The Gospel According to John - An Overview
John 20:30-31
Introduction - Some Unusual Things About John's Gospel.
1. It is the only one which gives a chronological account of the events in His ministry.
2. It is the only one which tells much about His ministry in Jerusalem and Judea.
3. It contains no parables in the usual sense of that word.
4. It omits much which others tell -- but tells much which all the others omit.
5. It has a definite design and purpose and the entire record points to the fulfillment of that purpose.
I. The Purpose Of John's Writing - To Show Us The
Father.
A. To show that Jesus of Nazareth was God manifest in the flesh.
John
1:1,14,18.
1. Jesus had all the marks of Deity -- eternal, power over nature and disease and death, etc.
2. He "tabernacled among," "provided for," and "revealed to" man.
3. He came in the flesh to show man what God is like.
B. John wrote to enable man to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
John
20:30,31.
1. He selected certain signs -- and wrote to increase faith.
2. Perhaps gave the reasons why he believed.
II. John's Efforts to Present Jesus As The
Christ.
A. He tells of seven of His miracles before His resurrection.
1. Turning water into wine -- power over laws of nature.
John 2:1-12.
2. Healing the Nobleman's son -- power over time and distance.
John
4:43-54.
3. Healing the impotent man -- power over disease. John
5:1-18.
4. Multiplying the loaves and fishes -- power to supply man's needs.
John 6:1-15.
5. Walking on the water -- power over nature. John
6:15-21.
6. Healing the man born blind -- power over physical senses. John
9.
7. Raising Lazarus -- power over death. John
11:28-57.
B. He tells of Christ's seven claims which are proved by the seven miracles. "I AM."
John 8:58.
1. "I am the bread of life." John
6:32-35. (Loaves and fishes)
2. "I am the light of the world." John
8:12. (He healed the man born blind)
3. "I am the door." John
10:7. (He healed the Nobleman's son -- access to life)
4. "I am the good shepherd." John
10:11. (He sought out and healed the impotent man)
5. "I am the resurrection and the life." John 11:25.
(He raised Lazarus from the dead)
6. "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John
14:6. (He walked on the water and enabled Peter to do likewise. He offset fear with truth; and preserved their
lives)
7. "I am the true vine." John
15:1. (He turned the water into wine)
C. He relates many of His conversations and discourses all of which show super-human wisdom and goodness. Some of them:
1. With Nicodemus about the new birth.
John 3.
2. With the Samaritan woman about the living water. John
4.
3. With the Jews about His deity. John
5, and again in John
8.
4. With the adulteress about her accusers. John
8.
5. His public discourse about His death. John
12.
6. With His disciples in the upper room. John
13 through John
16.
7. There are also several others, but these are representative.
D. John tells the story of Jesus' betrayal, trials, death, burial, resurrection, and appearances.
1. These are told in great detail and in such a way as to present Him as the fulfillment of prophecy.
2. Truly, He died like a God, and His resurrection was ultimate proof!
III. John Give The Effect Jesus' Life Had On People
Of His Day (John
1:11)
A. At first, He gained publicity.
1. Selected His disciples, John
1, from John the Baptist's work.
2. Went to Jerusalem -- cleansed the temple people began to talk. John
2 and John
3.
3. Passed through Samaria and got recognition there. John
4.
4. Performed miracles in Galilee. John
2 and John
4.
5. Continued to perform miracles and gain publicity in both Judea and Galilee.
John 5 and
John 6.
B. Many rejected Him and unbelievers grew increasingly hostile.
1. The Jews disapproved of His cleansing the temple. John
2.
2. More opposition caused by healing on the Sabbath Day. John
5 and John
9.
3. When He began His "hard sayings" opposition arose among His disciples.
John 6.
4. Greater opposition came when He claimed Deity. John
5, John 7, and
John 8.
5. A climax reached when Lazarus was raised. John
11.
• This great miracle increased His popularity with the common people and that increased the hatred among His enemies.
• The triumphal entry, John
12, intensified it still more.
6. The culmination of this unbelief -- the crucifixion of Jesus.
John 18 and
John 19.
C. But some believed and their faith grew more and more.
1. Disciples such as the Bethany family.
2. The apostles (except Judas) grew stronger in faith.
3. The resurrection was the final proof needed!
4. His appearances to the disciples was the climax to their devotion. As a result -- look at their work for Him!
5. And it caused John to write and tell us why his faith grew!
Conclusion:
1. John
20:30, 31, 29.
2. Thank God, WE HAVE SEEN THE FATHER!
