Taking Jesus at His Word
John 4:43-54
Introduction
- The gospel of John screams of the faith that we should have in Christ
-- It is the clearest example of living life FOR the one who redeemed you and I
- Our focus must always be on what Christ offers, and what Christ has done
-- We never see JTB fall into the desire to be recognized – which we cannot either
- Interestingly enough, Mike has preached the first half of John 4 already
-- I believe his message on this was right on, so I’d like to not re-preach it
- So, tonight we will see what our faith should look like: in real application
- Read John 4:43-54 / Pray
∆ Point 1 – A Desperate Plea
- John is always one to show how others faith is strengthened
-- In our belief, we too should get stronger in our faith and desire more each day
-- Tonight’s lesson focuses on this very principle and how to apply it
- Jesus has spent two days in Samaria, teaching and offering salvation to all
-- And now, they have headed north to Galilee - toward Nazareth
-- Notice that Jesus as indicated that a prophet has no honor in own town (v44)
- APP: This lends to everyone knowing who you are, and having a fix on you
-- They know what you’ve done, and the truth of someone changing is illogical
-- So, even Jesus knows that in his own town people do not believe in Him
- On his way, he encounters a man desperate for a cure for his son (v46)
-- Parents: what would you do for your children if a “healer” was in town?
-- Even outside of this being Jesus, I think we would all do whatever it took
- This man that Jesus encounters has some authority in the region
-- But even in his position, he seeks out Jesus to help his child who’s suffering
-- The NIV uses the word “beg”, and this is quite literally the intent
-- He repeatedly insisted and plead with Jesus to help his child
- Jesus’s response, no doubt would’ve shocked all who were in earshot
-- He is not replying directly to the official, but to all in the area listening
-- Re: Many people would’ve been following and listening/watching (v48)
- What we must remember is that faith built only on wonders is not faith
-- APP: If all our faith was in miracles, and miracles didn’t happen, what then?
-- Jesus is accusing many of only believing because of the things He has done
-- Faith is more than that; it is day to day even in the mundane and the ordinary
- Once again the official pleas with Jesus for help (v49) and He answers (v50)
-- Now, we need to look at this verse to ensure we understand what it means
∆ Point 2 – What does “go” mean?
- Jesus was not telling him to GO like we would think (depart from me, etc.)
-- Why? If had just left, he would think his one chance for help is being left
-- Re: he has come to Jesus for healing, but there is more to his own faith
- What Jesus was doing was affirming his faith; that his faith had healed
-- The word GO is imperative; but what Jesus is saying is “be on your way”
-- It is a commendation that his faith was desperate enough to heal his son
- Re: John’s theme is always: Believing is seeing
-- Today we have scientists running crazy trying to prove this or that
-- Society feels that if science cannot back it up, then it must not be real …
-- They all want to be the next to discover the truth – which is already in place!
- But, who invented scientific discovery in the first place?
-- Who put into place the things that would be discovered so we can revel in it?
-- God! So we aren’t really discovering anything, but revealing what is there
- Jesus does the same thing – your faith is solid, and that has healed your son
-- Be consistent in your faith, and allow that to help you know it is done
-- Challenge: Most of us could never accept this … be honest about this here
- TRANS: So, the man goes on his way, with the words/knowledge of faith
∆ Point 3 – Take Jesus at His word
- This man obeyed, he persisted, and he received what Jesus had offered him
-- He “took Jesus at his word” (v50) and departed for home
- Now, a note to see here – this is the kind of faith that is rewarded
-- It is not blind faith, but faith in being assured that God will answer in His way
- And on his way home, he encounters his own servants with great news (v51)
-- Here, his faith becomes even stronger having believed the promise told
-- His son had been healed, when Jesus confirmed that he would will live
- And from this, a family believes in Christ and who He said He is
-- It is not solely because of the miracle performed: but the promise of faith
-- Faith says: Believe and you will see … and this family did exactly that
- Caution: Things like “my faith must not be strong enough” are detractors
-- It is what the enemy would love to do – get you side-tracked and onto YOU
- It’s not a matter of how strong our faith is that determines God’s actions
-- God responds in His manner and His time, and we must believe in Him
- TRANS: So what should we take-away from this story?
∆ Big Idea
- Signs and wonders are exciting, but that is not all there is to God
-- Genuine faith rest in the promises of Scripture … which we must learn
- Our application is to take Jesus at His word and obey it … period
-- This is why the Gospel of John is given to new believers … to teach
-- It is the same reason it is convicting to learned believers … it reads us
-- B/C it is the same Gospel that shows life and how to really live it fully
- When we examine the teaching of Jesus like this, we see ourselves in it
-- We see our own faith, and we are challenged to step up and desire more
-- It’s not all about the miracles; but the One who performed God’s work
- Pray
