John, Part 17
Series: The Messiah’s Confirmation, Part 2
John 4:43-54
- Welcome to Seasons – intro – thankful you are here today; dismiss children
-- Continue series: “The Messiah’s Confirmation” (part 2 of 6 today)
-- Series is to help us unpack teachings, miracles, & some incredible revelations
- BIG IDEA: Results might become our focus; give us joy; cause celebration
-- But should they? CHALL: Shouldn’t we focus on the One who did the work?
- Read John 4:43-54 / Pray; No points - one theme: The Phases of Faith
- TR: Need us to consider 2 evidences of faith:
First evidence of faith: We will honor Jesus because of who He is v44
- See more details of what happened in Nazareth shown in Mark 6:1-6
-- Look at how He mentions being dishonored by the town – they scoffed at Him
? Even still … His heart was burdened for His hometown (how is yours?)
? Lesson: He was preparing His disciples to handle persecution …
- The real evidence of faith is a person who will honor only Jesus – why?
? He is the Son of God (the Savior of the world)
? He is the Son of Man (God’s choice for our redemption)
- Don’t miss the clear differences in how He is perceived:
? People who believe in Jesus will live lives that honor Him; Phil 2:9-11
? People who do not believe in Jesus will reject Him and:
o Will not give Christ the worship and honor due to Him
o Will not pay the price of surrendering their life; John 3:30
Second evidence of faith: We will welcome & receive Jesus’s instruction v45
- APP: The only way to be saved is to receive what He offers (benefits)
-- DEEPER APP: You cannot believe in Christ until you hear from Christ!
- Consider what we know:
? There were many people who heard what Jesus said and received Him
? Why? They were a people who were seeking to worship God alone
? The Galileans received Him – they welcomed what He brought
o Welcoming Jesus is a clear evidence of faith, but …
o CHALL: Do we welcome Him, even when He corrects us?
- TR: Let’s take a look at this man that sought out Jesus …
? A nobleman, government official: prob rich & powerful in the region
? He held a position in Herod Antipas’s court (think of a trusted advisor)
? This is the same Herod who would have had John the Baptist executed
-- SEE: There are 5 stages of faith that this man demonstrates (where are you?)
1. He had a beginning faith vv46-47
• Began with a desperate need: his son was at the point of death
• Then he heard about Jesus: was willing to listen to what was available
• He came to Jesus: chose to move to Him regardless of the cost …
a) He would have to leave his son’s bedside to go see Jesus
b) This journey would have taken more than a day to reach Him
c) He was desperate – even his job could not keep him away
2. He had a persistent faith vv48-49
• Pay attention to cost of what faith takes (from Jesus):
? Consider the question Jesus asks: “Will you never …”
? Jesus is pressing into their fascination with “results”
? He even states they would not believe “unless …”
• SEE: This makes no difference to the man at this point!
? His request had turned to begging: “Lord, please come now”
? He believed that Jesus was his young son’s only hope
? RE: Jewish official; but willing to risk it ALL
- See IMP point: Signs and wonders (results) are not as important as believing
-- The man was helped because he persisted in seeking Jesus; sought to believe!
-- Need application? Look how Jesus instructs us even now: Matthew 7:7-8
3. He had a trusting faith v50
• What Jesus charges is powerful: “Go… ”
• REM: Man came with a need, Jesus then instructed him
• HUGE: Faith and obedience are BOTH necessary to receive!
4. He had a confirmed faith vv51-53
• “… while the man was on his way”: tells us he obeyed!
• He was in the act of obeying when Jesus answered His prayer
i. CHALL: Still waiting for confirmation? Are you obeying?
ii. DEEPER: What is He asking you to do that you aren’t?
iii. It is NOT quid-pro-quo – but our obedience is required!
5. He had a witnessing faith vv53-54
• We see the result (healing) – but that is NOT the point here!
• Realize: His son is sealed, when it was spoken by the Lord!
• As a response, the man witnessed to his whole house! EXP …
Big Idea:
- Said earlier: Each of us are all somewhere along this path of faith
-- Faith gives each of us a chance to respond to what God has done! Why?
-- Look at how the expression of faith was lived out in this nobleman:
? He sought Jesus (he had a need)
? His son lived (because Jesus said so)
? The man believed and immediately obeyed (he went home)
? BIG: When this happened, he witnessed to his home (they believed)
- BIG IDEA: Results can often become the focus; the joy; the celebration
-- But should they be? Shouldn’t we focus on the One who did the work?
-- This man’s faith was rooted in WHO did the work …
- How will we respond?
- Pray
