John, Part 18
Series: The Messiah’s Confirmation, Part 3
John 5:1-15
- Continue series: “The Messiah’s Confirmation” (part 3 of 6 today)
-- Purpose: Help us unpack teachings, miracles, & some incredible revelations
- As we study Ch 5, keep this in mind: Jesus has all authority given from God
-- Many struggle with “hopelessness” … but hope (liberation) does exist!
- KNOW: Among the “religious”; today: our “expectations” – Jesus has authority
-- This is the scene for us to unpack – prayerfully you’ll lean into this with me
- Read John 5:1-15 / Pray / No points - one theme: The Messiah’s Authority
- While attending a feast, Jesus goes to a public pool near the Sheep Gate (vv1-4)
-- NE corner of the city; discussed in Nehemiah 3; led to the Temple for sacrifices
- These pools were each crowded with people who suffered from diseases
- These would be areas where the sick would be segregated from the public
- Story goes that pools would occasionally stir; prob due to underground springs
-- IMP: The people, in desperate need for ANY hope, created a narrative around it
- Why? They wanted to believe that God’s angels stirred the waters
- So that when they were stirred, they might provide healing
- This would’ve drawn large crowds of the sick; seeking hope
- Jesus meets this man here, who was paralyzed for 38 years (v5)
-- Asks: “Would you like to get well?” SEE: Jesus asks his biggest need! (v6)
-- There is no time here to get to know him – He speaks straight to the heart
-- REM: We saw this in Ch 4 with the woman and the Roman official
- FOR US: If He would approach this man like this - wouldn’t He with us also?
-- DEEPER: Why do we think He would not ask if He knows our need, also?
- TRUTH: God knows your need; tells us this clearly:
-- Psalm 103:13, “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”
-- APP: When God puts His finger on an issue (like confessing sin) … do it!
-- We must stop refusing His ask! It is why we struggle to grow in faith!
- This man, as helpless as he is, replies that there is no way (v7) - Why?
-- Imagine not being able to walk for 38 years, lying at a public pool, helpless
-- No one is available to help him get to the water – he is truly without hope
-- Why? His hope is based on this narrative created around the stirring waters!
- This was his mess; is what Jesus steps into! He’ll also step into your mess too!
-- Jesus’s response? Direct: (v8) “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
- Don’t miss: In order for this man to be healed, a requirement was asked
-- He had to do something – he had to obey; to respond to the Lord’s command
-- It’s simple: If he believed he would walk – if not, he would stay like this
-- Today’s application is exactly the same! Our obedience is required!
- However, where there is obedience to God, there will always be rebellion
-- Since it was the Sabbath, God’s holy day, men could not work (their tradition)
-- Also means that what Jesus did (though He was God) was considered sinful
- TALK: Our preferences always try to shut out what God tells us to do!
-- Once we know this and move away from it, we can hear/respond to God’s will
- SEE: We are called to follow Him, to know Him, to be IN fellowship
- The only way to do this is to spend time with Him! (prayer, read, study …)
- Once you follow Jesus (as a disciple) you see what “dead religion” is:
- Dead religion is exemplified by man’s legalism
- Dead religion is completely ignorant of God’s authority
- Dead religion is blind to what God truly offers (hope, love, grace, etc.)
- The focus of the “religious” is: Who does this against what we live by? (v12)
-- BIG: What they “taught” mattered more than drawing close to God!
-- Their rules, customs, & practices was more important than following God!
- KNOW: “Religion” will always call you to following people’s instructions
-- Consider this: Lots of people worship a Jesus they created who fits into, and approves of, their lifestyle. This is known as idolizing a “false god”.
- A relationship with Jesus draws you into following Him, as Lord!!
- It is why we must pray, must read, must listen, and know Him for ourselves
- No one can get you to God’s presence but Jesus – and yes, He is enough!
- This truth is exemplified in the gift we are given (ref John 3:16)
- But the religious are annoyed – all they want to know is “who did this?”
-- Not that this man was healed, or the power of God showed up, NOPE!
- TODAY: Religion will always scoff when God shows up (nothing new)
- EX: People are healed; lives are changed – but we question & ridicule
- EX: Someone feels God’s presence in worship & others aren’t convinced
- NOW … don’t miss: The pool was NOT in the temple area; man had to GO
-- He goes to the place where he could give thanks and worship God!
- CHALL: When God does something, does it draw you closer to Him?
-- KNOW: God owes us nothing, including salvation – yet He is a loving father!
- This man goes to worship, runs into Jesus in the Temple, and then …
-- BIG: In one sentence, He gives him this life warning (also for us) – re-read v14
Big Idea:
- Why is this so important? B/C: The results of sin is WORSE!
-- Jesus speaks directly to this and it’s key for us to understand it right now
- Sin brings judgment from God; REM: Sin is rebellion of what He calls us to do!
- If we are continually disobedient, how can we not expect something worse?
-- We’d have to be delusional to think God is not paying attention
-- It is why we have grace; why we have Christ, why we needed forgiveness
- However, if we will not receive it – what could be worse? JUDGMENT …
-- But … judgment from who? We’ll cover that next week! Be here!
- Pray
