The Faith of the Nobleman
John 4:43-54 Monte T. Brown
November 30, 2008 Sunday Morning
Heart O’ the Hills
Introduction
Throughout our lives we hear a lot about faith and the need of having faith in our lives.
We hear of it when we come to church.
We read of it in books and the Bible.
We watch it in movies.
However it seems that so many times our faith is initiated by a crisis in our life.
Many times we only put our faith in Christ as a last ditch effort when we should have our faith in him always.
This morning I would like for us to take a look at the nobleman who lived in Capernaum.
Let’s examine The Faith of the Nobleman and see how he reacts to crisis in his life as he comes to Jesus on behalf of his son who was grievously ill in hopes that Jesus would come and heal him.
If you would please turn to our text this morning, stand, and follow along as I read from John 4:43-54.
Scripture
Notice the four characteristics about The Faith of the Nobleman we will look at this morning.
1. Notice the Resolve of his faith.
Look at what John 4:46-47 says; So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
At this point he had reached the end of his rope; his son was about to die.
He had probably tried everything imaginable up to this point to try to restore his son but to no avail, nothing seemed to work.
He had almost given up hope when he heard of Jesus being close by.
He was roughly only twenty miles away from this man’s home.
He had heard of the many miracles that Jesus had preformed so he resolves in his heart seek him out and implore him of his help.
This is the first hint of any true faith in God abiding in this man’s heart.
Like the woman with the issue of blood, he resolved that he must get to Jesus.
2. Notice the Request of his faith.
Look at what John 4:47-49 says; When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
48Then Jesus said to him, Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.
49The nobleman said to Him, Sir, come down before my child dies!
This man sought Jesus out there in Cana of Galilee and upon finding Him he made a spectacular request.
He asked Jesus if He would come down to his house, where his ailing son lay dying, and heal his son.
His request would seem ridiculous to the most people because they would deem it impossible.
However, true faith reaches beyond things thought impossible and grasp hold of God; for with him nothing is impossible.
Is anything to hard for the Lord, was God’s reply to Sarah upon delivering the news that she would bare a son in her old age.
That is a good question for us to ask ourselves today.
Is anything to hard for the Lord?
If we believe the answer is no, then we will begin to make spectacular request of him, such as the nobleman did in our passage.
3. Notice the Responds of his faith.
Look at what John 4:50 says; Jesus said to him, Go your way; your son lives. So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
True faith takes God at His word. When Jesus told this man to go his way, his son liveth, this man took Jesus at His word and believed Him.
Notice the responds this man never squabbled with Jesus saying, No Jesus, that’s not enough, you must come to my house!!
He simply believed the word that Jesus spoke to him.
This is a mark of true, genuine faith.
Are you taking God at His word today?
If you’re not you do not possess true faith.
4. Notice the Reward of his faith.
Look at what John 4:51-54 says; And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, Your son lives!
52Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, Your son lives. And he himself believed, and his whole household.
54This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.
Trusting God to do what He says that He will do always has its rewards.
What would have happened if this man had not believed Jesus?
It is quite possible that his son would have died, but that is not what happened is it.
This man took God at his word by faith, and was rewarded for his faith.
Many times we do not see our prayers answered because we do not have faith when we pray.
The Bible teaches us to pray with absolute confidence in God if we want our prayers answered Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Conclusion/Invitation:
Admit
What type of faith do you possess?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he came to give you eternal life?
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then this is why your prayers are go unanswered.
Admit your sins and resolve that you must get to Jesus.
Believe
Do you believe that Jesus Christ has forgiven you of your sins and that you have eternal life?
Are you a Christian but you question Jesus Christ’s ability to intervene for you?
Is your faith a shallow, half-hearted belief that you may or may not have your requests answered.
If it is that probably explains why you never see productivity in your prayer life.
Believe in Jesus so that your request would be heard and accepted.
Confess
If you have not believed in Jesus Christ and his ability to give you eternal life and have not confess your sins before him then I challenge you to do so now.
If you’re a Christian and your prayer life is shallow I urge you to resolve to get to Jesus with your problems.
Once there, do not be afraid to request of even the most spectacular things.
When He gives you His word regarding the matter respond in confidence to it, and you will be rewarded for your faith in Him.
Respond to Him by Confessing your sins.
Then your reward will be eternal life.
Check out your faith:
Take Notice of the Resolve of your faith
Take Notice of the Request of your faith
Take Notice of the Responds of your faith
Take Notice of the Reward of your faith
