Introduction:

1. The signs John recorded point to an inescapable conclusion concerning the nature of Jesus; He was God incarnate.

2. The various signs point to His mastery over different elements of the created order, culminating in His mastery over death itself.

3. The combined force of these signs ought to solidify our faith.

Discussion:

I. Power Over Nature (2:1-11; 6:5-14; 6:16-21)

A. Nature is quite stubborn in its adherence to the natural laws.

B. In turning water into wine, Jesus bypassed the natural process of growing, harvesting, and pressing grapes (2:1-11).

C. In feeding the 5,000 He denied the limitations of physics (6:5-14).

D. In walking on water, He overruled the law of gravity (6:16-21).

II. Power Over Disease (4:46-54; 5:1-15; 9:1-7)

A. Humanity’s best efforts cannot conquer many diseases.

B. In healing the nobleman’s son, He brought a man back from the brink of death without so much as looking at him (4:46-54).

C. In healing the lame man, He spoke into reality results that the world’s most skilled physicians could not have accomplished (5:1-15).

D. In giving sight to the man born blind, He did with a little clay and spit what we spend untold millions trying to do, to no avail (9:1-7).

III. Power Over Death (11:1-45)

A. The level of difficulty has steadily increased throughout.

B. The raising of Lazarus (and later of Jesus) proved once and for all that He is the Master over nature (Heb. 1:3).

C. This is sufficient to cast out all doubts and fears (1 Cor. 15:50-57; Heb. 2:14-15).

1. We live in a world with much pain and sorrow that can overwhelm us.

2. Jesus’ signs prove He has ultimate control over these elements.

3. If we hold faith in Him, He will conquer all our foes in due time.