Untitled Sermon

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Verses-

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

The Jews had several

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.

Bethesda means House of Mercy and Bethesda was 2 square pools next to each other with covered walk ways all around; these people would gather around the pools.

If you notice closely you'll see that in a lot of Bibles Verse 4 isn't there because they weren't sure if it was apart of the original text.

It readsq

For an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.

When they excavated the area where the pool was they found a faded painting on the wall of an angel over the water.

These people gathered around the pool hoping for a miracle. Each day they hobbled to the pool, led by a friend, dragging themselves as close as possible in a hope that the water would be stirred, and in hope that they would be the first in the pool.

Everyone is starring at the pool….

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

He was crippled for 38 years starring at a pool, waiting for his miracle.

Have you ever felt like you are going around in circles? Wondering is anything ever going to change? Could it be that you're not just going around something but you're going higher? You're not at the same place you were before

If he called you to it, he will supply you for it

If you're in the place of waiting here is God's promise to those who wait on Him.

Are heard. .

Are blessed. ; .

Experience His goodness. .

shall not be ashamed. ; .

Shall renew their strength. .

Shall inherit the earth. .

Shall be saved. ; .

Shall rejoice in salvation. .

Shall receive the glorious things prepared by God for them. .

What can we do while we wait?

Give Glory Abraham grew in faith as he gave glory

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

God promised to Abraham a Son and then he waited, and waited and waited. Past the point of it being possible in the natural. Because God had a perfect time, if Isaac would have been born earlier he would have never married the woman that he did nor likely had the children that he did.

So why didn't Abraham's heart get sick? Because his Longing was fulfilled….

His heart was full because of Jesus.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

His heart was kept steady because he was in relationship with the God of the universe.

This is the miracle!!! That God would want to know us!! Every other miracle God brings our way points to this reality!

Israel knew the miracles of God, yet they missed it…

God is a God of miracles but he is first a God of relationship.

Zachariah- old man wanted a child…. Gabriel appeared to him… the prayer you are no longer praying has been answered.

Declare his promises

Grab a bookmark, do your tens.

If we can't think right its easy to miss the good that God is doing around us.

Ask, Seek, Knock stay expectant

7 “[c]Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.

Coming back to the story. Here is a man stuck at the pool waiting for his miracle.

Can I tell you something? Its not about the pool.

Its not about how God did something in the past. You might have a great plan lined out for God on how he is going to do things, but maybe he has another way?

Can I tell you that in the end it isn't the answer to your prayer that you really want? What you're looking for is a longing fulfilled.

Having the author of life in your heart will always keep your heart in hope… even in the midst of delayed answers.

IMPORTANT

Everyone around the pool was so busy looking at the pool they missed who was walking by.

What is your daily focus? Work? Family? Hobby?

Could it be that Jesus is walking by?

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”

It sounds like a silly question, but that question took his eyes off of the pool and on to Jesus.

That is really where you will find your answer.

What if your miracle meant things needed to change?

God will do what he can do, but he won't do what you're called to do.

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”

Victim Mentality

Its not about your limitations, your friends or lack there of…

Its not about your past, your addictions, or your fears… lets stop waving our banners and start waving a banner of him

Look past the pool, look past yourself…. Look at Jesus

Jesus the author of our Faith. You are not alone.

Faith is being certain of what we don’t see or have.

Chair, bike and desk.

Something changes when we say Thank you…

Pray. Fast. Pack. 2 offers

How do we walk by Faith?

Stand in the Silence

There is something when we simply stand and trust in God's promise

Set your gaze on Jesus

Stop looking at the pool where you think the answer will come from and start looking at Jesus

Listen and Obey His Voice

Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬

Its time for us to get up and walk (take the first step)

We have been given everything we need for life and godliness.

There is a miracle that needs to happen.

If you are looking for a miracle. Lets stand. Get up and walk.

We have people that would love to pray with you after the service. About anything.

What has Jesus said to you?

PRAY

1.STAND 2. GAZE 3. LISTEN AND OBEY (DONE)