healing at a distance

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HEALING AT A DISTANCE John 4:46-54

Steve Holdaway, LifeSpring Church 06.05.16

John 4:46-54 ESV 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 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." 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. 51 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. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

BIG IDEA: Rather than waiting for a miracle to give you faith, step out and take Christ at his word. Then God will open your eyes to see miracles all around you.

Miracles don’t create faith; they only confirm faith. (46-49)

Principle: Faith comes before miracles. Miracles don’t save souls; faith does. 2 Cor. 5:7-8 We live by faith, not by sight.

Faith is acting on the words of Jesus. (50) Your job is to receive and believe the word of God. 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.

Jesus works miracles from a distance even today. (51-54) The greatest miracle that will ever happen on earth is when a soul is saved. For next Sunday: Read John 5:1-15

LifeGroup Study Guide He Must Increase John 3:22-36 What is common about Jesus’ and John’s discipleship process? 3:22-26 What was John the Baptist’s perspective (world view) about life and service? 3:27 What does this grace say to those who think that they “own” a certain ministry or are entitled? What are the different ways that John the Baptist described Jesus, and what does that say about his perspective of his role in the kingdom of God? What does that mean to us? 3: 28-30 Reference to Jesus John’s Role Application He is the Christ Sent ahead of Him I am Christ’s ambassador He is He is rd

(Notice that John changes to the 3 person and refers to himself and when he refers to “the man who has accepted it,” and “the one whom God has sent.” 3:33-34)

In what ways must we maximize Jesus and minimize ourselves in our ministries and church? 3:30 Apply this to: Our Time Our Spiritual gifts Our Resources Our money Who gets the credit? Other Notice the emphasis of the Trinity (3 separate Divine persons in the God-head) in 3:33-36 Identify each person of the Trinity and what John says about each one. God (Father) The Spirit (Holy Spirit) The Son (Jesus Christ) What difference does this doctrine make in our lives and ministry?