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John 4:46-54

What does it take to have strong faith? In John 4:46–54, a royal official comes to Jesus begging Him to heal his dying son — and he comes with a faith built on signs and wonders. Jesus rebukes him: "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." But watch what happens next. That same man takes Jesus at His word, and his superstitious faith becomes a strong faith, and his strong faith becomes a saving faith. In this message, Craig Spear walks verse by verse through the healing of the official's son and shows the four steps of strong faith: hear the Word of God, believe the Word of God, obey the Word of God, and rest in the Word of God. If you have ever wanted a sign so you could finally believe — or wondered why God does not always answer the way you asked — this message is for you. Faith is not naming and claiming; faith is accepting from God what He gives. Believe in miracles, but trust in Jesus.

Most notable points in this sermon:

  • In the kingdom of heaven, faith is the medium of exchange — whatever we receive from God is according to our faith (Matthew 9:29)
  • Without faith it is impossible to please God, no matter how beautifully we sing, give, walk, or serve (Hebrews 11:6)
  • The problem of a superstitious faith: the royal official's faith was built on signs and wonders, not on the Word of God
  • Demanding a sign is dishonoring to God — He has already spoken, and unbelief makes Him out to be a liar (1 John 5:10)
  • Seeking signs and wonders is dangerous because it can deceive — the Antichrist and the false prophet will authenticate their ministries with counterfeit miracles (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13–14)
  • Why Jesus did signs and wonders: to authenticate His ministry and the apostles' ministry, and that we might believe and have life in His name (Acts 2:22; John 20:30–31; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3–4)
  • The progression of strong faith — step one: he heard the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
  • Step two: he believed the Word of God — our problem is not intellectual, it is moral; faith is a response to the character of God
  • Step three: he obeyed the Word of God — real faith is belief with legs on it (James 2:26; Romans 1:5)
  • Step four: he rested in the Word of God — twenty-four hours passed and he still had not rushed home; the rest of faith is the mark of real faith (Psalm 37:5–7; Isaiah 28:16)
  • The provision of saving faith: he and all his household believed — not in a miracle worker, but in a Messiah (John 4:53; John 20:31)
  • Jesus did not come as a healer; Jesus came as a Savior (Luke 19:10) — the miracles point to the greater miracle, the new birth
  • Why I follow Christ: not for promised healing, protection from disaster, prosperity, or personality enhancement, but because in Jesus we behold the face of God

Scripture passages used in this sermon:

Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-280791.html

Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card

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Blessings,
Living Word Community Church