Sermon Nugget Fri March 21 2008
Theme- Faith
Verses-John 4: 8Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."
11 But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12 So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"
13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Responsive Faith
When the invalid believed in Jesus he responded by faith in obedience. Healing for him did not occur until the man obeyed. Faith is not only believing it and receiving it, but acting upon it. And it involves action on our part where we respond to what has been promised.
Romans 5:19 tells us that just as the result of one man’s disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of the one man the many will be righteous.” God almost always calls for some outward action to our faith. It is not uncommon to involve some risk. Look at some of the calls from God; “If you will confess with your mouth you will be saved.” “Stretch forth your hand.” “Take up you bed and walk.” “Peter, come to me walking on the water. “Repent and be baptized.” “Give and it shall be given unto you.” Indeed to do the will of God is the only way to peace and happiness and power.
Having faith in Christ is trusting his word to live out his commands. We all fall short of how we should live, but to believe in Him is also to desire to obey and live for His glory. There are many who claim the name of Christ but are dishonest in their business dealing, or cheaters, or unjust, many who are out for what they can get, people who are trying to beat the system, or get out from paying their bills, or not reporting income on taxes. I do not know how you can claim true faith and be purposely dishonest and immoral with the laws of God.
Faith is obeying. We see later in the story the disappeared into the crowd so when others wanted to know who it was that healed him, the man could not point him out. Jesus was gone. Interestingly, it does not say that he went and found Jesus, but Jesus found him. Now Jesus gave him a new command to obey. “stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
Obedience is an essential factor in faith, but it may not be the essence of salvation. There are many who obey the teachings of Jesus but have not trusted Him to be their savior. There are many who try to put into practice his teachings and obey some of his commands. Who can obey them all? We all fall short.
But this man had to make a decision if the one who healed him was the Messiah in whom he was to believe, receive and obey. Would he repent and trust Christ. The greater problem wasn’t that he could not walk, but he needed repentance.
Christ cured the bodies in order to cure souls. No cure is complete unless the soul is cured of the disease of sin and self righteousness, pride and self sufficiency. To keep away from sin is better than to be delivered from it.
The implications of the call to believers is also put in poem form of Bittner -
“Lord, I want to be healed…
But I want it to happen on my terms.
Lord I want to be healed…
But I don’t want to admit I’m out of control.
Lord, I want to be healed…
But I want to manage my own life.
Lord, I want to be healed…
But I don’t want to accept the limitations of my humanity.
Lord, I want to be healed.
Help me to accept …
my powerlessness,
my unmanageability,
my isolation and
my humanity,
So that healing can begin.
Lord let it begin with me NOW!
Let me say: “Lord I want to be healed.”
Pastor Dale
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Faith is Obedience John 5:1-15
Sermon nuggets Thurs March 20, 2008
Theme Faith
Verses John 5:1-15 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie-- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."
But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"
The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
FAITH IS OBEDIENCE vs. 5:1-15
The third story relates to an invalid. Jesus is back in Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews, possibly Purim. He is at Bethesda where the disabled people, the outcast, the blind, lame and paralyzed sit and wait for healing or for pity. They believed if the pool was stirred an angel did it and the first one in while it was stirring would be healed.
It would be impossible or the invalid to get into the pool first. Jesus picks this man for healing; there are others that he does not pick. Jesus had pity on him and it is often odd how or why God chooses the way he does out of grace, but that is a Biblical true characterization of God. He picks out of His will because it is His will and for no other reason.
No reason he should pick the 12 disciples he did, or Gideon or Moses but he chooses and picks those whom he wants to shine his glory and this is the case here.
The man had been in this condition for a long time. Jesus picked the worse, the most miserable, the most incurable and asked the incredible, “Do you want to be healed?
“Do you want to get well?” may seem like a funny question. Some would remain an invalid for then they would not have to bear the responsibility of self employment. Then they would have to make their own living. It's easy to be dependent.
But Jesus’ question is one that haunts me. One must make a decision and take responsibility for their healing. Do you really, really want to get well? There is a way-Jesus. Would he trust Him? When we want to really get whole we must be willing to be responsible for being open to the healing power of God or drawing on God’s strength to help change. To be willing to accept his condition is not blaming others for the fact that he can’t walk. That is what he does. “I can’t possibly get well, because of them. They wouldn’t put me in the pool first.” Too often we make excuses for our situation. That is not the question. Do you really want to get well? That is the question I believe Jesus asks him and me and you.
Vernon Bitner in his book called; You Can Help With Your Healing says “the significant issue, invalids healing, is whether or not we stop trying to make others responsible for illness. We must admit that we are responsible for coping with our illness, and that we are powerless over whether or not we have it.”
Do you sometimes seem like the invalid at the pool? Are you really ready to admit helplessness? Waiting and wanting to be changed? Indeed we are sinners in need of help and we are powerless over it, but there is one that by faith can change us and will. When we submit or surrender to receive Jesus is also to obey Jesus. For the power of healing comes with the command of Jesus and in the response, to obey.
Pastor Dale
Theme Faith
Verses John 5:1-15 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie-- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."
But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"
The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
FAITH IS OBEDIENCE vs. 5:1-15
The third story relates to an invalid. Jesus is back in Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews, possibly Purim. He is at Bethesda where the disabled people, the outcast, the blind, lame and paralyzed sit and wait for healing or for pity. They believed if the pool was stirred an angel did it and the first one in while it was stirring would be healed.
It would be impossible or the invalid to get into the pool first. Jesus picks this man for healing; there are others that he does not pick. Jesus had pity on him and it is often odd how or why God chooses the way he does out of grace, but that is a Biblical true characterization of God. He picks out of His will because it is His will and for no other reason.
No reason he should pick the 12 disciples he did, or Gideon or Moses but he chooses and picks those whom he wants to shine his glory and this is the case here.
The man had been in this condition for a long time. Jesus picked the worse, the most miserable, the most incurable and asked the incredible, “Do you want to be healed?
“Do you want to get well?” may seem like a funny question. Some would remain an invalid for then they would not have to bear the responsibility of self employment. Then they would have to make their own living. It's easy to be dependent.
But Jesus’ question is one that haunts me. One must make a decision and take responsibility for their healing. Do you really, really want to get well? There is a way-Jesus. Would he trust Him? When we want to really get whole we must be willing to be responsible for being open to the healing power of God or drawing on God’s strength to help change. To be willing to accept his condition is not blaming others for the fact that he can’t walk. That is what he does. “I can’t possibly get well, because of them. They wouldn’t put me in the pool first.” Too often we make excuses for our situation. That is not the question. Do you really want to get well? That is the question I believe Jesus asks him and me and you.
Vernon Bitner in his book called; You Can Help With Your Healing says “the significant issue, invalids healing, is whether or not we stop trying to make others responsible for illness. We must admit that we are responsible for coping with our illness, and that we are powerless over whether or not we have it.”
Do you sometimes seem like the invalid at the pool? Are you really ready to admit helplessness? Waiting and wanting to be changed? Indeed we are sinners in need of help and we are powerless over it, but there is one that by faith can change us and will. When we submit or surrender to receive Jesus is also to obey Jesus. For the power of healing comes with the command of Jesus and in the response, to obey.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Faith is receiving John 4:47-50
Sermon nuggets Weds March 19, 2008
Theme- Faith
Verses- John 4:47-50 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."
49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."
50 Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (NIV)
FAITH IS RECEIVING
We pointed out earlier the beginning belief of faith causes one to seek the Lord. Having heard Jesus, the Samaritans believed in Him. The nobleman discovered faith is also relying of the person of Jesus. Perhaps the word ‘receiving’ fits.
The nobleman walked some 20 miles to visit this carpenter. His situation was hopeless, so he wanted to believe. Many would never come to faith if it were not for sickness or tragedy, I’m sorry to say. They realize that life is beyond their control and turn to him for help. That’s what the man did. His son was more important than his doubts. None of us like to see children sick. And I would take mine to the doctor far quicker than I would go myself. I would much rather be sick than see them sick. Love is that way.
I find that many young couples, not particularly interested in church or faith, will seriously think of their spiritual responsibility when they have a child. Rightly so, each parent is responsible for religious training. Children receive their parent’s word by faith and trust them. It is that reliance that points out the growing faith we need to Christ.
The nobleman was looking for a miracle. After hearing about the water turned into wine he sought Jesus. But Jesus rebuked him. “This generation of people only wants signs and wonders.” That did not stop the father’s prayer and pleading, “sir come down before my child dies.” He is persistent, he is urgent; He believes Christ’s power can heal his son. Although he hoped Jesus would come to Capernaum by personally being there, Christ gives him the word and he is to believe the word.
Sometimes there are people that have faith in an experience instead of a person. The apostle Paul sees a light and then hears a voice. There are many who then think that salvation is real if there is this blinding light and voice speaking to them.
There are others who will witness the experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit through supernatural physical phenomenon such as the speaking of tongues. Some teach unless you also manifest that gift you are not saved, or at least a second class citizen of heaven. Jesus is not as concerned about the “sign” as He is with faith that trusts Him for whatever.
In this incident He spoke and the boy was healed many miles away. In another situation He went into a room and raised up Jarius’ daughter. He need not heal them at all in order to be the Son of God and give eternal life. For all the sons and daughters and people who were healed became sick and died eventually. But so they might believe in Him and receive Him to be their savior, He showed His power. Receiving is making it personal by taking Christ at his word.
When Jesus told him to go his son will live the man took Jesus at his word and parted. Sickness and death may serve as a means to saving people from selfish pursuit of pleasure and indifference to spiritual and eternal realities. But the believing and receiving must have a person or thing as its object if it is to have meaning. We may believe Jesus is the way to the Father, but we must get on board and receive him. Take him at his word. Trust in the person of Christ for salvation and for your growth.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Faith
Verses- John 4:47-50 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."
49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."
50 Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (NIV)
FAITH IS RECEIVING
We pointed out earlier the beginning belief of faith causes one to seek the Lord. Having heard Jesus, the Samaritans believed in Him. The nobleman discovered faith is also relying of the person of Jesus. Perhaps the word ‘receiving’ fits.
The nobleman walked some 20 miles to visit this carpenter. His situation was hopeless, so he wanted to believe. Many would never come to faith if it were not for sickness or tragedy, I’m sorry to say. They realize that life is beyond their control and turn to him for help. That’s what the man did. His son was more important than his doubts. None of us like to see children sick. And I would take mine to the doctor far quicker than I would go myself. I would much rather be sick than see them sick. Love is that way.
I find that many young couples, not particularly interested in church or faith, will seriously think of their spiritual responsibility when they have a child. Rightly so, each parent is responsible for religious training. Children receive their parent’s word by faith and trust them. It is that reliance that points out the growing faith we need to Christ.
The nobleman was looking for a miracle. After hearing about the water turned into wine he sought Jesus. But Jesus rebuked him. “This generation of people only wants signs and wonders.” That did not stop the father’s prayer and pleading, “sir come down before my child dies.” He is persistent, he is urgent; He believes Christ’s power can heal his son. Although he hoped Jesus would come to Capernaum by personally being there, Christ gives him the word and he is to believe the word.
Sometimes there are people that have faith in an experience instead of a person. The apostle Paul sees a light and then hears a voice. There are many who then think that salvation is real if there is this blinding light and voice speaking to them.
There are others who will witness the experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit through supernatural physical phenomenon such as the speaking of tongues. Some teach unless you also manifest that gift you are not saved, or at least a second class citizen of heaven. Jesus is not as concerned about the “sign” as He is with faith that trusts Him for whatever.
In this incident He spoke and the boy was healed many miles away. In another situation He went into a room and raised up Jarius’ daughter. He need not heal them at all in order to be the Son of God and give eternal life. For all the sons and daughters and people who were healed became sick and died eventually. But so they might believe in Him and receive Him to be their savior, He showed His power. Receiving is making it personal by taking Christ at his word.
When Jesus told him to go his son will live the man took Jesus at his word and parted. Sickness and death may serve as a means to saving people from selfish pursuit of pleasure and indifference to spiritual and eternal realities. But the believing and receiving must have a person or thing as its object if it is to have meaning. We may believe Jesus is the way to the Father, but we must get on board and receive him. Take him at his word. Trust in the person of Christ for salvation and for your growth.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Not seeing, but believing. John 4:42-48
Sermon nugget Tues March 18, 2008
Theme – Faith
Verses- John 4:42-48 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
43 After the two days he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.
46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.
47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."(NIV)
John 20:28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Not seeing, but believing
There are barriers to faith. For many it is hard to believe that Jesus is real. Many times Jesus performed miracles and signs, to prove He was the Son of God not to mention His desire to overcome the works of Satan. Many encounter the supernatural, beyond coincidence and are convicted of sin and believe in Christ. Many are spiritually blind and Satan prevents them from seeing truth. Some fail to come to faith in Christ because of a bad experience with Christianity. Many have a misconception of the nature of the gospel and are told wrong information. Some fail to come to faith because of an immoral lifestyle they are unwilling to give up. Some reject it as intellectual dishonesty. Some are embittered because of circumstances in their lives and out of anger feel they can fight God and reject him or are caught up in self and do not want to yield control of supremacy of their lives. Faith is taking God at his word, regardless of outward circumstances.
Believing Jesus because he spoke to the Samaritans is a noble faith. Afterwards, when Jesus went to Galilee He was met by the man whose son lay sick at Capernaum. This man begged him to come and heal his son. Look what Jesus says in vs. 48 “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.” Faith involved a declaration of God’s word and responding to that word as true without regard to circumstances. If you will, the faith of the Samaritans was nobler because they did not need signs and wonders; they heard and accepted His words and His character as true.
Charles Spurgeon talks of 3 stages of faith, the seeking stage, the relying stage and the full assurance. It is true that faith has different maturity levels, but as we look at these three stories this week, there become illustrations of significant elements of faith. Perhaps they serve as illustrations and examples that help in understanding faith.
The Samaritans show the faith that is ready to respond- they came to see. They were in the first stage of what Spurgeon calls faith to seek. Ripe, ready they just needed to be pointed the way. They desired in their hearts to know God and when he was revealed in Jesus they believed him, because of His word.
The nobleman went to Jesus to see if He would heal his son. There is a difference. But there are similarities, they wanted God. The man wanted his boy healed and saved from death. He heard about the first miracle in Cana at the wedding. Perhaps he was one who tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He had faith. He believed what others were saying about Jesus. The testimony of others is the tool of God to cause people to explore more. He was motivated out of love for his son to come to Christ. There was a need in his life that came seeking something from Jesus. The man believed Christ’s power to heal his son, so he pleaded and prayed with God to persist even with a rebuke. The belief that Jesus could help was strong enough to know to pray but not knowledgeable enough to realize it is not by our own ways. He wanted Jesus to go with him. It was enough that Jesus just spoke the word. Jesus did not have to come down. But when he told him his son would be healed, that was enough and he believed and went. The boy was healed.
Do you believe because of the evidences around you? Do you beleive just because of the word from God? This week we will celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. That is the sign that is key to saving faith-the cross, the tomb, and the miracle that it is empty.
Pastor Dale
Theme – Faith
Verses- John 4:42-48 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
43 After the two days he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.
46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.
47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."(NIV)
John 20:28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Not seeing, but believing
There are barriers to faith. For many it is hard to believe that Jesus is real. Many times Jesus performed miracles and signs, to prove He was the Son of God not to mention His desire to overcome the works of Satan. Many encounter the supernatural, beyond coincidence and are convicted of sin and believe in Christ. Many are spiritually blind and Satan prevents them from seeing truth. Some fail to come to faith in Christ because of a bad experience with Christianity. Many have a misconception of the nature of the gospel and are told wrong information. Some fail to come to faith because of an immoral lifestyle they are unwilling to give up. Some reject it as intellectual dishonesty. Some are embittered because of circumstances in their lives and out of anger feel they can fight God and reject him or are caught up in self and do not want to yield control of supremacy of their lives. Faith is taking God at his word, regardless of outward circumstances.
Believing Jesus because he spoke to the Samaritans is a noble faith. Afterwards, when Jesus went to Galilee He was met by the man whose son lay sick at Capernaum. This man begged him to come and heal his son. Look what Jesus says in vs. 48 “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.” Faith involved a declaration of God’s word and responding to that word as true without regard to circumstances. If you will, the faith of the Samaritans was nobler because they did not need signs and wonders; they heard and accepted His words and His character as true.
Charles Spurgeon talks of 3 stages of faith, the seeking stage, the relying stage and the full assurance. It is true that faith has different maturity levels, but as we look at these three stories this week, there become illustrations of significant elements of faith. Perhaps they serve as illustrations and examples that help in understanding faith.
The Samaritans show the faith that is ready to respond- they came to see. They were in the first stage of what Spurgeon calls faith to seek. Ripe, ready they just needed to be pointed the way. They desired in their hearts to know God and when he was revealed in Jesus they believed him, because of His word.
The nobleman went to Jesus to see if He would heal his son. There is a difference. But there are similarities, they wanted God. The man wanted his boy healed and saved from death. He heard about the first miracle in Cana at the wedding. Perhaps he was one who tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He had faith. He believed what others were saying about Jesus. The testimony of others is the tool of God to cause people to explore more. He was motivated out of love for his son to come to Christ. There was a need in his life that came seeking something from Jesus. The man believed Christ’s power to heal his son, so he pleaded and prayed with God to persist even with a rebuke. The belief that Jesus could help was strong enough to know to pray but not knowledgeable enough to realize it is not by our own ways. He wanted Jesus to go with him. It was enough that Jesus just spoke the word. Jesus did not have to come down. But when he told him his son would be healed, that was enough and he believed and went. The boy was healed.
Do you believe because of the evidences around you? Do you beleive just because of the word from God? This week we will celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. That is the sign that is key to saving faith-the cross, the tomb, and the miracle that it is empty.
Pastor Dale
Monday, March 17, 2008
Believing John 4:39-44
Sermon nugget Mon. March 17, 2008
Verses John 4:39-44 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."
40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
43 After the two days he left for Galilee.
44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
Theme - Faith
Beginning to Believe.
Last week we discussed the importance of a testimony, letting our own God story. This week we will devote our attention to elements of faith.
What happens when someone is told they can have “living water”? What happens when, through story, testimony, Bible reading, or any other form of hearing the gospel, people become aware of the person of Jesus Christ and the work He does in changing lives? They can ignore it, reject it, investigate it further, or believe it.
The first step to faith is believing the story. It is believing Jesus is who he says he is. It is believing that Jesus did what He said he did (or the Bible’s account). It is believing He will do what He says He will do.
The Samaritans decided to investigate further. They went to ask questions and see for themselves if Jesus is who He says he is. That might be called begining to believe. But after visiting with Him they came to this conclusion. He was. They did not just believe the story of the woman at the well. They believed Him because they heard Him themselves.
We can believe the stories, but faith begins by believing in Him.
One evangelist told the story of a Muslim woman in Africa heard the message about Jesus being the Son of God and can save us from sin. She believed. The more she discovered about Jesus the stronger her faith and commitment grew. Unfortunately, this alienated her from her husband and he despised her faith in Christ. Finally his anger and bitterness reached their climax when he decided to kill his wife, their two children and himself, but he needed a motive. He decided that he would accuse her of stealing his precious keys, to the bank, house and car.
Early one afternoon he left his band and headed for the tavern. His route took him across a footbridge extended over the headwaters of the Nile River. He dropped the keys into them and spent all afternoon drinking and carousing. Later that afternoon, his wife went to a fish market to buy the evening meal. She purchased a large Nile perch. As she was gutting the fish, to her astonishment, in its belly were her husband’s keys. She had no idea how they got there, but she cleaned them and hung them on the hook.
Sufficiently drunk the young banker came home that night and pounded on the front door shouting “Woman, woman, where are my keys?” Already in bed she got up, picked them off the hook in the bedroom and handed them to her husband. When he saw the keys, by his own testimony, he immediately became sober and was instantly converted. He fell on his knees sobbing, asked for forgiveness, and confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
His belief came in a dramatic, and miraculous manner. That is not the case for everyone, but as we read more of the story at the end of John 4 we see many who believe because of the miracles God does.
How did you come to believe? What did God do that prompted you to respond in faith? Thank Him for it.
Pastor Dale
Verses John 4:39-44 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."
40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
43 After the two days he left for Galilee.
44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
Theme - Faith
Beginning to Believe.
Last week we discussed the importance of a testimony, letting our own God story. This week we will devote our attention to elements of faith.
What happens when someone is told they can have “living water”? What happens when, through story, testimony, Bible reading, or any other form of hearing the gospel, people become aware of the person of Jesus Christ and the work He does in changing lives? They can ignore it, reject it, investigate it further, or believe it.
The first step to faith is believing the story. It is believing Jesus is who he says he is. It is believing that Jesus did what He said he did (or the Bible’s account). It is believing He will do what He says He will do.
The Samaritans decided to investigate further. They went to ask questions and see for themselves if Jesus is who He says he is. That might be called begining to believe. But after visiting with Him they came to this conclusion. He was. They did not just believe the story of the woman at the well. They believed Him because they heard Him themselves.
We can believe the stories, but faith begins by believing in Him.
One evangelist told the story of a Muslim woman in Africa heard the message about Jesus being the Son of God and can save us from sin. She believed. The more she discovered about Jesus the stronger her faith and commitment grew. Unfortunately, this alienated her from her husband and he despised her faith in Christ. Finally his anger and bitterness reached their climax when he decided to kill his wife, their two children and himself, but he needed a motive. He decided that he would accuse her of stealing his precious keys, to the bank, house and car.
Early one afternoon he left his band and headed for the tavern. His route took him across a footbridge extended over the headwaters of the Nile River. He dropped the keys into them and spent all afternoon drinking and carousing. Later that afternoon, his wife went to a fish market to buy the evening meal. She purchased a large Nile perch. As she was gutting the fish, to her astonishment, in its belly were her husband’s keys. She had no idea how they got there, but she cleaned them and hung them on the hook.
Sufficiently drunk the young banker came home that night and pounded on the front door shouting “Woman, woman, where are my keys?” Already in bed she got up, picked them off the hook in the bedroom and handed them to her husband. When he saw the keys, by his own testimony, he immediately became sober and was instantly converted. He fell on his knees sobbing, asked for forgiveness, and confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
His belief came in a dramatic, and miraculous manner. That is not the case for everyone, but as we read more of the story at the end of John 4 we see many who believe because of the miracles God does.
How did you come to believe? What did God do that prompted you to respond in faith? Thank Him for it.
Pastor Dale
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