The Progression of Faith
From Glory to Glory; Jesus in the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 92 viewsThrough a miracle of healing, Jesus brings a man to faith
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
In their desperation, unbelievers are open to the Gospel ()
In their desperation, unbelievers are open to the Gospel ()
Explanation: This official had a son who was ill, and at the point of death. Undoubtedly, he had gone to the doctors, but they had not been able to help. This father was watching his son slip away into death, and he must have been feeling incredibly helpless. In his desperation, he hears that Jesus has returned to the area. He remembers stories of miracles being attributed to Jesus (water into wine, cleansing of Temple, other healings) so he immediately takes the upward journey to Cana from Capernaum, about 16 to 20 miles and uphill. He makes it to Jesus and asks Him to come down to Capernaum to heal his dying son.
Illustrate: a father in New Bern who lost everything he had in Hurricane Florence. He has a wife and children to provide for, but his car is no longer working so he is limited in ability. And then a neighbor tells him of the NC Baptist feeding center and the shower facilities. He may be a nonbeliever, but he is going there to get help for his family
Argument: While times of distress are difficult and agonizing, they can be fertile ground for the Gospel. It is ironic, but when life is good we often think we don’t need God; we think we are doing just fine on our own. When the bottom drops out and we realize we aren’t in control of our lives, we are more approachable to spiritual truth.
Application: We must take caution to never manipulate those in need, or to attach strings to our ministry of assistance. We must ensure, however, that we are doing more than just helping to meet a physical need. We can become more intentional in sharing the love of Jesus while providing the help that is needed
As they interact with the things of God, unbelievers begin to see Jesus for who He really is (a)
As they interact with the things of God, unbelievers begin to see Jesus for who He really is (a)
Explanation: Jesus has just been asked by the father to come to Capernaum to heal his son, and the reply Jesus gives seems out of character. Instead of giving a direct “Yes, I will come,” or a “No, I will not go with you,” Jesus comments on the peoples’ need for physical seeing before they will trust Him. [The you is plural in the Greek; Jesus is addressing the crowd of 4:43-45] The Galileans did not really respect Jesus because He was a hometown boy, a native son. The crowd did not accept Jesus for who He was, they simply wanted to see some more miracles.
This miracle is one of the rare distance healings of Jesus. The father thought Jesus had to be present to heal, but Jesus tells the father that his son is healed.
Illustrate: a non-believer who has cancer. Many believers pray for this person, and God heals him. The miracle of healing is not equal to salvation. The healed one can even become emotional when talking about God, but that is not the same as saving faith
Argument: Faith in Jesus includes content. For a person to become regenerate, he or she must know who Jesus is, and what He has done for them. And that means he or she must also understand his condition as a rebel sinner, lost and undone without Christ.
What Jesus is saying is that “a faith based on miracles (though not negligible—14:11) is inadequate” (Barrett, 247).
Application: When we share the Good News of the Gospel we must be careful to share the full biblical counsel. People are sinners and their only hope is Christ. Only Jesus satisfied the Wrath of God and only Jesus is a sufficient Savior.
When God reveals to the unbeliever that Jesus is actually God, the lost surrender in saving faith (John 50b-54)
When God reveals to the unbeliever that Jesus is actually God, the lost surrender in saving faith (John 50b-54)
Explanation: The father believed the word of Jesus and went on his way. This is huge! This nobleman, the father of a dying child, had thrown pride and dignity away, and had traveled miles to beg Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son. Jesus has just chastised the entire crowd for needing signs and wonders before they would believe in Him. Now, without any sign given, Jesus tells the father his son would live. No emotional hysteria, now crowds of shouters; just the calm assurance that only Jesus can give. And the father believed Jesus for the healing; otherwise he would not have left
Illustration: The hard-hearted stubborn unbelief of some: Professor who wanted a bottle of water to be turned into a strawberry milkshake in 10 seconds in order to believe in God.
Argument: Some salvation experiences are dramatic (The Apostle Paul), but many take place in the process of being in the continued presence of the Master and learning that He is actually who He says He is. It is well for us to remember the words Jesus spoke to Thomas about belief: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” ()
The man meets his servants the next day and he gets confirmation that his son is healthy again. The servants tell him that the boy was totally healed at the exact moment that Jesus had proclaimed that the boy would live. This confirmation moved that man’s growing faith in Christ to the point of total surrender.