How Important – Jesus’ Presence!

by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on January 12, 2024 in John 2:1-11

Epiphany 2 (The Wedding at Cana) January 14, 2024

Text: John 2:1-11 Historic Series 24:2423

Theme: How Important – Jesus’ Presence!

There was a wedding at Cana of Galilee. Some very important and distinguished guests were present. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there, perhaps as a relative of the bride or groom for she seems to take the part of housekeeper or hostess for the event. Peter, James, John, and others were in attendance. They would become the founding pillars of the New Testament Christian Church. But the most illustrious and helpful guest present was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He was invited, He came, and His presence proved a joy and blessing to all who were there.
His Presence always makes a vast difference. If He were taken into every marriage, His presence would so bless the home that no need would be felt, no anxiety would enter, and no lack of love and faithfulness would occur. If he were taken into every life, His Presence would greatly bless each one so that constant comfort, contentment, and confidence would flourish. His divine Presence always proves a great blessing.
How Important – His Presence! We see an example of that at the Wedding in Cana of Galilee.

I. His Presence was Important as He offered the best counsel.
Granted there is no mention of His speaking here. As far as we are told, Jesus preached no sermon or gave no lecture on marriage and the home. But knowing Him as Lord and Savior and Messenger of the New Covenant from God, who would doubt that He spoke to the bridal couple? Without a doubt He favored them with words of loving approval and divine wisdom. As Creator of marriage and the home, are not married couples dear to His heart? With His Presence and the wondrous miracle He later performed, does He not reveal how great marriage is in His eyes and how important any two such people who come together as husband and wife are to Him? Will He not offer them the best counsel, heavenly counsel?
As the Son of God, He instituted marriage at the very beginning when He brought Adam and Eve together in the Garden of Eden. He still brings couples together who look to Him and invite Him into their lives. With their eyes on Him, He joins them as one and warns lest anyone should ever come between them (Mt.19).
You see, marriage is not just a human arrangement. It is not a mere social custom that man developed to make life easier or more enjoyable. It is a creation of God. As such He knows what is right and good for it. He knows how blest He intended it to be. He knows the “instructions” for a life together of one man and one woman, and how such a life is carried out to His glory and His creatures’ welfare. Therefore, He is the best marriage counselor and offers the best counsel to guide us. Would you doubt that He gave such advice at this beginning point in His earthly ministry so that people would be blessed and see His heavenly glory that surrounded them? And will He not do the same for you?
His Presence is Important and always proves a great blessing as He offers the best counsel in our lives and in our homes. He has promised that wherever people come together in His name, there He is in their midst (Mt.18:20). As you go to Him, He will bless you with His divine presence and guidance. The sad part is that too many, even too many who call themselves Christians, do not see the Importance of His Presence in their lives. And they will struggle.

II. That is such a shame for with His Presence in our lives, we will be blessed as He seeks to build our faith and confidence in all that He can do. That is what all couples and all homes need – faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus for no marriage, no home, no situation on earth is perfect. We need His help. So it is that Christ seeks to draw our hearts to rely on Him for the help we need. The couple at Cana’s wedding feast needed help, for they soon had difficulties.
As the festivities proceeded (and remember, in biblical times they would last several days, up to a week), it became evident that the provisions were running low. There was a need. Mary felt it and came to Jesus saying, “They have no wine.” Some have felt that she was out of place here, telling Jesus what He should do. But she does not command, “Son, furnish us with wine.” She merely states the fact, “They have no wine.” And with that she touches upon His kindness of which she is fully assured. It is as if she thought, “He is so good and gracious, there is no need of my asking. I will only tell Him what is lacking, and He will do of His own that which is needed, perhaps even more.”
This is the way of faith, dear friends. It pictures God’s goodness to itself, never doubting that His goodness is true. Faith approaches Him boldly to present the need. “Ask, seek, knock,” He tells us. “And you will find.” Therefore, dear friend, when in need, make bold to come into His Presence, bringing your petition to Him. He seeks to build faith and confidence in Him.
But notice how unkindly Jesus seems to turn away the humble request of His mother who addresses Him in confidence: “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My time is not yet here.”
Observe here the nature of faith. What does her faith have to rely on? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! All is darkness. It feels its need and seems to see no help anywhere. Whenever a need is felt, Christ Jesus does not always come at once to grant what is desired. He delays and tests our faith and trust, even as He did here. Yes, what is even more severe, He may act as though He would not help at all, and may even appear to speak harshly, with austerity, just as He treats His mother here. It seems like everything is lost since the one support on which she relied appears gone.
But this, dear friends, is where faith and confidence stand in the heat of battle. See how she acts and teaches us. No matter how harsh Jesus’ words might sound, she did not interpret them as anger or refusal. Instead, she firmly held the conviction that our Savior is kind and loving. She will not dishonor Him in her heart by thinking otherwise of Him, as people who are without faith do. His words did not frighten her, otherwise she would have gone away silently and displeased. Instead, she approaches the servants to advise, “Do whatever He tells you,” confident that He will act.
This is the way of faith that expects of Christ nothing but grace and kindness. Even, dear friend, should you be in the highest distress of conscience for sin and feel God declaring, “What is to me to you,” know and understand the nature of Christ. He only acts thus to test us as He seeks to build our faith and confidence in Him. He cannot forsake those who trust in Him anymore than He can forsake Himself. Should He dare to delay, He cannot deny Himself for He is good and gracious and kind. Only hold out in faith until His hour comes and He will give the best help possible.

III. The omniscient Son of God had already detected the need. When the proper time came, He did not hold back. With divine power He provided wine with such quantity and quality that all were amazed. And so “He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”
Yet, far more glorious is the fact that this same Jesus who was present at the wedding in Cana is available not only to married couples but to us all in our troubles. In His time and according to His hour He gives the best help possible to those who cling in faith to Him in their need. He may delay for a time. He may test so that we set our eyes more firmly on Him. He may even act and speak most harshly to our human understanding. Still, He is God – ever good, gracious, and compassionate. He cannot be otherwise to those for whom He gave His life to pay for sin.
If then He is for us, what can be against us? If He gave Himself up for us all, how will He not also, along with Himself, graciously give us all things? And so we are convinced that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus (Ro.8:31f).
Such is the lesson of faith we learn in the first of His miraculous signs at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. He was invited, He came, and His Presence proved a great joy and blessing to all who were there. His Presence always makes a vast difference. How Important it is! God grant it in our lives of faith, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield

4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)

Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244

www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com

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Second Sunday after the Epiphany January 14, 2024

He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in Him. John 2:11

Welcome: The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.

U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e

“All the earth bows down to You. They make music to You. How awesome Your deeds for all people! Shout praise to God, all the earth! Make music to the glory of His name! Say: ‘How awesome are Your deeds!’” (Psalm 66).

W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t

Jesus Manifests His Glory at Cana Miracles tend to impress people because of the power displayed. However, Jesus’ purpose in performing miracles was not to impress people with His ability. Rather, His purpose was to reveal His glory as God’s Son who came to earth for a greater purpose – to save the people from their sins. So what was the purpose of His miracles?

Jesus’ miracles acted as signposts, pointing people to Him that they might believe in Him and be saved from their sins. He is our gracious Helper in all needs. There is no doubt about that. But He is more, much more. He is our divine Savior.

May we who have seen His glory in the Word, kneel in faith before Him and worship Him for the blessings of salvation and life that He brings.

To that end we pray: Almighty God, You gave Your one and only Son to be the Light of the world. Grant that Your people, illumined by Your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that He may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth.

Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y

The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-6

The Spirit of God will rest upon the Christ when He comes. The Spirit will equip Him for His work. With the Spirit upon Him, Christ will use His divine gifts for the eternal welfare of His people.

The Epistle Lesson: Romans 12:6-16

God bestows different gifts upon His Church to be used for the good of all. The believer’s Christian love is shown to be sincere as he follows in the footsteps of the Savior, using his or her gifts for the advancement of His Kingdom.

The Gospel Lesson: John 2:1-11

Jesus takes up His work as He begins the time of His public ministry among the people. He reveals His glory in His first miracle at Cana’s wedding, changing the water into wine and manifesting Himself as the Christ, come to help His people.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Organist: Jane Rips The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Points to Ponder: “The miracle also reveals the glory of marriage in four ways. First, we see that marriage is a holy institution that God Himself ordained. Second, it is an institution that God preserves by His almighty power. Third, God Himself provides for the needs of this institution. Finally, in it, God wants to reveal Himself to man.

“As Christ once went to the wedding at Cana and there revealed His glory by a miracle, so today He uses marriage as a way to reveal Himself to all who do not shut their eyes and hearts to Him…. Marriage with its sorrows and joys is a way in which countless couples, relying on Christ, have had their faith strengthened and preserved. For them, marriage has become a source of both temporal and eternal blessings.”

“This then is the fourfold glory with which God has honored the state of holy matrimony. He instituted it, preserves it, provides for those who enter it, and makes it a school of faith and love.” — CFW Walther

“Whenever the need is felt, the Lord does not at once hasten and bestow what is needed and desired. Often He delays and tests our trust in Him….This is the way of faith. It pictures God’s goodness in this manner….He will reach out in His time and way to help.” — Martin Luther

Outline of Our Worship

The Preparation

Opening Thoughts on Today’s Worship

The Entrance Hymn: #496

Order of Worship: The Service: Setting One page 154-160

Prayer of the Day

The Ministry of the Word

Isaiah 61:1-6

Psalm 67

Romans 12:6-16

Gospel Acclamation: Epiphany Pg.161

John 2:1-11

Hymn: #374

Sermon: John 2:1-11 How Important – Jesus’ Presence!

The Apostles’ Creed pg.163

Our Response to the Word

Prayer of the Church: pg.164

The Offering

Hymn: #518

The Lord Blesses Us

The Closing Prayers and Blessing Hymnal page 171

Closing Hymn: #763 st.1,5,6

Silent Prayer

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany – Historic Series

Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-6 The Spirit Rests on the Servant

¹The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the afflicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, ²to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, ³to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord to display his beauty.

⁴They will rebuild ancient ruins. They will raise up what was formerly devastated; they will renew ruined cities, which have been devastated for generations. ⁵Strangers will stand and shepherd your flock, and foreigners will be your farmers and vinedressers. ⁶You will be called the Lord’s priests. You will be named ministers of God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and you will boast about their riches.

Epistle Lesson: Romans 12:6-16 Using the Gifts God Has Given You

⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us. If the gift is prophecy, do it in complete agreement with the faith. ⁷If it is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. ⁸If it is encouraging, then encourage. If it is contributing, be generous. If it is leadership, be diligent. If it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.

⁹Do not just pretend to love others. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another with brotherly love. Think of others as deserving more honor than yourselves. ¹¹Do not be lagging behind in zeal, but be fervent in spirit, as you continue to serve the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope. Endure trials patiently. Persist in prayer. ¹³Share with the saints who are in need. Be quick to welcome strangers as guests.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who are rejoicing; weep with those who are weeping. ¹⁶Have the same respect for one another. Do not be arrogant but associate with the humble. Do not think too highly of yourselves.

Gospel Lesson: John 2:1-11 Jesus’ First Miracle – Wine out of Water

¹Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. ²Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. ³When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” ⁴Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My time has not come yet.” ⁵His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

⁶Six stone water jars, which the Jews used for ceremonial cleansing, were standing there, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.⁷Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. ⁸Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And they did. ⁹When the master of the banquet tasted the water that had now become wine, he did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew). The master of the banquet called the bridegroom ¹⁰and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have had plenty to drink, then the cheaper wine. You saved the good wine until now!”

¹¹This, the beginning of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Today

Jan.14

Monday

Jan.15

Tuesday

Jan.16

Wednesday

Jan.17

Thursday

Jan.18

Friday

Jan.19

Sat.

Jan.20

Next Sun.

Jan.21

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

online -Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

Epiphany 2

6 pm Elders, Trustees, and Council

Meeting

11 am Midweek Bible Class

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

With Holy Communion)

online – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Annual Meeting

Transfiguration

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

“Grace” is a beautiful biblical word. Grace is God’s undeserved love. It suggests the idea of giving a gift without a sense of obligation. If there is an obligation involved in the giving of a gift, it is no longer a gift. Jesus loves us not because He is obligated. He didn’t die for us out of a sense of guilt. He didn’t owe us. Everything Jesus does for us is done for one reason only: He is gracious. He does it because he wants to, freely! Yes, Jesus is our gracious Savior.

The Gospel Lesson: John 2:1-11 (the answers are found on the back side)

What problem arose at the wedding in Cana to which Jesus and His disciples were invited?
How did Jesus react when Mary told Him that they had run out of wine? Why did He react this way?
What did Jesus do to resolve the problem?

Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (Long’s son-in-law); Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Kathy Workentine; Robbie Woessner; Liz & Roger Lisenby; Lois Wiese; Kay Schmidt in Cox Hospital following surgery.

Forward in Christ’s latest issue for January is here. You may pick up copies for family and friends in the narthex. Also if you have not yet received offering envelopes for 2024, you will find them in your mailboxes along with your offering statements for 2023. Should you need help, please see Jim Wiese.

Divine Call Sent At the joint call meeting of Zion and Peace this past Thursday, Pastor Jason Enderle was selected to whom our call for pastor will be sent. He is 38 years old and presently serves Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, Washington, MI. He and wife Hannah are blessed with 2 children, 2 years old and under. Please keep Pastor Enderle and family in your prayers over the next few weeks as he prayerfully considers where the Lord would have him serve in His Kingdom of Grace.

Thank You very much for your kind holiday and retirement greetings by which you remembered me and our family this past holiday season. We very much enjoyed hosting many of you at our home for the Post-Christmas get-together, and, God-willing, will be able to celebrate such another gathering in the future. May the Lord bless your families with a rich measure of His grace in the days lying ahead. Pastor, Elizabeth and family.

Upcoming Services and Events

Tuesday, January 16, 6 pm – Elders, Trustees, and Church Council Monthly Meetings

Sunday, January 21 – Annual Voters and WWFC Meetings following the worship service

The Week in Review

Last Sunday Worship: 31; Bible Study: 21; Midweek Bible Class: no class this past week; Offerings: $1,515.

Next Sunday’s Lessons:

Transfiguration: Exodus 3:1-6; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 (Historic Pericope Series)

Answers to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:

They had run out of wine. It was customary in Jesus’ day for weddings to be celebrated for several days. It seems clear that the wedding hosts had not adequately prepared.
Jesus asked why Mary involved Him, stating, “My time has not yet come.” Jesus seems to be suggesting that it wasn’t yet time for Him to publicly reveal Himself as the promised Savior through His miracles. It seems that the forthcoming miracle was performed quietly. At least we are only told that because of the miracle the disciples believed in Him.
He changed water into wine. Although His disciples put their faith in Him, it seems His miracle went otherwise unnoticed.