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Book of Signs 021 Introduction: Seven Signs + One

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Book of Signs 021 Introduction: Seven Signs + One Notes Book of Signs 021 Introduction: Seven Signs + One Why did John write this book? John 20:31 (The Amplified Bible): “But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God , and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting in and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name (that is, through what He is)” A. The Gospel of John is the Gospel of Belief. The Apostle John wrote the Book of John so that his readers would believe (which would lead them to… eternal life). B. The Gospel of John is a Book of Love and Power. John’s writing John fully understood the power of the “writtenwas anointed word,” to was a reflection of the “Living Word.” Hebrewspour belief 4:12 into says that the Word of God is alive and fullus. of He power, guides us active, operative, energizing and effective. Its power is tointo penetrate the attributes of the deepest parts of our natures - our hearts Christ and we see these in the C. The Gospel of John is a Book of Guidance. context of our Jesus said (John 14:6 ), “I am the way, the truth, and the“beliefs.” life.” His written word gives us the means to discover that way. (7+1 “I AM”s) D. The Gospel of John is a Book of Relationship with God. It shows us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Person with whom you can walk and model your life after for all of your eternal life! There is a major emphasis in Power Words from the Apostle John’s Vocabulary John on Jesus’ 1. “Believe” The The Verb actions. His actions John never uses the word “faith.” The emphasis is on “believe .” introduce what (Antithesis (opposite) -- “I will not believe ...” ‘Thomas’) Jesus has to say 2. “Life” about himself. What Jesus does John emphasizes the contrast of life to death . Life comes from and what He believing! John 3:18 says enrages His 3. “Sign” (miracles, wonders, works and signs) enemies - all part of the plan of Jesus’ signs always had a purpose: that people would believe. God! There are at least seven important signs in John’s Gospel. 1. The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Bob Abramson Notes Miracle Significance Ref. 1. Water to wine Context of John 2:11 (what is it?) 2:1-11 2. Healing the official’s son Context of John 4:48 (“believe”) 4:46-54 3. Healing the man at the pool of 1. Compassion 5:1-18 2. Challenged the religious Bethesda spirits in Jewish culture - see Verse 16 with Sabbath healing and then: references to the “Son” 4. Feeding 5000 (In all four Gospels) John 6:26-27; 30-35 6:5-14 5. Walking on water A demonstration of who Jesus 6:16-21 Mastery over His creation and the ability to is in the midst of a storm, control and make of no consequence natural leading to the challenge to have law - faith and not fear A demonstration of His deity 6. Restoring sight to a blind man Jesus validated His Word with 9:1-7 signs following - Only God could do what He did and everyone saw it. The challenge was to believe. 7. Lazarus raised from the dead John 11:25-26 - “Do you believe 11:1-45 this?” In John’s Gospel, Jesus spoke the words “I AM” 7+1 different ways for eight different reasons. Jesus’ words Significance Ref. 1. I AM the Bread of Life 6:35 2. I AM the Light of the World 8:12, 9,5 3. I AM the Door 10:9 4. I AM the Good Shepherd 10:11 5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life 11:25 6. I AM the Way, the Truth and the 14:6 Life 7. I AM the Vine 15:5 8. I AM Exodus 3:14 8:58 “I AM WHO I AM” What did God say to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:13- 14)? Why did the Pharisees want to kill Jesus? 2. The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Bob Abramson Notes Can you see how interconnected the seven signs are to the 7+1 I AM’s? All of it wove a tapestry of testimony to the deity of Jesus. Now, let’s continue with two additional power words. 4. “Truth” Jesus described Himself as “the truth” (John 14:6). He became the highest revelation of God, because He came as God. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” describes “The “Incarnation.” John’s Gospel is a Gospel of absolute moral truth. John’s ‘vocabulary includes such words as “verily, verily,” which means “truly, truly.” 5. “Knowing” or “Know” John illustrates that Jesus expected men and women to know and understand the facts and then to act on them. The idea is not just to acquire knowledge, but also to possess within yourself its meaning for your life, so it transforms your thinking and actions. In the next lesson, we will learn about two more power words, “witness” and the concept of “Father.” 3. The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Bob Abramson .
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