I mean John chapter 2 okay starting from verse 1 and the third day there was a
marriage in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there and both Jesus
was called and his disciples to the marriage so in chapter 1 verse 43 Jesus
went into Galilee and found Philip who found Nathaniel you remember that from
last week so they've now been invited to a wedding and it made me think about
this it kind of easy he's just been invited along to this wedding I remember
going to a wedding of a friend and it was he was marrying I can't remember
what country it was it was a country in West Africa this this girl and it was
literally every day building up to the wedding there was just more people being
invited so it was like I was I stood in as a best man and I was trying to
organize and it was just like her dad was just oh I remember this person a
friend of this one they're coming this and we can't only rearrange the tables
and rearrange the tables it was just getting ridiculous and it kind of makes
you think of this a little bit they kind of turned out they're just been
invited to this wedding as well and it's probably quite quite a big wedding and
you know not a bad way of doing it I'd imagine that it wasn't sort of a sit
down sort of you know you know where everything's set and you've got places
and little you know how they do in England now little set places on there
and everyone spends thousands of pounds to have a few select people but yeah so
I think it's something like that and anyway so let's have a look from verse
three so obviously you know John 2 you know this is abuse this this passage and
we're gonna have a look at this look at this today so from verse three and when
they wanted wine the mother of Jesus saith unto him they have no wine Jesus
saith unto a woman what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come his
mother saith unto the servants whatsoever saith unto you do it and they
were set there six water pots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the
Jews containing two or three firkins apiece Jesus saith unto them fill the
water pots with water and they filled them up to the brim when he saith unto
them draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast and they bear it
when the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and you
not whence it was but the servants which through the water knew the governor of
the feast called the bridegroom saith unto him every man at the beginning
does set forth good wine and when men of world drunk then that which is worse but
thou has kept the good wine until now this beginning of miracles did Jesus in
Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory and his disciples believed on
him and there you have it according to our worldly liberal so-called Christians
Jesus first miracle was to create a massive booze up wasn't it Jesus
according to many in fact probably according to the majority of so-called
Christians Jesus first miracle was to basically organize and create just a
massive booze up yeah we're just just liters and liters of wine after they're
already well drunk just just getting stuck in you know everyone's just
getting wrecked and Jesus was I'm gonna start my ministry in style and this is
how they look at it I don't know this is what people then they try and use this
passage and but is that really what happened is that really what happened
second Timothy 2 15 you don't have Turner says study to show thyself
approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly
dividing the word of truth so if there's something that doesn't seem to add up
and this doesn't seem to add up by those standards does it God wants us to study
doesn't he God wants us to study then we won't be ashamed when we rightly divide
the word of truth will we and I'm not talking about rightly dividing so-called
dispensations multiple Gospels special chosen people I think we we spoke about
that briefly this morning in a secret half coming of Jesus where we all get
raptured at any minute and have you heard that when they try and say they
haven't rightly divided the word and apparently you've got to rightly divide
all these different dispensations and Gospels and everything else but that's
not what that's talking about is it but the mainstream view of this event
definitely doesn't add up does it a mainstream view and is the mainstream
view that Jesus turned up at the wedding and felt the need to get everyone
steaming because that's basically what they're saying aren't they and it is I
mean I'm laughing but really it's it's it's blasphemous really isn't it and
it's absolutely ridiculous um okay so some might say well well maybe it was
just Mary he was just you know getting married what's wrong with that what's
wrong with being married well should we have a look at the quick facts so let's
look at the facts that are there so verse 3 it said and when they wanted
wine the mother of Jesus saith unto him they have no wine so in case you're not
aware the word wine refers to both fermented and unfermented wine in the
Bible okay unfermented juice turn to Genesis 9 so Genesis 9 is a first use of
the word wine in the Bible and Genesis chapter 9 and this is talking about Noah
verse 21 and it just and it says and he drank of the wine and was drunken and he
was uncovered within his tent okay and we're not going to go into the whole
story there but I think everyone's probably aware of it but clearly there
that's talking about alcoholic wine isn't it clearly they drank of the wine
and was drunk okay that's pretty obvious but turn to Isaiah 65 Isaiah chapter 65
for an example of it clearly referring to unfermented juice so Isaiah 65 and
verse 8 Isaiah 6 5 8 thus saith the Lord as the new wine is found in the
cluster and one saith destroy it not for a blessing is in it so will I do for my
servant's sakes that I may not destroy them all so the this new wine is clearly
found in the cluster that's the cluster of grapes yeah okay that's clearly not
fermented now you might people might look at that go also when it's a new
wine a case a new wine well no have a look at what you and I go to chapter 16
now there it's called new wine but in Isaiah chapter 16 verse 10 Isaiah 16 10
says and gladness is taken away and joy out of the plentiful field and in the
vineyards there shall be no singing neither shall there be shouting the
treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses I have made their vintage
shouting to cease okay treading out wine in their presses you can't tread out
alcoholic wine out of a grape so clearly here it's talking about
unfermented wine again okay so why didn't they just call it juice well
basically the various Hebrew words there's more than one with the Hebrew
that the translators wine don't specify whether it's fermented or not okay so
they don't specify and it's not a real translators job to decide that for us is
it it's not a translators job to for them to decide because that's not then
a true translation is it okay it's not their job to do that it's the same with
the Greek word there's I think there's one Greek word for that and again it's
not the translators job to decide whether that's referring to fermented
or unfermented not a proper translator but you don't have to go back to the
Greek or Hebrew as we've seen because we can see in the context sometimes other
times you can't see but that doesn't mean that that there's a way of seeing
that's just the way it is in our preserved Word of God here okay so so at
this point it's not clear here it's not clear in in John 2 whether it's
fermented or unfermented wine being discussed here is it okay we don't know
yet there's no reason for us to know at this point so Jesus saith unto a woman
what have I to do with thee my now is not yet come now I don't see this is
Jesus being rude here by the way so some people look at that and go wow
Jesus really talking down to Mary there well in John 19 26 well up on the cross
and you can look there if you like he addresses her in the same way but he
says when Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciples standing by whom he
loved he saith unto his mother woman behold thy son okay so he's addressing
her as woman but this is quite a loving thing here he's asking the disciple to
basically look after his mother now I actually believe in John 2 for that he's
asking her what she would like him to do he's saying woman what have I to do
with thee because his hour is not yet come now his hour he's referring to his
his main purpose dying on the cross he says in John 8 20 these words spake
Jesus in the Treasury as he taught in the temple and no man laid hands on him
for his hour was not yet come okay it's talking about he you know his the main
purpose isn't it is him dying on the cross so there he's saying to her what
have I to do with thee I think he's saying what would you like me to do I
might be wrong there but that's what that's how I see that and then and then
verse 5 kind of makes sense because as soon as he said that his his mother's
clearly expecting him to do something because verse 5 his mother saith unto
the servants whatsoever he saith unto you do it okay so straightaway she
answers okay whatsoever he saith unto you do it so I think he's saying what
would you like me to do she says okay what so he says through it now obviously
remember that Mary knew exactly who he was from when she was visited by the
angel Gabriel so she's she knows exactly that whatever he saith do it yeah okay
now verse 6 and there was set there six water pots of stone off the manner of
the purifying of the Jews containing two or three firkins apiece but these aren't
little pots they're huge huge barrels I remember I remember when I lived at a
place once in Thailand and it was basically they had these huge huge vats
they were kind of like this sort of size up to this high just full of water
that that's how you wash yourself you basically put like a saucepan type thing
in it and you pour it over yourself and that was like a shower you know and
these are these sorts of size things there a firkin is eight gallons now
there's a bit of debate about this exactly whether it's you know there's a
there's a bit of a and the debate is over liters really at the total but
it's approximately eight gallons which is approximately around 37 liters times
two or three is between 74 and 111 liters six of those is a total of
between 444 and 666 liters number codes I just like the way that one worked out
so I went with that but okay so 404 between that so and and I think it's I
would say it's widely accepted that basically somewhere around 600 liters
total seems widely accepted 600 liters that's a lot okay 600 liters is a lot
and by the way Jesus just filled it all up to the brim didn't he there was never
there was never any suggestion maybe he couldn't do that again either could he
but he filled everything up at the time 600 liters that's huge if you think that
you know a lot of people will have maybe the one and a half liter bottles but but
a liter bottle of water 600 I mean wine bottles I think come between 75
centiliters and a liter 600 of them now I don't care if you're inviting a lot of
people that is a lot isn't it that is a lot okay so Jesus saith unto them fill
the water pots with water and they filled them up to the brim that's
obviously to the top verse 8 says and he saith unto them draw out now and bear
unto the governor of the feast and they bear it a governor of the feast is
basically like the head waiter okay he's a guy that's just he's he's in charge of
the feast it's not the person that paid for it all because we see that in the
dialogue now because when the ruler of the feast a taste of water that was made
wine and you not whence it was but the servants which drew the water knew the
governor of the feast called the bridegroom it's a bridegroom obviously
who's putting on the feast because he says we see in a second but basically he
didn't know where it come from did he the servants knew he assumed didn't he
that it was from the bridegroom okay so he's assumed it's come from him because
then we see in verse 10 and saith unto him every man at the beginning does set
forth good wine and when men have well drunk then that which is worse but thou
has kept the good wine until now now here's where those wanting to justify
drinking say see they give the good wine and then when people are hammered yeah
they can't taste the difference when it tastes like vinegar that's what they're
basically saying here okay they've given a good wine and they got them wrecked
and now it's like right now we'll get out the dirty old stuff okay but let's
not miss that he's insinuating that people had well drunk well drunk didn't
say they were well drunk he said they had well drunk which is they've already
had a good amount yeah they've already had a good amount now Jesus has just
added another 600 litres okay so they've already drunk a good amount and he's
just added 600 litres to it okay it makes no sense if it's alcohol does it
this makes absolutely no sense if it's alcoholic wine for example okay this is
how I think this looks how about we have a church wedding and we've got a few
church weddings coming up and they've got a budget for the food and drink just
say that there was a reception with a budget for the food and drink okay they
buy some really nice quality juice and when I was saying nice quality juice I
mean maybe it's literally just been pressed out by foot okay so I'm not
talking about yeah it's just the organic stuff you know that's been sitting in a
bottle for a month or whatever else and chilled and added a bit of a sorbic acid
or whatever else now I'm saying it's literally just been pressed yeah freshly
pressed out it's it's taste divine and and not only has it been freshly pressed
but in a country where it was meant to meant to grow and everything else you
know all the conditions are ripe for it they've got the best stuff off the best
line as well and say it is grape juice doesn't have to be grape juice it could
be another fruit but let's just say it's it's just perfect grape juice it is
absolutely brilliant because they said it was a good stuff didn't they okay it
costs a lot so you could imagine if the groom is putting on this wedding that
maybe he says okay look I'm gonna make sure there's enough for everyone to have
two glasses each yeah that would probably be quite fair wouldn't it let's
let's go with two glasses everyone but of course there are going to be those
aren't there who are literally just gonna knock it back yeah it's not even
gonna touch the side doesn't matter how good this juice is they just thirsty
they've seen it it's cold it's refreshing bang straight down the hatch
where's the second glass it's gone yeah okay now okay you would probably then
for those people who are now got empty glasses what John do take it away from
everyone else who's only had a little sip yeah they're just like savoring this
really nice juice is freshly pressed juice know that you probably have a bit
of the cheaper stuff then wouldn't you I can't afford it I can't afford to get
like ten glasses for those gluttons who just so you know ones who just pour it
down the throat they just want to keep putting it back so no so I'm gonna get
some of the cheaper stuff as a backup that makes sense wouldn't it they get to
enjoy the good stuff then they got the cheap stuff as a backup now especially
that would make sense in a day before mechanical presses in a day before
mechanical farming in a day when none of that stuff when it was literally hand
picked hand trodden it was hand watered and the rest of it yeah that would make
sense wouldn't it okay that's going to be a real luxury item in a day without
refrigeration as well I mean that's going to be some sort of luxury items
and fresh juice especially the best juice as well like that okay fitting for
a feast wouldn't you say luxury item fitting for a feast if you want to you
got the money you want to have a real feast that would be good now that makes
a lot more sense in Jesus Christ God in the flesh we just saw last chapter who
wrote the whole Bible verses like and you don't have to turn there Proverbs
21 wine is a mocha strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived
thereby is not wise Isaiah 5 22 war unto them that are mighty to drink wine and
men of strength to mingle strong drink deciding as his first miracle to get
everyone drunk yeah that makes a lot more sense doesn't it okay it's at it is
bizarre it's ridiculous it's it's it's crazy how anyone can look at that and
go yeah that's Jesus Christ coming to have a big old drink up and really what
they're doing they're justifying their own carnal lust that's what they're
doing they're justifying their own carnal lust to want to justify drinking
to the point where they're now making out that Jesus Christ first miracle was
to get everyone sloshed it's it but it is it is laughable but there are people
worldwide that still do so and the same Christians that do this as well but
still are trying to look at this and find a way of justifying and try finding
a way that oh well it's still true well who says that you know is it oh they're
well drunks they didn't say they were drunk but he just wanted to add a bit
more to the party now the lease they're showing how brainwashed they've been by
our alcohol obsessed society aren't they at the lease they're just showing that
they've been so brainwashed to look at that and go no way could that be juice
no way could Jesus have you know really set forth the good juice I mean what
sort of a drink is that at the lease they've just been conned by this joke
society where people spend literally some people spend thousands and
thousands of pounds on an old bottle of wine I mean give me the new bottle of
wine at least for that but thousands of pounds on on a bottle of wine that is
like decades old while they're trying to claim they can taste all these amazing
notes and tones and the rest of it in it if it was an alcoholic they wouldn't be
interested would they if it was an alcoholic they wouldn't even touch it
but what does the Bible so what does the Bible say what does the Bible say
about alcohol the Bible that doesn't contradict itself remember that every
word of God is pure yeah the Bible that doesn't contradict itself will turn to
Proverbs 31 Proverbs chapter 31
Proverbs 31 4 says it is not for kings O Lemuel it is not for kings to drink
wine nor for princes strong drink didn't say it's not for kings to to get drunk
or why not for kings to even drink wine nor for princes strong drink now you
don't have to turn there but Revelation 1 6 says and have made us kings and
priests unto God and his father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever
our men okay we have made be made kings haven't we we have been made kings and
priests unto God and his father okay verse 5 there where you are in in
Proverbs 31 says lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment
of any of the afflicted because when you drink you forget the law don't you when
you drink you forget the law especially you forget the law of God you forget the
law of God when you drink your judgment goes and the truth is anyone here that's
drunk and and many people have only been saved for several years or ever else and
we live in a culture where it's strange not to have drunk unfortunately isn't it
and anyone here will say yes when you drink you forget the law of God don't
you Wow don't you and and the law of the land as well even that silly law not all
of it but some of it but but we do you forget a lot don't you you do some crazy
stuff your judgment goes and it is it's terrible isn't it it's terrible and what
Jesus Christ just wanted everyone to just forget the law of God did he is that
what he wanted just to forget the law pervert the judgment of any of the
afflicted job just during the feast time that's all right it's a feast well turn
to Proverbs chapter 23 so you're in Proverbs chapter 23 and verse 20 Bible
says be not among wine bibbers among riotous eaters of flesh for the drunkard
and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with
rags that's a bit difficult if Jesus is the one paying for the booze isn't it
isn't that a bit difficult if if drinks are on him and we are told here we're
told here in those two verses as well as not drinking to avoid drunkards and
gluttons aren't we we're told to avoid him be not among wine bibbers among
riotous eaters of flesh and you know that could be tough but I think and I
think probably everyone here probably has family and friends unsaved maybe
saved but but specially unsaved family of friends who you could describe as
wine bibbers and riotous eats of flesh can you and what's the Bible say don't
be among them that's the truth isn't it be not among wine bibbers among riotous
eats of flesh now you could argue about whether or not that's while they're
drinking or whether or not it is at all but we need to make a stand with that
don't we we need to make a stand we're gonna see in a minute what sort of stand
we need to make okay verse 29 there in Proverbs chapter 23 the Bible says who
have woe who have sorrow who have contentions who have babbling who have
wounds without cause who have redness of eyes okay we know who it's talking
about here whoa whoa is when you've got uncontrollable grief isn't it problems
issues okay and how much whoa do you see and have you experienced around alcohol
so much a so much whoa comes from alcohol sorrow sorrow sadness how many
people have you seen balling their eyes out I'll tell you I've been to a lot of
funerals over the years and wow when the drinks flowing I mean the sorrow is
unbelievable as well it's like drown your sorrows no way you just literally
multiply it don't you and and the rest of it and the amount of problems the
amount of issues the amount of heartache heartbreak relationships wrecked ruined
because of alcohol big families ruined as well sorrow that the beatings that
the the domestic violence and the rest of it that goes on with with alcohol
who have contentions again contentions and that could be in fact that could be
out I mean how many fights that the drink fueled fights out on the streets
on on a Friday Saturday night and sadly now probably a Sunday night and now a
Thursdays I say it's a new weekend it's a new Friday and and how much do you see
that see it everywhere don't you and go to a kebab shop at midnight I mean it's
like you it's like the Wild West sometimes isn't it
honestly you're going in there and you're kind of like cycling yourself
you're late at night you want something to eat you want something hot you're like
okay I've got a 50-50 chance of ever being in a brawl you know and it's
because of the out I saw cuz you're going in there thinking I just want that
Donna you know anyone gets in my way it's because of the alcohol isn't it
because the alcohol the contentions the fights arouse who had babbling who had
babbling and well don't drunk people babble don't they talk some nonsense and
rubbish absolute rubbish and I remember years ago a lot of my friends used to
drink and I used to have long periods where I didn't because of you know when
I was training for like a competition and I'll go and meet them and go meet
I mean like you know when we're giving tickets for these things and stuff like
that and it was so bad wasn't been around these people in an evening with
them just babbling nonsense at you and wanting to you know slurring their words
talking junk and you're just trying to put up with this stuff and well what an
eye-opener when you're stone-cold sober seeing that being around people like
that who have wounds without cause people do don't know people who go and
get drunk they come back they don't even know how they got these injuries these
wounds these problems who have redness of eyes and they do it's one of the big
tell-tales isn't it when someone's been drinking the eyes are just red bloodshot
the eyes have just gone now do you want any of that does anyone want any of that
do you think Jesus just wanted them to all have that on his first for the first
miracle and yeah okay I don't think anyone here probably has been conned by
that but but regardless does anyone here want that does anyone here still think
yeah well now and again well just socially just some social woe sorrow
contentions babbling words without cause redness of eyes just just socially you
know just now and again just now and again because you know I don't think
it's a real problem because you know there's a bit of wine it's not really
that clear no who wants that and in verse 30 he tells us who gets that they
that tarry long at the wine they that go to seek mixed wine and drinkers and when
people are drunk they seek alcohol don't they that's why cheesy nasty smelling
dirty old nightclubs full of rubbish music do a thriving business after the
pub shut in this country don't they that's why because people are seeking
more alcohol that's why the the few shops in the area that still sell
alcohol late night are packed that's why the pizza places that serve beer that
still give takeaway beers whether or not it was legal or not I don't really know
those places were absolutely packed even though as they were serving up slop and
and and that's the truth because people go to seek mixed wine don't they once they
start drinking they go to seek more now what does verse 31 say look not thou
upon the wine when it is read when it giveth his color in the cup when it
moveth itself awry that's saying don't even look at fermented wine don't even
look at it so how on earth can you drink the odd glass if you're told not to look
at it and and for me the Bible so it's just so clear about this because you
don't have to go other unclear place to go oh is that talking about wine or not
I'm not sure if it's fermented or unfermented no because verse 31 says
look not thou upon the wine when it is red and when it giveth his color cut
when it moveth itself well that's fermentation okay it's moving itself
it's fermenting wine we're told not to look at it not to even get and now on
that point about be not among wine bibbers among riotous eats of flesh you
can't be around them drinking can you you can't be around a social drinker
because you're told not to look at it so if you have family and friends that
think it's okay when they invite you round to start knocking back beers and
wine okay I will only have the one well you know the posh glass of wine with the
meal or yeah I just have a beer with the barbecue the kids barbecue you know
they're having a kids party everyone bring the bring the six packs of beer
and the rest of it and that's our culture isn't it it's absolutely wicked
it's absolutely wicked we're looking after a load of kids so everyone bring a
beer or two or ten or twenty or the rest of it bring your own got invited to it
to one of an old friend's 40th birthday if I had all his old friends and on it
is bring your own bottle but bring all the kids bring the families the rest of
it I'm gonna bring bring like bring your own bottle I'm gonna be around a load of
people drinking in front of my kids my time not to even look here and that's me
I shouldn't be around it without my kids there I'm with my kids I'm just gonna
bring my kids to it to watch a load of adults get drunk oh yeah great great day
out there really fun but that sadly is is our world's entertainment isn't it
that's your average Sunday family friendly pubs is advertised isn't it
don't worry it's family friendly oh that's all right then oh as long as it's
so hard to have the kids in there come on let's go have a smash-up for the day
love you know bring the kids along it's all right it's family friendly and and
you know what that's not just what we would consider drunkards there are
people across across this country football football on a Sunday with the
family down the pub isn't it and if they're not they're probably drinking at
home and and sadly that is it but we're told not to even look at it not to look
at it so we shouldn't be around it at all I don't want to see it I don't want
to see fermented alcohol I hate it I don't want it anywhere near me I don't
want anywhere near my family for that you have to make some decisions then
with family members and you have to make that clear to them don't you and the
thing is they'll do that for someone who's a recovering alcoholic won't they
okay yeah yeah no way we'll get the non alcoholic beer and the non alcoholic
wine that still has alcohol in it you know which is like why don't you just
get the grape juice you know get some nice fruit juice what's wrong with you
you know but no we'll get well they'll do that won't they but you know what
when you tell family members they're offended when you tell them look I'm a
Christian and the Bible says not to look at alcohol so I'm happy to come around
your house but I'm afraid not if you're gonna drink alcohol we won't come to
that Wow the offense you know the the kind of you know like what you trying to
say you know it's like I said to someone recently I said look kid this is a
family I said can you just treat us as if we were like recovering alcoholic
sin because you would do that for them wouldn't you you know you'd be like yeah
no problem oh no not for the Christian how dare he because they're forget
basically because we're pointing out the sin aren't we because we're pointing out
the sin and it is a sin don't even look at it the Bible says verse 32 says at
the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder I've got a
feeling that serpent bites and an adder stings are not good things what do you
think they're not are they and they do bite and they do sting because at the
last as well it's not just at the end of the night I don't think it's talking
about there because after years of drinking wow the effects are massive
aren't they and and not not just a physical alcoholic even the people that
have just been regularly boozing for years and years and years it's so bad
for you it's so bad for you for your insides for your organs for your mind
you name it verse 33 thine eyes shall behold strange women and thine heart
shall utter perverse things men do you want to behold strange women men do you
want to behold strange women I hope not wives here and and single women you know
maybe at one day when you become wives do you want your men to behold strange
women so do you want your men to drink surely not do we want to behold strange
women I hope not do we want to drink then no I want to be around I don't want
to be around people who are doing that and then talking about it as well and
let's be honest I you know I'd have a guess here that I don't know what
percentage but I would say a good good like chunk of people that go out people
in relationships people who are married go out on the weekend and part of the
motivation is to behold strange women and to behold strange men that's a big
part of it they go out they get drunk and at the least it's beholding and
sadly at the worst it's a lot worse isn't it and it goes hand-in-hand with
it I mean sight like some of these place like a meat market aren't they it's
absolutely terrible now we don't want that do we surely we don't so why would
we want to drink why do you even want to drink why would you want to have one
glasses start to slightly behold strange women I don't know how many glass it
takes you to probably behold but but I don't know where that line is but at the
end of the day why do you want to even risk that why do you want to do that
like the sanctity of marriage why would you want to do anything like that and
basically commit adultery in your heart said Jesus but and then he says here and
thine heart shall utter perverse things that's not just your mouth yeah the
mouth utters perverse things be around people drinking they took some filth
some junk some blasphemy some just vile stuff but your heart shall utter
perverse things do you want your heart uttering perverse things no way why
would you want that why do you want your heart uttering perverse things so why on
earth do people still try and justify drinking alcohol why what is it for me
it's a no-brainer verse 34 says yea thou shalt be as he
that life down in the midst of the sea or is he that life upon the top of a
mast anyone here been seasick before anyone been seasick I have it's when
you're when you get travel sickness on a boat it's pretty bad isn't it if you
haven't been a ferry crossing on a small boat on some choppy waters and you get
and once you it hits you oh it's horrible isn't it did you know by the
way I was just looking at this could you says there should be as he that life
down in the midst of see did you know the biggest waves aren't at the beach
you'll know this so the biggest biggest waves aren't actually at the beach
they're actually internal waves in the middle of the ocean they're apparently
absolutely huge I was looking at some studies on this just briefly I try not
to get carried away with that but um but yeah they're a huge internal and
external waves in the middle of the ocean really big ones not the ones that
you see the surface on these little puny ones we're talking like huge ones under
the ocean but but not just lying down to miss the sea is he that life upon the
top of a mask and that's got to be pretty grim on the top of a mask isn't
it I mean you're feeling the full movement there that makes me sick
thinking about that personally but that's the feeling a drunk many drunk
people get when they're walking around vomiting everywhere and they're
staggering down the street at the end of a night and they're just you know
they're vomiting they can't stay upright they have to lie down the whole room
spinning and the rest of it why does anyone want to feel like that and I know
the society brainwashes us that that's just having fun and the rest of it but
not for a Christian is it clearly not for a Christian verse 35 says they have
stricken me shout they'll say and I was not sick they have beaten me and I felt
it not when shall I awake I will seek it yet again so drunkards both feel sick a
lot of the time when they're drunk but they also get sick more often too so
people that drink regularly their immune systems lower by that they get sick a
lot pretty grim fights and beatings as well there's a lot of them aren't they
they have beaten me and I felt it not and that's that happens a lot I've seen
drunk people literally getting a pasting and they seem to not even feel it but
I'll tell you what they do the morning and probably for the next week after and
a lot sadly a lot of time for a long time after because there are some
terrible things that turn out after after drunken nights and it's it's
terrible and when shall I awake I will seek it yet again and how many people
say I'm never drinking ever again you know the next morning and it can
sometimes take only a few hours a day not much longer and they're seeking it
again and and that's the truth of it isn't it and that passage in Proverbs 23
just says it all and like I said I think last time we talked about this with I
think it was in 1st Corinthians 5 for me like that's that's as far as you really
need your study needs to go doesn't it okay you can see right wine doesn't
necessarily mean alcoholic you go to Proverbs chapter 23 and it says don't
look at it okay and it tells you all the many or some of the many reasons why not
and that's case closed okay but like I said don't even look at it also means
take your stand with you with your drunken families and friends and anyone
else in your life around your kids and men we have a responsibility there don't
we don't leave it to your wives to explain it we have a responsibility as
men to explain to family friends no I'm not bringing my wife I'm not bringing my
my kids I'm not coming around myself if if you've got alcohol out in front of me
I don't want to see it I'm told not to look at it okay otherwise I can't see
you come around my house don't bring any alcohol with you and you've got to make
that clear as well people that literally think you've invited around it means
bring a bottle you know they think that you're going out for a meal when the
restaurants are a bit open again it means that right let's let's have a
drink no no if you're coming it's it's not alcohol and we have to make that
clear don't we and like I said it makes no difference whether it's sophisticated
glass of wine or not make a stand the Bible says don't look at it doesn't
matter how sophisticated that glass of wine actually is okay and apparently
some of them are very sophisticated according to the price tag and it
doesn't matter and to be honest there's no difference whether it's that glass of
wine or a can of special brew in a brown paper bag the truth is it's still the
same isn't it's alcohol yeah that's the truth okay now verse 11 it said in this
beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his
glory and his disciples believed on him and unfortunately because of the pro
drinking Brigade it's hard to look at this miracle for what it was isn't it so
it's hard to look at this miracle because you just get kind of drawn in
to try and explain it it wasn't a massive boozer now I personally think
that the wine is a picture of Jesus blood given freely to all that accept the
invite that's how I see it in Matthew 22 you don't have to turn about the parable
likens the kingdom of heaven doesn't it to a marriage made for the king's son
and at the Last Supper the cup is a picture of Jesus shed blood yeah so his
first miracle is a limitless basically a limitless amount of wine blood given to
all that come to the marriage yeah that's how I see that and unfortunately
a lot of people just not even see that because they're just either seeing
alcohol or trying to find ways that they're not seeing alcohol and forget
that his first miracle was showing that wasn't it okay verse 12 says after this
he went down to Cape to Capernaum he and his mother and his brethren and his
disciples and they continued there not many days now this is about 20 miles
away on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee for those who are interested in
that sort of things he has it so a long way but still a still a bit of a way
when you're walking isn't it 20 miles and the Jews Passover was at hand and
Jesus went up to Jerusalem okay that's a 60 mile journey and this this part of
Jesus ministry seems to only be recorded in in this gospel here okay so this
doesn't overlap with some of the other Gospels so verse 14 it says so when you
see this in other Gospels it's later in his ministry him also cut kicking people
out of the temple okay verse 14 says and found in the temple those that sold oxen
and sheep and doves and the changes of money sitting and when he had made a
scourge of small cords he drove them all out of the temple and the sheep and the
oxen and poured out the changes money and overthrew the tables and said unto
them that sold doves take these things hence make not my father's house and
house of merchandise and his disciples remembered that it was written the zeal
of thine house hath eaten me up I doubt you get this story too often in the
Sunday schools I don't know maybe you do I doubt they do or maybe in the kids
books I don't think you probably get many of those in the kids books where
it's rewritten and you know Jesus in a dress and all the rest of all that but
this isn't the only time that Jesus did this so like I said this is now separate
occasion if you turn to Matthew chapter 21 and this is the same account that's
in Luke 19 and mark 11 but Matthew chapter 21 Matthew 21 and from verse 12
we see another time Jesus did this and Jesus went into the temple of God and
cast out all them that sold and bought in a temple and overthrew the tables of
the money changers and the seats of them that sold doves and said unto them it is
written my house shall be called the house of prayer but ye have made it a
den of thieves now like I said this is a few this is actually a few years later
this is towards the end of his ministry and really that's interesting isn't it
because you can whip sin out of the church can't you he literally whipped it
out in what we've just seen in John chapter 2 but over time it will creep
its way back in won't it you can whip it out but if it's left alone it will creep
its way back in won't it and that's why some of the more common sins need
regularly preaching on don't they and they need regular it's not well I
preached that one five years ago so that'll solve it no we need to be
regularly preaching on on on the more common sins especially in things which
are starting to creep up again and here three years later it's crept back in now
if you go if you go back to John John chapter 2 there says in verse 14 and
found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves and the changes of
money sitting so you've got people in in in the temple they're selling oxen sheep
doves it says here and this is for people to offer as a burnt sacrifice
isn't it okay who are these money changers who are the money changers well
Jews are coming from far and wide aren't they to Jerusalem we would likely need
to exchange their money I think to then from their foreign money to offer in the
temple probably with the Israeli shekel or something that's I think what's going
on here now although these people all these people are all lightly making some
money aren't they the actual jobs themselves aren't sinful okay the jobs
themselves aren't sinful it's where they're doing them isn't it okay the job
itself isn't sinful selling some some livestock changing some money for a bit
of foreign exchange that's not sinful in itself it's where they're doing it now
verse 15 says and when he had made a scourge of small cords he drove them all
out of the temple and the sheep and the oxen poured out the changers money and
overthrew the tables now this is a whip Jesus drove them out with a whip so he's
literally cracking the whip you know and just driving them all out do you think
that was done gently with a smile I get a feeling that probably wasn't done
gently with a smile just coaxing them out holding the whip there come on now
come on like these kind of images of Jesus so that's pushed on us now you
might think well why wasn't he mobbed why didn't they fight back what are we
doing turning over all my money low is this guy but now I don't know about you
guys I've been around some scary people in life I've been around some people
that are pretty scary guys and it's not the size of physique that makes them
scary there's something there's a power in people sometimes isn't there there's
a power in people and I you know I I assume from the Bible that Jesus was
fairly nondescript wasn't he he was fairly nondescript I mean Isaiah 53
talks a lot you know he's got no comeliness isn't he that we should
desire him there's not you know we're not he wasn't and it like this kind of
you know golden pretty boy like again some of these images try and try and
he's just a normal guy wasn't he but I can imagine when God in the flesh is
angry when God in the flesh is angry I think you're gonna be running for that
door on yeah you might think that you're pretty tough you might think yeah I can
I could take on some people but God in the flesh is cracking the whip I'm out
of there first I'm getting past my kids get out of the way and that's the truth
isn't it because you know this is and there is like you know like I saying you
know I've seen people before that are quite scary and there's just there's an
aura isn't there and especially when someone's angry it's just an aura it
doesn't matter you know they can be the smallest guy in the in the place you
know but when they're angry and you can just see that aura and that confidence
and everything else that could be a hard thing for people to deal with can't it
you know it could be hard a lot of people have found themselves before you
know and I don't want to go it's a bit worldly this stuff but people getting
beaten up before by people that shouldn't really be able to do it but it
was just the or it was a confidence in just that that that basically attacking
them and it just people just freezing and just just being scared basically you
know and in the same way in the same way here you know this is this but not in
the same way this is God in the flesh God in the flesh angrier people are
they're not even considering why if we all resisted together they're just like
get out of there you know he's cracking the whip and he's chasing him out and
and God in the flesh was clearly angry there wasn't he because make no mistake
sin makes God angry sin makes God angry doesn't it
Psalm 711 you don't have to turn this says God judges the righteous and God is
angry with the wicked every day he's angry with the wicked every day and the
wicked should make us angry every day too don't we aspire to be like the Lord
yeah isn't he our example don't we aspire to be like him and the wicked
should make us angry and if they're not making us angry then there's a problem
there isn't there okay you again you could turn there if you like Ephesians
chapter 4 if you're a quick fire turner a few here fancy themselves here but but
if you're not don't worry Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 26 27 says be ye
angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place
to the devil there's clearly a time for anger isn't there be ye angry and sin
not there's a you can be angry without sinning can't you that can be quite hard
though can't it sometimes because when you get angry you sometimes feel like
sinning okay but we shouldn't and Jesus Christ didn't sin here did he no he had
a righteous anger they drove them out of the temple and we should we should also
have it there is a time for anger isn't there there's a time for anger he didn't
ask them politely to remove their merchandise did he he didn't say to them
come on guys if you could just you know I'm gonna give you the reasons why and
not and everything else now he drove them out with a whip he's throwing money
and tables around as well don't miss hey who was overturning the tables again he
didn't just kind of gather it all up in a neat pile and say okay just if you
get okay I'll give you five minutes to get that out now he turned over them
tables he drove them out doesn't this show you how serious God is about what
they were doing or more more more importantly where they were doing it yeah
okay verse 16 and said unto them that sold doves take these things hence make
not my father's house and house of merchandise now where we are standing is
also his father's house isn't it and I'm not talking about the building okay I
am and I'm not when we're gathered here together we are the church we're the
congregation but now we've made this place the house of God being gathered
together here and like I said it's not the building but but while we're here it
is it is the house of God I believe that's why we don't sell anything in
this church okay that's why we will never sell anything out of this church
about this building and as as a church and we the people of the church and our
future building or buildings obviously we'll never sell anything because the
Bible is clear isn't it make not my father's house and house of merchandise
but how many churches how many churches across the world and even we've saved
saved people by all accounts there sell stuff at churches from teas coffees
books candles yeah by Bibles healing prayers don't know how save those guys
are tickets for music shows bit of that all its fundraising it's all right
selling cakes well it's all right because we're fundraising for some dead
missionary somewhere he's having a party in the tropical land and apparently is
working on his first salvation which has been getting close for the last ten
years we're raising a lot of money for them we said you know and all the women
are baking fruit and everything else nearly got a salvation out in wherever
it was that guy seems every picture of him is it with a you know feet up in a
hammock okay books in the foyer now I was at a church which yeah they claim to
believe this yeah this is this is the first church I was really involved with
and this church what they did is oh no no they didn't sell anything in the
church they just sold it in the foyer outside the church so they've you know
after on a Sunday every now and again they're like ex-pastor who was you know
he was like a big deal because he wrote some you know some dodgy dodgy books
justifying the NIV and the rest of it but this this guy so he he would then
get a table outside the church to be selling his books while in it on a deal
for the church fiver you know why is that okay oh well cuz he's actually in
the actual church bit he's come outside the doors into the next bit outside no
but he's still making his house a house of merchandise isn't he okay because his
purpose for going now one of his purposes is to make money okay and
that's the problem isn't it but obviously it doesn't include any sort of
trading in the church at all does it any sort of trading at all so what if I was
here trying to build my business in the church so what if if after the service
I'm just trying to encourage people come down to the gym or come down you
know or if anyone you know wants some you know a new fence built or something
else come and talk to me I'll do you a good deal that would be that would be
merchandising in the church wouldn't it okay and that's that by this that's
wrong I'm making his father's house and house and merchandise now what if what
what in the same way does have a look have a look or don't wait I'm just gonna
quote for you Matthew 21 12 said and Jesus went into the temple of God and
cast out all them that sold and booked in the temple and overthrew the tables
of the money changers and the seats of them that sold doves so how about if I'm
coming to church looking for a bargain in someone else's business so what if
I'm trying to instead get someone at church to do me a deal to do me a deal
on whatever service it is that they offer oh could you could you do me a
deal on this would you be able to do this on a cheaper rate would you be able
to come to mine and do this or whatever it is that they're offering again I'm
making make his father's house a house of merchandise are no now obviously
there's a difference when there's stuff that needs doing at the church and
sometimes you might have to discuss something but it's not about trying to
make money for people or or get a discount or anything else but but the
truth is none of us should be coming here without motivation should we none
of us should be coming here with a motivation to try even if it's trying to
find an employee at the church or an employer or the rest of it don't talk
about it at church don't just just don't talk about it and sometimes you
might forget you might slip into it or at church for chatting about stuff you
might be chatting about your business a bit talking about work and then
something comes up but that's where hopefully it's not rude to just go let's
talk about this talk about this another day I'll give you a call yeah I'll talk
about your we meet up if it's something you want to talk about and then done
yeah don't deal with it at church and make his father's house a house of
merchandise because then we just just stick to the clear command there right
okay because God takes it seriously doesn't he God clearly takes it
seriously here I mean that's serious he's not oh I'm not sure he's taking
seriously verse 17 it said and his disciples remembered that it was written
the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up now it's from Psalm 69 you don't have to
turn there but the zeal of God's house should eat us up too shouldn't it the
zeal of God's house should eat us up and it's not just talking about merchandise
the zeal of his house now zeal is a passion and eagerness eagerness it
gives a picture of being all-encompassing and overwhelming you
and so I talked a bit about that about wanting to attend church last week
probably talked a lot about that actually her last week in the morning
but if the zeal of God's house eats us up yeah or at least we know that it
eats him up then I would say that we would treat the place where we meet with
respect wouldn't we you would say that if the zeal of his house eats us up we
should treat therefore the place where we meet with respect yeah because while
we're here it's a house of God okay now like I said yes it's the people it's a
congregation it's a church we are the church but while we're here I see this
place as a house of God now have a think about this yeah I'm pretty sure that if
we went to some stained-glass windowed high ceilinged gothic style false
church say for I don't know a wedding or something like that we probably all
treat that building with a bit of respect wouldn't we I bet we would we
shouldn't really but we would so I'm sure if we were you know it's someone
someone you know some family members wedding and you've gone along there and
you're in that you know that quiet dead you can almost smell the dead men's
bones in it can't you you know like stained-glass windows a lot of it but
you still there's something about it it would make you treat it with respect
yeah and really it's something worldly that makes you treat with respect
truthfully isn't it okay because it's not because it's a house of God because
it ain't a house of God okay and it's not even close is it in his eyes to being a
house of God I think those candlesticks were probably never there in the first
place you know let alone having melted down I mean those most of these places I
don't think they ever had the candlestick there now look I get it
with this place this building went from being somewhere that we met for soul
winning marathons and then it slowly went to Saturdays which wasn't
officially Church and then then eventually you know we went to being a
church didn't we here okay and then suddenly we became a church 14th of
February praise God that we never have to celebrate Valentine's Day again it's
church anniversary celebration or you better hope I've saved you all a few
quid there yeah so so basically that is the big day 14th of February and we just
suddenly became a church didn't we and in my mind in my mind was that once
we're in a new building because we know this place is going to be torn down okay
we know that don't we I don't think anyone is not aware that this place is
going to be torn down we know it's temporary in my mind was once we're in a
new building we'll get stricter okay we'll get stricter on some do's and
don'ts and everything else because while we're here it's a house of God when
we're in a new building it's going to be the house of God but reading this
verse convicted me that I was wrong okay reading this verse convicted me that I
was wrong because in my mind was okay well when we get to the new building
don't really matter what happens here so much we want to keep it in order but
really I was wrong about that because I think the zeal of his house should have
been eating me up and this place I think becomes a house of God when we're here
therefore how we behave here is important isn't it how we behave in this
church is important because like I said if we're invited to a nice-looking false
church I'm sure the kids wouldn't be running up and down that church would
they I bet they wouldn't I bet we'd be a bit tighter about that the blinds
wouldn't be getting literally ripped off the windows would they and I mean half
those blind would literally be ripped off the windows now again I'm not saying
anyone's necessarily doing that on purpose I hope not but I don't think it
would even be a possibility would it if we're at some nice-looking false church
as a guest there holes wouldn't be made by little fingers in chairs okay some of
the backs of these chairs and started developing bigger bigger holes okay
little fingers wouldn't be making holes in chairs and that don't why I'm not
just gonna hit on the kids the whole time kids if you're feeling a little bit
sheepish here especially those of you with a little fingers that be making
those holes kids wouldn't be walking around and eating in the church
especially in this area especially I don't think and dropping food everywhere
and and and no one's seeming to really notice or anything else I bet in a
false church you'd be picking it straight up after you wouldn't you
you'd be watching that kid what you're doing you wouldn't be letting them eat
around there I bet food we getting picked up off the high chairs the chairs
and the floor wouldn't it I don't think people do hey hey hey oh someone you
know cleaning fairy or do it doesn't matter I bet people would be keeping eye
wouldn't they that's the truth and again I'm not just picking on parents here I
think all of us all of us have probably been guilty of this the false church
probably wouldn't be left with literal rubbish on the chairs and floors at the
end of a Sunday okay I bet it wouldn't be left with literally empty bottles
just just screwed up drawn all over bulletins and the rest of that wouldn't
just be littered all over the church to be picked up at the end I don't think so
adults probably wouldn't just walk into the church kitchen make a tea or coffee
and just leave dirty cafeterias cups in the kitchen strewn around the church I
don't think that happened at a false church would it if you have a guest at
a false church and I don't think I don't think it would mugs and glasses all over
the church and the rest of it no one would just be helping themselves to just
hold bottles of the church's water milk you name it just just taking it home
just having that in the day or whatever else I don't I don't reckon that had
happened I think I can't see that happening if you're a guest in a church
and we all really we all guess it to be honest you know at the end of the day
pastor Thompson our pastor this is church now whether or not we're being
gifted this building this is a house of God isn't it we'd have some respect for
it the toilets wouldn't have literal piss sometimes all over the seats which
they do because I sometimes have to clean it the floor all over the floor
toilet tissue strewn about I wouldn't wouldn't we another place when we go in
as parents off to make sure be careful for that I know that's not always easy
kids wouldn't be putting putting literal food covered hands all over the old pipe
organ there would they you know going up to that Church of England pipe organ and
just having a little play on it and everything else in this and I've had to
clean clean the old piano especially a couple of times have to have a cover put
on it now people would try their utmost to turn up the service on time wouldn't
they I mean they're literal utmost to turn up on time and have respect for the
house of God no and look we've all been guilty of this okay and I know it's
gonna be quite a nice there's not many amen but that's the truth isn't it and
we've all we've all been guilty of this okay every single person here like I
said I think I should have been on this earlier and like and it's been hard with
that transition from that soul winning area from that area that we just met and
it was kind of like free-for-all to then going to a church and getting those
things in place and like I said we are moving to a new building but it's not
really the point is it it's not really the point the zeal of thine house of
eating me up and and I think we should have all fell and I think we should all
feel like that shouldn't we and it wouldn't matter if we were meeting in a
tin shack somewhere we should all have respect for the air we should have
respect for the place it becomes a house of God while we're in here and and I
think we should we should try but now it is hard I understand it is hard with
kids yeah and it's hard you know for me I can't keep an eye on my kids the whole
time it's over my wife with with younger kids older kids and it can be
hard and it's hard for everyone here I'm sure with kids and you want to be able
to chat and fellowship and not literally just follow them around with a wet wipe
you know because it can sometimes feel like that but the truth is I think I I
found probably positive that if we were we were at a more stately home type
church we would do and does it really change does it really matter do we want
people to come in here and okay yeah look we could paint the place and stuff
we're not going to we're out we're out soon but on top of that we don't want
the place to be extra trashed as well do we I'm sure we don't you know and and
at the same hand same time like I said it's well we're in it it's God's house
so I don't think it should be so like I said when I read that verse it made me
think about that a little bit and you know sorry to get on you guys but you
know it's all of us everyone here and I think that we should just do our best
do our best when we're in here have respect for the place but verse 18 says
then answered the Jews have said unto him what signs showest thou unto us seeing
that thou doest these things Jesus answered said unto them destroy this
temple and in three days I will raise it up then said the Jews 40 and 6 years was
this temple in building and wilt thou rear it up in three days but he spoke of the
temple of his body when therefore he's risen from the dead his disciples
remember that he said this unto them and they believed the scripture and a word
which Jesus had said hey so verse 18 then answered Jesus said unto him what
signs showest thou unto us seeing that thou doest these things turn to Matthew 12 for a
similar dialogue so Matthew chapter 12 and from verse 38 and this is later in
Jesus ministry this isn't this isn't like I said the same the same time then
certain of the scribes of the Pharisees answered saying master we would see a
sign from thee verse 39 but he answered and said unto them an evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and there shall no sign be given to
it but the sign of the Prophet Jonas so why evil and adulterous because they'd
already rejected God hadn't they they rejected God they should have believed
the scriptures and the words of God coming out of his literal mouth
shouldn't they shouldn't they have believed the word of God coming out of
his literal mouth he says here in verse 40 for his Jonas was three days and
three nights in the world's belly so shall the Son of Man be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth and that's the same sign isn't it Jesus
Christ rose from the dead the heart of the earth hell didn't he he rose from
hell the heart of the earth and this this stuff like for me the Bible makes
that clear and it's a lot this I got accused a while back I think I said this
before of at least you know it wasn't it was it was kind of that that passive
aggressive accusation just telling me that it's Catholic doctrine it's a Roman
Catholics and this was a pastor that I you know I was at the church I didn't
want to offend him I just kept my mouth shut but apparently it's Catholic
doctrine because that's what the Catholics believe that he burned in hell
I don't know if you've noticed when you're giving the gospel when you're
preaching it to the girls to the Catholics they have no problem with this
at all okay but the Catholics also believe that he was nailed to the cross
didn't they does that mean that that was Catholic doctrine I mean you can find
similarities in many false versions of Christianity and that does it now
discredit the clear doctrine from the Bible because some false false religion
believes it now for me you know we'll look at it we see it again in a second
but for me it's it's clear isn't it he paid for our sins he died and when we
talk about death when we preach death and all these people are going to preach
it aren't they the wage of sin is death that's in hell as well and it's not it's
not that it's Catholic doctrine it's it's from the Bible at least the
Catholics you know it's like like if you you know if you've got a bullseye shut
your eyes and keep running eventually you're gonna get in the Catholics got
this bit right you know they don't see them understand the rest of the Bible
but they got this bit right um John 2 19 Jesus art sent them destroy this temple
and in three days I will raise it up he said destroy this temple I will raise it
up okay and just just as a little example what we're talking about earlier
turn in Matthew 26 and verse 60 Matthew 26 60 and these are false witnesses it
says so they sought false witnesses yeah they found but found none verse 60
yea though many false witnesses came yet found they none at the last came to
false witnesses and said this fellow said I am able to destroy the temple of
God and to build it in three days so a little change here and there and a false
witness can sound a bit more convincing can't they a little change there he said
destroy this temple in three days I'll raise it up they just they change it to
I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days anyway
back to back to John 2 verse 20 says then said the Jews forty and six years
was this temple in building and wilt thou rear it up in three days but he
spake of the temple of his body and of course our bodies are now temples of the
Holy Ghost to we you know we quoted this earlier just quickly first Corinthians
6 19 says what know you not that your temple is that that your body is a
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which he have of God and you're not your
own so he's going to be talking about his body being the temple there verse
22 in John John 2 says when therefore he was risen from the dead his disciples
remembered that he had said this unto them and they believed the scripture and
the word which Jesus had said so which scripture here did they also believe I
think it's probably Psalm 16 verse 10 which says for thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to seek corruption and
that's Psalm 16 10 for thou wilt not leave my soul in hell which is expand
upon in in Acts 2 why is this so people why is it so hard for people to accept
why is it so hard for people to accept that why does it become apparently a
heresy to believe what the Bible says verse 23 and now when he was in
Jerusalem at the Passover in the feast day many believed in his name when they
saw the miracles which he did as his miracles plural so other than the water
to wine there aren't there isn't another miracle recorded at this point
now they're mentioned by Nicodemus in the next chapter and the Galileans are
aware in the following one of the miracles that he's done and signs that
he done but why are they not mentioned well the last verse of this gospel John
chapter 21 and verse 25 says and there are also many other things which Jesus
did the which if they should be written everyone I suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that should be written amen I say Jesus did
many many things didn't he and it's easy to look at the Gospels and just think
that's all he did and and and now he did many many things and even at this point
he's already doing many miracles which which aren't aren't recorded here but
verse 23 notice it said see it said here many believed in his name many believed
in his name and it's as simple as believing in his name isn't it to them
gave me power to become the sons of God even to them that believe in his name on
his name now but not many followed him today many believe but as we saw it you
know in in acts in the upper room it's like 126 I think isn't it okay not not
many at least stayed following him but many many believe in his name and this
in John is and I'll highlight this as we go through John this is one of the one
the many places where it says many people believed on his name and many
believed and many believers constantly talk about many first 24 says but Jesus
did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any
should testify of man for he knew what was in man so basically Jesus didn't
give himself or entrusts them himself to them or basically trust them okay because
he knew all men and that's the wickedness that is isn't it Jesus knew
all many didn't need someone to tell him it's saying it didn't need not that any
man should that any should testify of me didn't need someone telling that he's
God he knew what was in man didn't he he knew what was in man he knew how wicked
they were he knew the ones that would believe and wouldn't believe John 6 64
says but there are some of you that believe not for Jesus knew from the
beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him Jesus knew
Jesus knew Jesus knows Jesus knows those that believe not he knows the Judases
and and whether saved or not and Judas are not here because he's talking you
know overseas saying he didn't trust these people we're all still sinners so
whether they are or not we're all sinners aren't we and being Church being
a churchgoing Christian doesn't suddenly make everyone trustworthy okay and that's
something we need to remember okay just pick and again I'm not saying right
don't trust anyone in the church in a way don't 100% trust anyone know because
we're all sinners we're all people we all will always let people down won't
we we will in one way or another okay and I'm not saying everyone here is just
dishonest and trying to get one over on each other but just because we go to
church just because we're saved just because we want to live for God it
doesn't suddenly make us he's perfect people does it doesn't suddenly make us
people that can't do a thing wrong and we need to be aware of that we need to
be aware that now look and that's in many ways that includes and again I'm
not trying to you know I did talk about this a couple of weeks ago that means
you know with our kids we want to be careful with with many things with you
know if we've sensitive parts of our lives and other things you know it's oh
well oh they're another Christian let's just start you know divulging
everything and and you know entrusting them to look after me my children well I
met them a couple of weeks ago they go to church you know and that happens at
churches but that happens in pretty much every church creche and Sunday school
across this country doesn't it that you literally turned up at church now drop
your kids off big oh well it's a Christian oh well that's the right then
isn't it oh you know what I can be teaching them anything wrong couldn't be
anything else untoward or or any other problems there you know I'm gonna get
angry with your kid and give him a slap or anything you know you don't know do
you you don't know and Jesus knew though and Jesus knows isn't he he knows what's
in us he knows but regardless of that we should still love each other shouldn't
we so yeah we shouldn't be here just suspecting everyone that's probably that
one's probably would give my child a slap if they had a chance and that one's
probably a weirdo and now I know we shouldn't be like that should we we
should love each other we should all love each other but like I say but we
don't need to then elevate ourselves up with somehow these superior people
because I bet people from the world you wouldn't necessarily trust how you do
your brothers and sisters in Christ here and and we're not we're no better than
these people yeah we're trying to live for God but we get it wrong a lot don't
we but the least hopefully no one here still thinks that the Bible advocates
drinking or buying and selling in the church yeah and at the least hopefully
we've got some people here that aren't gonna be drunkards like the rest of the
world sadly or at least this country on that let's pray father I thank you for
your word thank you for that chapter which which just helps us to gives us a
prompt to look again at this doctrine which is important in a country like
this a country which which where alcohol is just on on every turn and seems to be
in almost every household sadly a country where it's so push and promoted
on us to the point where it starts distorting our view of the Bible because
we want to see it through the world's eyes help us to just see clearly help if
anyone here has trouble with that as a problem with that part of their life
help them to be convicted by this give them the strength that they need please
Lord to get to get that get get get that wicked wicked invention alcohol out of
out of their lives out of all all of our lives so we don't have to look at it
help us to just be convicted about the buying and selling help us not to slip
back into those ways where we start talking business or anything else at
church and help us to take you the house the house of God seriously and what we
meet here it's a house of God help us to respect it help us all to take that
seriously not just here but also when we when we move to our new building as well
and help us now with our week going forward please bless our week please
just just be with us all guide us safely home and and back here tomorrow in
Jesus name we saw you next week and in Jesus name we pray Amen