REVIVAL: DO YOU WANT IT?
JOHN 5: 1-15
OCTOBER 17, 2004 MT. WESLEY WESLEYAN CHURCH HIDENITE
INTRODUCTION: TRAGIC DEATH OF KEN CAMINITI/ CHRISTOPHER REEVE THE SAME DAY, SUNDAY OCTOBER 10, 2004 41 AND 52 YEARS OF AGE RESPECTIVELY.
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Both of these story teach us the reality of pain and suffering. One was cause by a terrible Equestrian accident. The other was caused by an addiction that just couldn’t be broken. The truth for us today is the contrast between the hunger to be well, a battle Christopher Reeve fought valiantly, and the despair of an illness that cannot be overcome as with Ken Caminiti. Our text for this day really speaks to both of these men and to us as we start our first service of revival.
Hear now this reading of John 5: 1-15.
Our text takes us to the place of struggle, a place where pain and suffering exist. This is a place of possible comfort and denial. This is the place where Jesus meets us all and He has a question for each of us today as well as to the church as a whole: “DO YOU WANT TO BE WELL?” THIS IS THE QUESTION OF REVIVAL. I AM NOT BRINGING YOU A REVIVAL; I DON’T HAVE IT IN ME! GOD BRINGS REVIVAL TO INDIVIDUAL AND TO CHURCHES, BUT HE ALLOWS US THE CHOICE! LET’S LOOK AT THIS TEXT TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT REVIVAL AND WHAT JESUS WANTS FROM US?
THESIS SENTENCE: REVIVAL IS A CALL TO BE WELL!
I. REVIVAL ACKNOWLEDGES REAL NEED
A. REAL NEED IS RIGHT WHERE WE ARE: THE PLACE VV. 1-3
B. REAL NEED IS THE EXPLANATION: THE HOPE V. 4
C. REAL NEED IS OUR STRUGGLE: THE PROBLEM/ 38 YEARS V. 5
ILLUSTRATION: JOE DONGEL AND THE STORY OF THE BOARD FOOT/ SMOKERS I KNEW ECCLESIASTES 12: 13-14
TRUTH: JESUS MEETS US RIGHT WHERE WE ARE!! HE KNOWS US!
QUESTION: DO WE THINK HE DOESN’T KNOW OUR NEED?
II. REVIVAL ASKS A REAL QUESTION VV. 6-7
A. A REAL QUESTION REVEALS OUR LORD: “WHEN JESUS SAW HIM…” V. 6
ILLUSTRATION: Artist Wayne Watson Title Friend Of A Wounded Heart
Claire Cloninger and Wayne Watson: Smile--Make ’em think you’re happy
Lie--And say that things are fine And hide that empty longing that you feel
Don’t ever show it Just keep your heart concealed Why--Are the days so lonely
Where can a heart go free And who will dry the tears that no one’s seen
There must be someone To share your silent dreams
Chorus: Caught like a leaf in the wind Lookin’ for a friend--Where can you turn
Whisper the words of a prayer--And you’ll find Him there Arms open wide--Love in His eyes Jesus--He meets you where you are Jesus--He heals you secret scars
All the love you’re longing for is Jesus--The friend of a wounded heart
Repeat Chorus provided by eLyrics.net http://www.elyrics.net
B. A REAL QUESTION REVEALS OUR NEED: “DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL?” V. 6
C. A REAL QUESTION REVEALS OUR FEARS: “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me…” V. 7
1. I DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE HEALED
2. I HAVE GOTTEN ACCUSTOM TO THIS CONDITION
3. THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ME
ILLUSTRATION: PHYSICIANS vs. GUN OWNERS .. Physicians:
a. The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
b. Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
c. Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171. (Statistics courtesy of U.S.
Dept. of Health &Human Services)
Now think about this: Guns:
a. The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.
b. The number of accidental gun deaths per year (all age groups) is1,500.
c. The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.000188.
Statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun
Owners! Remember, "Guns don’t kill people, doctors do"
FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR. Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!! Out of concern for the public at large, I have withheld the statistics on lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention.
TRUTH: JESUS ALWAYS PENETRATES TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER: HE KNOWS MORE THAN WE DO! WE RATIONALIZE OUR NEEDS AWAY!
QUESTIONS: DO WE KNOW OUR REAL NEEDS? ARE WE WILLING TO ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SPEAK TO OUR HEARTS? WILL WE RATIONALIZE OUR NEEDS AWAY?
III. REVIVAL OFFERS A REAL SOLUTION VV. 8-15
A. A REAL SOLUTION IS OUR HEALING: “PICK UP YOUR MAT AND WALK” V. 8
B. A REAL SOLUTION IS OUR WITNESS: “THE MAN WHO MADE ME WELL SAID TO ME, PICK UP MY MAT AND WALK/ THE MAN WENT AND TOLD THE JEWS THAT IT WAS JESUS WHO HAD MADE HIM WELL.” VV. 11 & 15
C. A REAL SOLUTION CREATES A NEED: “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” VV. 9b/10/12
THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN?
D. A REAL SOLUTION DEMANDS A CHANGED LIFE: “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” V. 14
ILLUSTRATION: Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews.
Problem: "Left inside main tire almost needs replacement."
Solution: "Almost replaced left inside main tire."
Problem: "Test flight OK, except autoland very rough."
Solution: "Autoland not installed on this aircraft."
Problem #1: "#2 Propeller seeping prop fluid."
Solution #1: "#2 Propeller seepage normal."
Problem #2: "#1, #3, and #4 propellers lack normal seepage."
Problem: "The autopilot doesn’t."
Signed off: "IT DOES NOW."
Problem: "Something loose in cockpit."
Solution: "Something tightened in cockpit."
Problem: "Evidence of hydraulic leak on right main landing gear."
Solution: "Evidence removed."
Problem: "Number three engine missing."
Solution: "Engine found on right wing after brief search."
Problem: "DME volume unbelievably loud."
Solution: "Volume set to more believable level."
Problem: IFF inoperative.
Solution: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
Problem: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
Solution: That’s what they’re there for.
Contributed by: Andrew Hamilton
Todd Schave as some great wisdom to share with us on this matter: A handy tool for coming up with an acceptable solution is S.O.D.A.S.:
S-ituation (Define or agree on what the problem is that you will work on in a gentle and respectful manner).
O-ptions (Brainstorm together or come up with as many solutions as possible, for you never know what may work).
D-isadvantages (List the disadvantage for each possible solution).
A-dvantages (List the advantages for each possible solution).
S-olution (Choose the best solution, then make a commitment to making it work. Ask for God’s help in making the solution work, reevaluate it from time to time, and make any necessary adjustments).
Contributed by: Todd Schäve
TRUTH: JESUS HAS THE SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEMS! JESUS ALONE CAN HEAL! HE ALONE CAN MEET OUR NEEDS!
QUESTIONS: ARE WE LOOKING EVERYWHERE EXCEPT TO JESUS FOR OUR WHOLENESS? ARE WE WILLING TO TRUST JESUS TO MAKE US WELL?
CONCLUSION: #238 “I WOULD NOT BE DENIED” I believe the question is clear and the call is placed upon us as individuals as well as a church as a whole. Jesus stands before us now and asks, “Do you want to be well?” Church, do you want a revival, or do you want to stay where you are? The choice is yours!!
BENEDTION: EPHESIANS 3: 20-21
