So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. John 4:46-54

A.   The Man:  His development of faith

1.  His present condition:  a weak faith: John 4:45-50; John 11:17-21, 32; Luke 5:1-11, Hebrews 12:5

2.  His progressing condition:  a maturing faith: John 4:50-53; Hebrews 11:8

B.  The Lord:  His means of developing faith

1.  He rebukes unbelief: John 4:48; Matthew 14:28-32

Two types of unbelief

o   Willful unbelief embraced:  Acts 19:8-9

o   Despised unbelief fought against:  Mark 9:21-24

2.  He demands a response of obedience: John 4:50; Luke 6:46-49

3.  He drives us to rely upon His Word: John 4:50, 53; Psalm 119:49