Getting Off The Ground

Introduction

Have you ever felt stuck? Like you're never going to get through what you're facing—or back to joy?

Take heart. And get ready to rise up.

Hello and welcome to church. We’ve come to the set of The Chosen to ask: Is That in the Bible?

Dallas and Amanda Jenkins (show creators) want viewers to dig into the Gospels, not just stop at the show and treat it like Chosen 3:16. Their dream is that the series would help build the Church. That’s exactly what we’re doing.

Let’s watch a clip from Season 2, Episode 4: "The Perfect Opportunity." (Play Clip)

The message is called "Getting Off the Ground." In Jesus’ name, you can do just that—no matter what’s holding your heart down.

Scripture

John 5:1–15

Overview

A pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry

Packed with tension and grace

A Savior who shocks religious norms and reveals a new kind of Kingdom

Not just a healer—but a Deliverer

From Screen to Scripture

Three Interpretive Containers

Biblical Information

Church Tradition

Creative Imagination

This one is complex. Some details—like the legend of the stirring water—aren’t in every manuscript of Scripture.

But don’t panic. This should build trust in the New Testament, not weaken it.

Most of the NT was written within ~70 years of Christ’s resurrection.

Over 5,000 manuscript copies exist—99% identical in doctrine.

All agree: Jesus healed the man.

Some variations (e.g., the angel and water, John 8, Mark 16:9–20) reflect later clarifying tradition, not doctrinal shifts.

This isn’t a cover-up. It’s full disclosure—and it shows that Scripture can stand the light.

Creative License in the Episode

The backstory of how the man was injured

His name (Jesse), and relationship to Simon the Zealot

Jesus witnessing crucifixion — plausible, though not explicit in Scripture

The healing? Straight Gospel. Pure grace. Total transformation.

Big Idea

This passage has a message for anyone feeling pinned down by circumstance, sin, or shame.

Getting off the ground is the story of the Christian life:

Tennis: low-to-high

Colossians 3 — Set your minds on things above

Romans 7 — Who will rescue me? Thanks be to Jesus!

From Earth to Heaven — even in death, we rise

Everyone has an area where they’re stuck. Jesus specializes in helping us walk again.

Message Points

1. Identifying False Assumptions

The man believed: “I need the water to be healed.”

We believe: “If I had __, then I’d be __.”

If I had that job, I’d be happy

I’m unkind because of how I was raised

I’d be joyful if I had more money

We come into agreement with lies.

The man thought the pool was the solution

Jesus knew it was the distraction

Jesus doesn’t just have what you need—He is what you need.

2. Asking Hard Questions

Jesus asks: “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6)

Not about ability—about desire

Not everyone wants to get up

Some become addicted to affliction

You can normalize dysfunction

You justify your behavior by your backstory

Disappointment can deaden desire

Big Thought: You can’t be well against your will

Satan’s most effective lie: “Tomorrow”

Augustine: “Make me chaste… but not yet.”

God waits to be wanted

3. Doing Scary Things

First Scary Thing: Not making excuses

Man says: “I have no one to help me…” (John 5:7)

We say:

“I’d be healed, but they...”

“The system isn’t fair”

“Someone is out to get me”

If you keep passing the buck, you’ll stay stuck.

Second Scary Thing: Getting up

Jesus says: “Rise, take your mat, and walk.”

What He calls you to—He empowers you for

Ephesians 4:7 — To each one, grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift

4. Listening to the Right Voices

It was the Sabbath — not a biblical violation, but a rabbinic one

Legalism hated healing when it didn’t follow the rules

The mat? It mattered

He moved it from his spot

No intention of coming back

He changed communities

5 porches full of people just like him

Who you sit with shapes your future. Victim mentality → Victim identity → Victim community → Victim destiny.

Pastor Craig Groeschel: “Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.”

5. Making Different Choices

John 5:14 — “You’ve been made well. Sin no more, lest something worse happen.”

Not every affliction is caused by sin—but some are.

What we do with our liberty can return us to captivity.

A new beginning requires a new plan.

You must care for your miracle.

New Crew. New Habits. Better Choices.

Even the best seed can’t:

Take root in the wrong soil

Thrive among weeds

Survive the birds without someone to guard it

Proverbs 26:11 — A fool repeats the same mistake like a dog returning to vomit.

Closing Thought

What have you been cured from that you now get to carry?

The mat he once lay on? Now it’s his testimony.

A souvenir of grace—and strength for the next trial.

Doggie bags — breadcrumbs to remind you who fed you.

David’s bear tooth necklace — evidence of God's faithfulness in past battles.

Jesus doesn’t just have the cure. He is the cure.

Final Line (from the episode): “That life is over. Everything changes now.”