Sermon Notes
1. It is possible to believe in Jesus as Healer, but not as Messiah.
2. It is possible to believe in Jesus in some areas of our lives, but not in all areas of our lives.
3. You can trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior whether or not you see the answer to your prayers.
4. With God, our wait time is not what’s important. Life change is what’s important.
5. When your faith is real, others will see and follow.
Conclusion:
Signs are designed to communicate. This second sign tells us that:
6. Jesus doesn’t need to be present physically in order to work a miracle.
7. In order for God to work, we need to take Jesus at His word.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Getting to Know You:
When you were a child, what was the most serious injury or illness you ever had?
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Mark 1: 21-34. At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, He performed many miracles starting in the town of Capernaum. The royal official already knew about Jesus from either personal witness or from the daily news, but now he needs the power of Jesus in a very personal matter. In your spiritual journey, when do you move from hearing/knowing about Jesus to seeking Him in a personal way? What were the circumstances that prompted you to seek out Jesus? Please share?
2. Read John 4:46-47. On a scale of 1-100, what percentage of your problems do you entrust to God? Why do you think that is? Has this percentage gone up or down since you first became a follower of Jesus? How has He shown himself to you on this journey?
3. Read John 4:48-49. If you were the royal official, how would you have responded to Jesus knowing He was your son’s only hope and He refused to come with you? Explain.
4. Read John 4:50. When you take a person at “their word” what does that tell you about how you feel about that person? If you made a list of people that you have learned to “take at their word”, who would that be and why? Is Jesus on that list? Why or why not?
5. When you bring your problems to God (such as a sickness in the family), do you tend to accept His word or keep fretting and worrying? Why do you think you respond in that way?
6. Read John 4:51-53. Can you remember a time in your life when you were desperate and you trusted in Jesus and He answered your prayer? Or perhaps He answered your prayer in a manner you did not expect? How did you feel about it? How did it affect your spiritual life and the spiritual lives of those around you? Please share.
7. It’s been said that all prayers are answered, but they fall under 1 of 3 answers: Yes, no, and wait. Do you think this is true why or why not?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?