Cut off any possibility of going back. Karoline Lewis, Joy J. Moore, and Matt Skinner for a conversation on the Revised Common Lectionary texts for Second Sunday in Lent (Year A), March 5, 2023. The father replied: son Ive been was instead, "Who is the guy who told you to disobey one of our regulations?" "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (v.5). The Jews had protested loudly and threatened to stone the place because of what, in their estimation, was a violation of the Sabbath. Jesus: . That brings us to the critical moment of this story. read more, Scripture: Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. JOHN THE BAPTIST didn't fool around. The merciful and compassionate God has found this man. On the other hand, if youre one who never says a word, then you might need to speak out more. Jesus asks us today, Do you want to be made well? Do you want to experience life in all its abundance? Perhaps they had business to attend to or other children to look after. Their reaction, which you would think would be, "What? We did not have a bathroom,running water, or a furnace. John 3:1-17; Psalm 121; Genesis 12:1-4; More Lectionary Readings Editor's Choice. read more, Scripture: Evangelical Free, When I was growing up I was one of six children. He is living an "as soon as" life. If you were a devout Jew living within sixteen miles of Jerusalem, you were expected to attend them all. The pool is located to the north part of the Temple Mount, near what is now called St. Stephen's Gate, which is, in fact, the site of the Sheep Gate mentioned here. Perhaps youre holding on to a destructive habit, wanting to be healthy and whole, but not willing to stop smoking or drinking or eating your troubles away. For example, the author of Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan, touched the lives of thousands by preaching from John 6:37, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." . Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Questions and answers with John Piper. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. The place was Hartford, Connecticut. He went there to attend a notable Butchers College. 8-Week Series for Lent. They have what are called prototypes of pound weights and kilograms. This facility is responsible for storing perfect samples of weights and measurements. He told his wife that from then on hed let the local barber shave him each day.The man went to the barbershop which was owned by the pastor of the local Baptist church. For at noon the skies turned from blue to gray and by mid-afternoon had blackened over so densely that, in that religious age, men fell on Amen. Jesus never says, "Sin no more," unless he first says, "You are made whole." Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha [Bethesda], which has five porticoes. 13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Sweet Understanding Series Teach the Text One Volume Sermon James Merritt. This punishment was not often carried out, but still the man is in real trouble. It is that marvelous life we are focusing on in this gospel. I have seen that happen. We see a lot of that around yet today. 16So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. The father replied: son Ive been He subsisted on a starvation diet, and so did his disciples. Thus his faith is transferred from his own efforts to Jesus: "He must do it. He went there to attend a notable Butchers College. ", 11But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' We do not know why. Childerns Sermons John 5:1-10, Denomination: In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. But now, in Chapter5, John begins to trace a growing rejection of the claims of Jesus, and a growth of virulent and malicious hostility in official circles against the ministry of the Lord. Get rid of it; don't leave it there. Find stories, quotes, humor, and statistics to bring your sermon on Peace to life. Thus the pool at Bethesda had established a reputation as a place where people could be healed. In Washington D.C. there is a building called the "National Institute of Standards & Technology." Today we will look at the first of these miracles, the healing of the impotent man, John 5:1-5: After this [i.e., the ministry he had in Galilee] there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He did not say to the man, shaking his finger, "Sin no more. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. What you need to know is, where is God moving in your life, and then work with him. Conference Message. I picked up the latest issue of Time Magazine last week and found that the entire issue was devoted to a celebration of Time 's sixtieth year in publishing. Let somebody know the new stand you have taken so that he will help hold you to it. Bill Thomas. Faith, Holiness, Leadership General, Denomination: read more, Scripture: There were two boys, about my age, that lived close by. The merciful and compassionate God has found this man. In January, 1995, According To An Article Born Into A Captain's Family Who Traded At The One Small Change Will Energize Tomorrow's Sermon, Slow Down, Big Fellawhat A Motorcyclist Taught Me About Preaching, Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight. He will do the same for you, ( Philippians 4:19 ). Some day it will all work out. John 5:1-9 (ESV) 5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Avon Books, New York, 1981 . "Get up," said Jesus. Sin General, Sin Punishment Of, Denomination: He was in the beginning with God.". Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. John The Elder urges the community to walk in Love that will ultimately reveal Truth of Christ. (John 5:8b-9a RSV), Notice that the first thing Jesus says to do is what the man could not do, what he had tried for 38 years to do. Did he say, "Let's at least make you comfortable. He moves us from make-believe to reality. In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord . I get the picture that, over the years, they may have started bringing their son to the pool in the early morning and leaving him there to interact with the others, so that, in time, he became one of the regulars. He did not empty the five porches, healing everybody. I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. Kevin nodded. Matthew 6:14-15, John 10:1-42, John 5:1-9, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 8:43-48 Aaron Sorkin, creator/executive producer 2. When it comes to being made well, repetition is not necessarily a virtue. Jesus knew where to find him. When we serve as Jesus commanded, using our gifts and talents to meet the needs of people around us, we become as salt and light to people . Change your diet. In any event his disease made him unable to walk for 38 years. Good illustrations. (view more) Learn new techniques for relating to others more effectively. No matter what condition your life is in, you can be made whole, because there's a God big enough to save you from yourself. Grant that we will do so from this moment. The facts, of course, are that the pool of Bethesda, like many similar pools in the Jerusalem area, is an intermittent spring. Their pastoral style works well for all concerned. God doesn't see us as deficient people. (view less). A. Bethesda= "House of Mercy". read more, Scripture: An illustration of a 3.5" floppy disk. Gospel of John 1- 6 - Part 1 10 lessons covering John 1-6 with Lesson Six a study on Being Born Again and Lesson Ten a Topical Study on Jesus' Disciples; Gospel of John 7-11 - Part 2 8 lessons covering John 7-11. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. They do not want to be helped out of their weakness. (McLarty), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God" (Matt. Software An illustration of two photographs. The time was the 19th of May, 1780. Its just a guess, of course, but, when I read the gospel lesson for today, I get the picture that this paralyzed man first started coming to the pool of Bethesda as a child. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most, MEASURING UP You're Not Alone These are the suggestions of men, what we say to people. read more, Scripture: (John 5:9b-11 RSV). Daily devotional with John Piper. Witnesses to Christ:1. the Father (5:18)2. When people believe they are going to be healed, and they are in a place where healings supposedly occur, and they do the expected thing, many of them are healed. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" All rights reserved. A Place of Revelation. He could have, but he did not. Some, perhaps, may not have yet reached the place this man had reached. He had been shot to death. The 8 character qualities found in these verses picture for us the character of Jesus Christ Himself, which is God's goal to cause everything to work together to build into your life. (John 5:6 RSV), What a strange question to ask of a man who had been sick for 38 years! Its a silly anecdote, I admit, but it illustrates how we often get locked into the mind set that where we are and what were doing is a given while, in fact, there are other options, and God often calls us to venture out into new frontiers of life and faith. The Village Shepherd. Maybe you have tried to stop drinking. That is so important. For example, are you holding on to anger, nursing some injustice or hurt from years back? Romans 8:28-39, 1 John 5:10-13, Tags: The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. What would cause a man to lie helpless for 38 years? 1. In Jesus day there was a legend that this rippling of the waters was caused by the fluttering of angels wings, so that the first person to enter the turbulent waters would be cured. Preaching Today provides pastors and preachers sermon prep help with sermon illustrations, sermons, sermon ideas, and preaching articles. For at noon the skies turned from blue to gray and by mid-afternoon had blackened over so densely that, in that religious age, men fell on You thought you had it under control. It has much that helps, but has been . He was informed that he would eventually walk, but only with the aid of This pool was situated where there were intermittent mineral springs. (view less), Tags: Now they had an excuse that made their persecution of him look valid. He did not offer that kind of help. Just like that. Skip to main content. Do You Want to Be Made Well? Let us leave it now with this question that Jesus asks each one of us: "In some area of your life, do you want to be healed?" I know there are some like that among us; there always are. (John 5:1-5 RSV). Many people are right where this man was, with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness of making any change. Be his instrument. Scriptures: Matthew 5:9. The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He soon entered the prosperous slave trade until he nearly died on a voyage that would change his life forever. 1 John 5:4-5, Tags: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 3:1-17. Jesus tells the man, Arise, take up your mat, and walk. Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. So do congregations, for that matter. . He had been shot to death. 1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. You tried to stop but you discovered you could not. 1John 5:11-12 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them. So, the Alban Institute put together what they called a Start-up Seminar to teach ministers who were planning to move new ways of going about getting started. (John 10:10) In the words of a hymn, There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.. KIDNAPPED BY HATRED On February 9, 1960, Adolph Coors III, millionaire head of Coors Company, was kidnapped and held for ransom. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat. Below is a sermon manuscript from John 15:1-8 which I preached about 10 years ago. These are indeed the fundamentals of Christianity. Evangelical Free. These sermons are filled with strong main points, interactive experiences, and powerful illustrations. Somehow this man senses what that basis was. I am sure if this man had answered Jesus along these lines our Lord would have gone his way and not done a thing for him. Some day you'll be right at the edge of the pool when it's troubled and all you'll have to do is fall in"? Prepare your messages on God's Word in 2 John with sermon outlines or an entire . The value of a story like this, and the reason it is in the gospels, is not only to reveal to us who Jesus was -- truth about the Lord himself -- but also to show us how God proposes to deal with human helplessness and weakness. The Law said that anyone caught bearing a burden on the Sabbath was to be stoned. He went to the doctor to see if something could be done about it. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. John 5:1-5, Tags: He makes sin "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith," (Hebrews 12:2 KJV). As soon as I get into the water my problems will be fixed.". John 5:7-8, 14 Jonah 1:11-12, 17 I. . A good illustration can paint a picture in the imagination to help clarify the truth of a passage. read more, Scripture: Expository Sermons. 3: 5. read more, Scripture: Moses (5:46-7)6. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. Perhaps his parents brought him as an infant or a toddler. Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals See Disclaimer. Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Perhaps it was a shameful habit he continually indulged in; an injury he had done to someone and he had refused to correct it. And without any of the convieniences most houses had in those days. [John Ashcroft, as we all know by nowis our Attorney What gets us unstuck is God's love for us and our focus on God, not instant cure-alls. The day has gone down in New England history as a terrible foretaste of Judgment Day. Bible Study, Denomination: A careful study of this word in Greek reveals that the word really means "all.". Software An illustration of two photographs. Some of the items they had for sale were plastic models. Obviously it was Jesus' will that this man should do what he told him to do, and the moment the man's will agreed with the Lord's will the power was there. Other, NO DUMMIES ALLOWED I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:16-17, 34)."Jesus was aware that he had humbled himself, that he had assumed the role of a servant, when he washed the disciples' feet.2 (Of course, the Bible gives testimony to the fact that servanthood is at the heart of Jesus' ministry; in his death he functioned as a servant who was humbled in executing the bidding of the Lord. He lost not only his father, but also Other, NO DUMMIES ALLOWED Go home and pour out the alcohol! Sermon illustrations on Peace. The man might have said to himself, "I'm healed, but I had better leave my bed here; I may need it tomorrow." Stand up!" Even for such dramatic years as the past sixty, I thought that claim was rather ludicrous. His sins had been forgiven; he had been washed, he had been cleansed; he was a new man -- physically, spiritually and soulishly. He soon entered the prosperous slave trade until he nearly died on a voyage that would change his life forever. All these are involved in the words, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." Second Sunday in Lent - A. Genesis 12:1-4a. He told me he could not pass a magazine store without going in and looking at filthy magazines, buying them and taking them home with him, hiding them. Why, of course, he wanted to be made well. You have to wonder why he kept coming back, day after day, year after year. This can be an important first step toward experiencing a new and more abundant life. read more, Scripture: You see, I work at the airport, and its my job to empty the holding tanks from the restrooms aboard the aircraft. I still remember some of the good timesand some of the bad times, too, unfortunatelyfrom those days gone by. So, in this sense, it was a good question: Do you (really) want to be made well? Because, if you do, youre going about it the wrong way. We all find ourselves paralyzed at times, unable to do the thing we want or ought to do. So, when Jesus asked, Do you want to be made well? he would have had good reason to think twice, for to be made well would mean hed have to give up his old way of life. The story behind the sermon (from John Ortberg): For Easter I wanted to present some of N. T. Wright's material on the Resurrection. What sort of things do you need to change about your life in order to be whole? An illustration of an audio speaker. And so, Jesus asked, Do you want to be made well?, The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while Im coming, another steps down before me., Jesus said to him, Arise, take up your mat, and walk. Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Biblical Commentary Solid Joys. John 5:1-9 Do You Want to Be Made Well? Whats my impediment? To that person who has received the gift of wholeness from God, without any merit or earning on his part, to that person, Jesus says, "Sin no more.". There is always something God tells them to believe, and do, and act on. Do you want to be made well? Because if you do, you may need to step out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith and venture out into the unknown.