John 4:46-54

A FAITH STORY, 9/11/05

Life of Christ #13

 

In her book “It’s My Turn” Ruth Bell Graham tells a story about her growing up days in Tsingkiang, China, where her father was a missionary physician. The business manager at the local hospital was a jolly gentleman named Mr. Kao Er. One day as he attended prayer meeting, bandits broke into his house and kidnapped his two children, an eight-year-old son and a baby daughter.

 

As word spread, the local Christians and missionaries gathered in earnest prayer.

 

Never one to miss an opportunity to witness, Mr. Kao Er had a large sign painted and posted in front of the hospital gate. It said, in effect: The bandits have kidnapped our children and have demanded a thousand yuan ransom. I am not a wealthy man. I cannot pay a thousand yuan. I cannot pay five hundred yuan. I cannot even pay fifty yuan. But I believe God. If it is His will, He is able to bring my children back without any ransom.

 

Passerbys were amazed by his message, and it was widely expected that the children would be quickly killed.

Weeks passed, and in the course of time a band of soldiers broke in upon the hive of bandits. As they pursued them, they heard a sound from the ditch beside the road. One soldier stopped to look, and there he found a skeleton-like child lying in the ditch where the bandits had hastily thrown him. It was Mr. Kao Er’s son. He had been imprisoned under a large overturned vessel, and was on the brink of starvation. But he was alive, and he recovered.

But what of the baby girl?

 

Later there was another battle between the bandits and the soldiers. This time, the wife of the bandit chief was captured, and she was found nursing two babies—not twins—too near in age to both be her own. The daughter, too, was returned to her parents.

Ruth recalls, “Sitting one Sunday in the little gray-brick Chinese church, I watched as Mr. Kao Er, carrying his still-too-weak-to-walk son, and his wife, carrying the now healthy, chubby baby girl, walked forward to publicly give thanks to God and to dedicate both children to Him.*[1]

 

That is the story of one man’s faith.  There could be many more such stories told, stories or ordinary people trusting God with extraordinary results. Each of us must realize that one quality that God requires of us is faith.

 

Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

We must also realize that there are going to be times when our faith is going to be put to the test.   

James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

So what is faith? Our brother Alan Cornman, recently came up with the following definition of faith.   

 “FAITH:  the underlying confidence in God that He has done all He said He has, is all He said He is, and will do all He said He will.”

 

This morning as we continue our series on the Life of Christ, we find the next event in Christ’s life which immediately followed Jesus’ meeting with the “Woman at the Well”. This is the story of a nobleman with a sick son. Like so many Bible Stories, it is a story of faith.  And like so many Bible stories, this story challenges you and me to greater faith.

 

Perhaps there are situations in your life right now that are requiring you to place faith in God in a great way.  This story should help you.  We have a very simple outline this morning:

 

FAITH TESTED – Vss. 46-49

FAITH TRUSTING – Vs. 51

FAITH TRIUMPHANT – Vss. 52-53

 

FAITH TESTED – Vss. 46-49

 

Vs. 46 – Jesus returns to Cana in Galilee, the same place where He had recently turned water into wine.

 

Jesus is about to have an encounter with a “nobleman”.  He was probably a member of the court of King Herod.  It appears that the man was probably a man of means.  He had servants, and working for Herod was probably a profitable venture.

 

This nobleman had a problem. He had a very sick son. 

Have you noticed that the rich and famous are not exempt from having problems?  They get problems just as much as we do!

 

You’ve heard stories of sickness, marital grief, family, legal, and moral problems all occurring among the rich and famous.

 

When Hurricane Katrina recently hit the Gulf Coast, everyone suffered loss, not just the poor and not just rich. There were has been unbelievable suffering among all types of people.

 

Job 5:7 - Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

 

The Son of this nobleman was in Capernaum, between 20-25 miles away.

 

Vs. 47 – When the nobleman heard that Jesus was only 20-25 miles away, he came to Jesus. Notice he didn’t send a servant. He came personally.

 

When we have problems it is always nice to have people praying for us. I know that I appreciate it when others tell me that they are praying.

 

But let’s remember this.  If we want God’s help, we can and should come to Him personally.  If we know Jesus as our Savior, we can come to Him and anytime, anyplace, anywhere!

 

Psalm 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

   

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

When the nobleman came to Jesus he begged Him, or actually continually begged him for help.  He was in earnest. He cared.  He wanted Jesus to come right away because the boy was at the point of death.

 

God wants us to pray in a similar way.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:7-8, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 

The words in Matthew 7:7 actually mean “Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.”  We should be persistent in our prayers to the Lord!

 

Have you noticed that when we have problems, sometimes things get worse before they get better? 

It is the like the man who was having problems, and a friend said, “Cheer up, things could be worse!” So he cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse!

 

Sometimes God allows our faith to be tested even more!

Such was the case with the nobleman. Things immediately got worse.

 

Vs. 48 – This statement was somewhat of a blow to the nobleman.  What Jesus says even seems cruel. 

 

And notice that Jesus made his response not just to the nobleman but to all that were gathered around.

 

The Jews were constantly looking for “signs” or proofs from Jesus before they would believe on Him. 

 

They wanted to see Him physically perform a miracle.    

The nobleman wanted Jesus to go physically with him to Capernaum and heal his son.  That would have been a sign.

 

Jesus was saying to the crowd and to the nobleman, “I want you to believe on me, even if I don’t give you a sign.”

 

We are like that. The moment we pray about a problem, we look for signs that God is actually going to answer the prayer.  So one moment we are “up”, because we see a sign, and the next moment we are “down” because we don’t see a sign that God is answering our prayers. Let’s believe that God will answer no matter what the signs.

 

On another occasion there was a centurion, a Roman soldier, who approached Jesus about the healing of his servant.  He didn’t need a sign. He said in Matthew 8:8-9 …Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. [9] For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

 

Jesus was impressed with the faith of the centurion and Matthew 8:10 says, When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

 

And of course, the centurion’s servant was healed.   

 

Matthew 8:13 - And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 

Let’s not look for signs when we pray. Let’s just trust that Jesus will heal and our prayer!

 

Now back to the nobleman.

Vs. 49 – The nobleman didn’t seem to care.  No matter what Jesus said, he realized that Jesus was his hope.  He still thought Jesus needed to come, and he was still in earnest.

“Sir, Come ere my child die.”  

 

Oh, may we have the same earnestness as this nobleman when we pray!   

   

The man’s faith was severely tested, and yours will be too from time to time.

Psalm 66:10 - For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

When silver is tried or refined heat is applied!

When you are tested, the heat of affliction will be applied.   

 

FAITH TESTED – Vss. 46-49

FAITH TRUSTING – Vs. 50

 

Jesus now shows what he means about believing without a sign.

Jesus simply gave His word.

Jesus said, “You can go now. You’re son lives!” Jesus had healed the boy without going to Capernaum.

 

For all of the nobleman’s begging about Jesus going to Capernaum, he simply took Jesus at His Word.

Why, he didn’t even rush home to make sure that what Jesus said was true.  He didn’t go until the next day!

 

This man simply trusted the Word of Jesus.

This is what faith is. It’s trust that what God says he will do!

 

Trusting faith is often what is missing in our prayers.

We leave out the believing that God will answer.

God does not answer faithless prayers.

 

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.

 

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

 

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

 

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Edgar P. Stites 1876,  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/trusting.htm

 

Let’s remember that when we trust God with our problems, we are invincible.

Psalm 125:1 - They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

 

Psalm 62:6

    He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

 

FAITH TESTED – Vss. 46-49

FAITH TRUSTING – Vs. 51

FAITH TRIUMPHANT – Vss. 52-53

   

When we trust God there will always be victory.

Sometimes the victory will be a positive answer to our prayers.  A person will be healed, or a problem will be solved.  

Other times we will not see the answer we want, but God will give us the grace to triumph through the difficult times.

 

Romans 5:3-5 - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

In our story the Nobleman experiences triumphant faith.

   

Vs. 51 – The Nobleman’s servants actually started out to find their master with the good news!  The son had been healed! The fever was gone! 

 

I’m sure the Nobleman was overjoyed, but I don’t think that he was surprised!  After all, he was trusting Jesus at His word!

 

Vs. 52 – The Nobleman was curious.  When did the boy start to heal? The time was stated.

 

Vs. 53 – The boy was healed at the same hour as Jesus had said “Thy son liveth”.

This is absolutely remarkable.

Jesus healed a boy 25 miles away without seeing him.

He simply spoke the Word, and the boy was healed.

 

The result was that the Nobleman and his household believed.  They believed in Jesus as the Messiah.  The man’s faith led to more faith.

 

This should be our pattern as well.

We trust God for a solution to our problem.

God solves our problem for us.

This should lead us to trust God all the more the next time a problem arises.

 

Thirty-four Christmases ago finances were tight.  We were newly married, and working as missionaries for Child Evangelism Fellowship. Our support was anything but regular.

 

I remember asking God for help. I wanted to give Dottie and much needed set of dishes for Christmas.  God provided for the need, and that began a pattern.

 

When the children were growing up, most Christmases were tight financially, but we were able to trust God to meet the need, because he had done it before!  Faith led to more faith.

 

So let your faith build.  When you are confronted with a problem, think of those times when God has answered your prayers previously and delivered you.  Build on your past faith by trusting him for a solution this time.

 

Let us learn from this story of faith.

 

FAITH TESTED

FAITH TRUSTING

FAITH TRIUMPHANT