Title: I am not alone
Theme: To show that God will never leave us. We are never alone.
Text: John 4:46 - 52
Note: Much of the thoughts and quotes came from Max Lucado’s book Never Alone
John 4:46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
Jesus is back at the same place where John recorded His first miracle. The miracle of turning the water into wine. Here he meets a nobleman.
This man was likely a gentile and of high standing in the court of Herod. “His modern-day counterpart might be a White House chief of staff or presidential cabinet member”.
He was held in high regard and was probably wealthy. But none of this mattered. This man’s son was sick, at the point of death. More than likely he had already summoned the best physicians to help the boy. To no avail, no one was able to help him.
“He lived in Capernaum, a fishing village that served as the base of operations for Jesus.” Jesus would often speak in the synagogue. It is not hard to imagine one of the locals telling him about the miracle that Jesus did. They could not help; the doctors could not help maybe Jesus could help.
He may have even been sent by one of the religious leaders. There were miracles in the Old Testament. God could still do this. But there was not power.
Illustration: Early on in my pastorate a local minster told me about a woman who showed up on his doorsteps. She was sick and the doctors could do nothing for her. She went to her local church. The pastor informed her that they do not believe in divine healing. But there was a minister right down the road there. He suggested she should go to him, “so he can pray for you and you can be healed.”
Here is this man with a dilemma. He needs a miracle. No one can help him, and people are suggesting him to go and find Jesus. Jesus is 18 miles away in Cana. Would his son survive?
This trip took a lot of planning. It was an all-day affair if you leave in the morning you may make it by late that evening. If you leave in the afternoon you would have to make plans to stay overnight. There was no sightseeing or catching up with old friends.
Finally, after the long trip the nobleman meets Jesus. He is tired, weary, worried and desperate.
47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
Could imagine the desperation. Imploring or begging gives us the impression of falling on one’s knees and pleading with Jesus. Notice that this man did not mention his position or power. He did not say, “I will make a financial contribution.” This man came as a desperate father needing help of the savior.
There was also an expectation. He envisioned that Jesus and he would walk back together and Jesus would heal the boy. This was his plan.
Look at Jesus response:
48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."
Were you expecting that? Jesus had only done one miracle, recorded by John. Now there is a warning of people following Jesus because of miracles. Why?
Just before this we read that people were following him because of what he had done. More than likely they were there also. Pressing in. Wanting to see another miracle. They were not following Jesus because of who He is but because of what He could do. This happened after the feeding of the 5,000 they wanted to “make Him king.”
Jesus was constantly warning the people not to follow Him because of miracles. Because of what He could “do” for them. Follow Him because of who He is. The savior of the world.
There was a second part here that we must not miss. Although the nobleman came so far and expressed his belief in asking, he did mess up on one point. He was telling Jesus how to perform. This is how it was going to happen; Jesus was going to go back with him and there was going to be a healing. This is part of Jesus rebuke.
But notice his persistence
49 The nobleman said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies!"
This man was desperate.
50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
Whoa! Another unexpected turn in the story. 1st Jesus answer, “Go your way; your son lives”. Jesus just commands and the healing happens. But Jesus do not you have to be there. Isn’t this the way healing works? Not according to the Bible. Jesus healed in many ways.
Touching a mans eyes, sending the leper to the priest, spitting on the ground. You can never limit God and His healing.
2nd “the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way”. It was an overnight journey and he walked away by faith. He slept well that night. He trusted Christ.
This to me shows incredible faith. Is this how I would react? Is this how you would react?
God still speaks to us. He still gives us words. He gives us gifts do we follow through. Or are we fearful?
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!" 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives."
Most important miracle
Keys to the Story:
1) A Bigger Trust: Salvation
And he himself believed, and his whole household.
As the jailer in Acts 16.
This is the most important miracle of all. The miracle of salvation. This boy will die again. He will not live forever. Except for the rapture we will all die. Where we spend eternity is the most important question to be answered.
2) God will never leave us: Between Cana & Capernaum
Have you ever found yourself at this place? Between Cana & Capernaum?
The place of seemingly unanswered prayer. The doctors report is not good, and you are waiting on a miracle. The job did not turn out as you expected. You are praying for a spouse; this leads to long term prayer. God promises.
Hebrews 13:5 promises from the words of Jesus, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
When the nobleman reaches his servants he saw the most incredible characteristic about God himself. God’s presence had already gone ahead of him. “Christ had supernaturally gone into the nobleman’s residence and not only healed the son but also wone the hearts of the entire house hold.
I like what Psalms 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, A ever present help in trouble.”
Ever present. “Not occasionally or sporadic help. You’ll never be put on hold or told to check back later. He is never too busy, preoccupied, or away on a prior engagement. God is . . .
Ever present. As near as your breath. Closer than you own skin.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Psalms 139:7-8
Paul speaking to the men of Athens reminded them
Acts 17:27 he is not far from each one of us.
Help. “Not hurt, harm, or hinder. He is here to help. That is the message of this miracle.”
Toby Mac “Help is on the Way”
"Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)"
It may be midnight or mid-day
He's never early, never late
He will stand by what He claimed
I lived enough life to say...
I heard your heart, I see your pain
Out in the dark, out in the rain
Feels so alone, feels so afraid
I heard you pray in Jesus' name
It may be midnight or mid-day
He's never early, never late
He will stand by what He claimed
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Help is on the way
Roundin' the corner
Help is on the way
Comin' for ya
Help is on the way
Yea-ee-ayy
I lived enough life to say...
Help is on the way
Sometimes it's days, sometimes it's years (Oh-oh)
Some face a lifetime of fallen tears (Oh-oh)
But He's in the darkness, He's in the cold
Just like the mornin', He always shows (He always shows)
It may be midnight or mid-day
He's never early, never late
He will stand by what He claimed
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Help is on the way
Roundin' the corner
Help is on the way
Comin' for ya
Help is on the way
Yea-ee-ayy
I lived enough life to say...
Help is on the way
(Mm-mm, mm-mm)
Well, I seen my share o' troubles
But the Lord ain't failed me yet
So I'm holdin' onto the promise, y'all
That He's rollin' up His sleeves again
Said, I seen my share of troubles (Rollin' up, rollin' up)
But the Lord ain't failed me yet (Rollin' up, rollin' up)
We'll keep holdin' onto the promise, y'all (Rollin' up, rollin' up)
That He's rollin' up His sleeves again
Rollin' up, rollin' up (Don't ya know it?)
Rollin' up His sleeves again (I can see Him rollin')
Rollin' up, rollin' up (Help is comin')
Rollin' up His sleeves again
Yeah, it may be midnight or mid-day (Yeah-eah)
He's never early, no, never late (Yeah-eah)
He will stand by what He claimed (Yeah-eah)
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
It may be midnight or mid-day (Yeah-eah)
He's never early, no, He's never late (Yeah-eah)
He will stand by what He claimed (Yeah-eah)
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Help is on the way
Help is on the way
Roundin' the corner
Help is on the way
Conclusion
How do you feel today? Do you feel away from God? Do you feel like is near?
