THE MAN WHO HAD NOBODY
John 5:1-7
Today is Friend Day! at Gospel Light Baptist Church.
If you were invited here by somebody today, it means you are loved and somebody considers you a friend.
Our greatest treasure is the relationship that we enjoy with our God.
The greatest gift we have to give is an introduction to the Greatest Friend that anyone could ever have.
Is has been said that:
Insomuch as any one pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend. -Anonymous
We would also like to prove to you that it is our goal to be the most loyal friend you can find in a person.
If there is ever anything that we can do to help you in any way, do not hesitate to call us.
I would also like to express my thanks for my friends that have come today.
It is said that true wealth can be counted in the number and quality of a person's friends.
I am truly a wealthy man.
Today we are going to read from a passage that John wrote, an excerpt from the life of Christ.
Our text begins shortly after Jesus healed a nobleman's son from a deadly fever.
The special circumstance of that miracle was the great distance at which Jesus healed the young boy.
There was a feast, in all probability, the Passover feast of the Jews, coming up in Jerusalem, and Jesus is entering the City of Jerusalem through one of the many gates.
In our text it appears he has entered by way of the sheep gate and has crossed through the nearby sheep market.
READ TEXT
PRAY
BACKGROUND:
In 1956, a team of archeologists discovered a great rectangular shaped pool, fed by a natural spring, long since dried up.
This pool had covered porches on all four sides and a dividing porch across the center.
The location of this pool was just inside the sheep gate on the way to the temple.
Our text tells us that this pool was called Bethesda, which means in the Hebrew language, "House of Mercy."
Verse three sets the scene for our imaginations, with a great multitude of lame and crippled people sitting under the shade of the porches and leaning against the pillars.
- An old English term is used to describe these folk as being completely helpless, unable to work and unable to help themselves.
- Also there are blind people, whose blank stares and whited eyes tell their own stories of helplessness.
- Some also whose injuries or birth defects had caused them to limp or drag a foot in their walk, were there.
- Others had limbs that had somehow failed to get the nourishment of the others, they were those "withered."
What a scene this must have been!
Can you place yourselves there?
Can you see the despair in the crowd?
Can you smell the odors of humanity?
All were waiting for something to happen.
There was and air of anticipation in the porch of Bethesda that day as a strange phenomenon was known to take place.
Since the pool was close by the temple and enroute from the sheep gate, it is likely that the primary use of this pool was the washing of sheep on the way to the temple for Passover.
Typically, in such a pool unclean cripples would not be allowed to enter.
As Passover season was just beginning, there must have been some signal from God that it was time to bring the lambs to the temple.
This bit of grace came in the form of an angel sent to trouble the waters of the pool.
A byproduct of this signal of grace was that the first to enter the waters after the disturbance would be healed of whatever ailment he had.
Verse 5 zeroes in on one man.
Praise the Lord that while the salvation of God was sufficient for all, it is offered on an individual basis!
This man was most likely 38 years of age and suffering from a lifelong ailment.
We are not given this man's specific issue but most likely he suffered from the Palsy and was wholly unable to mobilize himself with any speed.
His tortured progress would soften the heart of any man as all could see that he would never reach the water before another.
Jesus looked on him with complete awareness of his problems and asked him a powerful question:
Wilt thou be made whole?
As we get to Verse 7 it is clear that the pool was not wholly ADA compliant.
The man's answer wove a tale of despair and hopelessness.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
OF THE CRIPPLED MAN:
1.) Although surrounded by people, he was completely alone with his illness.
> Loneliness is not necessarily the condition of being by yourself.
Can you identify with this man to any extent?
Have you ever been surrounded by people and yet completely alone.
It is so easy to become engulfed in loneliness in this world, while hundreds of lives go on around you, it seems you are completely alone.
This man was in just such a place.
No one cared more for him than themselves.
No one offered to carry him to the pool.
No one seemed to realize he was even there.
He was alone with his illness despite the fact he was surrounded by people.
2.) Although near the healing water, he was helplessly crippled for life.
> Proximity to help is of no benefit if you are unable to get there and it won't come to you.
Often people recognize a need for a relationship with God, and they get as close as they can by attending a familiar church.
However, surrounding yourself by religious symbols and well dressed people does not bridge the gap between you and God.
Just as this man needed to actually encounter the healing power, we must actually encounter God by accepting the salvation he offers.
Gospel Light Baptist Church is a great church, but you can attend here four times a week it will not bring you an inch closer to salvation if you do not meet Jesus.
This man would be crippled for life next to a pool of healing water.
3.) Although in the prime of life, he was hopelessly waiting to die.
> Death comes to people of every age and every condition.
This man was nearing forty years of age, but had no hope of becoming the man he had dreamed of being.
He was just waiting to die.
Know this that we too are susceptible to death at what ever age.
If you are living a life consumed with fulfilling your own desires, you are no different than the poor man whose life was over for all intents and purposes.
If this life is all there is, we are just waiting to die.
Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
This man was at the age most people are solidifying a career but he had nothing but death to look forward to.
Having now seen the state of the crippled man and how closely we can relate to him, let us look to Jesus for help.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
OF JESUS
1.) Jesus knew all about him.
> This man may have gone unnoticed by most, but he was not unnoticed by Jesus.
Jesus not only noticed his current condition but Jesus knew all about him.
The psalmist put it beautifully:
Ps 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.
If you are struggling with some ailment or overwhelming feeling of loneliness, Jesus knows all about you.
He is acutely interested in you and wants to be your friend and companion.
He knows your greatest sorrow.
He knows your greatest sin.
He still wants to be your Saviour.
Jesus knows all about you.
2.) Jesus offered him healing.
> Never does Jesus force Himself upon the unsuspecting.
He politely offers his help.
The question so compassionately offered to the crippled man is not unlike the way Jesus offers salvation.
He positions Himself as One standing on the outside asking for an invitation to come in.
The Bible speaks of salvation as a gift that Jesus offers.
It is not earned.
It is not forced upon us.
It is offered.
Jesus offered healing to a man who could reject his offer.
3.) Jesus healed him completely. Verse 8, 9
> When Jesus saves or heals, He does so completely.
There is no trial period to the salvation Christ offers.
It is a transaction made in heaven where payment is applied in full for a debt that we have incurred.
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
As Jesus healed the crippled man completely, so Christ saves completely.
There is no work left to do for my salvation, He did it all on the cross.
Now I work for Him out of a heart of gratefulness, and every work is now rewarded because He is good.
I have now every confidence, that when I die, I will immediately go to be with Him.
Is it because of my good works?
NO!
It is because of His.
He saved me completely.
As we close today, I want to leave you with this challenge,
Have you accepted His freely offered salvation?
Have you found a friend and a Saviour in Him?
I am not asking if you know about Him.
I am not asking if you attend church.
I am asking if you have accepted His offer of salvation.
It is one thing to feel lonely on this earth.
It will be quite another to stand alone before God and say, "I thought I could earn my way into your grace."
His words have already been written.
Jesus warned what he will say:
Mt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You never have to be alone again.
You can accept Him as your personal Saviour today.
He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, and on that final day, Jesus will say, Well done, good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
John 5:1-7
Today is Friend Day! at Gospel Light Baptist Church.
If you were invited here by somebody today, it means you are loved and somebody considers you a friend.
Our greatest treasure is the relationship that we enjoy with our God.
The greatest gift we have to give is an introduction to the Greatest Friend that anyone could ever have.
Is has been said that:
Insomuch as any one pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend. -Anonymous
We would also like to prove to you that it is our goal to be the most loyal friend you can find in a person.
If there is ever anything that we can do to help you in any way, do not hesitate to call us.
I would also like to express my thanks for my friends that have come today.
It is said that true wealth can be counted in the number and quality of a person's friends.
I am truly a wealthy man.
Today we are going to read from a passage that John wrote, an excerpt from the life of Christ.
Our text begins shortly after Jesus healed a nobleman's son from a deadly fever.
The special circumstance of that miracle was the great distance at which Jesus healed the young boy.
There was a feast, in all probability, the Passover feast of the Jews, coming up in Jerusalem, and Jesus is entering the City of Jerusalem through one of the many gates.
In our text it appears he has entered by way of the sheep gate and has crossed through the nearby sheep market.
READ TEXT
PRAY
BACKGROUND:
In 1956, a team of archeologists discovered a great rectangular shaped pool, fed by a natural spring, long since dried up.
This pool had covered porches on all four sides and a dividing porch across the center.
The location of this pool was just inside the sheep gate on the way to the temple.
Our text tells us that this pool was called Bethesda, which means in the Hebrew language, "House of Mercy."
Verse three sets the scene for our imaginations, with a great multitude of lame and crippled people sitting under the shade of the porches and leaning against the pillars.
- An old English term is used to describe these folk as being completely helpless, unable to work and unable to help themselves.
- Also there are blind people, whose blank stares and whited eyes tell their own stories of helplessness.
- Some also whose injuries or birth defects had caused them to limp or drag a foot in their walk, were there.
- Others had limbs that had somehow failed to get the nourishment of the others, they were those "withered."
What a scene this must have been!
Can you place yourselves there?
Can you see the despair in the crowd?
Can you smell the odors of humanity?
All were waiting for something to happen.
There was and air of anticipation in the porch of Bethesda that day as a strange phenomenon was known to take place.
Since the pool was close by the temple and enroute from the sheep gate, it is likely that the primary use of this pool was the washing of sheep on the way to the temple for Passover.
Typically, in such a pool unclean cripples would not be allowed to enter.
As Passover season was just beginning, there must have been some signal from God that it was time to bring the lambs to the temple.
This bit of grace came in the form of an angel sent to trouble the waters of the pool.
A byproduct of this signal of grace was that the first to enter the waters after the disturbance would be healed of whatever ailment he had.
Verse 5 zeroes in on one man.
Praise the Lord that while the salvation of God was sufficient for all, it is offered on an individual basis!
This man was most likely 38 years of age and suffering from a lifelong ailment.
We are not given this man's specific issue but most likely he suffered from the Palsy and was wholly unable to mobilize himself with any speed.
His tortured progress would soften the heart of any man as all could see that he would never reach the water before another.
Jesus looked on him with complete awareness of his problems and asked him a powerful question:
Wilt thou be made whole?
As we get to Verse 7 it is clear that the pool was not wholly ADA compliant.
The man's answer wove a tale of despair and hopelessness.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
OF THE CRIPPLED MAN:
1.) Although surrounded by people, he was completely alone with his illness.
> Loneliness is not necessarily the condition of being by yourself.
Can you identify with this man to any extent?
Have you ever been surrounded by people and yet completely alone.
It is so easy to become engulfed in loneliness in this world, while hundreds of lives go on around you, it seems you are completely alone.
This man was in just such a place.
No one cared more for him than themselves.
No one offered to carry him to the pool.
No one seemed to realize he was even there.
He was alone with his illness despite the fact he was surrounded by people.
2.) Although near the healing water, he was helplessly crippled for life.
> Proximity to help is of no benefit if you are unable to get there and it won't come to you.
Often people recognize a need for a relationship with God, and they get as close as they can by attending a familiar church.
However, surrounding yourself by religious symbols and well dressed people does not bridge the gap between you and God.
Just as this man needed to actually encounter the healing power, we must actually encounter God by accepting the salvation he offers.
Gospel Light Baptist Church is a great church, but you can attend here four times a week it will not bring you an inch closer to salvation if you do not meet Jesus.
This man would be crippled for life next to a pool of healing water.
3.) Although in the prime of life, he was hopelessly waiting to die.
> Death comes to people of every age and every condition.
This man was nearing forty years of age, but had no hope of becoming the man he had dreamed of being.
He was just waiting to die.
Know this that we too are susceptible to death at what ever age.
If you are living a life consumed with fulfilling your own desires, you are no different than the poor man whose life was over for all intents and purposes.
If this life is all there is, we are just waiting to die.
Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
This man was at the age most people are solidifying a career but he had nothing but death to look forward to.
Having now seen the state of the crippled man and how closely we can relate to him, let us look to Jesus for help.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
OF JESUS
1.) Jesus knew all about him.
> This man may have gone unnoticed by most, but he was not unnoticed by Jesus.
Jesus not only noticed his current condition but Jesus knew all about him.
The psalmist put it beautifully:
Ps 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.
If you are struggling with some ailment or overwhelming feeling of loneliness, Jesus knows all about you.
He is acutely interested in you and wants to be your friend and companion.
He knows your greatest sorrow.
He knows your greatest sin.
He still wants to be your Saviour.
Jesus knows all about you.
2.) Jesus offered him healing.
> Never does Jesus force Himself upon the unsuspecting.
He politely offers his help.
The question so compassionately offered to the crippled man is not unlike the way Jesus offers salvation.
He positions Himself as One standing on the outside asking for an invitation to come in.
The Bible speaks of salvation as a gift that Jesus offers.
It is not earned.
It is not forced upon us.
It is offered.
Jesus offered healing to a man who could reject his offer.
3.) Jesus healed him completely. Verse 8, 9
> When Jesus saves or heals, He does so completely.
There is no trial period to the salvation Christ offers.
It is a transaction made in heaven where payment is applied in full for a debt that we have incurred.
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
As Jesus healed the crippled man completely, so Christ saves completely.
There is no work left to do for my salvation, He did it all on the cross.
Now I work for Him out of a heart of gratefulness, and every work is now rewarded because He is good.
I have now every confidence, that when I die, I will immediately go to be with Him.
Is it because of my good works?
NO!
It is because of His.
He saved me completely.
As we close today, I want to leave you with this challenge,
Have you accepted His freely offered salvation?
Have you found a friend and a Saviour in Him?
I am not asking if you know about Him.
I am not asking if you attend church.
I am asking if you have accepted His offer of salvation.
It is one thing to feel lonely on this earth.
It will be quite another to stand alone before God and say, "I thought I could earn my way into your grace."
His words have already been written.
Jesus warned what he will say:
Mt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You never have to be alone again.
You can accept Him as your personal Saviour today.
He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, and on that final day, Jesus will say, Well done, good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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