Men's Plan vs. Jesus' Plan

·43 min·4 clips

Pastor Stan recounts begging God not to take his son during a seizure that turned him blue.

Pastor Stan Givens opens the episode by thanking listeners and introducing the series on Christ's miracles, specifically John chapter 4. He recaps the previous week's lesson on the water-to-wine miracle, emphasizing that zero resources plus Jesus and obedience yield greater outcomes. The sermon centers on the nobleman whose son is sick in Capernaum, detailing the man's journey to find Jesus based on faith and word of mouth. Stan highlights the nobleman's humility in approaching Jesus, a peasant carpenter, and his desperate plea for help. Jesus responds by rebuking the crowd for seeking signs and wonders, testing the nobleman's motives. Stan shares a personal anecdote about his son Josh's epileptic seizures, describing a hospital scene where he begged God for healing. He connects this to the nobleman's persistence, noting that Jesus cares about motives over requests. The climax occurs when Jesus tells the nobleman to go home alone, claiming the son is healed, which requires a leap of faith. Stan defines faith using Romans 4:21 as being fully assured God will perform His promises. He discusses how faith in storms is genuine and how obedience can be contagious, leading the nobleman's entire household to believe. The episode concludes with reflections on how God tests faith to mature it, urging listeners to obey even when plans are wrecked.

As heard by us

A direct sermon on needs, miracles, and the difference between asking Jesus for help and seeking Jesus himself.

Stan Gibbons, the lead pastor of Northside Bible Church, grounds this sermon in John chapter 4 and uses the nobleman's request to pose a sharp question: does the listener want Jesus to act, or Jesus himself?

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a direct John 4 sermon that presses your faith against real needs and priorities.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Northside Bible Church