John Chapter 2:1-10

Worse was to be filled with joy.

Now that mean we would walk around laughing all that pleasant but not about the happiness depends on what happens Joy is given, and even my stuff is going on that joy joy unspeakable peace that passes all understanding. Yes I fear for the Lord.

Yes, a reverence for his holy work just a reason for joy. Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina, were glad to have one of the McGee's associate pastors DA Brown here with us as Pastor David continues through the book of John Bob when you take a step of faith and follow Jesus and what is asked and you see the results when he shows you the results. Sometimes it always is when he shows he is its Duper side but DA as we learn about last week.

Sometimes we are not sure what the Lord is doing in our lives. And sometimes there is not always the joy feeling going through our hearts and minds is work stepping in the face. Bob we can stick with what he's told us to stay true to what is spoken to you through the word teaching to another brother or sister in Christ to stick to the plan what to school, so let's listen as David McGee continues teaching through the Gospel of John chapter 2 John chapter 2 verse one and on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there.

Both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, they have no one. Jesus said to her, woman, what does your concern have to do with me, my hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants, whatever he says to you, do it now.

There were set their six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews containing 20 or 30 gallons a piece.

And Jesus said to them, fill the water pots with water and they filled them up to the brim and what these were his usual pots for purification as it says in and they would take this water.

They believe that you were contaminated through various things that you did during the day and or special water that was set aside that you would purify yourself with and also what they would do because gnats were unclean animals unclean arms they would strain the Napa because they didn't want to get a nap on their hand. So when Jesus said you strain it and that you swallow a camel. That's what he was referring to. But you know it's cool here again we see Jesus using what they had. He didn't say go out and get some pots.

They are have talked see how often we think will have this Jesus could use me. Jesus wants to use you just right now just as you are.

He's going to change her but he wants to use you right now is what you have seen, as long as you're thinking will I get that do this than I can help Jesus not enough.

Jesus wants to use you right now, right where you are. The Lord uses what is on hand for America in the pot. The parts there's something here guys because we refer to as pots and a lot of different places Jeremiah chapter 18 verse six it says the Lord look as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand. Isaiah chapter 64 verse eight says, but now Lord, you are our father.

We are the clay and you are potter and all we are the work of your hand. Romans 920 says, but indeed all men, who are you to reply against God, will the thing formed say to him informed why have you made me like this does not the potter have power over the clay from the same law to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor were the clay is the potter have not made clay pots or anything, but I don't think when the potter sitting there with the clay making something that the clay looks at him and goes laying Nick Faria one of the power to be bowl.

I don't think the clay says that to the potter. Guess what guys were the clay is the potter.

Often we we look at Samantha go. I wish I was like that. I wish I was like this, which is CMI see her. Boy I wish I had that gift. I wish I could do is give you special and unique gifts and when you look at some males going. I wish I wish I wish you say into the potter. I wish you made me different. See, we have to be able to trust God with what he's doing in our lives and allow him to have his way with us. We need that were desperate for it to be honest there's more here because see we see there's mentioned a number now you know I jokingly say that you know if you've been here while you're no longer a normal, well-adjusted Christian because you read the Scriptures are six water pots.

What's up with six there's something there were told six month why we told sexpot you ask yourself why is that in there because six is what it's the number that represents me were told in the book of Revelation 1318. These parts represent man masking a question what is water in the Scripture swear to God school. This is getting interesting.

The pots represent man or mankind and water in the Scripture is the word of God and don't miss this who who filled the water pots, servants, this is what's must be happening today. The people of God are to be filled with the word of God by the servants of God. This is what's must be happening. The servants of God especially taken the word of God and pouring it into the people of God, and friend.

When that gets messed up. The world gets messed up. The society gets messed up.

The church gets messed up. This is what happens here you guys get filled with the word of God. Sometimes you get like 15 minutes or 20 minutes into it. You put your little not only more if you're here for the first time this morning. You're sitting there going.

He is gone the way over 15 minutes. What is up with this? I believe the word of God prepares you and equips you to deal with life and handle life are you telling me that 15 minutes a week is enough to equip you to do that now. It would make my job a lot easier. But I don't think that's my job.

My job is to take some time and pour into you guys because you got so much stuff coming at you you so much stuff going on that you need to be poured into thoroughly. I can't understand how a church that spends so little time proclaiming the word of God. 15 minutes a week is really preparing the people for anything. There's a saying sermon that's for Christian nets in the be a deeper Christian. You've got to get into the word and understanding gets filled with the word of God, but he servants didn't do the miracles, but they were used.

To see the miracles happen.

We don't do the miracles.

Here we see the Lord doing the miraculous verse eight and he said to them, draw some out now and take it to the master of the feast, and they took when the master of the feast taste the wine, the water that was made wanted did not know where it came from but the servants who had drawn the water knew the master the feast called the bridegroom. This is a miracle or an occasion of joy.

Now one of the servant had not done what Jesus told her not doing weights that we need one water but they did what he said and noticed Jesus didn't give them all the details into income against this will run one Phillips water pots and then as you fill them up. As you take him out a minute to change it wants to be really cool and this can be awesome. So just go with me and it's all going to be rewritten downstream in John chapter 2 for future reference. He didn't tell them that he just told him what to do do this because that's the way it works in ministry. That's is due this receptor go don't have enough details to Mrs. Mrs. any changes you listen, he changes what's in the pot on the inside and change outside something like that differ inside changed drastically. This is a thing of joy joy joy joy understands okay to be happy as a Christian it's even what you should be you should be filled with joy. Some of your been brought up in churches, and then insert your truck your minds trying to wrap around what I just said it just can't. That's not right. Pete said we should be joyful and happy at.this was a church quick smile. Don't tell me you're happy to see me put your hands down were supposed to be filled with joy as Christians. When these guys got back.

Something about dozen water.

They didn't get baptized in vinegar is what happens when you go out the witness. I got caught. No thanks, I'm really were supposed to be filled with joy. That doesn't mean we we walk around laughing all.when something but not about see happiness depends on what happens. Joy is given by the even more stuff is going on that joy that there's a lot of definition for joy unspeakable filled with joy, the peace that passes all understanding. You can understand it's not the piece passes all understanding these things, you can walk yes I fear for the Lord.

Yes, a reverence for his holy work, but just a reason for joy. Life lesson number two Christianity our relationship Lord is something that should cause great joy in our life.

If you don't have that joy and love. May I suggest this morning.

Something might not be right.

Maybe foster focused. Maybe you somehow got something else that's in the way but that joy can be restored over and over Scriptures talk about this Nehemiah 810 then he said to them, go your way, eat the fat thing to sweeten some portions of those for whom nothing is prepared for this day is holy to our Lord.

Do not, sorry for the joy of the Lord is your strength. See if I'm your enemy, and I know the joy of the Lord is your strength on the be after that joy.

That's what the enemy does becomes after our joy. Psalm 21 one. These are just a few references guys maybe want to jot them down. The King shall have joy in your strength. So Lord in your salvation help greatly. Shall he rejoice 5112 restore to me the joy of your salvation uphold me by your generous spirit. Isaiah 1230 therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation, the love that verse.

Psalm 132 16.

I will also close the priest was salvation in their saints, shall, shall allow for joy. Her saying shall shout aloud for joy is complicated, submissive to get her saying shall shout aloud for joy.

What we just do that right now. Can you just say hallelujah it loudly right now right here hallelujah praise God it's okay, don't get freaked out if you're new here it says that it's okay to do it here thing to be happy will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now is a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob want to take a minute to pray for listeners in the cities in California have Joshua tree Lake Isabella Lakehead Las Cruces Laurel Lompoc in the San Jose area God, we thank you for the cities. We pray for the leaders in the cities that you will give them wisdom and discernment.

We pray that people would be following you, with all their heart all their soul and all the strength they be sharing with others the hope that they found in you.

We pray that many would accept that offer of hope and eternal salvation, and that they would get plugged in Bible teaching churches. They will begin to grow in their relationship with you and be a blessing to other people. In Jesus name, amen, amen.

Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse nine, when the master the FISA taste the water that was made wanted did not know where it came from but the servants are drawn the water knew the master the feast called rocker what interesting miracle ring. One commentary I read some of those clips and the water saw the creator and it blushed that Conoco and look who knew that Jesus had done a miracle servants by else was aware how often that is in life that the servants of God are aware of the miracles of God, week in, week out in serving the Lord here, the team leaders and staff members. We could see miracle after miracle after miracle after miracle change lives is an amazing thing you want to see stuff begin to serve God. I promise you it's not a unit. Show me and then I'll believe note, you believe, and then he'll show you so way that works, and so these servants know why, because Jesus did a quiet miracle that's often the way that it works.

He does quite miracles. God wants to turn your water in the one he does most changes you want to change what's on the inside. Isaiah 61, three says to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes to all of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planning of the Lord that he may be glorified in that awesome beauty for ashes joy for mourning praise for heaviness. Maybe some these words describe you this morning. Look at what God wants to give you all.

He longs to give you these things verse 10 and he said to them, every man at the beginning sets up the good wine and when the guest of well drunk than the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now you know what that's a spiritual I believe that the spiritual concept that God always saves the best for last. Remember that write it down even God always saves the best for last. We think that in this life we got a good man. This is not this is nothing we are practicing for what I call the big cake heavens and be self. Remember the best, and last, and God what God puts forth is always the best man can't improve on what God has put forth how arrogant some of these authors are in writing these books were going to do is really take the gospel written improve on it. What do you improve on the gospel or to change it a little bit so the new postmodern Christianity had and the guy was saying it in and the title of the sermon was why Christianity has to change so it doesn't die.

It would've been on Sunday morning, I might've gone over skews me something has to change or die.

It's not Christianity can't save the best for last.

And when God does something God does it well. Galatians chapter 3 verse six is are you so foolish, having begun in the spirit now made made perfect by the flesh. Now God is God is at work in your life is not like you got saved and now it's all up to you. God is doing work in your life. God desires to do that work in your life. It's amazing to think that we can do it now may hit something for close. I've heard people say well in regards to their drinking. Well, you know, Jesus turned water in the long so obviously it's okay. There's a couple problems with. And I love the story, there is a God who is an alcoholic who got saved and quit drinking. He was talking to one of his buddies and his buddy was trying to getting the drink and his buddy said, will you know. After all, Jesus turned water into wine. Don't you believe that the gusset yet in my case he's turned wine and the furniture close for the kids and food for the family is an amazing thing.

But you can't use this Scripture as a way for you to be okay with drinking answer really really weak argument three verses first Corinthians 8 nonsense, but beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. First Corinthians 1023. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but not all things at a far distant 31 therefore, whether you eat or drink whatever you do, do all to the glory of God is a well you know Jesus as my example and he made modern wanting drink one.

Well I'm letting them get into the un-fortified beverage that he was drinking, but let me if Jesus is your example this great screen.

Let's go with that Luke 2218.

Jesus is for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes serve Jesus as your example according this Scripture Luke Jesus is teetotaler now, so let's go that will maybe that's maybe you're still sitting along the way to what I have I have drink in my life. I drink my share and a few other people's and everybody starts out thinking I'm handling just one beer just one glass along nobody starts out saying you know what honey I'm to go to the grocery store and get a bottle on because you know what I really want to become an alcoholic song to go get a bottle wine on the start now my way on that path and he says that the search wondering when you get carried away and got as a pastor seen so much damage from alcohol that I don't understand why somebody would want to place themselves at such risk, because I think the fact of sin you can handle it places you in a place where you are in danger will be Jesus, but Jesus, but Jesus turned water no okay I say what if you go home and you take a picture water and you turn it in the want go hit Ray's got I've got guess at the scripturally consistent when it but if you don't do that. I would suggest that you don't do that. Proverbs 31 foreign foxes is not for kings only meal is not for kings to drink wine nor princes for intoxicating drink, lest they drink, and forget the long pervert the justice of all the afflicted. It's obvious that drinking affects sure decision-making ability. If you've ever been intoxicated, cute, cute. You will question that furthers me come alone. If you've ever drink to the point that you're drunk. You've done some that was really not intelligent… Done those things you know and and hurt myself and hurt others, and it usually starts out with their watches and it doesn't end well. It impairs your decision making ability will back to the clay pots because there's more here. What's interesting in verse seven it says they filled them up to the brim.

I like that film halfway filled them to the brim. And you remember with the Elisha and second Kings chapter 4 verse three forces. Then he said go bar vessels from everywhere from all your neighbors empty vessels do not gather just a few. And when you've come and you shall shut the door behind you and your sons then pour into all those vessels set aside the full ones.

What happens when they fill the spots up to the brim.

Those things became a blessing to everybody around to the brim.

Clay pots because are so much here to understand the Potter form the clay and then wanted to do. He took it and put it in the heat of the oven to finish it and that's what happens in our lives sometimes goes to heated things and then tough things in and we pray for these things and then we get a minimum where I got get me out of here, will you take a clay pot out of the oven in the middle of its bacon your eyes. You can start the whole thing all over again. Then you gotta take the clay pot. You actually have to hammer it down into powder re-wet it reformats and it put it back to the process and sometimes as believers to understand.

We don't learn from the trial they were in, and then so we asked ourselves to repeat as we get out in the middle of it. When God want us to go through it and we leak as clay pots. We have to be filled out constantly can't go well, you know, I was filled up four years ago. Praise God will brother you need a fresh filling sister. You need to be filled again, especially if you been for now. The amazing thing is you the biggest obstacle to Springfield yourself Sprott say no okay I don't need to be filled and you get ripped off and left her. But if you're honest this morning so you know what I've been feeling empty. It's been a while since I've asked the Lord to fill me and I may be filled a little bit but you know it when you start talking about to the brim.

I'm not filled to the brim. You can be is the heart of the Lord to fill you to the brim. This morning, and he's just waiting on you to ask. Maybe you're an empty pot you've never been filled it all you've never asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, maybe you thought it's about your goodness and what you can do for the Lord in the way that you do what's right, not do what's wrong. Reality is, is your best is not good. Jesus died on the cross to forgive you of your sins. And that's where it starts for you say Lord I turned for my sins not turn to you and ask that you would help me know and I'm not.

It's not that I'm gonna be perfect for the rest of my life but I ask you to forgive me and help me to live for you but maybe you already know that.

But you knew so Jesus wants to fill you with joy. He wants to fill you to the brim told us he came that we might have life that joy that life weight. If you're willing to humble yourself and say you know I need I need to be so been feeling drive and feeling empty and so I come filled to the brim friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. God want you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous.

So congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you.

You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and a thought to meditate on throughout your day.

From the heart of David McGee.

That sounds good Pastor day and again.

It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com. If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday.

Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night at 7 PM Eastern time. This visit, cross the bridge.com and click on our lifestream link. There you will experience a live service from David's home church. The bridge in North Carolina again. That website is cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the Gospel of John