3 STAGES OF FAITH Text: John 4:43-54 (Jesus Heals an Official’s Son) 43-45 After the two days he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.

46-47 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. 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 signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." 49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 "Go," Jesus replied, "your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51-52 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him." 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and his whole household believed. 54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

John 2:11 – What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:23 – Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. John 4:54 – This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee. Signs – pointers, they convey meanings, they instruct people of what to do next

John 20:30-31 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.   3 Purposes of “Signs” (or miraculous acts of Jesus): They point to who He is – He is the Christ They point to what He gives – life, He’s the source of life, life in its fullest - They point to what do we should do next – we must believe in Him

1. A Seeking Faith springs out of a heart that is thirsty for someone that will truly satisfy their deepest need Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Matthew 7:7-8 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

2. A Resting Faith - Is taking Jesus at his word   Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall make your paths straight. Proverbs 30:5 - "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

3. A Knowing Faith - results from our personal experience of God, based on a history of God’s mighty acts of deliverance. Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.   Romans 5:5 – And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

- Our faith in Jesus Christ makes us overcome this world. Conclusion:   Our faith goes through 3 stages, seeking Him, resting in Him and knowing Him. We should continue to seek His presence, take him at His word and watch in expectancy how He works in our lives. - Our faith in Jesus Christ makes us overcome this world. 1 John 5:5 – Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.