Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Jesus. is in the business of transforming Shattered dreams. That's why the gospel is good news. And when we come face to face with Jesus Christ.
We experience a deep joy Which the changing circumstances of our life, whether good or bad, Cannot take away. Welcome to the Verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe.
Some people view Christianity as a constricting religion of rules and rituals meant to appease God and an obstacle to enjoying life. But today, as we continue our series called Encountering Jesus, we'll understand that following Jesus isn't a religion. It's a relationship, a whole new life of lasting joy.
Now, here's Pastor Jean Monroe with part two of his message. Transforming Shattered Dreams. In our current series, we're looking at different people who have encounters with Jesus. We saw last time that their wedding at Cana of Galilee was turning out to be a bit of a disaster. The wine ran out, which in that culture was a huge embarrassment.
an unthinkable catastrophe. But Jesus is there. He turns water into wine. Transforming shattered dreams. Who has not had their dreams shattered?
or encountered an unexpected crisis. in their life. Are you looking for lasting joy? Meaningful relationships. A new beginning?
What can we learn from Jesus turning water into wine? Listen carefully today as we encounter Jesus. We're going to discover that there are important implications for every aspect of our lives. Let's open our Bibles to John chapter 2. And we're going to read verses 1.
Through eleven. And on the third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited and his disciples to the wedding. And when the wine gave out The mother of Jesus said to him, They have. No wine.
And Jesus says to her woman, What do I have to do with you? My hour. has not yet Come. His mother said to the servants, Whatever he says to you, Do it.
Now there were six stone water pots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them. Up. to the brim.
And he said to them, Draw out some. and take it to the head waiter and they took it to him. And when the head waiter Tasted the water which had become wine and did not know where it came from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew, the head waiter called the bridegroom and said to him, Every man serves the good wine first. And when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer You have kept The good wine. Until No.
This beginning Of his signs, Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. and his disciples believed. In him. The wedding. The wedding Where water turns into wine.
The meaning of the turning of water into wine, but you say, John, that was 2,000 years ago, and that's very interesting. But what is the personal significance of water turning into wine?
Well, it is very, very significant for you and for me three things to do. Number one, trust. Jesus. in every aspect. of life.
Will you do that? The disciples who saw the water turning into wine, we read at the end of verse 11, believed in Jesus. They saw the sign, they saw something of the glory of the Lord revealed in this miracle. And they believed. in Jesus.
Will you do that? Will you believe? in Jesus. Are you trusting in Jesus? Christ.
This was a life-changing experience. I ask you, have you trusted in Jesus Christ? Have you received the forgiveness of sins? as you have received Christ into your life, into your heart. As the one who died on the cross, as the one who rose again, as the one who is eternally alive, and you have placed your personal trust in him.
This is a living faith in a living Christ. It is trusting Christ. Have you done that? Many of you say, Well, yes, praise God and His grace. I have trusted in Christ.
I can honestly say I am a believer in Jesus Christ. That's wonderful. Are you experiencing this lasting joy? If not, could it be Because you have not trusted Christ in every aspect of your life. This miracle at Cana is a reminder that God The living God still intervenes in our life in unexpected ways and transforms life.
Will you trust Jesus in every aspect of life. Secondly. Obey. Jesus in every aspect of your life. Look at verse five.
His mother said to the servants, Whatever he says to you, do it. Wonderful advice. She didn't understand all that Jesus was going to do. But she did know Jesus well enough and she trusted Jesus well enough to do the right thing. at the right time.
And Jesus was going to perform a miracle. But did you notice that the servants had to play their part? Verse 7: Jesus said to them, the servants, fill the water pots with water, and they filled them to the Brim. He said, Draw out some and take it to the head waiter. And they did that.
They drew it out and they took it to him. They obeyed. the words of the master. And as they obeyed, the gloom and the disaster of the wedding was transformed.
So here's your question. Are you willing? To obey the Master. Are you willing to obey Jesus? Let me ask you this.
Is there an area of your life where you are not obeying. Jesus. Perhaps you've never been baptized, a command of the Lord. Perhaps there is something that you're doing that you know you shouldn't be doing. And the Word of God and the Spirit of God has clearly revealed this to you.
You are being disobedient. Is there some such area? In your life? Whatever he says to you, do it instantly. Don't argue about it.
Don't debate it. It's a matter of trust. Trust His wisdom. He will give you the power. He will help you.
Instant obedience, also not selective obedience. I'm good at that, aren't you? It's good to obey God in some things. Things that we like to do, things that make sense. Selective obedience.
But if He's the Lord, we can't select what we're going to obey and what we're not going to obey. That doesn't work either, does it? I am to invite, I am to obey Jesus in every aspect of my life. If I'm going to experience this joy, I am to obey him, whatever he says to me, I am to do it. Will you make that a principle of your life?
That's one of the greatest principles that you could ever learn. Instant Complete. obedience, trust them.
sovereign in every circumstance of life. transforming shadow dreams When we trust him, even though we don't know how it's going to work out, just as Mary didn't understand how it was going to work out, she took the problem to Jesus. And she was wise enough. to know that whatever he says Do it. That's it.
Take your problem to Jesus. and whatever he says to you. Do it. And as you obey Jesus, As you follow him. He will give you a supernatural joy, a deep joy.
You say, will he remove all of my problems? No, we're going to say that tonight. Called to suffer. and some of you go through very, very difficult times. No.
He can remove the problems, but he may choose not to. But whatever he says, do it. and your joy will grow. And the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Trust Jesus in every circumstance of life, obey Jesus.
In every aspect of your life. Third, experience Christ's joy in every aspect of life. Deep, lasting, sustained joy is something that we all deserve. There's not one of us that doesn't want a deep joy. But it's often so lusive, isn't it?
And often life turns sour. A meaningful relationship comes to an end. An illness is contracted. were cut. from the team.
A friend turns her back on us. We lose our job. Our business goes down the tubes. We fail an exam. Life loses its sparkle, and we end up being depleted, empty, stale, disillusioned, frustrated, perhaps even bitter with life.
What has happened? The wine in her life. has run out. But a disaster at a wedding two thousand years ago. in little Cana of Galilee was transformed into joy when Jesus came?
Jesus fills the empty. with His fullness, with His blessing, and with His power. And when we commit situations to the Lord, The disappointments of life will be transformed into God's appointments. We will experience a life of joy. I'm not talking about the feeling of hap happy all the time with a big smile on the face.
No, happiness is dependent on circumstances. When circumstances go well, we're happy. When circumstances are difficult, we are unhappy. I'm not talking about that. Happiness is dependent on circumstances out there, joy is dependent on the relationship in here.
And the world Can't give you that. and the difficult circumstances of life. Can't take that away from you. Just think of Hollywood. people who are successful by the world's standards.
They've got money, they've got fame. They can sleep with anyone that they want to. Many people admire them. I've learned not to admire them at all. The more I learn of them the sadder bunch they seem.
Someone's into rehab, someone's out of rehab.
Someone bounces from one relationship to another.
Someone says, you know, they came to the point of suicide. What sad miserable People. On the other hand, I've met people that the world would think have failed. Very little money, certainly not famous, no one knows about them at all. And yet they have a deep Keep Joy.
Why? Because of their relationship with Jesus Christ, because their joy comes from within and is not dependent on the changing circumstances of life. And this is the joy. that Jesus wants you to have. That doesn't come from religion.
That doesn't come from ritualism. It'll never satisfy you. Religion is something to be endured, Jesus is something to be enjoyed. You may have a wonderful marriage. But if if Jesus is not at your wedding, If Jesus is not in your home, if Jesus is not in your relationship, life will never be what God intends it.
Isn't it time for some of you? that you invited Jesus into your home? into your marriage. You claim to be a Christian. You're in church?
You may send your children to the Christian school, you may read them the Bible. Make sure they're in Sunday school or in the youth group. But really, your home is not really a Christian home because Jesus is not there. He's not central to the relationship. Isn't it time you experienced a home of joy?
because it is built on Jesus Christ Your life As an individual, Isn't it time that Jesus was central to your decision making? central to life, that He is the center of gravity of your life. And that your relationship with him is a growing, dynamic relationship. That's the way. to experience a life of joy.
not the elimination of difficulties, but But the deep joy Permanent joy. Because Jesus Is there? What about the world's wine? The world's wine, the devil's wine. Happiness fun thrills.
Always. always eventually run out. Satan always gives you his best wine first, doesn't he? Have you noticed that Satan is very good at packaging sin? He's a great advertiser, he's a great marketer.
He can Tiger. The most disgusting and hideous and perverse behavior, and present it in such a way that it seems attractive to you. Haven't you noticed that about Satan? Are good users at that? And he makes it so alluring.
So tempting.
So thrilling. And the first time we commit that sin. There's great pleasure in it, isn't there? the first time you drink of the devil's wine It's really good, isn't it? I've talked to a number of drug addicts over the years who tell me that the first time they took that particular drug The ecstasy they experienced was mind-blowing.
What a tremendous sensation. They say they experienced However, from that point on, They were always trying to chase the dragon. They were always trying to get that feeling again, and they never quite could, so they had to take more of the drug and more of the drug. Or change the kind of drug. Go from a soft drug to a harder drug.
Why? Because they're chasing that thrill, but they will never ever achieve it. Why? Because the devil always gives you his best wine first. And the deeper into the addiction, The more of the sin it takes.
to get the same Thrill to get the same pleasure. Here is a man who leaves his wife Because he's pursuing another relationship and it's very exciting, it's very thrilling. That's the point of the exercise, isn't it? Back home. His wife talks about repairs.
to the washing machine. All these lists of things to do. He's got rather tired of it. It's time he focused on himself. He's met someone who doesn't bother him about.
Such things, they can have some romantic meetings. She tells him how wonderful he is. She laughs at his jokes. His wife has heard them all before, and it's very exciting. and very appealing But only for a time.
and called reality. Then said Sin and the thrill decreases. Two things I want you to understand about Satan's wine. Number one, He always gives you his best wine first. Remember that.
Remember that when you drink from his cup. Remember that when you take that sin, that is the best it's ever going to be. From then on, it's down, down, down. Number two, Satan's wine always always runs out. That cump that seems so full, that plagiar that seems so alluring.
That lifestyle that seems so wonderful is going to run out. And one day you will get at the bottom. and that they may come very, very soon. With Jesus, it's the very opposite. Verse 10.
He said, Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer, that makes sense. Why would you give the best wine first? Wait till people have had a bit too much, they're feeling pretty good, then give them the poor stuff, right? That makes sense. But says the man.
You have kept The good wine until No. Have you noticed that with Jesus? The best wine is kept for last. When we invite Jesus into every aspect of our life, we experience this wine, this joy. But the closer we walk with Jesus, the more We lean on Him, the more we trust Him, the more we obey Him, the more we commune with Him, the more we surrender our lives into His hands, the more we draw on His wisdom, the deeper and deeper the joy.
C.S. Lewis says the ultimate purpose of God in all his work. is to increase Joy. Did you get that? Is that the kind of God you believe in?
The ultimate purpose of God in all his work is to increase joy. The devil will tell you the opposite. The devil will say, Well, if you trust Jesus Christ, And if you live for God, you may eventually get a Get to heaven, but you're going to have a pretty miserable life now. That's why people say, Well, when I'm older, I'll turn to Christ, but I want to enjoy life now, as if the Christian life isn't something to be enjoyed, but endured. It's a lie of the devil.
God comes To earth. Lewis is saying. that he will increase our joy. Is that right? Yes, listen to Jesus in John 15, verse 11.
These things I have spoken to you. that my joy may be in you. And that your joy. Maybe full. Do you believe that, brothers and sisters?
That Jesus comes So that his joy The joy of heaven, the joy of God, perfect joy, that His joy will be in you. And that your joy Maybe full. What's the context of John chapter 15? Jesus is saying, I'm the true vine. You're the branches, and when you abide in me, As you trust me, as you obey me, as you experience me.
The true vine. You will draw. The true wine, the true joy. And the more you draw on me, the more. Your joy.
the fullness of joy. Your joy will be full. I'm speaking to all kinds of people.
Some of you are younger, some of you are older. But listen carefully, particularly if you think you're younger, and most people think they're younger, so most of you are going to listen. Don't listen. Don't listen to one of Satan's most common lies. He has been telling this lie for thousands of years.
He always says the best is no. Grab for life today. Go for the gusto. Try this experience now. Never tried alcohol, try it.
Never tried drugs, try it. Can't harm you, just a little. Little drug. Why don't you try it? Have a new experience of life.
Do something different, but do it now. He always gives you his best wine first. Is there pleasure there? Yes, of course there is. But only For a time.
For a time, it's fun. For a time, it's going to be cool. For the time, it's going to be thrilling. But I guarantee this: the more you drink, of the devil's wine The bitter it becomes. And many here could testify from their experience.
and the worst. lies ahead. Just stop and think. What kind of person do you want to be? Not just today, but what about tomorrow?
What kind of person do you want to g want to marry? Do you want to marry a promiscuous person like yourself? Just stop and think. Why go For the immediate wine, listen to the lie of the devil. He always gives you his best wine first.
But in contrast, When you trust Jesus Christ. When you obey him, when you follow him. When you invite him into every aspect of your life, The joy the fullness of life, his wine becomes sweeter. and sweeter. And for those who follow Jesus, the best is yet to come.
Is it great being a Christian today? Absolutely. But it's going to be nothing like what it is for all. of eternity. In Proverbs four, Verse eighteen.
Solomon, the wisest man, says this wonderful proverb, The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn. that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. You get up one morning and it's dark. And then the first beginning of light. First beginning of the sunrise, the sun begins to peak up.
from the horizon. Dawn has come. What's not fully light? But then the sun comes up and up and up. to the fulness of his brilliance in the middle of the day.
Says Solomon, that's like the righteous. That's like the path of the righteous. As we begin the Christian life, we think it's wonderful there is light We experience the joy of the forgiveness of sins. We experience the rest of our souls as we trust in Christ, and we think this is incredible, and it is incredible. but the path of the righteous.
is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. What's the full day? The day when Christ will come. And we will cut up. Says Isaiah, the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful singing to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads.
They will find gladness. And joy and sorrow and sighing will flee away. That's what. awaits us when Christ comes. and that for all of eternity.
In the goodness of God, And in the grace of God, He allows us. to have a foretaste of that eternal joy. as we open our hearts And it begins with her heart, doesn't it? And we open our lives. To our Lord Jesus Christ.
And it tied them. into our lives. Into our hearts. This is the verdict with Pastor Jean Monroe. Today's message is titled, Transforming Shattered Dreams.
Don't go anywhere just yet, because John'll be right back with his closing remarks. We've been learning the importance of placing our trust in Jesus Christ. and through him having a personal relationship with Almighty God. But perhaps you've been reluctant to trust God. Perhaps it doesn't seem practical as you deal with the difficult situations in your everyday life.
Well, to help us understand how to deal with the difficult issues we face in life. such as the death of a loved one. Loss of employment. Or broken relationships. Jean has written a straightforward guide called Trusting God in Tough Times.
and we'd love to send you this helpful resource to day. Just go to our website at theverdict.org. and you can request a free copy by mail or download a free PDF. And if these lessons and resources have helped you, would you consider helping other listeners by supporting the Verdict's gospel outreach with a donation of any amount? Through your giving, you'll be playing an important part in sharing the gospel with new listeners and communities across the globe.
You can give your tax-deductible gift today by going online to theverdict.org. And then don't forget to subscribe to the Verdict podcast. In addition to these programs, John presents a weekly podcast called Avizandam, where he shares his personal thoughts on relevant topics like church and politics, the power of hope. and how to engage the culture for Christ. You can hear it all by subscribing to the Verdict Podcast.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe with closing remarks.
Well, what's your verdict? C.S. Lewis says, the ultimate purpose of God in all his work is is to increase joy. Is that what you think of the Christian faith? Or do you think of God as a kind of cosmic killjoy?
The devil delivers his best first. The more you pursue sin, the staler, the less happiness, the more chaos you experience. Or when you encounter Jesus, He gives you a joy which is independent of the circumstances of your life. Join me next time as we think of the important subject of being born again. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict.
I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mm.
