Equipped 2024 - Into The Word: "The Seven Signs of John's Gospel" by Neal Pollard

April 19, 2024 - Friday 2:30PM MPR 1 Speaker

Speaker: Neal Pollard

The 7 Signs of John’s Gospel

Context

Purpose statement -  There is no purpose statement more powerful than in the book of John in Jn 20: 30-31

Signs – Those things that display God’s glory

               In John they are those things that point to Jesus as the Son of God

               The sign may do one thing (like a miracle is performed) but all point to God

               Public attestations (done in front of others)

The 7 Signs

Turning water into wine

Healing the nobleman’s son

Healing the lame man

Feeding 5000

Healing the blind man

Raising Lazarus

For the final sign there are many different suggestions ---

Cleansing the temple

Speaking to Nicodemus/serpent raised

Walking on water

Mary anointing Jesus

Triumphal entry

Soldiers thrusting the spear in Jesus’ side

Crucifixion and resurrection – Neal’s choice because all other signs lead to this

Post resurrection appearances

~Signs are the Father bearing witness that Jesus is his son thru his words, actions, and works.

The 7 Signs In detail

Water into wine signifies a new order (Jn 2:1-12). The water was in jars of purification and so Jesus took something from Judaism and made it something new and different (which everyone needed something new).

Cleansing of the temple signifies a new authority (Jn 2:13-25) Establishes Jesus’s authority repeatedly.

Healing the Nobleman’s son signifies new life (Jn 4:46-54) This is the first time we see faith without the immediacy of sight.

Healing of the lame man signifies new judgement (Jn 5:1-9) Here is an indication of sin. V14 – not necessarily that it caused his ailment but that he needed to turn from sin because there are things worse than being lame)

Feeding of the 5000 signifies new sustenance (Jn 6:1-5) Bread of life Jn 6:51

Healing of the blind man signifies new sight Jn 9. Neighbors, pharisees, parents, and man born blind. The physically blind could see spiritually. The others were spiritually blind.

Raising Lazarus signifies a new resurrection

There is a steady march to Calvary with signs. Jn Ch 20:30-31  The signs were significant enough that those who were disposed to believe would.

Ultimate Sign – The Resurrection

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvq6O5ldQQo

Duration 40:06