The Unparalleled Purpose

As I continue our new sermon series on the signs and sayings of Jesus, let me remind you of the brief explanatory note from last time. This will be a study of the seven signs and the seven “I Am” sayings of Jesus that are found in John's Gospel. On our once-a-month communion Sundays I will open up the seven cries from the cross, which are found in various gospels. So our study will be limited to these signs and sayings. Now, having introduced Jesus in the prologue to his gospel, John states his purpose for writing at the end of the book. This is very important because John's entire purpose is to establish the identity of Jesus that will lead a person to salvation. And that “statement of purpose” is what I want to expound in this sermon, because John recorded his “select signs” in order to accomplish his purpose. Therefore, we will not properly interpret or truly understand the signs unless we rightly relate them to the purpose John had in mind. These are important matters for eternal destinies hang in the balance. So once again it is my prayer that God will be pleased to bless His word preached as we continue our study of this vital subject.