This Is The House Of Mercy

John 5:1-9

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked:

I’m so glad for the love of God this morning.

The love of God is not just a passive feeling,--------- but it’s a powerful force,--------- the strongest force there is in this world.

There is no force in this world that is stronger than the love of God -------- to take a man,--------- to take a woman, to take a boy or girl,--------- and to be able to transform that individual ---------- into the likeness of the Almighty God takes power.

It takes something beyond the human ability to psychoanalyze and use psychology to change your thinking.

It takes the power of God to transform you.

I’m so glad for the love of God,--------- and the mercy of God,--------- for without it we wouldn’t be here today.

I want to preach today on THE HOUSE OF MERCY!

As Jesus came into Jerusalem he saw this man that had been lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years.

Jesus knew he had been there for 38 years,-------- because he is God,--------- and God knows everything.

And as he saw him, immediately he knew the man’s story, and so it is with us here today,

God knows our story,

He knows how long some of you have been struggling with your particular problem.

David said, “He knows my uprising. He knows my down sitting.”

He knows all there is to know about you and I.

He knows;

• your pain,

• your sorrow,

• your worries,

• And your reservations.

I cannot think a thought in my mind that God does not know what I’m thinking.

• He knows the discouragement you may be feeling.

• He knows the help that you may need.

• He knows what may be facing you tomorrow.

And He said that He knew that this lame man had been there for 38 years.

This man didn’t catch God unaware,------ or off guard,

He wasn’t worried or surprised about his condition.

The only thing God wanted to know was, ’Wilt thou be made whole?’

The impotent man answered Him and said -------- “I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”

And Jesus sayeth unto him, ’Rise, take up thy bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made whole and he took up his bed and walked.

Friends, I think it would behoove each and every one of us to hear the words of the Lord today, “Wilt thou be whole”

Do you want to be delivered or not?

Something happen to this man’s spirit when the Lord spoke to him, “to rise and take up his bed”

Faith entered into his spirit as he heard the words of the Lord.

And I hope by the time that I get though with this message faith will enter into your spirit.

After all the scripture says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of the Lord.

The word "Bethesda" is a very interesting word because this word means "The House of Mercy."

I want to tell you that’s where He found me,-------- in the House of Mercy.

And I believe if the church ought to mean anything at all,---------- it ought to always mean “House of Mercy”

Where would we be today --------- if it had not been for the mercy of the Lord.

I believe if we stay long enough in the House Mercy,

God will heal and set us free from every disease that comes to hinder the child of God.

I believe he still can take away