Looking Beyond Your Situations Series

Looking beyond your situations

(Ungal Sulnaliki appal parunikal)

Psalm 130

1. John: 5:1-11

2. 1 John 5:4-5

Our circumstances can drive and direct our life, unless we learn to live above them. Most of us live in disappointment, depression and stress when we allow circumstances to control our life. Instead, the Bible asks us to trust in God promising God will direct our paths. No matter what your condition, what your setback in life is; God still has a great plan for you and you can live above your circumstances.

When we started reading the Gospel of John we come across and see that John wrote this as an evangelistic work. His purpose and goal in writing this account was so that people would come to faith and believe in Jesus.

That’s why part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association follow up program, for new converts, was to have them read the Gospel of John.

In this Gospel of John gives us testimony after testimony of who Jesus is, and why He came into this world. And so when you understand that, it’s pretty obvious why the Holy Spirit inspired John to add this particular story into his Gospel.

And it’s one of those stories where if you just hear it, or read through it, and don’t really think about what it’s saying, you might be tempted to say, “Oh, it’s just another one of Jesus’ miracles. It’s just one of the many things that Jesus did.” But you might miss the deeper meaning in it. So this morning, I want us to really think through our text, and I pray that the Lord will open our understanding through the preaching of His Word.

Chapter 5

John is show us 3 thing in this chapter:

I. The that this man is totally helpless.

II. He’s in the presence of the One Person who can help him, and he doesn’t even realize it.

III. He wants us to see and realize, and understand in this story, is that this man is in a bad way… he’s helpless. And he’s also surrounded by people who are also in bad shape. He’s surrounded by the blind, and the lame, and the sick.

But Jesus comes specifically to this man, and selects this man… out of all the others… the one who was the most helpless, and most hopeless. And He shows him grace and mercy, and heals him.

How did this lame man look beyond his situations?

1. He was prepared for a change. (John 5:7)

7 The sick man said, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is moving. While I am coming, another one gets in first.”

We pray Lord change my circumstance, but we have to really decided if we are prepared for a change. Change means change in circumstances, change in friends, change in responsibilities etc. Are you really prepared for a change? God will not give you what you are not prepared to handle. God will not give you what you cannot hold. He will not pour out what you cannot contain. If you want a breakthrough, be ready for a change.

Illustration

As a country was in war the president made it compulsory for all able young people to join the army. A young man aspired to be in the army but did not want to go through the rigorous army training. He decided against joining the training. So he had all his teeth pulled out to make himself unfit for military duty. But when they took his physical, he was declared unfit because of flat feet! This man wanted to join the army but was unwilling for the training; he was unwilling for a change.

2. He was willing to obey. (John 5:8-9)

8 Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your bed and walk.” 9 At once the man was healed and picked up his bed and walked. This happened on the Day of Rest.

You may have had a terrible childhood, not a supportive family, you may presently be a failure but if you can trust God he can give you a turnaround in your life provided you are willing and take responsibility for your condition.

3. He was willing to take responsibility. (John 10-11)

(Avar po?uppe?ka tayaraka iruntar)

10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

When God asked Adam why he disobeyed, Adam explained, “The woman you gave me persuaded me to eat.” When Moses asked his brother Aaron why he permitted the Israelites to worship a golden calf, Aaron said, “The people pressured me to do something since you were gone so long, Moses. They wanted gods like the Canaanites. I just threw their jewelry into the fire and out came the calf.” Aaron blamed the people, blamed Moses