Real Faith

Introduction

How many times have you heard someone say “seeing is believing”? If you’re like me it’s probably been a lot, and you’ve probably said those exact words yourself. I know I certainly have. Now, there is surely some truth in the statement “seeing is believing”, especially from the perspective of the physical world. Let me give you an example. If you were to tell me that there was a rabbit in the field out there, I would probably believe you without much of an argument because I’ve seen rabbits in fields, and I’ve seen them in that field over there! However, if you were to tell me that there’s an elephant in the field I would probably question you just a little bit. I mean let’s be realistic, what’s the probability of there actually being an elephant grazing over there in the field; a cow maybe, but surely not an elephant. Now, let’s pretend for a minute that you’re really serious about this elephant in the field thing (because you know that there’s going to be a big circus event in town that I don’t know about) and you’re really adamant that there’s an elephant grazing out there. What am I going to do? Well, I probably going to open the front door and look to see if there’s really an elephant, and when I see that there is, I’m going to believe you because “seeing is believing” isn’t it. On the other hand, I could have simply taken you at your word because I know that you’re a trustworthy person, and when I stop be the store to get a drink and the cashier says to me, “Hey, did you see the elephant in the field?”, I’m going to say I didn’t see it myself, but one of the church members told me about it and I believed him/her. You see church, that’s kind of how the Bible describes faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It’s interesting when you read the rest of Hebrews 11, a chapter commonly known as the “Hall of Faith,” that you’re presented with a whole list of people who never actually “saw” with their physical eyes what God had promised come to fruition in their lifetimes, but in reality these people looked with the eye of faith and saw through hope that God would, and still does, stand good on what he has said. We serve a God who doesn’t tell half truths! Now, in our text today, Jn. 4:39-54, we’re going to see what real faith looks like and also what it doesn’t look like because there’s a contrast given to us in this text. In Jn. 4:43-45 you see what real faith doesn’t look like because the belief of the Galileans is based upon simple curiosity related to the miracles Jesus is performing. ON the other hand you see true faith displayed by the Samaritans in Jn. 4:39-42 and the nobleman in Jn. 4:46-54. So, lets look at this contrast and see what real faith looks like. Let’s read from God’s Word.

John 4:39–54 NKJV

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” 43 Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast. 46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” 49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. 54 This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Prayer

What real faith looks like. “The Samaritans”

John 4:39–42 NKJV

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Let’s start out by looking at Jn. 4:39-42 and then Jn. 4:46-54 where we’ll see what real faith looks like. In verse 39 John tells us that initially the Samaritans believed because of what the woman at the well told them. She said, “He told me all that I ever did.” I wonder if that got their attention?

Imagine walking into a local restaurant and a man comes and asks if he can sit down at your table. He then strikes up a conversation with you, and shortly thereafter begins to tell you your life’s story. He recalls events that happened when you were a child and he also remembers things that happen only a few days ago, and what’s more he recalls things that you thought no one else saw you do, you know the things you did in secret like when you took that candy bar you didn’t pay for at the local convenience store. Oh, and by the way, you’ve never met this man before, ever! I don’t know about you, but I would at the very least be a little intrigued.

Now the difference in this situation with the woman at the well is that she, and everyone else around there, knew that one day the Messiah was going to come, Mt. 4:25 tells us this. So, this situation is a little more intense than my example! (Pause) Now, as Jesus finishes his conversation with her he lets her in on a little secret, that’s him, he is the Messiah. At that point the woman heads back into town and comes back with a bunch of people, sharing what’s just happen with them. I think this is what Jn. 4:39 is getting at, it’s the initial fact of the woman telling them what’s just happened, which in turn, causes them all to come out to see Jesus and ask him to stay with them a couple more days. I think it’s kind of like when you talk to someone you’ve never met and you tell them how your life was changed after coming to faith in Jesus, and yet at the same time the Bible makes it clear that it is the preaching and teaching of the Word that saves people Rom. 10:14-15, even though your testimony certainly plays a part in the whole process. Now, with that said, check out what happens then in Jn. 4:41 after the people come see Jesus and listen to what he’s got to say, “… many more believed because of His own word.” Now, like I just said, I don’t think this means that the Samaritans weren’t believers until this point, I think what’s happening here is that Jesus (remember he is the “Word”) is simply confirming the woman’s testimony (Carson, 231). The overall point being that these Samaritans, who were considered to be dogs by their Jewish half-brothers, heard the Word and believed it. In other words, they believed Jesus was who he said he was. Now, that’s crucial to what we’re talking about here in that these people believed because they “heard” the message and realized the truthfulness of it. The same thing happened to many of you here in that there was a point at which you believed because all you knew then was that you were a sinner in need of Jesus because without his righteousness being credited to you, you stood condemned before God. Friends, that’s what real faith is, that’s what saves you, and that’s what saved the Samaritans too! Jesus Christ plus nothing. The works that follow simply serve to show that you and the watching world that you are saved.

(Appeal) How about you, do you believe that Jesus is who he says he is? Friend, he’s the only way. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If you’ve never placed you faith in Jesus you need to do so today!

What real faith looks like. “The Nobleman”

John 4:46–54 NKJV

46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” 49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. 54 This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Let’s turn our attention now to the last portion of chapter four which concerns the faith of a nobleman.

Now, there seems to be a difference of opinion, at least from what I have read, concerning this man, was he like the other people from Galilee, simply drawn to the miracles, or was he different, was he truly looking to Jesus because of who he believed Jesus to be? Either way he ends up believing in Jesus along with his family. I’ve wrestled with this question all week as I’ve studied, but I tend to lean towards the second view, that being that this man was more than someone who was simply curious. My reasoning lies in the fact that there are similarities between what happens to him and what happened with the Samaritans. (I hold this interpretation rather tentatively and I may well change my mind at some point.) So, let’s look at the text.

Jn. 4:46 tells us that when Jesus came into Cana he was met by a nobleman (the Gk. word is βασιλικός (basilikos) and it’s where we get our English word “basilica” which was used to describe a building where a court of law met in ancient Rome.) So, that means that this man was likely a royal official from the palace which also meant that he was extremely wealthy. Apparently this man had heard that Jesus was in town so he headed out to make the journey to see him. When I read this account I can almost see this nobleman quickly saddling up his horse and pounding up the road as fast as he could. You see, this nobleman was very wealthy, but he wasn’t naive enough to think that he could buy the health of his son who was on the verge of death. (This is one reasons that pushes me to think that this man wasn’t just a miracle hound. Yes, it’s correct to say that the nobleman was looking for a miracle, but it wasn’t because he was looking for a show. This man was a wealthy Jewish official so he would have been taught the OT from a very young age and would have known well prophesies like Isaiah 35:5-6. When this man finally arrives and meets Jesus Jn. 4:47 tells us that he “he implored Him to come down and heal his son”. Essentially what you’ve got here is a father who is doing what any good father would do, he’s begging for the life of his child. Imagine the scenario, Jesus, who is by today’s terms a blue collar worker and struggling to make a living, is being followed around by a man who has the financial capability to buy virtually anything his heart desires, except one thing, and that is the health of a dying child! I’m pretty sure this was quite a scene! So finally, Jesus turns to the man and check out what he says in Jn. 4:48, “… Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” That you is plural! Jesus isn’t simply talking to the nobleman, he’s talking to the crowd at large standing there watching this situation unfold, and what does he say? “Give me so much money and I’ll heal your son.”, or “Stop being a royal official in the palace and I’ll make him well.”? NO! Jesus simply says in Jn. 4:50, “Go on your way; your son lives.” Now the question is why does Jesus say this? I think it’s because, one, he knows this man is legit, Jesus can see that his faith is real, and two, all of those other people there were wanting to see a sign, they were looking for some kind of emotional experience. And what does Jesus say? No! I’m not going to do that! By the way, did you notice that in Jn. 4:49 even after the rebuke that the nobleman still asks Jesus to heal his son? This is another reason that I tend to think that this man was more than a miracle hound. Now, in the second part of Jn. 4:50, the nobleman heads back home, and on the way he’s met by his servants who tell him that his son is better! When he asks them at what time it happened, they tell him that is was at the seventh hour, after which we’re told in Jn. 4:53, that the nobleman believed. Now, here’s what I find very interesting when you look at Jn. 4:39-42 where the Samaritans believe, and Jn. 4:46-54 where the nobleman and then his whole family believes. In both of these accounts what ultimately confirms faith is the belief in the truthfulness of what the people believe about who Jesus says he is, which is directly related to what he is capable of doing, and he is only capable of doing these things because he is the promised Messiah!

(Appeal) Do you believe Jesus is who he says he is? Are you resting in the assurance that this Jesus I’m talking to you about is the Saviour of the whole world? If not, then I would invite you to believe today.

What real faith doesn’t look like.

John 4:43–45 NKJV

43 Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

Let’s back up just a little now and take look at Jn. 4:43-45 where we’ll see what real faith doesn’t look like. Now, we just saw that the faith of both the Samaritans and the nobleman was based on their trust in Jesus concerning who he was. If that’s what real faith looks like then what does a spurious or a hollow faith look like? Take a look at Jn. 4:45 where we’re told that the Galileans received Jesus because they had seen what he’d done in Jerusalem. I think the word “received” there which is δέχομαι (dechomai) would be better translated as “welcomed” because that’s what’s going on in this verse. We know that because Jesus has just said that no prophet has honor in his own country. These people, who were Jews, were basing what they thought about Jesus not on his claims concerning who he really was, the Messiah, but on the emotional experience that was tied to the miracles he did. Simply put, these people were curious. Pause Lots of people are simply curious about Jesus today. They come into the church, pray a prayer, they’re baptised, and they may even work in the church for a period of time, but eventually they fall away. Why? I would submit to you that it’s because they never were true believers to begin with. After all, doesn’t Jesus tell us, “22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Mt. 7:22-23. Church, real faith is not a false idea that’s simply based on curiosity or some emotional experience. One of the best examples I can give you of this is found a couple of chapters over in John’s Gospel in chapter six when many of Jesus so called disciples turned away from him. You can read about this in Jn. 6:66. You see, Jesus by that point had done some pretty amazing things like feeding thousands of people with just a little bread and a few fish, but when he started calling for people actually believe in him for who he truly was, the bread of life, the Messiah, they began to fall away. Why? Because there are times when following Jesus isn’t easy, and people want easy. Church, following Jesus requires a whole hearted commitment on your part, you can’t be halfway in. It’s all or nothing. What does that mean for you? It means that your daily dependence on Jesus is crucial. When you doubt, believe on him all the more; base you faith on the truthfulness of the claims that Jesus makes concerning who he really is, the Saviour of the world!

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to finish up the fourth chapter of John’s Gospel by asking you two questions. First, do you believe Jesus is who he says he is? Is he your Saviour? Second, if you believe this then how commited are you to Jesus?

Invitation

Prayer