WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.440 We're in the end of John chapter 4, verses 43 to 54. 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:09.359 I think you probably will need a Bible this morning. 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:10.140 ! I think that would be helpful. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:14.900 If you want to grab one there, just as you come in, do feel free to get up and grab one. 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:17.420 Let me read you the last verse. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:24.640 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he'd come from Judea to Galilee. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:31.719 Anyway, this story that I'm going to speak on this morning is a sign. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:37.539 John structures his book, this book that we're looking at, around seven signs. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:42.500 He tells us the miracle and then he tells us what it means so we don't miss the point. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:47.340 And a sign is a significant point to something beyond itself. 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:52.519 So, for example, if you wanted to go to Swansea, 00:00:52.520 --> 00:00:55.560 it's quite possibly the greatest city in the world, 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:01.580 but if you wanted to go to Swansea from here, you'd get on to the M4, the magnificent 4. 00:01:03.820 --> 00:01:06.700 And you would drive to the end of the M4. 00:01:08.600 --> 00:01:12.659 The first sign for Swansea, it's a glorious moment when it comes up. 00:01:12.800 --> 00:01:17.060 It's just when you're past Swindon and you notice the sign. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:24.980 You see, first of all, Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea. 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:31.299 Let's imagine you're driving down the M4 tomorrow and you see the sign. 00:01:31.379 --> 00:01:33.879 You're so delighted to see the sign for Swansea. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:36.060 You pull the car into the hard shoulder. 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:40.960 You get out and glassy-eyed, you look at the sign. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:47.099 You tell the kids who are slightly terrified on the hard shoulder, 00:01:47.239 --> 00:01:48.280 get out the car, kids. 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:50.559 And you get your phone out. 00:01:50.639 --> 00:01:51.959 You say, stand in front of the sign. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.459 There's lorries whizzing past at 80 mile per hour. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:55.919 And you say, smile. 00:01:57.839 --> 00:02:02.099 And then you get your wife to go to the booth to get the sandwiches and the packed lunch out of the car. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:05.379 And you stand on the bank by the sign and you have a picnic. 00:02:05.379 --> 00:02:10.199 You stop for an hour eating your lunch by the sign. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:13.280 Amazingly, the police don't turn up. 00:02:13.579 --> 00:02:17.060 You get back in the car and you drive on to the next junction. 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:18.919 You turn off. 00:02:19.299 --> 00:02:23.780 You go round the roundabout and you get back on the M4 going the other direction to London. 00:02:24.079 --> 00:02:25.240 And you go home. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:28.680 That's insane, isn't it? 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:34.439 Because the sign is there to tell you this is the way to Swansea. 00:02:35.699 --> 00:02:37.400 The sign is not the big thing. 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:41.639 The important thing is that you don't get too caught up with the sign. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:43.879 You go to where it's pointing you. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:47.719 And so come with me to the end of John's Gospel. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:51.900 Where John gives us the reason why he's writing this book. 00:02:51.979 --> 00:02:53.300 The purpose of the Gospel. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:56.099 And in John 20 verses 30 to 31. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:57.780 He says, 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:06.259 These signs, these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:09.759 And that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:12.959 That's the reason for this sign. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:13.819 And all the signs. 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:17.459 That's the reason why we're studying John's Gospel. 00:03:17.579 --> 00:03:19.519 Why we open God's Word on a Sunday morning. 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:23.340 Because God wants you to have life in his name. 00:03:24.299 --> 00:03:25.919 To have eternal life. 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:28.659 That is life with God. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.019 Knowing God. 00:03:30.020 --> 00:03:34.020 Knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:36.740 And how do you get that life? 00:03:36.820 --> 00:03:38.620 You get that life by believing. 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:41.800 He wants you to have faith in Jesus Christ. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:42.939 That's what leads to life. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:45.719 But the question is, what is genuine faith? 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:46.520 What is believing? 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:51.340 And I think that's the question that John addresses throughout the Gospel. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:52.400 But particularly here. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.680 He records Jesus' words. 00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:59.560 And Jesus' words tell you what true faith is. 00:03:59.579 --> 00:04:00.579 And what it involves. 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:03.479 And he does that because he wants you. 00:04:03.659 --> 00:04:04.620 Little old you. 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:06.400 To have life in his name. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:10.300 The man who wrote this Gospel, John. 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:11.300 He was with Jesus. 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:12.860 He was an eyewitness. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:14.639 He saw Jesus do these things. 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:15.680 And then explain them. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:17.339 He saw Jesus die. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:19.160 And then Jesus rise again. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:20.339 And beat death. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:22.620 And he writes a book about it. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:24.259 So that whoever reads it. 00:04:24.660 --> 00:04:26.420 And whoever hears it preached. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:29.379 May conclude that Jesus is the Christ. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:30.339 The King. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:31.980 The Son of God. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:34.860 Who can give you life. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:35.800 If you believe in him. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:41.159 And so John wants you to walk out that door this morning. 00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:42.639 Alive. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:48.160 Some of you walked in here this morning spiritually dead. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:51.719 You may be here for the first time. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:53.160 You may be here for the thousandth time. 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:53.779 It doesn't matter. 00:04:53.899 --> 00:04:56.779 God wants you to leave going through those doors. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:04:58.839 Saying, I'm alive. 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:05.339 I'm alive because Jesus is my saviour and my king and my lord. 00:05:07.359 --> 00:05:10.599 First of all, let's think about what saving faith isn't. 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:11.659 What believing isn't. 00:05:11.719 --> 00:05:12.939 What saving faith isn't. 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:13.939 So verse 43. 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:17.160 After two days he departed for Galilee. 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:18.100 There's two days. 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:19.639 We don't know anything about what happened in them. 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:21.959 But Jesus spent it with the Samaritans. 00:05:22.899 --> 00:05:26.419 We saw them last week charging over the hill to come to Jesus. 00:05:26.799 --> 00:05:27.799 And verse 44. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:35.360 For Jesus himself had testified that no prophet, no preacher has no honour. 00:05:35.780 --> 00:05:38.100 That a preacher does not have honour in his hometown. 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:43.980 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans believed. 00:05:44.460 --> 00:05:45.220 They welcomed him. 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:48.480 Having seen all that he'd done in Jerusalem at the feast. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:50.240 For they too had gone to the feast. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:53.660 So these people, they seem to welcome Jesus. 00:05:54.460 --> 00:05:55.900 They seem really positive about him. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.780 And the reason we're told that they welcomed him is because they'd seen everything he'd done at the feast. 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:02.500 Hold on to that. 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:06.800 It's important because it explains something that will surprise us. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:07.780 Verse 46. 00:06:07.900 --> 00:06:09.920 He came again to Canaan and Galilee. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.560 We've heard about that place before. 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:15.780 Because that's the place where in chapter 2 Jesus rescued the wedding. 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:18.280 He turned water into wine. 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:21.119 He turned water into wine in an instant. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:24.099 That's the first miraculous sign. 00:06:24.179 --> 00:06:24.759 Don't forget it. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.659 So verse 46 continuing. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:33.439 And at Capernaum there was an official, a civil servant, a noble man whose son was ill. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:38.059 And when this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:43.659 he went to him and he asked him to come down and heal his son because his son was at the point of death. 00:06:45.679 --> 00:06:46.619 So here's a man. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:47.519 He works for the king. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:48.839 He's of some importance. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:51.019 He's got responsibility at least. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:55.359 But for all his importance it doesn't stop this tragedy. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:57.599 This disaster. 00:06:59.299 --> 00:07:01.699 His son is laying ill. 00:07:01.859 --> 00:07:03.219 He is close to death. 00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:04.419 He is dying. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:06.719 He's a desperate father. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:10.860 He travels a long way in those days. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:13.980 He's about 20 miles on foot from Capernaum to Cana. 00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:19.600 And he does it because he wants to find this man, Jesus, who he thinks can help. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:26.100 He hears that Jesus has been doing remarkable things like turning water into wine in an instant. 00:07:26.580 --> 00:07:27.900 And look what Jesus says to him. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:28.560 Verse 48. 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:32.860 So Jesus said to him, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:37.780 That is so shocking, isn't it? 00:07:37.780 --> 00:07:42.160 Think about the situation. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:48.560 He's heard of the desperate situation back in Capernaum. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:55.180 He sees the visible anguish of this man and he says something that seems so insensitive. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:59.459 Jesus, you've failed the counseling course. 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:03.340 Jesus, you are not empathetic like you should be. 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:09.720 But I think we need to notice that Jesus is not talking to this man individually. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:12.540 He's talking to the group of people collectively. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:17.759 And also remember those words that we read in verse 44. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:19.139 Those words that are in brackets. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:24.019 For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his hometown. 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:29.959 And that is a theme that we're going to see runs right the way through John's Gospel. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:31.920 Do you remember how John's Gospel starts? 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:34.600 It tells us that the word became flesh. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:37.159 The Lord Jesus came into this world. 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.379 And what happened to him? 00:08:39.180 --> 00:08:40.899 What reception was Jesus given? 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.779 Chapter 1 verse 11. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.519 He came to his own, but his own did not receive him. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:50.620 He came to that which was his own. 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:52.080 His own people, the Jewish people. 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:55.000 But his own did not receive him. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:57.279 His own people abused him the most. 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:06.299 So when we read of him coming from Samaria in chapter 4 into his own country, Galilee, where he's welcomed. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.700 Don't be so sure about that. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:12.000 They seem to welcome him. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:15.700 But Jesus knows better, doesn't he? 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:20.740 And the words of verse 45, they should ring a bell. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:23.620 They should remind you of some words that you've read before. 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.639 Chapter 2 and verse 23. 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:26.480 Let's go back there. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:33.980 It says that the Galileans welcomed him because they'd seen all that he'd done in Jerusalem at the Passover feast. 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:41.560 But in chapter 2 verse 23, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name. 00:09:42.420 --> 00:09:48.620 They saw the signs that he was doing, but Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:55.539 Because Jesus knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man. 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:58.580 For he knew himself what was in a man. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:03.360 He didn't need any man's testimony about man because Jesus knew what was in a man. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:13.960 And the people he's addressing in chapter 4 verse 48, Jesus says to them, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:20.980 And the people who come back from Jerusalem, where they'd seen all the signs that Jesus had done, 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:24.300 these are the people who in chapter 2 say, we believe in you. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.300 But he didn't believe in them. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.560 He would not entrust himself to them. 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:31.759 He didn't trust their response. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:37.720 He knows that their belief wasn't worth much because he knows what's inside them. 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:42.039 He knows their hearts just like he knows all our hearts. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:47.799 So he knows that our hearts are selfish, aren't they? 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:53.059 He knows that our hearts love self-rule. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:59.539 He knows that our hearts are self-centered and they are opposed to God's rule. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:06.819 And he knows that he cannot rely on the kind of belief that these people have on him. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:12.620 There's something not quite right about their faith. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:18.659 This is a type of faith that Jesus doesn't want. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:23.019 And that makes sense of Jesus' response in verse 48. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:25.259 Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:30.919 He wants to discourage faith that is purely based on signs. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.340 Purely based on miracles. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:39.759 So let me just say this. 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:45.100 If you are a regular viewer of the God channel, that will surprise you, won't it? 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:52.379 Because it seems to me that whenever I click on that channel, that's the emphasis. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:57.240 The emphasis is believe because of what you see. 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:59.740 I'll believe when I see a miracle, people say. 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:05.139 But if you are a reader of John's gospel, 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.620 then what Jesus says will not surprise you. 00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:15.060 Because as we go through John, we learn from Jesus not to trust belief that is only sign belief, 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.639 that is only miracles belief. 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:20.000 Wow, Jesus, I'm really impressed with what you're doing. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:20.720 I've seen a miracle. 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:26.600 Remember, genuine trust and faith is not based on a never-ending supply of signs and wonders. 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:30.620 Jesus is not the genie in the lamp. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:37.139 Imagine if he was. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:47.160 Imagine you say, I will only trust you, Jesus, if you give what I command. 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:52.779 Imagine saying to Jesus, I will only trust you if you heal me. 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:55.759 I will only trust you if you heal them. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:59.240 I will only trust you, Jesus, if you give me that job. 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:02.919 I will only trust you, Jesus, if you give me that husband. 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:04.620 If you give me that wife. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.539 If you give me that house. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:08.360 If you give me that child. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.779 Jesus begins, doesn't he, 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:16.480 to become a puppet who dances to my tune, to my agenda. 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:19.719 And if he doesn't do that. 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:24.319 If Jesus doesn't do what I want, well then I won't trust him. 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:28.360 Unless you see signs and wonders, you'll never believe. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:30.319 So can you see what he's saying to the crowd there? 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.399 All you're bothered about is miracles. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:38.019 And you're not bothered about the greatest thing of all, which is to know me. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:43.120 It's what the miracles point to. 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:44.899 To me. 00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:47.759 To have eternal life. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:50.059 They want miracles, but they don't want him. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:55.699 They want the sign, but they don't want the one the sign points to. 00:13:55.700 --> 00:14:00.280 If I stop doing the miracles, you will not believe me. 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:06.879 Saving faith, genuine faith, is not based on signs and miracles. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:13.620 It is based on the one the sign points to, Jesus and his word. 00:14:13.660 --> 00:14:15.360 Which brings me to my second point. 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.640 What is saving faith? 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:19.819 What is saving faith? 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.639 Look at verse 49. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:26.340 The official said to him, Sir, come down before my child dies. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:33.419 Jesus said to him, Go, your son will live. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:38.139 Off you go, your son will live. 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:44.159 If that was me, if I was that man, I'd say, hang on a minute. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.799 I want you to come with me. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:53.100 I've come all this way to get to you, to bring you back to Capernaum so that you can heal my son. 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:54.720 Please do not tell me to go. 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:00.620 If you do not come with me, there's no hope for my boy. 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:05.159 But Jesus is saying here, go, your son will live. 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:09.120 You don't need my presence physically. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:13.240 You don't need my physical presence. 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:15.219 I give you my word. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.360 I promise. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.779 Your son lives. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:23.779 And verse 50, the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.019 It's astonishing. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:31.759 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way, 20 miles back. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:35.379 It would be an overnight trip in those days. 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:42.179 But something in the man says, do what he says, believe his word, go. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.399 Go home, trust Jesus. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.819 It's going to be all right. 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.639 I'd love to meet this man. 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.460 I'd love to talk to him. 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:58.560 I wonder whether he had doubts on the way home. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:03.040 It's a 20 mile journey, five miles in. 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:06.519 He takes a break in the service station. 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:11.160 He thinks, I should have got him to come. 00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:14.680 I should have got him to come with me. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.940 Twelve miles in, he's got eight miles to go. 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:19.740 It's boiling hot. 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:21.379 I should have made Jesus come. 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:25.480 I'm going to look so stupid when I get home. 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:26.900 And my wife says, where's Jesus? 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.680 And I say to him, he hasn't come. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.680 But he did give me a promise. 00:16:30.800 --> 00:16:31.400 A promise. 00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:32.740 What good is a promise? 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.740 My son is dying. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.980 But that didn't happen, did it? 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:39.120 What did happen? 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.180 Well, it's the seventh hour. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:55.459 And the official's wife is in her home. 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:56.739 And she is desperate. 00:16:57.319 --> 00:17:00.500 Desperately trying to keep her son's raging temperature down. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.939 The house is hot. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.919 The boy is on his bed. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.259 He is burning up. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:11.460 The lad is slipping in and out of consciousness. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:14.519 He is close to breath. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.779 His breathing is shallow. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.980 He's burning up. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.420 The mum is reluctant to leave his bedside. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:27.099 But she runs to the kitchen to try to get some water to try and cool him down. 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:29.819 And she goes back to his bedroom. 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:32.220 And the bed is empty. 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:37.019 And he's out of his bed. 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:40.279 And he's getting dressed. 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:45.519 And the mum says to him, what are you doing? 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.759 He says, I'm going out to play with my friends. 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:51.279 And he starts to do kick-ups in the bedroom. 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.120 She touches his head. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.900 He's fine. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.120 He's got no temperature. 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.539 No fever. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.700 He's fit and healthy like that. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:01.759 He says, mum, I'm fine. 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:09.339 When she's recovered from the shock, she says, I've got to tell my husband. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.900 He's gone to get Jesus. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.680 Jesus doesn't need to come anymore. 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:16.059 So she sends the servant off with the good news. 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.920 And the servant runs up the road. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.799 And he meets the official. 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:24.980 And he says, verse 51, your son is living. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:29.620 And they meet him with this wonderful news. 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:32.799 Your boy is living. 00:18:32.979 --> 00:18:34.500 He's back to normal. 00:18:34.739 --> 00:18:35.599 He is well. 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.379 When did he get better? 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.739 The man asks. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.500 Verse 52. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:47.979 And they said to him, yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him. 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.699 One o'clock in the afternoon yesterday. 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:54.019 Ah, verse 53. 00:18:56.340 --> 00:19:00.559 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, your son will live. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:05.859 So, and he himself believed and just noticed. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.819 Notice, and all his household. 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:15.700 And I think John has put this here because he wants you and I to see this is real belief. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:27.500 Genuine belief, not just that Jesus is a great miracle worker, which he is, but real belief that he is the promised Christ, the anointed king, the son of God. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:34.480 His faith is in the one the miracle points to. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.519 And so that's our next point. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:40.519 Saving faith trusts Jesus as the Messiah. 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:46.200 Saving faith trusts Jesus as the Messiah or the Christ. 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:49.619 Faith is not something that you drum up to yourself. 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:58.700 Faith is not a natural leaning or gifting that I may have or you may have, but other people might not have. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:03.339 Faith is not an ability that we have just to take a blind leap into the dark. 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:05.639 Faith has a concrete object. 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:10.639 And it grows and faith grows as we focus on that object. 00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:12.819 The person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.399 And that's what this man does. 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:23.079 His son was close to death and Jesus says, your son will live. 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.959 And he takes Jesus at his word. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:29.160 And it happens according to Jesus' word. 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:36.799 And he thinks, who is this who even has the power over death itself? 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:39.519 And the conclusion is, he is God's king. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:44.559 And he and his household believe. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:51.680 I think that is what the first two signs in Galilee. 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:53.480 First, the water into wine in Cana. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:58.519 And then Capernaum have led him to conclude that Jesus is the Messiah, the long promised one. 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.519 He is the sent one. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:03.940 He is the one who has been promised for centuries. 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:06.579 So come back with me to one of the promises. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:11.759 Which tells the people of Israel, what are you to expect when the Messiah arrives? 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.919 So Isaiah 25. 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:13.720 Can you come with me? 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:20.539 What kind of thing are you going to expect when God comes to save his people? 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.899 Isaiah chapter 25. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.699 We're going to read from verse 6. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.099 Isaiah 25 and verse 6. 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:39.639 What kind of thing will you expect from God when he comes to save his people? 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:42.139 When God's king turns up. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.179 Verse 6. 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:50.980 On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:54.799 A feast of well-aged wine. 00:21:56.159 --> 00:22:00.259 Of rich food full of marrow of aged wine. 00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:02.519 Sounds good, doesn't it? 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:06.920 Sounds like John chapter 2. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.900 Great party. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.500 Great banquet. 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.519 But then verse 7. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.400 Look what it says. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.599 When God turns up. 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.720 When the Messiah turns up. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.579 He will swallow up on this mountain. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:18.359 The covering that is cast over all peoples. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:21.059 The veil that is spread over all nations. 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.379 What will he swallow up? 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:24.240 He will swallow up death forever. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.819 Sounds even better, doesn't it? 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:31.480 Sounds like John 4. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:35.460 And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:37.220 And the reproach of his people. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.880 He will take away from the earth. 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:40.140 For the Lord has spoken. 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.860 It will be said on that day. 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:44.740 Behold, this is our God. 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.960 We have waited for him. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:50.299 That he might save us. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:52.000 This is the Lord. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.640 We have waited for him. 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:58.900 Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:02.540 So verse 6. 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.340 The Messiah comes. 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.560 And we expect a great banquet. 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:06.500 The turning of water into wine. 00:23:08.820 --> 00:23:09.759 Verse 7 and 8. 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:10.500 The Messiah comes. 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.460 And what are we to expect? 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:13.540 The removal of the shroud of death. 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:17.759 The great blanket that covers the whole earth. 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.420 All peoples. 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:19.300 All humanity. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:23.640 And so the saving of that boy in John 4. 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:25.220 From death is significant. 00:23:25.780 --> 00:23:26.720 Here is the Christ. 00:23:27.040 --> 00:23:28.220 Here is the promised one. 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:33.160 Who has come to remove the result of our sin and rebellion against God. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.100 And notice faith as an object. 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:35.880 Verse 9. 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:39.680 It is the Lord we are waiting for. 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:42.660 It is the Lord we have trusted in. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:45.460 And the man believes in John 4, doesn't he? 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.240 He waits for the Lord. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.700 He trusts in the Lord. 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:53.540 Faith is rooted in the hard, solid facts that Jesus is the Christ. 00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:57.360 And he comes. 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.040 And it grows. 00:23:58.900 --> 00:24:01.019 As we focus on Jesus. 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:06.960 If you are somebody who wouldn't describe themselves as a Christian today. 00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:07.920 And we talk about faith. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:11.940 We are not talking about you kind of forcing something up within yourself. 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:14.920 Genuine faith is grounded in solid evidence. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:24.120 And this miracle along with the turning of the water into wine is the hard evidence pointing you to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:25.119 And he is trustworthy. 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:27.119 And he is trustworthy. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:29.799 And that means we have the signs that we need. 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:33.059 We don't need any more. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:38.000 People who are not Christians are looking for signs. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:40.539 But sadly so many Christians are looking for signs. 00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:41.599 But we don't need any more. 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:48.779 The question is will you believe and trust that Jesus is the Christ and trust his word? 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:52.339 He's given you all the signs that you need. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:56.480 The biggest one is the resurrection from the dead. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.639 We don't need any more. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:25:01.200 Finally as I close. 00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:03.240 Saving faith takes Jesus at his word. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:11.039 You and I need to remember that this gospel, John's gospel, was written after Jesus was taken up to heaven. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:15.660 It was written to people like you and I who are asking, 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:19.359 How can I put my trust in a Christ who I cannot see? 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.720 How can I do that? 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:28.380 If I had seen him, if I had spoken with him, if I had followed him like John and the first disciples, 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.079 well maybe I could believe in him. 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:33.779 But how can I trust in him when I cannot see him? 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:37.460 And this story answers that question. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:42.839 How do I believe in a Christ when he is physically not there? 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:46.619 And that is what Jesus is saying to this man, isn't he? 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:49.960 You don't need my presence. 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:50.679 You may go. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.659 Your son will live. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:56.419 The answer that the New Testament gives is, 00:25:56.420 --> 00:26:02.680 I don't have to have the physical presence of Jesus on earth in order to believe in him. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.800 What I need is his word. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.000 And I've got that. 00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:13.080 And you have got that before your very eyes. 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:18.939 And what I have to do and what you have to do is to trust that word, 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:23.240 to believe his promises and build your whole life on that word. 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:30.839 Jesus gave that official, didn't he, a promise that was absolutely incredible. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.699 Unbelievable. 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:33.519 Go home. 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:35.619 Your son will live. 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:42.739 Can you believe, Mr. Royal Official, that when you get back, your son will be well? 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.079 Can you believe that? 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.779 I give you my word. 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:52.279 But you won't have the evidence for that until you get home. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:27:01.559 The Lord Jesus gives to us this morning amazing promises. 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:11.180 The Lord Jesus, in John's Gospel, gives you promises that are almost too incredible to believe. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.000 They're so awesome. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:16.359 We've seen a couple of them. 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.759 John 3, verse 16. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:22.539 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:24.339 but they'll have eternal life. 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.819 What a promise that is. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.660 You go to John 5, 24 and 25. 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:38.460 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who has sent me has eternal life. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:42.779 He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:50.599 Truly, truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.740 Wonderful promises. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:58.819 Jesus says to you today, whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:05.799 And we hear those promises and then we remember what we're like, don't we? 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:12.539 We remember that we're sinful and that we're unacceptable when it comes to coming to God. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:16.379 We do deserve to perish. 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.919 We do deserve to be condemned. 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:22.319 We do deserve to be driven away. 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:25.720 We do not deserve to be raised up on that last day. 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:29.839 And so when Jesus says those words to us, it seems so incredible. 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:36.860 If you do believe in me, you will not perish. 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:40.160 You will not be judged. 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:43.500 You will not be driven away. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:46.839 You will not be condemned. 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:50.819 You will be raised up on the last day. 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:56.000 Lord Jesus, it seems incredible that you'd have anything to do with me given my track record. 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.599 But I'm going to take you at your word. 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.980 And so I come. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.659 And that is faith. 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:13.779 Believing what seems to be impossible because Jesus has said it. 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:17.019 Because it's him who's saying it. 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.819 We believe. 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.960 We trust him. 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.879 And that's what's happened. 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:26.940 At the end of the incident in Samaria that we saw last week, didn't we? 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.819 In verse 39 of John 4. 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:33.019 Those Samaritans, they say, we have come to believe. 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:35.559 And not just because of the testimony of that woman. 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:39.240 But we've come to believe his word for ourselves. 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:44.980 Not that we've seen for ourselves, but we've heard for ourselves. 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:47.919 That we know this man really is the saviour of the world. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.960 That's authentic faith. 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:53.200 The faith that Jesus is looking for. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.539 Let's picture the scene for a moment. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:01.759 Many years later, Jesus has died. 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.299 He's risen. 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.859 He's ascended to heaven. 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.799 And he's gone back to heaven. 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:08.139 And we're back in that same house in Capernaum. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.339 Family now much older. 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:16.299 It's now the royal official's turn to be close to death. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.139 He's on his deathbed. 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:21.919 And his son is at his bedside. 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.899 What do they talk about? 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:28.979 Dad, do you remember that miracle that Jesus did all those years ago? 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.799 Isn't that fantastic? 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:35.659 If only Jesus was here, he would be able to stop your death. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.819 Is that what they say? 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.599 That's not what they say. 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:47.839 Because what John has told us is that they really believed. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.779 They knew what the sign pointed to. 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:58.059 So on that day when it's the royal official near his deathbed and the son is at his bedside, 00:30:58.059 --> 00:31:01.599 I imagine what they were saying was, 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:04.740 Isn't it wonderful that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God? 00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:08.419 Isn't it wonderful that we know him? 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:12.940 Isn't it wonderful, Dad, that we have life in his name? 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:14.839 Isn't it wonderful that we're not going to perish? 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.700 Isn't it wonderful that we're not going to be judged? 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:19.679 Isn't it wonderful that we've crossed over from death to life? 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:21.980 Isn't it wonderful that God will never drive us away? 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:25.200 Isn't it wonderful that he will raise us up on the last day? 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:29.200 Isn't it wonderful that we're not going to perish? 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.380 Well, it is wonderful, isn't it? 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:34.559 And if you are a believer this morning, 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:38.279 don't walk out of those doors this morning thinking it's just another Sunday. 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.160 You've got life. 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.480 Life in Jesus' name. 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:49.080 In spite of how difficult and troublesome life might be, 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:51.759 Jesus loves you and Jesus lives in you 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:54.980 and Jesus is with you and Jesus is coming back for you. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:57.539 And you've got hope and you've got a purpose 00:31:57.539 --> 00:32:00.840 and that is bigger and better than anything you will face this week. 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:04.720 Anything that comes your way this week, 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:06.759 Jesus is bigger and better 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:09.519 and his word is bigger and better 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:11.500 and his word is trustworthy 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:13.380 and reliable. 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.259 And if you're not a believer, 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:23.379 having heard of the signs that he has done 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:24.920 and heard his word, 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.900 maybe today 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:29.980 you will believe 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:33.240 and you will today 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:35.019 know the joy of having life in his name. 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.660 Let's pray. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.240 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.819 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