Read John 5:1-13
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
In John 5, we have the story of Jesus healing an impotent man on the Sabbath day. The man had been lying at the pool of Bethesda. At this pool were several other frail persons; some blind, some sick, and some paralyzed. These people were waiting for an angel to come touch the water, for it was said, “…an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.”
(John 5:4 NASB)
People are crowding sanctuaries everywhere seeking a move of God for a change in their lives. Week after week, they attend church services and participates in Bible studies, yet there is no noticeable change. Everyone receives the same message, yet only about a ¼ of the attendees leave satisfied. Only about a ¼ experiences the abundant life that Jesus promises to those that follow Him. While the vast majority sincerely participates in church calisthenics: paying tithes, going to Bible study, or working in the church; there is still no real outward change.
Something is wrong with this scenario. Like the sick people positioned by the pool of Bethesda waiting for the water to be stirred; people are crowding into sanctuaries expecting the Holy Spirit to fall upon them and make their lives better. They come and wait; hoping and believing for a change – expecting a change, but nothing happens. Why?
The helpless and feeble man gave excuses to Jesus for not being able to get into the water, but when Jesus told the man to “rise, take up thy bed, and walk,” the man was “made whole, and took up his bed, and walked…” (John5:8-9)
What happened differently for this man? Why was he now able to walk? The angel had not touched the water. Nor, had this man known Jesus. When the man was questioned by the Jews as to who told him to “take up thy bed and walk?” he told them that he didn’t know who it was. The man obeyed the voice. He didn’t know whose voice it was, but he was obedient.
What is the difference in the lives of those who receive God’s promises and those who do not receive God’s promises? All the listeners in the church heard the same message. The difference is in the people who listen to God and obey Him, and the people who listen to God, and do not obey Him.
The promises of God are given to those who keeps His commandments. God rewards those that trusts in Him. Believing that God exists and is sovereign is not an indication that you trust in Him. Your trust in God is evidence by your obedience to His Word. Faith without works is dead.
Salvation is received by believing and receiving Jesus as Lord of your life. The abundant life is received by following Jesus and keeping His commandments. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
In John 5, we have the story of Jesus healing an impotent man on the Sabbath day. The man had been lying at the pool of Bethesda. At this pool were several other frail persons; some blind, some sick, and some paralyzed. These people were waiting for an angel to come touch the water, for it was said, “…an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.”
(John 5:4 NASB)
People are crowding sanctuaries everywhere seeking a move of God for a change in their lives. Week after week, they attend church services and participates in Bible studies, yet there is no noticeable change. Everyone receives the same message, yet only about a ¼ of the attendees leave satisfied. Only about a ¼ experiences the abundant life that Jesus promises to those that follow Him. While the vast majority sincerely participates in church calisthenics: paying tithes, going to Bible study, or working in the church; there is still no real outward change.
Something is wrong with this scenario. Like the sick people positioned by the pool of Bethesda waiting for the water to be stirred; people are crowding into sanctuaries expecting the Holy Spirit to fall upon them and make their lives better. They come and wait; hoping and believing for a change – expecting a change, but nothing happens. Why?
The helpless and feeble man gave excuses to Jesus for not being able to get into the water, but when Jesus told the man to “rise, take up thy bed, and walk,” the man was “made whole, and took up his bed, and walked…” (John5:8-9)
What happened differently for this man? Why was he now able to walk? The angel had not touched the water. Nor, had this man known Jesus. When the man was questioned by the Jews as to who told him to “take up thy bed and walk?” he told them that he didn’t know who it was. The man obeyed the voice. He didn’t know whose voice it was, but he was obedient.
What is the difference in the lives of those who receive God’s promises and those who do not receive God’s promises? All the listeners in the church heard the same message. The difference is in the people who listen to God and obey Him, and the people who listen to God, and do not obey Him.
The promises of God are given to those who keeps His commandments. God rewards those that trusts in Him. Believing that God exists and is sovereign is not an indication that you trust in Him. Your trust in God is evidence by your obedience to His Word. Faith without works is dead.
Salvation is received by believing and receiving Jesus as Lord of your life. The abundant life is received by following Jesus and keeping His commandments. Obedience is better than sacrifice.