43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. —John 4:43-54
Introduction: Most of us have trust issues. We live in a world were betrayal and hurt are almost expected as part of our regular lives. John scribes for us the account of an official coming to Jesus to heal his dying son. In a season of crisis this man chose to hope and trust that Jesus could heal his son. Jesus’ response to Him provides us a challenge and the official provides us an example of growing faith.
By trusting in Jesus, we transfer our trust away from
Three Next steps to Trust in Jesus
1. Trust in Jesus’ Power
- a. Jesus is the master over death (v.46-47)
- b. Jesus has supernatural power (v.48)
- c. Jesus’ power extends beyond understanding (v.49)
God allows you to experience
2. Trust in Jesus’ Word
- a. Jesus commands and cares through His words (v.50)
- b. Jesus challenges us to deepen our faith. (v.48-50; Rom 10:17; Col 3:16)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. —Romans 10:17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. —Colossians 3:16
The hardness of God is
- c. Jesus’ Word is as good as His presence. (v.50-53)
Faith
3. Trust in the Person of Jesus
- a. Jesus loves despite knowing He will be rejected (v.44)
- b. Jesus’ character is affirmed by the testimony of others (v.51-52)
This is true faith, a
in the goodness of God. —Martin Luther
- c. Jesus is worthy of your belief (v.53-54)
Believe in Jesus for
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
What keeps you from seeing God’s glory and trusting in His Word and plan?
How can we cultivate the kind of faith that allows us to trust Jesus before we see Him work?
How can we influence our households this season to see and believe in the person and Word of God? Take time to pray for your family’s faith and spiritual maturity.