Dr. Kermit Ecklebarger’s Connection Classon the book of John

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Healing of Royal Official’s SonHealing of Royal Official’s SonJohn 4:43-54John 4:43-54

New Life Bible FellowshipNew Life Bible Fellowship

Dr. Kermit EcklebargerDr. Kermit Ecklebarger

January 27, 2013January 27, 2013

Introduction

• A. Literary Style: Last of Three Interviews

• With Nicodemus ch. 3:1-15

• With Samaritan Woman ch. 4:1-42

• With Royal Official ch. 4:43-54

B. Setting: Jesus penetrating knowledge of people 2:23-25

• 1. People believe because of signs at Passover in Jerusalem 23a

• LESSON: Efficient witnessing• 2. BUT Jesus did not “believe himself to them”

23b

• 3. Jesus knew people’s real thinking 24-25

• LESSON: Discerning witnessing

C. Focus: Jesus’ Discerning Interviews 1. Jesus “knew” Nicodemus needed:

Transformation not Information 3:1-15

• ~~Nicodemus compliments Jesus

• “…you are a teacher who has come from God” …signs show it

• ~~Jesus – changes topic to new birth • “…no one can see the Kingdom of God unless

they are born again.”

2. Jesus knew Samaritan Woman needed:

• Transition from Physical to Spiritual thirst

• ~~Jesus makes contact based on woman’s perceived need of water 4:4-9

~~Jesus attempts transition from physical to spiritual need 4:10-15

Jesus: “If you knew…who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you ‘living water’.”

Woman:“Sir you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.” John 4:10-11

~~Jesus exposes woman’s spiritual need 4:16-18

• ~~Samaritan woman tries to avoid facing her need 4:17, 19-24

• ~~Jesus avoids argument by showing importance of inner attitude in worship 4:21-24

• ~~Jesus reveals himself as the Messiah 4:25-28

• ~~Samaritan woman’s effective witness at Sychar 4:27-42

Healing of Royal Official’s Son 4:43-54

• A. Reason for Jesus’ favorable reception in Galilee

4:43-45

• ~~ Pilgrims at Passover in Jerusalem

• ~~ Pilgrims saw miracles Jesus did there

B . Royal Official’s plea of faith 4:46-47 “He…begged him to come and heal his son,

who was close to death.”

• ~~Why? Family Emergency

~~Where? Cana ---15 miles --- to Capernaum

C. Jesus’ challenge to sincerity of faith 4:4 “…unless you people see signs and wonders you will never believe.”

• ~~ “you” is plural = criticizing all the people

• ~~ Why do Jews seek a sign?• **OT test of Prophets Deut. 18:20-22• **For personal benefit

D. Royal Officials’ plea of desperation 4:49 “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

E. Jesus’ test of faith 4:50

“Go, your son will live.”• ~~Man put on the spot: Insult to doubt

but Jesus’ word only hope.

F. Jesus heals the Royal Official’s son 4:52-54 “The man took Jesus at his word and departed”

Father learned son was healed at “exact time at which Jesus had said to him ‘your son will live’.”

• Significance of sign: Jesus Master of Space

Area of Nicodemus Samaritan Royal Significance Comparison Woman Official concerning Jesus

• Race Jew Samaritan Unknown No discrimination

• Sex Man Woman Father No prejudices

• Education Learned uneducated Average At home with all

• Morality Upright Immoral Neutral Not judgmental

• Class Wealthy Poor outcast Middle No favoritism upper class Class

• AttitudeSerious Flippant Concerned Patient

• Initial Inquirer Indifferent Desperation Adaptable contact

• Emphasis: The WHO and not the HOW of Witnessing.• Witness to all types of people .