June 8, 1997
What is the church? Could The church be called a hospital?
What is the church? Could The church be called a hospital?
By: Ron George Jr.
Wilt thou be made whole?
Are you looking for a miracle or have you given up?
What is the church? Could The church be called a hospital?
Text: John 5:1-9
John 5:1 (KJS) After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep [market] a pool, which is
called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. {market: or, gate}
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time [in that case], he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
We are living in a time in which millions of people are exploring alternatives to traditional Western Medicine. An "holistic health explosion," it has been called. We realize, of course, that traditional Western Medicine is very valuable and, for most of us, when we get sick, it is the first place we turn to. It is a gift from God, and we thank God for the dedicated persons who serve their fellow human beings through the practice of traditional Western Medicine. But, today, millions and millions of people are exploring a growing list of alternative healing methods: Bio Feedback, Autogenics Training, Kenesiology, Acupuncture, Guided Imagery, Bio Energetics, Reflexology, Stress Management, Gestalt Therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Macrobiotics (and that’s just a partial list.).
Many people are finding help in some of these alternative healing methods. But the remarkable thing about them is that people are discerning, more and more, that the actual healing is in none of them. They can remove some of the obstacles to healing. They can help to evoke it, but the healing itself is in the power of God.
Be careful about reading health books. You might die of a misprint. 'Mark Twain'
I went to the emergency room to wait to see how my father in law was after a spell with his heart.
While my wife and I were waiting for the news, we saw many different kinds of people coming in and out of the emergency room.
After a while a man who was severly ill came into the room and was asked to sit down to fill out his application for entrance into the hospital. While he was sitting down filling out the form he fell out of his chair on to the floor. He was out cold. I thought that he was dying. I started to jump up , but there was the nurses and the assistants standing all around.
No one went to his aid. He just laid there on the floor while everyone went on with business as usual. People were stepping over him while he was laying dead on the floor. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Why wouldn’t no one help him? Finally I saw the nurse talking to the security gaurd and I finally decided that the man who was on the floor was not dead but passed out from the effects of alcohol.
This event has stuck out in my mind as a reminder of what the Lord’s experience with the man at the pool of Bethesda......
Is the church a place for people who are sick and need help? Is the church a place where people who are in need can get help or are they just passed over like the man in the emergency room?
Do people find that this is place where they can find the doctor who can heal?
1. The pool was a place for the sick to gather for healing: A place for Sick people. v.3 People are invited in and people are accepted and allowed in and invited in.. Wanting to be helped and healed..looking for a miracle that God is there and can and will help them. Is the church a place for those who are in need in their lives?
2. The pool was a place where people can get what they need in this life and the life to come: A place where people can find help and healing
.looking for miracles. physical and spiritual. What is your need for healing in your life.? loniness, need a friend. worried about life..nervous stomach.. stressed out ..
How long has it been for you? How long have you been holding on trying to survive with this problem that you have had? You can’t make it on your own. YOu need the great physician to give you help. You have been hurt .. You have been let down .. You have needed to lean on someone else .. But no one has been there for you.. until NOW!!
a. Physical healing
b. Spiritual healing
c. Relational healing all three types of healing are related to one another. One affects the other part in your life..
A recent Sports Illustrated article painted a vivid picture: A stress fracture begins when the shocks and strains of playing game after game create microscopic cracks in the outer layers of bone usually in the legs and feet. If the pounding continues and those tiny crevices, which often go undetected, aren’t allowed to heal, they can enlarge. When the cracks become large enough to cause pain, they are stress fractures. So it is with our lives. Let us be careful to let our little hurts and disappointments heal so that the tiny cracks do not become debilitating stress fractures.
3. The pool was a place where Jesus passed by: The church should be a place where Jesus passed by .. Does He pass by you or does he come to see you? Jesus has came here today to see you. Jesus wants to ask you a question:
a. " Wilt thou be made whole? " Do you want a new life? Do you want to be healed of the things that are bringing you down in this life? What is your answer? Do you think Jesus should have asked this man this question? Why did he?
b. How will you answer? Will you make excuses? Will you allow Jesus to help you today? Do you recognize your need of healing in your life? Will you accept healing in your life? Will you accept help from someone else in your life? Will you ask for help in your life? Those who are whole don’t need a doctor..
c. God wants you to be whole in your life. He has come so that you and I may be able to enjoy life to the fullest. Do you ? Will you? He is the great doctor who knows exactly what you need in your life, family, and church to be made whole..
The following is a wonderful prayer by Norwegian Theologian Ole Hallesby:
"Lord, if it will be to Your glory, heal suddenly. If it will glorify You more, heal gradually; if it will glorify You even more, may your servant remain sick awhile; and if it will glorify Your name still more, take him to Yourself in heaven."