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SO THE MAN BELIEVED THE WORD THAT JESUS SPOKE TO HIM

Text: JOHN 4:43-54 200408
20 April 2008

(I) THE ISSUE OF SIGNS AND WONDERS IN THE DAYS OF JESUS CHRIST

1. The role of signs and wonders

“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory…” John 2:11

a. They are consistent with what Jesus came to do

b. They demonstrate the power of God

c. They vindicate the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus

d. They are limited ( John 2:23-24 )

2. The problem of overdependence on sign and wonders

“…Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” John 4:48

a. The overdependence on sight

b. The problem of a weakness of faith

c. The design of signs and wonders – a temporal thing

Question: What if signs and wonders are not available today?

(II) CORRECTION OF WRONG IDEAS ABOUT SIGNS

1. Wrong idea that the Lord Jesus had to go personally to heal a person

“The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” John 4:49

2. Being corrected to exercise faith in the Lord’s word instead

“Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your son lives’…” John 4:50

a. Seeing the person of Jesus

i. One who was Lord over sicknesses

ii. One who utters a word and it is done.

b. Seeing the worth of His words

i. Helping one see beyond the visible to the invisible

ii. Giving one hope when there is nothing else to turn to

(III) THE EXAMPLE OF THE NOBLEMAN IN EXERCISING FAITH IN THE LORD’S WORD

1. Initial faith

“…So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.” John 4:50

2. Confirming of faith

“And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, ‘Your son lives!’ Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, ‘Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.’ So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, ‘Your son live.’ …” John 4: 51-53

3. Stronger faith

“…And he himself believed…” John 4:53

4. Sharing of faith with the whole household

“…And he himself believed, and his whole household.” John 4:5