Series: The Gospel of JohnTitle: Jesus and the NoblemanText: John 4:43-54

IntroductionJohn organizes the first half of his gospel around seven miracles performed by Jesus that he calls “signs”. On one level, these miracles were personal, yet supernatural expressions of Jesus’ love and ability to meet these people’s physical or social needs. But they were also far more than that. They were also signs of Jesus’ Messiahship.

As the word "sign" suggests, they are "attesting miracles," pointing beyond themselves to Jesus' ______________ and his unique ability to meet our spiritual need.

Galilee was Jesus “country.” Jesus grew up in ___________.

The enthusiasm of these Galileans was misplaced. It was based upon the _______________ Jesus could perform, not on a realization that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. They honored him as a miracle worker, but not as the Messiah!

I. Jesus the Miracle Worker

The nobleman was probably one of Herod's officers and probably even a _____________.

He requests that Jesus "come down” to Capernaum to ___________ his son.

This passage of scripture and the sequence of events teach us something very important and that is emphasized over and over again in the Bible: the relationship between ________, experience, and God's Word.

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Signs and wonders from God are obviously good things, but they should not form the foundation of our faith and we should not depend on them to _________ God to us.

Jesus was concerned that people were so caught up in seeing a miracle that they would miss his true ____________ in coming.

Genuine faith is not created by a miracle; it is a choice we make to ________ God's character.

Jesus' word has two parts to it: there is a promise ("your son lives") and a _____________ ("go your way").

The nobleman ______________ the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

II. Jesus the Sign Giver

In his gospel, John also gives us ______________ signs that Jesus is the Messiah. This is the second one.

The first sign was when Jesus turned the water into __________.

From this second sign, we see three distinct lessons.

The first lesson we draw from this sign is a revelation of who ___________ is.

This miracle actually begins with a miracle in Cana and ends with a miracle in ____________.

There are also three conversation recorded between these two miracles:

1. The first is with Nicodemus, a male _____________ religious leader.

2. The second is with a Half-Jewish female of ill-repute. (woman at the well)

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3. And the third is with this wealthy Gentile ______________.

In each case, Jesus presents himself as the ___________ – the One who has come to save us.

The second lesson is a definition of __________ in Jesus.

This lesson helps us understand what it means to _____________ in Jesus.

John contrasts these two approaches to faith. The Galilean faith is a “__________-faith” while the nobleman demonstrates a “genuine faith.”

Both kinds of faith are preceded by ____________.

Why does Jesus reject “pseudo-faith?”

First of all, because it is ________________, It claims to be willing to believe if only it gets enough evidence.

It is also inconsistent. We usually try to get sufficient evidence before we make a ______________.

It is also ______________. When taken to an extreme, it is unwilling in principle to bow to God.

So what is the alternative? - “_____________ faith!”

The nobleman has evidence that Jesus is the ___________. He has heard from reliable witnesses of the miracles Jesus has been performing and his need has brought him to Christ.Lesson 3 is an _________________ of what Jesus can do.

Jesus gives this man his __________ that his son is healed. Jesus says, “Go your way; your son lives.”

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Jesus puts this man in a position where he has to ___________ whether or not he will personally trust Jesus’ word.

In fear, the nobleman ran from Capernaum to Cana; in faith he walked from Cana back to Capernaum.

Conclusion

This the way we begin a relationship with Jesus and the way we grow in our relationship with Jesus.

First, Jesus gives you some _____________ that he is real and true. The evidence can vary widely according to what is most compelling to you.

When Jesus knows you’ve received sufficient evidence, he will call on you to ___________ in his Word.

And just like this sign, his ________ to you will contain both a promise and a command. The ball is in your court at that point. It’s up to you to make a decision about who you believe Jesus is.

It will likely be many of these things over a short period of time. It will be what Jesus knows you need to confirm that you made the right ___________!

Maybe you are at the point where you need to take this step of faith to receive Christ? Maybe God is tugging at your heart and calling on you to believe in Him? Let Jesus become your savior and your God!

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