WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:17.260 Well, this afternoon, we're going to look at this passage, and before we do, I just want to put it into some sort of context quickly, because John, up to this point in his gospel has been emphasizing that salvation is a work of God. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:22.460 When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus back in chapter 3, you may remember, he said, you must be born again. 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:27.920 You must be born of the Spirit, and only God can do that. 00:00:28.700 --> 00:00:29.720 It's a divine work. 00:00:29.859 --> 00:00:35.160 Salvation is a divine work to which man or a woman are not able to add anything to. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:36.240 It's solely God. 00:00:36.660 --> 00:00:40.939 And while it's right that John emphasizes salvation as the sovereign work of God, 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:45.299 John also emphasizes the necessity of the sinner's faith, 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:49.140 and the fact that the sinner must believe. 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:52.919 At the end of John, chapter 20, verse 31, 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:57.000 John is very explicit as to why he actually wrote this gospel. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:03.500 He says, he's written these words so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:06.900 and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:11.659 In other words, John is writing with the hope that as we read his words, 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:15.819 we will see Jesus for who he really is and believe in him. 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:21.420 And I think it's interesting that John uses the word belief over 90 times in his book. 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:28.319 And belief is not only the theme of John's gospel, but it is also the essence of the Christian faith. 00:01:28.979 --> 00:01:32.739 One must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. 00:01:32.739 --> 00:01:36.060 And whenever we look outside of Christian faith, 00:01:36.140 --> 00:01:40.079 we find that all the other religions have one thing in common that is not taught in the Bible. 00:01:40.899 --> 00:01:44.759 They teach that salvation does not belong solely to God, 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:50.340 that people themselves are actually able to accomplish a righteous relationship with God 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:53.060 and achieve salvation from judgment on their own. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:58.280 In other words, false religions provide a platform for men and women to rule themselves, 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:03.400 to sit on the young throne of their lives and decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. 00:02:04.740 --> 00:02:06.620 However, here in the Gospel of John, 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:11.439 John is emphatic that there is only one way to have sin forgiven. 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:13.099 There is only one way to get to heaven. 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:18.719 And that is by believing in the work and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:21.819 And for those who do not, there is no salvation. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:25.280 There is only eternal damnation and torment. 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:29.560 Now, in the opening verses of John chapter 1, 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:32.859 John made the statement that when Jesus came from heaven, 00:02:33.139 --> 00:02:37.239 he came to his own people, but generally as a rule, they didn't receive him. 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:42.180 And we see throughout the Gospel of John that there are people who refuse to believe Jesus. 00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:45.199 Some receive him while others reject him. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:50.419 And that is what we see here in the healing of the royal official's son. 00:02:50.419 --> 00:02:56.199 As the story is meant to show us the contrast between a false faith and a true faith. 00:02:56.199 --> 00:03:02.019 In fact, in many ways, the story expands on the statement of John's at the end of chapter 2, 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:02.500 where he said, 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:05.939 Jesus did not need any testimony about men and women, 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:09.280 because he already knew what was in each person. 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:12.859 Jesus knew what men and women were thinking and feeling, 00:03:12.959 --> 00:03:15.179 what was really and truly in their hearts. 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:18.280 Now, in our passage here in verse 43, 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:21.819 Jesus returns to Galilee from Samaria. 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:25.740 You'll remember that Jesus had stopped off at the well in Samaria, 00:03:25.960 --> 00:03:27.080 and he'd met the woman, 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:30.439 and he'd been received by a large number of people who believed in him, 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:32.680 and many, many people were saved before he left. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:36.980 However, Jesus knew that when he arrived in Galilee, 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:40.200 his reception would be very different from Samaria. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:44.780 Verse 44, John uses a proverb to make a very specific statement, 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:48.159 that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 00:03:49.299 --> 00:03:51.679 And the fact that that proverb rings so true 00:03:51.679 --> 00:03:55.399 is a testimony to the utterly perverse state of mankind, 00:03:56.019 --> 00:03:59.179 that men and women hate things that are familiar to them. 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:00.919 In fact, they breathe contempt in us. 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:04.019 Their problem was this, though, his message. 00:04:04.239 --> 00:04:05.259 It was offensive to them. 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:07.780 They loved the miracles of Jesus, 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:10.399 but they hated the message that he brought. 00:04:11.679 --> 00:04:12.919 And if we look at verse 45, 00:04:13.019 --> 00:04:14.719 a simple reading gives us the impression 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:17.959 that Jesus' reputation was spreading like wildfire. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.219 They welcomed him. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:22.259 They had all seen what he had done at the Passover festival. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:25.120 You see, Jesus had been performing miracles there, 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:27.360 and we know that he used those miracles 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:29.680 in order to show his credentials 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:32.000 as the one who had actually been sent from heaven. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.240 But you know, as I read this, 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:35.480 I wondered how seriously 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:37.600 the Lord Jesus really accepted 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.259 the enthusiasm of the Galileans as he arrived. 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:42.620 We've already been told that Jesus knew 00:04:42.620 --> 00:04:44.800 what was in the heart and mind of every man and woman. 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:46.720 And the fact is, 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:48.220 their welcome was superficial. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:50.139 To say they welcomed him 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.139 has a sort of ironic feel to it. 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:54.079 And if we have any doubt 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:56.759 about how Jesus felt about the welcome he received, 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.439 we all have to read his response 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:00.500 to the man who approached him there in verse 48. 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:02.360 Unless you, and that's plural, 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:05.620 unless you people see signs and wonders, 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:07.399 you'll never believe. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:11.560 This man is described to us as a royal official. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.579 He was most likely a member 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:15.300 of the court of Herod Antipas. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:18.699 And he had walked 25 miles 00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:20.360 to find Jesus in Cana 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.279 because we're told his son was sick and close to death. 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:28.519 This is a situation that every parent can empathize with. 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:29.740 A sick child. 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:32.379 And not just sick, but dying. 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:34.959 And I think we can assume 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:36.579 that the official would have had 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:39.000 access to all the known remedies of the day. 00:05:39.099 --> 00:05:40.259 I mean, he had servants, 00:05:40.379 --> 00:05:41.439 so apparently he had money. 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:43.740 He was a royal official in the court, 00:05:43.859 --> 00:05:45.519 so he would have had some access 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:46.939 to the physicians in the court. 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:48.879 And I'm quite sure 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:51.180 that all the finest medical advice 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:52.019 had been tried, 00:05:52.299 --> 00:05:54.620 and still the child woke up every morning 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:56.819 in a worse state than the day before. 00:05:58.340 --> 00:06:00.019 And we see there in verse 47 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:01.759 that the official had heard the news 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:03.720 that Jesus had returned to Cana. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:06.639 So he left his home in search of Jesus 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:08.579 and with a hope that Jesus would help his son. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:11.459 And when he finds Jesus in verse 47, 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:14.040 he implores Jesus to return home 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:14.680 and heal his son. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.840 Many translations say 00:06:15.840 --> 00:06:17.120 that he begged, 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:19.019 he begged Jesus to come. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:21.180 Again, in verse 48, 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:22.819 notice how the reply of Jesus 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:24.159 was short and sharp. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:25.379 It's almost like a rebuke. 00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:26.939 Notice, too, 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:28.219 that he expands his audience 00:06:28.219 --> 00:06:30.039 from just the official alone 00:06:30.039 --> 00:06:32.479 to all the Galileans who were there. 00:06:33.159 --> 00:06:34.359 Unless you people, 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:35.419 he's saying in the plural. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:38.240 You see, Jesus is saying 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.659 to the official and to the crowd, 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:42.859 you are nothing but curiosity seekers. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:44.919 You have no interest 00:06:44.919 --> 00:06:46.219 in the message that I bring. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:48.180 You see, it was like going to the circus 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:48.919 for many of them. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:49.899 They thought of him 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:51.199 as a sort of super magician. 00:06:52.539 --> 00:06:53.560 But Jesus knew 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:55.759 that the miracles on their own 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:58.819 had no lasting, eternal effect. 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:01.000 The people were pleased 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:01.680 to see the miracles. 00:07:01.799 --> 00:07:02.699 In fact, they yearned 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:03.419 to see the miracles. 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:05.399 But they had no desire 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:06.519 to recognize Jesus 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:08.399 as Lord and Savior. 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:10.719 And John makes it clear 00:07:10.719 --> 00:07:11.579 throughout the gospel 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:12.680 that the human heart 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:14.399 is so blinded by sin 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:15.859 that not even miracles 00:07:15.859 --> 00:07:17.439 can produce a true 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.519 and living faith. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:20.339 You remember Judas. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.699 He saw countless miracles. 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:23.180 In fact, 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.139 he performed miracles himself 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:26.099 in the name of Jesus. 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:28.039 But he didn't have 00:07:28.039 --> 00:07:29.399 a true and living faith. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:31.879 So Jesus knew 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:32.919 that these miracles alone 00:07:32.919 --> 00:07:34.000 would not produce 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.699 a sincere saving faith 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:36.219 in the people. 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.199 And John is showing us here 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:39.379 that their faith 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:41.319 is simply a manifestation 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.839 of their enthusiasm. 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:44.659 A faith produced 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:46.259 by their enthusiasm 00:07:46.259 --> 00:07:47.219 over the miracles. 00:07:48.219 --> 00:07:49.000 And the problem 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:49.619 is not an issue 00:07:49.619 --> 00:07:50.519 of having faith 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:51.599 or not having faith. 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.139 I mean, we all have faith 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:53.859 as something 00:07:53.859 --> 00:07:55.319 to some degree or another. 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:57.599 There are many people 00:07:57.599 --> 00:07:58.659 who call themselves Christians, 00:07:58.819 --> 00:07:59.459 but they still do 00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:01.060 and have a sincere faith. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:02.819 And we see this problem 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:03.599 throughout the Bible, 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:04.680 even in the Old Testament. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.459 It was one of the primary themes 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:07.039 in the prophets. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:09.060 They spoke to a congregation 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.659 who had the outward sign 00:08:10.659 --> 00:08:11.459 of circumcision, 00:08:11.919 --> 00:08:13.099 but they were lacking 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:15.099 the inner reality 00:08:15.099 --> 00:08:16.019 that the circumcision 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.199 was supposed to represent. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.539 These people looked forward 00:08:19.539 --> 00:08:20.360 to the day of the Lord. 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:21.139 They were always talking 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:21.860 about when the day 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:23.139 the Lord would come 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:24.240 and He would draw near to them 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:25.319 and rescue them. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:27.000 But it was Amos 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:28.120 and the other prophets 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:28.860 who warned them 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:29.539 of their folly. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:30.620 The prophets told them, 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.399 You talk about 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.240 the day of the Lord, 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:34.279 but the day of the Lord 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:36.080 is not going to be good for you. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:36.899 In fact, 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:37.639 it is going to be 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:38.980 a terrible day for you 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.220 because your faith 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:40.879 in the Lord 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:41.960 is not real. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.460 You talk about 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:44.259 your faith in the Lord, 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:44.939 but look around. 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:46.899 You are unfaithful 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:47.559 to the Lord. 00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:49.559 And that was the problem 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:50.319 in the Old Testament. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.939 And it remained the problem 00:08:51.939 --> 00:08:53.539 even during the time of Jesus. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:55.240 His ministry began 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.100 with the same warning 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:57.720 over and over and over again 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:58.679 throughout His teaching. 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:00.259 He warns the people. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.240 You remember Jesus said, 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.000 Many of you will say to me 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.579 on that day, 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:04.939 Lord, 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:06.879 did we not drive out 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.419 demons in your name? 00:09:09.319 --> 00:09:10.480 And I will say to you, 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:11.679 depart from me. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:13.000 I never knew you. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:15.740 It was always a part 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:17.159 of His public teaching. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.440 He spoke again and again 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:20.419 about the hypocrisy 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:21.080 of the Jews. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.480 And their faith 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.500 was all posture 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.700 and not a true 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:25.779 and sincere trust 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:26.379 in the grace 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:27.500 and the mercy of God. 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.060 And the distinction 00:09:29.060 --> 00:09:29.919 between true 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:30.919 and false faith 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.860 is a large, 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:33.680 large part 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:34.320 of the teaching 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:34.980 of Jesus. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.000 I just think about 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.659 all the parables 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:38.600 and the illustrations 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:39.580 that He used 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.480 throughout the Gospels 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:41.980 to illustrate false faith. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.899 the Pharisee, 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:43.720 the tax collector, 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.120 the prodigal son, 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:45.720 the rich man 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:46.340 and Lazarus, 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:47.139 the narrow door, 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:48.420 the wise and foolish virgins, 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:49.940 and so on and so on. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.960 And just look at His teaching. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:53.740 In every case, 00:09:53.800 --> 00:09:54.700 without exception, 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:56.519 the one who has 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.600 the Lord's approval 00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:58.800 and is set before us 00:09:58.800 --> 00:09:59.700 as the true believer 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:01.399 is the person 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:02.159 in the lowly, 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:02.899 humble position 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:03.980 who simply acknowledges 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.159 his need 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:06.779 and cries out 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.360 for mercy. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.759 And of course, 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:10.279 in the end, 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:11.800 we saw the manifestation 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:12.659 of all the warnings. 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:13.580 We actually saw 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:14.600 the reality 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.360 of false faith 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:15.820 in action. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:18.360 It was the religious element, 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.139 the upright, 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:19.800 the respectable, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:20.879 who finally, 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:21.800 in a frenzy 00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:22.580 of what they thought 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.980 was religious zeal, 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:25.180 murdered Jesus. 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:28.019 Because of false faith, 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:28.899 they murdered 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.620 their own Messiah. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:33.480 And Jesus was always 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.740 concerned about false faith 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:36.180 because He did recognize 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.699 that it's the easiest 00:10:37.699 --> 00:10:38.339 thing in the world 00:10:38.339 --> 00:10:39.120 to think of oneself 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:39.799 as a Christian 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.599 when one is not. 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:42.359 Or to think of oneself 00:10:42.359 --> 00:10:43.319 as being at peace 00:10:43.319 --> 00:10:44.000 with God 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:44.979 when one is not. 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:47.179 Examine yourself 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:48.079 to see whether you 00:10:48.079 --> 00:10:48.779 are in the faith, 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:49.439 Paul writes. 00:10:50.239 --> 00:10:51.000 Again, he writes, 00:10:51.099 --> 00:10:52.019 let the one who thinks 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:52.699 he is standing 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:53.539 take heed 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.699 lest he fall. 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:57.199 Now, with regard 00:10:57.199 --> 00:10:57.779 to the official, 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:58.319 at this point, 00:10:58.739 --> 00:10:59.859 he's not really interested 00:10:59.859 --> 00:11:01.019 in any of these issues. 00:11:01.719 --> 00:11:02.639 He simply wanted 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.359 a healing 00:11:03.359 --> 00:11:04.359 for his son. 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:05.759 He believed 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.300 that Jesus 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:07.860 had the power 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:09.159 to grant his request. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:10.659 However, 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:11.360 instead of tending 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.120 the bedside 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:12.759 or offering 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.620 an obvious miracle, 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.480 verse 50 says, 00:11:14.560 --> 00:11:15.379 Jesus simply said, 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:15.980 Go, 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:18.039 your son will live. 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:20.100 The man took Jesus 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:20.779 at his word 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:22.019 and departed. 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:24.580 The man took Jesus 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.159 at his word 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:25.860 and left for hope. 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:26.060 I mean, 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:26.680 imagine that. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:28.600 A 25-mile walk, 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:31.240 16 words with Jesus, 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:33.019 and he turns around 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:33.639 and starts walking 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:34.220 back home. 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:36.500 But as he left 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:36.779 for home, 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:37.539 we are seeing 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.259 a man take steps 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:39.759 of belief. 00:11:40.579 --> 00:11:41.539 And we know he believed 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.600 because he left. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.399 There's no more pleading. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:46.100 There's no more desperation. 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:48.100 He did what Jesus 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:48.980 said to do. 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:49.299 He just, 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.360 he went home. 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:52.779 It says he believed 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:53.579 the words of Jesus. 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.159 I mean, 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:55.299 this man took Jesus 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:55.919 at his word, 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:57.059 which showed that 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:57.600 he was not like 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.419 the rest of the crowd 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.620 who were only interested 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.699 in seeing the signs 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.320 of the wonders. 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.080 And his trust, 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.420 the faith that he put 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:05.420 in the words of Jesus, 00:12:06.660 --> 00:12:07.800 led to the healing 00:12:07.800 --> 00:12:08.460 of his son 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.580 at that exact hour 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:11.920 some 25 miles away. 00:12:13.660 --> 00:12:13.900 See, 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.379 the official 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.480 was asked 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.120 to believe 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.900 without saying, 00:12:17.160 --> 00:12:18.180 to accept the words 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:18.640 of Jesus 00:12:18.640 --> 00:12:19.920 without the visual 00:12:19.920 --> 00:12:21.180 assistance of a miracle. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.300 It may have been hard, 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.160 but the man did it. 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.020 And that's what 00:12:26.020 --> 00:12:26.900 made the difference. 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.280 He believed, 00:12:29.020 --> 00:12:30.020 and then he received 00:12:30.020 --> 00:12:30.400 a miracle. 00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:31.840 You see, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:33.040 that phrase in verse 50, 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.300 the man took Jesus 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:35.020 at his word 00:12:35.020 --> 00:12:35.800 and departed, 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.840 is an important phrase 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.000 because as he accepted 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.120 the words of Jesus 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.940 and believed him, 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:42.180 the omniscient, 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.200 omnipresent power 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:45.120 of the Lord Jesus 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:47.360 was 25 miles away 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.660 touching the body 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.860 of that boy. 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:52.180 And Jesus never left 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:52.800 the spot 00:12:52.800 --> 00:12:54.160 that he was standing on. 00:12:55.520 --> 00:12:56.640 And as the official 00:12:56.640 --> 00:12:57.320 believed the words 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:57.759 of Jesus, 00:12:57.900 --> 00:12:58.460 he moved from 00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.700 a detached, 00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:01.420 philosophical view 00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:01.820 of Jesus 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.360 to a view 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.400 that was focused 00:13:03.400 --> 00:13:04.420 on who Jesus 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:05.600 really is. 00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:07.280 I mean, 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.000 if you think about 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.379 the crowd, 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.120 the popular view 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.460 was, 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:10.700 look, 00:13:11.020 --> 00:13:11.840 we're not denying 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.300 that Jesus 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:13.220 is a miracle worker. 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.120 We've all seen it. 00:13:14.520 --> 00:13:15.180 Everybody knows 00:13:15.180 --> 00:13:16.000 it's supernatural 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.259 and no one denies it. 00:13:18.540 --> 00:13:19.520 But what is it 00:13:19.520 --> 00:13:21.000 that moves a man 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.500 or a woman 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.500 from having that 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.460 detached view 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:24.240 of an observer, 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.660 a person who sees 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:27.079 Jesus as a showman 00:13:27.079 --> 00:13:28.120 or a miracle worker 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:30.379 to a view that sees 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:31.079 the reality 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:32.519 of who he is. 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.500 And that catalyst 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.579 for the transformation 00:13:35.579 --> 00:13:37.019 we see here 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.579 is need. 00:13:38.579 --> 00:13:39.259 It's recognizing 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.039 that one has 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:41.600 a desperate need. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.219 In Matthew 9, 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:43.799 Jesus said, 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.019 the people who aren't sick 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:45.679 aren't out looking 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.279 for a doctor, 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:46.679 are they? 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.799 It's that moment 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.699 when we recognize 00:13:49.699 --> 00:13:50.299 that we are in 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.659 a desperate situation 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.579 and that under 00:13:52.579 --> 00:13:53.480 our own power 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.340 we have no remedy. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.480 It's when we recognize 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:58.100 that left to our own devices 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.220 and our own schemes, 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:01.159 there is only failure 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.980 on the horizon. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.680 We must admit 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:05.139 our need for help. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:06.500 And you see, 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.659 this sort of desperation 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:09.379 will drive people. 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.700 And it drove this man 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.200 to Jesus. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.100 And when he found him, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.440 he begged Jesus 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:15.740 to give life 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.440 to his son. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:19.000 Now the difference 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.039 between the Galileans 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.779 and their superficial interest 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.940 and this father 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:23.480 who begged 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:23.960 for the life 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.580 of his son 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:26.640 was desperation. 00:14:28.140 --> 00:14:28.780 Here was a man 00:14:28.780 --> 00:14:29.860 who loved his son. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:30.600 He was terrified 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.420 that he would die. 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:32.540 So he came 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:33.740 to the Lord Jesus. 00:14:34.640 --> 00:14:35.780 He implored. 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:37.300 He begged Jesus 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:38.100 to come with him. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.320 Imagine that. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.040 A royal official 00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:41.280 walking 25 miles 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:42.040 to beg 00:14:42.040 --> 00:14:43.240 a Nazarene carpenter 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.480 for his help. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.920 What would you think 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:48.100 his friends and colleagues 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:49.160 would have said 00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:49.780 about that? 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:52.240 But in his need, 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.000 he has found 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.959 a true friend. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.679 He's realized 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.259 that this man, 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:56.699 Jesus, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.199 could obviously 00:14:58.199 --> 00:14:59.000 do much, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:00.100 much more for him 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.579 and his family 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:01.019 than that. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.639 C.S. Lewis once wrote, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.639 You never know 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.620 how much you really 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.799 believe anything 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.519 until its truth 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.579 or its falsehood 00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.819 becomes a matter 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.819 of life and death 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:12.259 to you. 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:14.379 And that was 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:14.819 the problem 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:15.759 for the Galileans. 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.139 There was never 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:17.799 an admission 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.980 of terrible need. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.539 There was never 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.379 a cry for help. 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:21.860 I mean, 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:23.000 they were in danger 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.679 to be sure, 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:24.620 but they never 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.480 recognized it. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.000 They simply 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.080 couldn't see it 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.559 through their 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.939 self-satisfied 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.100 hearts and minds. 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.100 They were happy 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.299 with the status quo. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.299 While on the other 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:35.480 hand, 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.200 the royal official 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:38.159 had come to realize 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.299 that he needed 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.519 Jesus desperately. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:42.679 And some of the 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.399 Galatians were 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.259 fascinated, 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:45.159 as the people 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:45.579 will be, 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.299 with someone 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:46.799 who can work 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.259 miracles. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:47.899 But otherwise, 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.639 the message, 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.319 the meaning, 00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.079 the significance 00:15:51.079 --> 00:15:52.240 of Jesus Christ 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.579 completely escaped 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:54.779 them. 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:55.879 It just passed 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.419 them by. 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.259 He was offering 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.299 forgiveness and 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.299 righteousness with 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.500 God, but they 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.079 were sure that 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:03.019 they already had 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.299 that. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.059 As we have said, 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:06.879 the story throughout 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.419 the ministry of 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.379 Jesus was the same. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.419 Those who came 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.220 to realize 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.580 their great needs 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.519 suddenly saw in 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.580 Jesus the one 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.180 who could help 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:15.440 them when no 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.460 one else was 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:16.879 able to. 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.759 But those who 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.580 refused to admit 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.080 their need, 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.000 well, first they 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.680 found Jesus 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.379 interesting. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.920 Then they found 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:26.540 him entertaining. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.519 Then he became 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.399 irritating and 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.960 finally he became 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.779 infuriating. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.500 His message 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.060 offended them. 00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:35.160 He required them 00:16:35.160 --> 00:16:36.259 to admit the 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.200 darkness in their 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.960 hearts, but they 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:39.320 resented even the 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.260 very suggestion 00:16:40.260 --> 00:16:40.760 that there was 00:16:40.760 --> 00:16:41.760 anything to admit. 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:43.960 And what we see 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.840 in this father is 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.840 a man who learned 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:47.520 as a result of 00:16:47.520 --> 00:16:48.280 his son being at 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:48.920 death's door, 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.400 that he had needs 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:51.680 that only Jesus 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.780 could deal with. 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.360 You know, the 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.420 Lord often brings 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.300 men and women to 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.100 faith in this way. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.980 Instead of a 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.860 person immediately 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.240 seeing themselves 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.320 as a sinner 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.379 in need of 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:02.960 salvation, 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:04.580 very often men 00:17:04.580 --> 00:17:05.059 and women are 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.160 shown first to 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.440 realize how weak 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.019 and needy they 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.860 truly are through 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:10.019 some trouble or 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.600 failure or through 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.299 some extreme 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.240 disappointment in 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:13.660 life. 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:15.820 But once that is 00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:16.660 acknowledged, the 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.580 dam is broken 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:19.600 and their need for 00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:20.080 other things, 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.140 especially peace with 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.700 God, could actually 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.460 be acknowledged. 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:25.620 And that seems to 00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:26.420 be what happened 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.039 with this man. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.279 Verse 51 tells us 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.320 that he was going 00:17:29.320 --> 00:17:29.840 home when his 00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:30.500 servants came out 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.400 to meet him with 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.140 the news that the 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.000 boy was recovering. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.620 The miracle had 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:35.900 happened. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.799 His faith had been 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.279 rewarded. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:38.720 The boy was 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.639 alive and well. 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:40.919 And the official 00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:42.000 asked at what 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.899 time the boy was 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:44.539 revived and he 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.119 found it was at 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.059 the exact moment 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:46.980 that Jesus spoke. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.940 Verse 53 there 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.720 confirms that the 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.779 official was a 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.559 believer as he 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.799 shared his faith 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.319 with his whole 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.000 house and they 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.579 believed too. 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.119 He turned into 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.059 an evangelist just 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.539 like that. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.099 He began by 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:02.440 looking to Christ 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.059 for the earthly 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:04.039 life of his son. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.720 And he's ended 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.379 up looking to 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:07.660 Christ for his 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.360 own eternal 00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:09.020 life and that 00:18:09.020 --> 00:18:09.560 of his family 00:18:09.560 --> 00:18:10.060 as well. 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:12.560 And there is 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:13.200 the distinction 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.940 that the Lord 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.600 Jesus makes 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.440 between true 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.480 and false 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:16.900 faith. 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.480 False faith 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.160 looks to Jesus 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.720 for what will 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.360 interest and 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:20.860 entertain. 00:18:21.780 --> 00:18:22.640 True faith on 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.180 the other hand 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.820 looks to Jesus 00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:24.780 in desperation 00:18:24.780 --> 00:18:26.580 and realizes that 00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:27.420 he and he 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.140 alone is the 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.740 only one who 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.500 can give you 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:31.120 what you must 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.860 have for life 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.700 now and 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.340 forever. 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:35.419 and with 00:18:35.419 --> 00:18:36.079 that recognition 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:36.959 a person finds 00:18:36.959 --> 00:18:37.959 in Jesus a 00:18:37.959 --> 00:18:38.779 savior and a 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.259 friend with 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.720 every worth 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.659 every ounce of 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.639 loyalty and love 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:43.119 that one can 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.659 muster. 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:45.619 Now at the 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.059 start of the 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.659 story the father 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:47.319 had a sort of 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.559 faith. 00:18:47.659 --> 00:18:48.159 He was a 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.899 religious man. 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.039 He believed 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.859 that Jesus was a 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.819 miracle worker and 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.959 he sought out 00:18:52.959 --> 00:18:53.779 Jesus in the hope 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.559 of receiving a 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:54.879 miracle. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.639 But at that 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:57.139 point he had 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:58.480 no living trust 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.359 in Jesus Christ 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.480 because his 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.079 heart had not 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.079 yet been engaged 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.759 by the Lord. 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.240 And it was 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.839 not until he 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.419 believed the 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:06.179 words of Jesus 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:07.439 that his 00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.399 blindness cleared 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:08.799 and he could 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.980 see Jesus for 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.500 who he really 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.079 was. 00:19:11.679 --> 00:19:12.439 The son of 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.059 God and the 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.639 savior of the 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.039 world. 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.539 Now both the 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.559 Galileans and the 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.439 father had faith. 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.359 I mean both 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.240 states of mind 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.960 are in the 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.839 Bible and they 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.419 are both called 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:22.879 faith. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.299 But the 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.960 difference between 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.319 them is the 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.839 difference between 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.399 light and 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.579 darkness, life and 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.960 death, heaven and 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.240 hell. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.120 I mean you 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.940 can call Jesus 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.019 the greatest 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.680 miracle worker 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.400 that ever lived. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.680 You can call him 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.039 the greatest 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.000 teacher that ever 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.640 lived and you 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.740 would be right. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.839 But you see 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.700 John teaches us 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.319 that that is not 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:44.680 enough. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.700 John wants us to 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.319 learn from his 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.099 words that Jesus 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.920 is the Christ, 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.359 the son of the 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.079 living God, the 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:51.660 savior of the 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.779 world and you 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.920 must believe that 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.920 who he is and 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.660 what he came to 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.799 do is the only 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.980 way to receive 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.160 eternal life. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.440 And that is the 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.279 gift that God 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.259 gives to those of 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.220 us who believe 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.160 in his son. 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.279 Let me pray for 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.500 us. 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:39.480 Thank you.