I AM: Actual Fath
Speaker: Pastor Neil Lindwall
Additional Resources: Extra readings are on this page and appear indented like this. Additional study resources are available here.
ESV John 4:43-45 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.
Three Reasons Why a Prophet Has No Honor in His Own Home:
1. Familiarity. Tough to witness to family.
2. Pride. ‘who are you to tell us?’
3. Entitlement. win lottery, politician.
The statement is one every believer should take to heart. … our familiarity with a brother or sister in Christ might be breeding contempt in our own hearts.
- Do we presume to know another Christian so well that we can’t hear God’s message in his words or recognize God’s presence in his ministry?
- Are we rejecting the very servant God has sent to do a mighty work in our lives?
- Are we limiting God’s plan because of our unbelief? – GotQuestions.org
Matt 4:12-16 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
Jesus Went Where He Was Most Needed, Not Most Honored.
Disdain for Jesus Cannot Dethrone Him
John 4:46-47 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official (“royal official” – NIV ) whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked (“begged” – NIV ) him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
“where he had made the water wine”. Why Bring It Up? It’s a Cue, Clue, & Call. A Cue to Remember the “First Sign”, a Clue to Unlock Understanding,
“Official, ” = Cognate: 937 basilikós – kingly (royal), befitting a king; kingly dignity, belonging to a king. – HELPS Lexicon
937. βασιλικός basilikós; from 935; royal: NASB glosses: king's(1), royal(2), royal official(2). ― NASEC dictionary
The “Royal Official” (Most Likely an Official of King Herod) Traveled about 20 miles to “Ask” Jesus to Come Heal His Son.
The Word Translated “Asked” ESV or “Begged” NIV is Erōtáō, er-o-tah'-o to interrogate; by implication, to request:—ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray. – Strong’s Definitions.
John 4:48-49 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.”
“Asked/Begged” = erōtáō (from eromai, "ask") – make an earnest request, especially by someone on "special footing," i.e. in "preferred position." … R. Trench, "2065 (erōtaō) means 'to interrogate' or 'to inquire', . . . it implies that he who asks stands on a certain footing of equality with him from whom the boon is asked, as king with king (Lk 14:32), or, if not of equality, on such a footing of familiarity as lends authority to the request… - HELPS Lexicon.
They Only Believe If & When God Performs for Them.
Trust In Jesus Power Without Verifying It First. In Other Words, Jesus Was Calling for Actual Faith!
Jesus Is The Master Not Our Slave.
John 4:50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
John 4:51-53 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.
Distance Cannot Diminish His Divinity.
John 4:54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
The First Two Signs & Lesson
1. Water to Wine – Jesus Comes to Restore Joy & New Life by Faith, NOW!
2. Healing the Official’s Son – Joy & New Life Comes By Faith in Jesus, HERE!
John 4:39-42 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
John 4:53-54 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.
The Faith Process at the Well:
- Stage 1, Introduction: “Come & See!”
- Stage 2, Investigation: “We Have Heard Jesus Ourselves!”
- Stage 3, Conviction: “We Know!”
The Faith Process at Cana:
- Stage 1, Crisis: “Come Heal My Son!”
- Stage 2, Confidence: “He Believed Jesus & Went Home!”
- Stage 3, Confirmation: “He & His Household Knew!”
IF IT’S NOT ACTIVE FAITH IT’S NOT ACTUAL FAITH.
James 2:17 "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." True Faith Manifests.
Answer this Question:
How Is God Calling Me To Put Faith Into Action?
