Stages of Faith
Notes
Transcript
Stages of Faith
Stages of Faith
47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
We see a man that is desperate and needs God!
He doesn't care about the miracle tour he need his son touched by God!
He is hurting
He is at the end of His rope
He just wants help from Jesus
Introduction: this nobleman was a government official, probably holding some high position in Herod’s court. His experience reveals the various stages of faith, the kind of growing faith that every man should experience.
The people in Galilee believed Him because of the miracles He had done in Jerusalem
Unlike
Jesus has just spent two days in Samaria, and he is now leaving for Galilee. The time in Samaria was spectacularly successful. It appears that the whole town of Sychar was turning to Jesus as the Messiah and the Savior of the world. The focus there is not on his miracle-working power, but on his word. “We have heard him for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
This is a better response than anything Jesus has gotten among his own Jewish people. Strange.
Galilee is where Jesus grew up in Nazareth.
About 10 miles north of Nazareth was Cana, where he turned water to wine (back in chapter 2), and about 15 miles east from Cana was Capernaum where the official with the sick son in this story lives.
So Galilee is Jesus’ homeland in a special sense. He is leaving Samaria, which is not his homeland, and turning now to his own stomping grounds.
The Samaritans were outsiders but they never asked for miracles.
Illustration - Akeem just wants to be with Trisha ..
He doesn't want what toys or stuff she can give him?
He just wants her ...
He doesn't need a new toy ; he doesn't need to be entertained … he wants the security of a mother...
The noblemen just wanted his son to get better.
In may ways its just like the Phillipian Jailer desperate says:
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
I. Beginning Faith
I. Beginning Faith
46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
A desperate need comes and you are not able to do anything about it.
Illustration - sickness , marriage , job etc....
You have really messed up
Prison - illustration .......
It was this tragedy or need that brought them to Christ
A need brought him to Christ
A nobleman (basilixos), an official of the King’s royal court, approached Jesus.
The actions of the man demonstrated exactly what is involved in a beginning faith.
There was A Desperate Need. The Man’s Son Was At the Point of Death.
Needs Confront Every Human Being.
Unfortunately it usually takes “a desperate need” for many to come to the Lord.
Eventually the severe needs arising from accident, illness, disease, suffering, and death strike everyone (Heb.9:27) even children. No one is exempt.
One may be an official in government or even the King himself—it does not matter.
The day eventually comes when every man needs help.
The severe disasters of life are beyond any man’s control.
How will we react to such events when they come to us?
What will we do, will we be beaten down by them? Or will we triumph over them in complete victory?
There Was a Hearing About Jesus.
The report that Jesus had healed people in Jerusalem must have reached this man's ears. Learning that Jesus had returned to Galilee, the man immediately sought Jesus out and urged him to heal his son, who was dangerously ill.
vs 47 - besaught The imperfect tense of the verb "begged" (erota, from erotao, to "ask" or "request") implies repeated or persistent action. The request was not casual but insistent.
There Was A Coming To Jesus.
This man was facing a severe disaster in life, & he came to the only person who can help—Jesus.
Note: he did not go to Herod. Note what this man had to do in order to come to Jesus.
The Man Had to Leave the Side of His Dying Son.
The man knew he Would Be Gone for Many Hours. Imagine the anxiety and fear that his son might die while he was away. The man would literally have to tear himself away from his son. Such an act shows how strongly he believed that Jesus could help him.
The Man Had to Travel Almost a Day’s Journey to Reach Jesus.
Capernaum was about twenty miles from Cana. Imagine the concern and apprehension gripping the father’s heart every foot of the way, wondering if he should have left his son’s side. The fact that he persevered and kept his eyes on the hope of Jesus shows the faith of his heart.
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD (Psalms 31:24; 33:18 )
The Man Did Not Let His High Position Keep Him From Jesus.
II. A Persistent Faith
II. A Persistent Faith
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
The nobleman did not give up .....
Thomas Edison failed for more than 1000 times before successfully creating the light bulb. Yes, 1000 times! Imagine how we react when we fail twice or thrice, but this man, had the faith and belief in himself. Because of which he didn’t give up.
Its about our ability to persevere but our conviction by faith it will be answered
The Reply of Jesus Seems Like a Heartless Rejection.
We must understand that a circus atmosphere was developing around Christ. He was fast becoming a traveling sideshow—“Hurry, hurry, don’t miss the latest miracle! Get your popcorn!
Jesus seemed to insinuate that the official, like the rest of the Galileans, was only giving an excuse to see a miracle from Him (Herod Luke 23:8).
On the other hand, Jesus' words may express his hope more than his exasperation.
He desired a belief characterized by dedication rather than amazement, a genuine commitment rather than merely to perform a cure.
Jesus had to teach the man that His Word alone was enough.
Belief in His Word was what was going to assure the request (God has magnified His Word above His Name Ps.138:2).
His power was at the nobleman’s disposal if he would just believe Him. Belief is to precede signs and wonders.
Note that “you” is plural. Jesus was addressing both the man and the crowd. He wanted the crowd to get the message as well.
“Seeing is believing” is not the Christian approach (John 11:40; 20:29). First we believe then we see.
Miracles can only lead us to the Word (John 5:36-38) and the Word generates saving faith (Romans 10:17)
It is one thing to believe in miracles but something else to commit oneself to Jesus Christ & to continue in His word (John 8:30-31)
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
Note two significant points. (1) The man did not allow Jesus’ rebuke to deter him, and (2) he kept after Jesus.
Persistence shows that one really recognizes and acknowledges his need and really believes God can and will help.
In Miami - Haitian refugee would show up every morning wanting a job . Valdimer would show up willing to be a runner ...
III. A Working Faith
III. A Working Faith
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
Taking someone at their word with no tangible evidence
Illustration -
Abraham took God at His word with Isaac
We take God at His word is the foundation of all faith
Doctors says - to prevent a heart attack do this :
Blood pressure
eat right
exercise
We have not tangible evidence it will work other than his word
Jesus' Response Still Seems Somewhat Impersonal and Casual.
Jesus Was Attempting To Elevate His Faith to a Higher Level.
Jesus Granted His Healing but Refused To Go Down.
If the father refused to return to Capernaum without taking Jesus with him, he would show that he did not believe Jesus' word.
If he followed Jesus' order, he would be returning to the dying boy with no outward assurance that the lad would recover (he didn’t see no sign or wonder).
He was forced to make the difficult choice between insisting on evidence or exercising faith without any tangible proof to encourage him—
he "took Jesus at his word" (ASV "believed the word") and set out on his return journey.
He “believed the word that Jesus had spoken” and “he went his way.”
The idea is that of instantaneous faith and action:
He believed immediately and he turned immediately, heading home to his son. He acted on his faith—Faith sees the unseen (Hebrews 11:1)! Believing is seeing.
IV. A Confirming Faith
IV. A Confirming Faith
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
God is good he will confirm our faith
Illustration - moving to Crown
Illustration - taking care of my family
Illustration - going into the ministry
God is so good when you walk with Him by faith he will reach out and confirm it ....
Every time I tithe is say God this is not my money but your and I am taking you at your word
All kids went to college and most are debt free
Every time I have stepped out by faith God confirms it ....
Note the words “as he was now going.” He was in the act of obeying Christ when he received the news that his prayer was answered.
Both belief and obedience were essential.
Note also that the man confirmed the supernatural vs. the natural.
He asked the exact hour the boy recovered (1 in the afternoon) He wanted to be certain; he wanted absolute confirmation. He was reaching out for stronger faith in Jesus.
V. A Witnessing faith
V. A Witnessing faith
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
When David Felix an AIDS infected man that got saved the first thing he did was preach christ to his family and gay friends
The man witnessed to “his whole house.”
He told them about the experience he had with Jesus, the Word of promise and instructions Jesus had given him, and they all believed. They committed themselves fully to Jesus as the Messiah.
Witnessing for Jesus was not easy for this man.
He was a high official, who would definitely be facing ridicule and persecution, and perhaps loss of position and even loss of life. But note: his faith was a witnessing faith. He loved Jesus for what Jesus had done for him, and he wanted others to know Jesus’ glorious salvation.
We Must Start Witnessing In Our Own Household
Luke 8:26-40 The Demon Possessed Man is Healed
Acts 16:25-34 Philippian Jailer is Converted
1 Peter 3:15 always be ready to give an answer to the hope that is in you.
Application Needs confront every human being, including you.
How are you going to react when severe times come your way ?