GET OUT OF BED

TEXT: John 5:1-9

Introduction: This man had been sick for 38 years.  He had a very real problem but no solution.  This is the picture of multitudes today.  He was looking for an answer in the pool.  The angel came once each year (this was probably at Passover) and moved on the pool.  The first one in the pool would be healed.  How often do people put their faith in what they see and not what they should believe.  This man was lying in his bed when Christ came He said get out of the bed.  There may be some here this morning that need to get out of bed. 

I.          The condition of the man

A.        He was helpless

1.      No one to come to his aid

2.      Represents many people today

a)      The lost

b)      The drug addict

c)      The Alcoholic

d)      The homosexual

e)      The criminal

B.        He was hopeless

1.      The man without Christ is hopeless

a)      There is no future for him

b)      There awaits him only a cold grave and a hot hell

2.      What kind of future do you have

C.        He was friendless

1.      A friend is one who knows all about you and still loves you

2.      A friend is one who comes in when all the world goes out

3.      Remember the Prodigal Son

4.      Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity

D.        What is your bed today?

1.      Lost

2.      Discouragement

3.      Unfaithfulness

4.      Finances

5.      Marriage problems

6.      Sin

II.       the coming of the saviour

A.        Jesus saw him and knew he had been there for a long time

1.      Christ sees and knows all about us

2.      He sees us when we sin

B.        When we are in trouble or sorrow He sees us also

1.      The man had been looking to the pool for a healing power

2.      How often men today look to other things but are always disappointed

3.      Some look to their own works for salvation

III.    the command of christ

A.        He said to the man rise up and walk

B.        He says to us to rise up and walk

1.      In an open confession of Him

a)      Accept Him by faith

b)      If we have truly been saved we will do it

c)      Some make that confession in the hospital or home but then they stopped right there

2.      He calls us to rise up and walk in baptismal waters

a)      When a person has been really saved, his first impression and desire is to follow Christ in baptism

b)      It is not something that brings salvation but is a matter of obedience

3.      He calls us to rise up and walk in faithful church membership

a)      Nothing in the world can benefit a Christian as much as a faithful relationship to a gospel church

b)      How wonderful it would be if all our church members were faithful

4.      He calls us to rise up and walk in a life of fellowship with Christ

a)      This means prayer an daily Bible study

5.      He calls us to rise up and walk as consecrated Christians

a)      If people could just get their values straightened out, they could see that these worldly honors are not the things that count

6.      He calls us to rise up and walk as faithful stewards

7.      He calls us to rise up and walk in a life of service

a)      You will find your greatest joy and happiness is serving Christ where God has put you

CONCLSUION: He call us at the end of the way to rise up and walk through the gates to glory