“The Power Of Intercessory Prayer”
TEXT: John 4:46-54
Introduction:
At first glance this may seem like a strange text to use with the subject of “Intercessory Prayer,” but I think that there arefew scriptures that do a better job illustrating all the elements involved in intercessory prayer.
Let us define the word Intercessor, intercessory
Websters: “To interpose in behalf of someone, as by pleading or
Petitioning.” “A prayer to God on behalf of another”
[A] Intercessory Pray is a powerful thing.
(1) God can use each of us as intercessors;
For our families
Our neighbors
Our church
Our community
Our Country
[B] The Scriptures admonish us to pray for one another.
James 5:16 (KJV)
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Gal 6:2 (KJV)
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
[C] Concerning Our Text:
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This is the second miracle of Jesus that we read about being performed in Cana of Galilee.
(1) His first miracle there was the “The turning of water into wine” at
the wedding.
(2) There have been some other miracles that have taken place in
other places between these two events.
(3) Galilee was prepared to welcome Jesus because they had been so
impressed by the account of what some of their members had seen
when they had been up in Jerusalem at the recent Passover.
When Jesus turned the tables over in the temple of the Lord
and declared God’s house to be a house of prayer.
[C] There are several people who are effected by this miracle:
(1) The Anxious Father
(2) The dying son
(3) The by standers
(4) The nobleman’s household
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I. The Anxious Father
[A] He was a nobleman, a royal officer who served under King
Herod.
(1) But when we meet him, we don’t see an important man, we
are not introduced to his power or his ego.
(2) Instead we see a broken man, a man of desperation, an anxious
father.
[B] All the externals such as social power now meant nothing to him.
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(1) All this man could think of was the fact that his son appeared to
be dying.
(2) When he heard that Jesus was in Cana, he did not hesitate, he
cut out on a 20 to 25 mile journey in an effort to find help for his
boy.
(3) Thank God this man knew where to turn in the time of need.
(4) He wanted to meet Jesus in person and beg Jesus to heal his son.
[C] He knew that somebody had to do something! He couldn’t just set
Back and watch his beloved son die without trying to help him live.
(1) He was willing to do what he could.
(2) The only thing we read of him doing was going before Jesus on
behalf of his sick boy.
II. The Dying Son
[A] We don’t really know what type of sickness it was that afflicted
this nobleman’s son, but we do know that it was something that
those around him considered to be life threatening.
(1) There must have been some characteristics of his sickness that
were present upon other sick people to whom they had
witnesses their deaths.
(2) For twice our text emphasizes the fact that the son was “at the
point of death” in verse 47
And “dying” in verse 49
[B] A TRUE EMERGENCY existed.
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III. The Bystanders
[A] There were many people that day that witnessed the exchange
between Jesus and the anxious father.
(1) However their motivation for following Jesus was much different
than that of the desperate father.
(2) This father had come to Jesus believing that if he could get Jesus
To go back home with him, that Jesus COULD HEAL his son.
[B] This crowd was not following Jesus to hear what he had to say, or
Because they believed upon Him and his Messiah-ship.
(1) They just wanted to see Him do something big.
(2) They wanted a headline.
[C] As the father was pleading for help they perked their eyes and ears
To see how Jesus would respond.
(1) Reckon He will make the long 20 mile journey down the
mountain?
(2) Do you think he can help this man and his son?
(3) Oh I want to see how this is going to turn out!
[D] Jesus rebuked them;
John 4:48 (KJV)
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
[E] The Nobleman’s response;
John 4:49 (KJV)
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
(1) All the crowd was concerned about was seeing signs and
wonders.
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(2) The royal official could care less about witnessing a miracle. It
was his desperate need, not curiosity, that drove him to Jesus.
(3) God can still distinguish the difference between the curios and
the needy today.
IV. The Nobleman’s Household
[A] This was an important man and so his household would included
his wife, his children, other relatives as well as his servants.
(1) Even this man’s servants shared his concern for his son.
(2) All of his household was about to be changed for ever by his
Visit to Cana.
V. Jesus’ Response To This Man’s Plea For Help
[A] This man came to Jesus with a dersire to lead Jesus to His house
but Jesus said;
John 4:50 (KJV)
50 “… Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”
[B] Thus we see the powerful impact of intercessory prayer.
(1) This man’s son was so sick, he could not find help for himself.
(2) He may have been delirious, feverish or even comatose,
(3) The boy was helpless.
[C] His father had faith that carried him into the presence of Jesus.
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(1) Jesus had responded to the father’s faith.
(2) This father would have never set out to find Jesus unless he had
So belief, some budding hope that Jesus could make a difference.
(3) Otherwise he would have stayed by his son’s side during his final
hours.
(4) His faith was further tested by Jesus’ command;
Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
(5) With every command there is a promise!
(6) With every step of obedience we move further into the circle of
God’s richest blessings.
VI. Jesus’ Unbounded Power
[A] This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ Power is unbounded.
(1) The twenty mile space between Jesus and the sick boy
meant nothing.
(2) The twenty or so miles was no barrier to our Lord.
(3) From the moment Jesus spoke the Word, the boy was
instantaneously healed, made whole!!
[B] The next day the man is on his way home, his servants come to
meet him with joyful news.
(1) He asked them, When did he get better?
(2) The seventh hour yesterday.
(3) By this , the father knew it was at the exact time that Jesus had
spoken.
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[C] The greater miracle.
(1) The nobleman, his household and his servants became believers.
(2) All of those people who had seen what faith in God could do,
made a decision to receive Christ as their Lord!
[D] If you know somebody who has a need, pray for them, stand in
the gap for them.
(1) God is not limited by space.
You can intercede for; (1) Your sick family members
(2) Lost family members
(3) C0-workers
(4) Class mates
(5) Church, the services, pastor etc..
(6) Nation
(7) Missions
(8) Shut-ins
(9) anybody you know.
There is power in prayer!!
God may be calling some of you into the ministry of intercessory prayer.
James 5:16 “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
