Revival: Do You Want It?

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