John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11

“Chosen To Be The Best”

(Part 3 of Hopewell series on “Who Are We?”)

January 14, 2007

For the month of January and part of February we are focusing on different aspects of 2 questions that are important for us as individual Christians – and as a Church.

The first is:

Who are we?

Who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

Who are we?

And the second being:

What are we supposed to be doing?

What are we supposed to be doing as Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?

Who are we?

What are we supposed to be doing?

Who are we as individual Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?

Remember that I noted 2 weeks ago that we could . attempt to answer the question of who we are as a Church by giving our names – maybe some physical characteristics – maybe talking about who the members of this Church family are – but that would not really answer the question –

who are we?

I also noted that we could try to answer the question of what we are supposed to be doing as a Church by getting everyone together and opening the floor for discussion – each person saying what they feel the Church should be doing.

Each of us saying:

“Well I think we should be doing …”

and each filling in the blank with our opinion.

But that would not really answer the question – what are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians and as a Church?

I related a story two weeks ago that Rick Warren – the author of The Purpose Driven Life – tells about being lost traveling in the mountains. He was on a back road and could not figure out how to get to where he wanted to go. Finally he saw a store and pulled in to ask directions.

“O – you can’t get there from here” was the response he got

“You have to start at the other side of the mountain.”

Warren goes on to say that if we are looking to find our meaning and purpose in life within ourselves – - we’ll never really find it.

We’ve started at the wrong place.

We have to start – not within ourselves – but with God.

Trying to decide who we are as individual Christians and as a Church by looking at who we feel we are and what we feel we should be doing is beginning at the wrong starring point.

We have to start – not with ourselves – or our opinions – but with God.

What does God think of us?

What does God call us to be – as individuals and as a Church?

To really find answers to these questions we have to look to God – to God’s word – and see what God’s idea is.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

We’re using this passage as a “springboard” — so to speak — to look at various aspects of who we are as God’s people – and how we can be the Christians – the people – and the Church God has called us to be.

We’ve discovered that 1 Peter 2:9 gives us an answer to the questions:

Who are we?

and

What are we supposed to be doing?

We condensed the answer Peter provides for us into 2 statements:

We are the glorious people of God –

Peter says we are chosen, royal, and holy —

We are chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

We are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

That’s who we are – and what we are to be doing.

But – what does that mean?

That’s what we’re considering for the months of January and part of the month of February. We’re looking at different aspects of what it might mean that we are the glorious people of God – different aspects of what it might mean that we are chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Two weeks ago we looked at the first chapter of John and saw that it meant that we are chosen to walk in the light of God – the light of Christ – instead of the darkness of sin.

That’s the first step.

Last week we took it a step further as we looked at the Baptism of Jesus as Luke records it – and saw that another thing that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – means is that we are chosen for ministry.

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Chosen for ministry

Two things that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — can mean for us.

Today we’re going to look at the first miracle John records that Jesus performed – and see how we are chosen to be the best.

Chosen to the best.

Listen to God’s word from John 2:1-11:

Read Passage

I don’t know about you – but I love weddings.

I find them to be such festive — joyous occasions.

Times to celebrate the love God places within each of us — times to think about God’s gracious gift of each other to us — times to be happy and celebrate God’s love as we experience it in one another.

Indeed — weddings are festive — joyous occasions.

Times to celebrate life.

Times to celebrate love.

However, I think we can all agree that there are times weddings can also be frustrating and even stress-producing.

I can give you an example of some stress involved around my oldest sister’s wedding. You might guess it had something to do with her younger brother – the baby in the family – the brat –

That’s right – yours truly

I played the drums when I was growing up. In high school I even played in a “band” – not an organized school band – but a very disorganized “rock band”. We thought we were pretty good. Unfortunately no one shared that opinion. We never made any money.

But I did make money playing the drums one day.

And it had to do with a wedding my oldest sisters wedding.

The day my oldest sister Olivia got married everyone was nervous – but me. I went about my normal routine. I was 8 at the time – so I had not joined the “band” yet – but what I would do was go into my room – close the door – put the album of my favorite rock band on the stereo – this was 1963 so it was probably The Beatles, The Monkees or maybe the Rolling Stones – turn the volume up as high as it would go – and pound on my drums – I had a professional Ludwig set by that time – for hours at a time.

That Saturday – to me — was not any different from any other.

Yea – Olivia was getting married that night – but why ruin a perfectly good day just because there was going to be a wedding that night?

I was intent on my normal routine during the day.

Well – as I said – everyone else was nervous.

Particularly Mom.

Finally about noon Dad came in the room – everyone knew it was useless to knock on my door because I would not hear them – and he turned down the stereo. The quiet got my attention. Dad looked at me – gave me some money – and said:

“Bill – take this money — go up to the store – and buy yourself something – anything – but don’t get on the drum set any more today! I don’t think your Mom can take much more of it!”

So I took the money – got on my bike – and had a great time.

I had been paid – but to quit playing the drums – not for playing them!

But Mom – my sister – and the whole family got to enjoy some peace and quiet before the “big event”.

Weddings can be stress producing.

It’s usually not the “bratty little brother” – but there are so many things that can make everyone nervous.

Everyone wants everything to be “just right.”

And Murphy’s Law –

“If something can go wrong, it will!”

becomes a factor many times.

Just when everything needs to be going right — everything begins to go very wrong.

It seems it’s been that way for a long, long time.

At least that’s the case in our Scripture lesson for today.

Jesus — Mary — the Disciples — and of course many others are at a wedding. Weddings in Palestine in Jesus’ time were big — ceremonial — celebrative events. Following the ceremony was a large meal that lasted several days.

Lots of food

Lots of wine.

A big party.

The biggest party the family would ever have.

Everything seems to going along handsomely at this particular wedding until the wine gives out.

This was not just a problem for this particular celebration — but the family’s reputation and social status was at stake. A failed wedding party doomed a family’s reputation for generations to come. That’s just how important these events were.

And in the midst of this lavish celebration, the wine gives out.

No way to just go to the corner store and buy some more — there were no corner stores in Cana.

No way for someone to replenish from their private stock — no one had even close to the amount needed.

The biggest — most important party the family would ever have — the party that would help decide the family’s reputation for years to come — and the wine gives out.

The party comes to a grinding halt.

Murphy’s Law strikes again.

You can almost feel the tension.

What will they do?

Mary approaches Jesus and tells Him about the situation.

But Jesus responds —

“What concern is that for you and me?”

But then — just when it seems Jesus will not to anything –

He does something miraculous — marvelous — and wonderful.

He tells the servants to fill six stone jars sitting nearby with water.

They do.

They fill each to the brim — pouring up 120 – 180 gallons of water.

Jesus then tells them to take some to the steward.

They do.

But — it is no longer water –

It is wine.

Wine!

And not just the cheap stuff — but better than before — the best wine the steward had ever tasted.

Wine!

Strike up the band — the party is not over — it has just begun!

And some understand what has happened — and believe in Christ.

For them — indeed – the party has just begun.

Many see this as a strange story – they find it hard to understand.

They look at Jesus’ reply to Mary and say:

“He’s right.

What concern was it to Jesus that there is no wine?”

Weren’t there more important things for Jesus to be doing?

Weren’t there any sick or lame or blind to be healed?

Weren’t there any to talk to and explain God’s will for life to?

Shouldn’t Jesus have been more concerned with God’s will for justice and healing and peace than with a party with no wine?

But — all of these questions fail to address the real point of this

story.

What we should ask ourselves is:

“What does this story tell me about Jesus?”

What does this story tell us about Jesus?

What should we see about Jesus as we look at this story?

What do we learn about Jesus as we look at this lesson?

Do we learn that He wants all our parties to be a success?

Of course not!

What we see here is that Jesus can change us just as He changed the water.

What we see here is that – as Christians – we are people who are chosen to be the best – for God’s glory.

What we see here is that – as a Church – we are people who are chosen to be the best – for God’s glory.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

One thing that being the glorious people of God — chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – means is that we are chosen to be the best!

We are people who are chosen by God – for a purpose – that purpose being that we are to be the best people – the best Church – we can be. Being second best – or second rate – won’t do.

We are chosen by God to be the best.

You see – Jesus changing the water into wine was much more than a miracle to help those good folks enjoy their party – or even save their reputation.

Jesus took the water – and He changed it.

But He did so much more than just changing the chemical composition of that liquid.

He took it and changed it so it could meet His purposes – so it would do His will – so it would glorify Him.

It was chosen by Jesus –

It was changed for Jesus – to do His will – to meet His purposes for it – to glorify Him.

Chosen by Jesus

Changed for Jesus

The master of the banquet said the wine brought to him was “the best”.

He says:

“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

It was the best he had ever tasted! It was not the cheaper stuff most people used at the end of a party when nobody cared anymore what they were drinking – it was the best!

The NIV translates Greek word kalos “choice” in one place and “best” in the other — the word can also be translated beautiful, handsome, and excellent. However you translate it, it’s used to describe something that is the very best it can be – the best.

One thing that being the glorious people of God — chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – means is that we are chosen to be the best!

Chosen to be the best!

We are people who are chosen by God – for a purpose – that purpose being that we are to be the best people – the best Church – we can be. Being second best – or second rate – won’t do.

Friends – that water so long ago was not the only thing chosen by Jesus – that water was not the only thing that became the best after and encounter with Christ.

Every time Jesus touched a life – that person was chosen by Jesus – to be the very best they could be – for God’s glory.

Even now – every time God touches a person – that person is changed – chosen by God – to be the very best person they can be.

Chosen to be the best.

Chosen to be the best.

Chosen by God to be used for His purposes – to be used for His will – to show His glory – to do His work and will in the world.

If we truly want to be the Christians God is calling us to be –

If we truly want to be the Church God wills for us to be – then we have to understand that we are people – we are a Church – God has chosen to be the best.

Chosen to be the best.

Chosen to be the best.

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

What does it mean that we are the glorious people of God — chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

It means that

We are people who are chosen to walk in the light of Christ.

It means that

We are people who are chosen to for ministry.

It means that

We are people who are chosen to be the best.

We are people who are chosen to be the best.

Once God touches our lives, we are can no longer be the same. We no longer can just live any way we please. We no longer can just do whatever we please. We are now – as Peter puts it –

a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,

chosen by God

to be a holy people

Indeed – no longer people who can do whatever they choose – but who are chosen – holy – in the Greek hagios – set apart – different

God has chosen us so we can be set apart – different – the best.

But – God does not do this just so we will be – different – and holy – the best — but so we will serve Him – glorify Him — and fulfill His purpose in the world.

So – indeed – we are

Chosen to be the best

Chosen to be the best

Jesus changed the water into wine so it would fulfill His purpose for it – so it would do His will.

It was chosen by Jesus – for Jesus’ purposes.

It’s the same with us.

The water brought glory to Christ as it was changed into wine – and served God’s purposes.

As God chooses us, we can be people who say

We are chosen to be the best.

We are chosen to be the best.

Chosen by God – to be the best — for a purpose – to serve and glorify God.

We do this as we worship God in the very best way we can –

We do this as we study and learn more about God in the very best way we can –

We do this as we serve God and others in the very best way we can –

We do this as we fellowship and share God’s love with each other in the very best way we can.

Give your best to the worship – study – service – and fellowship of the Church.

Give your best efforts to showing God’s love to the world – and serving God in the world.

We are chosen to be the best.

We are chosen to serve God in the best way we can.

We are chosen to give our best to God and to others.

As you go through your life, let God make you the very best person you can be.

Serve God in the very best way you can.

Give your very best to the one who has chosen you to be the best.

Give your best gifts – give your best efforts – do your best – for God.

In the book The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren writes about his idea that – one day – we will all stand before God and God will ask us 2 questions.

Listen to how he describes the 2 questions:

“First – What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ? …

Second – What did you so with what I gave you?

What did you do with your life – all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources God gave you?

Did you use them for the purpose God created you for?”

We are chosen to be the best.

We are chosen to serve God in the best way we can.

We are chosen to give our best to God and to others.

It might be a good idea to ask yourself every once in a while:

“Am I really giving my best to God?

Am I really giving my best efforts to God’s work?

Am I letting God use me in the best way I can?”

Like the water changed into wine, let God use you – let God choose you – to be your best—to do your best — for His purposes – and His will.

So – who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we to be doing as Christians?

What are we to be doing as a Church?

We are

a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

We are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We are chosen for ministry

We are chosen to be the best.

Be the best.

Give your best.

Do your best.

Be the best.

Amen.