solution – He came to be a soul solution! Responding to the crowds, Jesus slipped away to a quiet place in the hills and the disciples made ready to return the fishing boat to its place in Capernaum. Unafraid and accustomed to night fishing, the disciples set out only to be confronted with a fierce storm making the home docks impossible. Knowing they were to meet Jesus there, they tried to row against the waves and wind but they were losing! Jesus walks out to meet them and deliver them. What can be learned from such an extraordinary event? It cannot be that we should attempt water walking – Peter did in the Matthew account and sank! Sunday I will take us to the Sea of Galilee and into the boat – not for swimming or walking lessons but for lessons of trust and faith. The effect of Jesus in our life should be the same thing He called out to the disciples from the stormy water – 'It is I; do not be afraid!'. We are like the disciples – working against the storm – praying for the storm to end – when all along Jesus is telling us to trust Him – lose the fear! See you Sunday! Pastor Mike A miracle occurs at the bankruptcy of our efforts!

SIGNS: #4 Feeding 5000+ - John 6:1-14

April 21, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 6:1–14

This is one of the many stories I wish I could hear again for the first time! As a child to think that Jesus would notice me – to imagine that I might have something to contribute to the Gospel – to dream of seeing God do such an overwhelming deed in the presence of so many – I could be jealous of my childhood self to hear this for the first time! Yet, God intended this to be the only miracle included in all four Gospels – it is that big! Sunday I will take us to the grassy slopes by Galilee and unpack the story and show you that there is so much to learn from this that like the original picnic – there is sure to be leftovers. So many great characters – the little boy, Andrew, Philip, the crowd and of course Jesus. Such drama as the teaching of Jesus bottlenecked the Passover Crowds and rather than a steady stream of feast goers a mob had paused to hear Jesus teach – too big for any village to handle. Our custom of giving thanks for each meal before we eat comes from this account – ‘saying grace’ or ‘thanks’ should be our every meal practice. So many great lessons and just the one message – I will do my part to be ready – please read the text in all the Gospels and be ready for God’s blessings! Come with an empty heart to be filled – no basket is needed yet. See you Sunday Pastor Mike

SIGNS: #3 Lame will Leap! - John 5:1-17

April 14, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 5:1–17

“Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song.” Isaiah 35:5-7 MSG For 38 years the lame man hoped for a miracle – a healer – a cure – a recovery – a helper into the Bethesda pool. None was coming! During one of the feasts (Passover) Jesus happened by the lame man’s pallet of begging. Hopeless and helpless the man waited in desperation – then Jesus asks the most absurd question – ‘do you want to be healed?’ The man explains how this last desperate hope is futile since none can get him into the pool in time – doomed! Jesus quietly and kindly offers an alternative – He directs the man to stand – take his sick bed and leave the pool! By faith the man leaps and runs from the columns of Bethesda – healed! The story should be a happy ending to a depressing life but wait – there are those who were offended (sounds like today) about how Jesus did this and when Jesus did this. They missed the point that Jesus is Redeemer and Deliverer from sin and it's consequences. We will see three things for us to carry away as well – recognizing Jesus Authority – His Ability – His Affections. Come Sunday for the third miracle Jesus does to show His superiority over all Creation and the Savior of Sinners (like us!). See you Sunday – Pastor Mike

SIGNS: #2 Healing the Nobleman’s Heart - John 4:43-54

April 7, 2024 • Denis Garijo • John 4:43–54

“The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.” John 4:53 In this beautiful story presented by the apostle John, we see how a nobleman found healing not just for his ill son but also for his own heart and household. When he approached Jesus, he was a desperate man trying to save his son from death. But after his encounter with the Son of God, not only was his son healed, but the Bible says that "he and his household believed." The sign of healing performed by Jesus, his interaction with the nobleman, and the fruit of believing in this story still resonate with us today, bringing hope and strengthening our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Your prayers are deeply appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you there. Pastor Denis

SIGNS: #1 Water to Wine - John 2:1-11

March 17, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 2:1–11, John 20:30–31

“It should come as no surprise of the God who supernaturally created the universe should choose at times to supernaturally intervene in it.” John MacArthur John 20:30,31 “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” The first of the Signs of the Messiah – power over the sin cursed world! Jesus was the Creator – the maker of all that is – so He could make or alter any physical element. Taking time from the beginnings of His ministry he attends a wedding with his mother at nearby Cana. This celebration gives witness to family, faith, humanity, and the divine – so much in a simple wedding reception! Sunday I will take us through the Jewish celebration – the role of guests – the use of wine – the use of Jesus of common things to make uncommon lessons – all in a few verses. This will be the first of Seven Signs (we will take time out for Easter) as we enter into the demonstrations of the I AM – Jesus the Messiah. Just like the wedding ceremony I am asking you to invite someone to join you. See you Sunday – Pastor Mike “Miracles are the signatures of God not the subject!” BTW – there is a connection between this miracle and original creation in Eden – I hope you find it as interesting as I did – come and see!

Signs of the Messiah - Mark 2:1-12

March 10, 2024 • Mike Burt • Mark 2:1–12

The New Testament Gospels are filled with miracles and wonders done by Jesus in the first century – I sometimes wish I had been there! However, we must consider the reasons for such a flurry of divine activity – God was not merely showing off! Some might say Jesus was demonstrating His authority and abilities before men – others say Jesus was doing all this to authenticate His mission from the Father. Both are true but I do not believe represent the reason for miracles. Jesus came as the ‘lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World!’ and as such needed to validate that mission. Since we cannot visibly see sin – how do we know it is gone? God shows his victory over sin by demonstrating His control over the consequences of sin. Three main categories under the curse of sin are angelic (Satan & demons), Earthly (physical and spatial), and Living beings (illness, malformity, death). Jesus does works in all three categories while in the flesh as recorded in the Gospels. Sunday I will introduce the purpose of Jesus' miraculous works and introduce the next 7 messages as we turn our attention to the 7 Signs of John. Join me this week in Mark 2 as Jesus explains the purpose for all the rest of His miracles! See you Sunday, Pastor Mike

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The 7 Signs of Jesus - John

So That You May Believe