John Series Sermon 24 The Stages Of Faith, John 4:46–54 Series

Thought 1. There is no real faith apart from obedience and work. (See DEEPER STUDY # 2—Jn. 2:24; DEEPER STUDY # 1—He. 5:9.)

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26).

“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Lu. 1:37).

“Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed” (Lu. 7:7).

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed” (Lu. 17:14).

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (He. 5:9).

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Js. 2:17).

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Jb. 42:2).

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Ps. 31:19).

“The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate” (Ps. 34:22).

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Ps. 37:5).

“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever” (Ps. 125:1).

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Pr. 3:5).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Is. 26:3–4).

4 (4:51–53) Faith: the fourth stage was a confirmed faith. Note the words “as he was now going.” He was in the act of obeying Christ when he received the glorious news that his prayer was answered. Again, it was believing the promise of Jesus and obeying Him that brought the blessing. Both belief and obedience were essential.

Note also that the man confirmed the supernatural vs. the natural. He asked the exact hour the boy recovered. He wanted to be certain; he wanted absolute confirmation. He was reaching out for stronger faith in Jesus. He was so full of joy and thankfulness to Jesus that he wanted to believe on Him more and more.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mk. 11:22–24).

“But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee” (Jn. 11:22).

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (He. 7:25).

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (He. 11:1).