The Church: The Right Place to Be!
William J. Wyne
John 5:13-14
In John 5 we know the story well of the man at the Pool of Bethesda. We know it because it's one of the oldest stories in the New Testament that brings some hope and joy to us as believers. We also know this story because a few months ago as I was preaching through the seven signs of Christ, John identified this as a sign of who Christ was. I entitled that message when omnipotence meets impotence. Impotence will not drain God's power; it draws from it. Neither you nor situation is draining on God; it does not weaken or worry God. He is omnipotent.
In that encounter, Christ shows up at this pool and a man who has been ill 38 years gets his blessing. Jesus made a deposit into this man life that changed him forever. He made the first deposit by engaging him about his desire. Do you want to get well? And then made the second deposit by given him a command; take up your bed and walk. That man would never be the same anymore.
Might I add that He can still do that, He can still change a life forever. That power has not ceased; that miracle is not a first-century manifestation that disappeared with the Apostles. That experience did not cease with this man at the pool that power is still showing up in some lives somewhere. He is still giving life and changing lives that are crippled at the pool of misery. He can do it now.
But I challenge you now, to take the spotlight off the Christ and the cure, and place it upon the response of the recipient. Take the emphasis off the miracle, and perhaps look at the message that the man sends to those who reads this story. Perhaps there is something there that affirms or challenges us, or stirs us in a more purposeful way.
As I read the chapter this week, asking God for something out of chapter 5 as I indicated that I would aim to do each Sunday. As I revisited the stations in John by chapters in hopes that God would say, even more, He did. He anchored me ...
William J. Wyne
John 5:13-14
In John 5 we know the story well of the man at the Pool of Bethesda. We know it because it's one of the oldest stories in the New Testament that brings some hope and joy to us as believers. We also know this story because a few months ago as I was preaching through the seven signs of Christ, John identified this as a sign of who Christ was. I entitled that message when omnipotence meets impotence. Impotence will not drain God's power; it draws from it. Neither you nor situation is draining on God; it does not weaken or worry God. He is omnipotent.
In that encounter, Christ shows up at this pool and a man who has been ill 38 years gets his blessing. Jesus made a deposit into this man life that changed him forever. He made the first deposit by engaging him about his desire. Do you want to get well? And then made the second deposit by given him a command; take up your bed and walk. That man would never be the same anymore.
Might I add that He can still do that, He can still change a life forever. That power has not ceased; that miracle is not a first-century manifestation that disappeared with the Apostles. That experience did not cease with this man at the pool that power is still showing up in some lives somewhere. He is still giving life and changing lives that are crippled at the pool of misery. He can do it now.
But I challenge you now, to take the spotlight off the Christ and the cure, and place it upon the response of the recipient. Take the emphasis off the miracle, and perhaps look at the message that the man sends to those who reads this story. Perhaps there is something there that affirms or challenges us, or stirs us in a more purposeful way.
As I read the chapter this week, asking God for something out of chapter 5 as I indicated that I would aim to do each Sunday. As I revisited the stations in John by chapters in hopes that God would say, even more, He did. He anchored me ...
There are 7696 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
