Why Your Faith Is Lacking (And How To Fix It)

What does it take to have strong faith? In John 4:46–54, a royal official comes to Jesus begging Him to heal his dying son — and he comes with a faith built on signs and wonders. Jesus rebukes him: "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." But watch what happens next. That same man takes Jesus at His word, and his superstitious faith becomes a strong faith, and his strong faith becomes a saving faith. In this message, Craig Spear walks verse by verse through the healing of the official's son and shows the four steps of strong faith: hear the Word of God, believe the Word of God, obey the Word of God, and rest in the Word of God. If you have ever wanted a sign so you could finally believe — or wondered why God does not always answer the way you asked — this message is for you. Faith is not naming and claiming; faith is accepting from God what He gives. Believe in miracles, but trust in Jesus. Most notable points in this sermon: In the kingdom of heaven, faith is the medium of exchange — whatever we receive from God is according to our faith (Matthew 9:29) Without faith it is impossible to please God, no matter how beautifully we sing, give, walk, or serve (Hebrews 11:6) The problem of a superstitious faith: the royal official's faith was built on signs and wonders, not on the Word of God Demanding a sign is dishonoring to God — He has already spoken, and unbelief makes Him out to be a liar (1 John 5:10) Seeking signs and wonders is dangerous because it can deceive — the Antichrist and the false prophet will authenticate their ministries with counterfeit miracles (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13–14) Why Jesus did signs and wonders: to authenticate His ministry and the apostles' ministry, and that we might believe and have life in His name (Acts 2:22; John 20:30–31; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3–4) The progression of strong faith Step one: he heard the Word of God (Romans 10:17) Step two: he believed the Word of God — our problem is not intellectual, it is moral; faith is a response to the character of God Step three: he obeyed the Word of God — real faith is belief with legs on it (James 2:26; Romans 1:5) Step four: he rested in the Word of God — twenty-four hours passed and he still had not rushed home; the rest of faith is the mark of real faith (Psalm 37:5–7; Isaiah 28:16) The provision of saving faith: he and all his household believed — not in a miracle worker, but in a Messiah (John 4:53; John 20:31) Jesus did not come as a healer; Jesus came as a Savior (Luke 19:10) — the miracles point to the greater miracle, the new birth Why I follow Christ: not for promised healing, protection from disaster, prosperity, or personality enhancement, but because in Jesus we behold the face of God. Scripture passages used in this sermon: John 4:46–54 (main text) John 2:23–25 Matthew 9:29 Matthew 12:39 Matthew 24:24 Matthew 9:12 Hebrews 11:6 Hebrews 2:3–4 Acts 2:22 Romans 10:14, 17 Romans 14:23 Romans 1:5 Romans 5:10 Romans 8:39 1 John 5:10 2 Corinthians 12:12 2 Corinthians 5:18 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Revelation 13:13–14 John 20:25, 29–31 James 2:26 Psalm 37:5–7, 25 Isaiah 53:2 Isaiah 28:16 Luke 19:10 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.win... Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/f... If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/give Text-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings, Living Word Community Church