Sermon Central
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The Messiah’s Confirmation, Part 2 Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Nov 30, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: It is very easy to allow the results or the answers of what God has done to become our focus, to bring us joy, or even to cause us to celebrate. But ... should they? Our challenge (even today) must be to focus on One who did the work to focus only on Jesus!
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 …
