* Your identity is determined by whatever or to whomever you surrender.
* In order to have Jesus, we have to surrender “all.”
* Vs 1-6 - this is an odd question, but an important one.
* Oftentimes, people identify by their infirmity (sickness, handicap, etc).
* Jesus needed to know if he identified with his sickness.
* If you’re diagnosed with something, two things are limited for you:
* 1) Obligations
* 2) Expectations
* Essentially, Jesus is saying, “If you get well, then you will be obligated and expected to work and help others.”
* Vs 7 - The man’s response showed the condition of his heart.
* Essentially - “I try to get in the water every time, but I get beat every time. If someone were here to help me, like you, I could get well. Can you help me?”
* He didn’t lack the desire to get well, but the means to do it.
* Do you want a new identity? Then Jesus can touch you.
* Vs 8 - When Jesus knew he truly wanted to be made well, He told him to do something impossible.
* He had tried to pick up his mat and walk for 38 years, but nothing.
* The command came before the cure.
* He had to move from his place of comfort.
* Vs 9 - He was healed.
* TWIST - Vs 14 - this man’s new life did not reflect gratitude toward Jesus.
* Yes, he was in the temple, but the temple wasn’t in him!
* Trials and tribulation sensitize your spirit - put you in the place of a beggar.
* Our job is to stay sensitive when we’re cured or it’s over.
* We do that by living gratefully in light of the mercy we received.
* When you’re made well, remember what you felt in your trial and live with gratitude.
John 5:6-9 (5/25/22)
What Do You Want?
May 25, 2022 • Benham Brothers • John 5:6–9
John 1:14 (5/11/17)
May 11, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. * Our words reveal who we are. * God’s Word is a picture of Himself. * God’s Word became flesh through Jesus. * Every truth of God’s Word was embodied in His Son, Jesus. * So when God’s Word speaks about living powerfully, the picture is Christ’s life. * How does God’s Word become flesh for us? * When we live it out! * Our theology must become biography so others can see God in us. * The devil’s word can become flesh if we choose to disobey God. * Here’s the key - God’s Word became flesh but we often want to turn it back into words again. * We do this when we think religiously and no longer relationally - when we refuse to live it out. * So how do we live it out? * The end of the verse - we abide by grace and truth. * Jesus was all love and all truth - He didn’t err to one side or the other. * If we try to separate God’s love (grace) from His truth then we cease to make His Word flesh in our lives.
John 1:35-37 (5/11/17)
May 11, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* John the Baptist is the best example of what a true leader should be. * John had his own ministry with his own followers, but when Jesus showed up he deferred his following to Him. * John pointed to Jesus and lost his disciples. * John was more concerned with God’s kingdom than his own. * When he announced Jesus as the “Lamb of God” everyone understood he was making reference to the Messiah (passover). * John’s whole goal was to get people to follow Jesus. * One interesting point - one of those two disciples was John, the writer of the book of John.
John 1:38 (5/16/19)
May 16, 2019 • Benham Brothers
* Jesus first asked John’s disciples what they were looking for before He allowed them to follow Him. * He was forcing them to define their purposes and goals. * This is a great way to approach people we see every day. * But it’s also good to ask ourselves. * It keeps us following Jesus for the right reasons.