Jesus Heals The Officials Son

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). The beginnings of faith (vs 46).

(2). The approach of faith (vs 47).

(3). The rebuke of faith (vs 48).

(4). The rewards of faith (vs 50).

(5). The confirmation of faith (vs 51-53)

(6). The spread of faith (vs 53b)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

Genuine ads that were found in newspapers and other publications:

• “Free puppies! Half cocker spaniel - half sneaky neighbour's dog.”

• “Dog for sale! Eats everything and is fond of children.”

• “Complete Encyclopaedia Britannica - 45 volumes, excellent condition, £300 or best offer.

• No longer needed - got married last weekend - wife knows everything!“

• I like the American ad that read:

• “Used tombstone perfect for someone called Homer HendelBergen-Heinze. One only”

• “Lost dog! Blind in one eye, missing right ear, tail missing, recently castrated.

• Answers to name of ‘Lucky!’”

• In the for sale section of a local newspaper, was an advert saying;.

• ‘Dog for sale, it eats anything and is fond of children’.

• Now think about that last advert for a moment;

• And realize all that this sign is potentially saying;

• It has a twofold meaning.

• Is it saying that the dog eats anything and is especially fond of eating children?

• Or is it saying that the dog eats anything and is good with children?

• The sign has two meanings;

• The real meaning and a hidden meaning.

• TRANSITION:

• In a similar (but less humorous) way,

• John in his gospel;

• Wants his readers to examine the miracles of Jesus and see what it is really saying.

• There is a deeper meaning;

• Than the obvious fact Jesus healed a boy in need.

Note: At the end of John’s gospel (chapter 20 verses 30-31):

30”Jesus' disciples saw him do many other miraculous signs besides the ones recorded in this book.

31But these are written (that is the 7 miracles recorded in this gospel) so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life”.

When John wrote his gospel:

• He deliberately picked out 7 miracles, 7 signs that Jesus performed.

• The ‘signs’ were real miracles which helped real people.

• But they were also far more than just ‘signs’.

• I think the word ‘signposts’ is better.

• These 7 miracles, signposts are intended us to see beyond the miracle;

• And to look at the one who was performing them.

• So John recorded these ‘signs’ as evidence;

• He wants to show to us who Jesus was and is; more than just a man – the Son of God!

• The first sign, the first miracle that Jesus performed;

• Is found John chapter 2 and involves a wedding.

• Jesus turns water in wine and demonstrates his power of nature.

• In this second miracle that John records in his gospel;

• Jesus will heal a person who is 20 miles away;

• Showing his power over distance;

• Distance is never a problem to deity!

Ill:

• The sun is 92.96 million miles away from planet earth;

• But every year in the summer time I get sunburnt;

• It is far, far away but also very, very close!

• TRANSITION:

• In this miracle we will see the power of Jesus over distance;

• Remember that distance is never a problem to deity!

• Jesus is not limited geographically to where he or a person may be!

• And if God seems distant to you this morning;

• Remember that he is only a prayer away!

• Distance is never a problem to deity!

(1). The beginnings of faith (vs 46).

46”While Jesus was in Galilee, he returned to the village of Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was an official in Capernaum whose son was sick”.

• The first miracle that Jesus performed was turning water into wine;

• He accomplished this miracle on his last visit to Cana in Galilee;

• What prompted the miracle was the request of His mother (chapter 2 verses 1-5),

• In this second miracle at Cana in Galilee;

• It is a request that comes from a desperate father (vs 47).

We are not told too much about the father:

• We do not know if this man was a Jew or a Gentile?

• We do not know his exact position in the government.

• He would appear to have been a member of Herod's court;

• And this would have given the man great influence and power.

• It would also mean that he would have been a man of great wealth.

• Many people would have envied him;