SERMONS ON MIRACLES OF JESUS

A Blind Man Meets a Healer
 
Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43.




As Jesus heads into Jericho, He meets a blind man named Bartimaeus ­ we know that’s his name from Mark’s account of the story.
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
  Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

1. ­ His Blindness
 We see this in verse 35: “As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.”

Blindness was a very common problem in Palestine. Generally, one who was blind was never healed. In the city of Lydda, the saying was that everyone was either blind or had only one eye. In Jaffa, there were 500 blind people out of a population of 5,000.

While Leviticus 19:14 establishes that God’s people were to care for those who are blind, there was also a cultural and religious stigma against blindness. We see this especially in the account of another man who was healed of his blindness in John 9. There, as Jesus and the disciples are out walking, the disciples ask Jesus a question in John 9:2: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Because this man was blind, he was relegated to a life of begging. In the Gospel of Mark we learn that this man was wearing an old garment, which was a sign that he was a beggar. He’s just sitting there, waiting for something to happen because there was nothing he could do to improve his condition.

Just as Jesus gives sight to those who are physically blind, so too He grants spiritual insight to those who are in moral darkness. This man knew he was blind, and so did everyone else. Are some of you trying to act like you’re not spiritually blind this morning? The first thing you need to do is to admit that you are just as blind in a spiritual sense as this man was in a physical sense.

Now, take a look at verse 36: “When he heard the crowd going by, He asked what was happening.” This man was smart. He knew that there would be a mass of people in Jericho that day preparing to make the final journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. That’s why he was sitting by the side of the road with his hand out. He couldn’t see what was happening, but he could hear the commotion and excitement. And so he’s curious. He wants to know what was happening. Perhaps he heard some unusual comments about a Healer who was headed to Jerusalem.

Verse 37 gives us the answer to his question, “…Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Bart’s heart begins to race. Could it be, that the person He had heard of before was right here in front of him? It was almost too good to be true.

2 ­ His Belief
The first stage is Bartimaeus’ blindness. The second thing we notice is his belief. Notice how Bart addresses Jesus in verse 38: “…Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd referred to the earthly heritage of Jesus ­ He was from Nazareth. That just lets us know where He grew up. That’s like someone saying that I’m from Wisconsin. That tells you a lot -- I like brats, cheddar cheese and the Wisconsin Badgers -- but it doesn’t tell you everything about me.

Instead of calling on Jesus as the guy from Nazareth, Bart expresses His messianic heritage. He is the Son of David, the one who the Old Testament has been pointing to as the Savior of the World. This blind man can see that Jesus is more than just a man from a small town in the north; He’s the God-man, sent from Heaven to be the Savior of the world.

Related to this, I wonder if Bart was aware of what the Son of David had accomplished in the lives of other people? Maybe he had heard of Jesus giving sight to other blind people. Perhaps he heard what Jesus said in Luke 4:18, when He stood up in the temple and read from the book of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind…”

When Bart called out for the Son of David to have mercy on him, he was expressing his belief that Jesus was the Messiah, and that He could heal his blindness. He knew who Jesus was and He also knew what Jesus could do for him. Do you know what Jesus can do for you? If He can restore sight to the blind, He can grant you the deepest longing of your heart. We need to cry out for mercy just like Bart did.

Bart was aware of his blindness, and his belief in Jesus was right on. But, he did more than just believe ­ He acted on what He knew to be true by his boldness.


3 ­ His Boldness
Bart knew that he needed mercy because there was nothing he could do on his own. And so, he called out to Jesus, the Son of David, for mercy in verse 38. In the first part of verse 39 we see that the crowd of people is bothered by the blind and believing Bart: “Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet…”

Hebrews 4:16, in the King James Version, tells us to “…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.” Friend, don’t hold back or be afraid to give yourself to Jesus. Come to Him boldly and with confidence. Let Him know what you need. That’s what He’s waiting for ­ and He’ll reward you with mercy and grace to help in your time of need.

As a result of Bart’s boldness, verse 40 says that, “Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him…” Mark 10:50 tells us that Bart threw his cloak aside and jumped to his feet. Can you imagine how the crowd must have felt, especially those who had rebuked Bart? I picture everything getting real quiet. People are looking at Bart and then at Jesus.
The question Jesus then asks Bart is very interesting. Look at verse 41: “What do you want me to do for you?” Isn’t it obvious what Bart needed? Jesus knew what Bart wanted but He asked the question for Bart’s sake ­ and for the crowd of people who had gathered around. He wanted Bart to verbalize what it was that He wanted. I love Bart’s answer: “Lord, I want to see.”

4 ­ His Blessing
In verse 42, we read, “Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’” Here’s a spiritual principle that you should never forget: Jesus always responds to faith. Because Bart believed and put his faith in Jesus, he received his sight back. Jesus is looking for more Barts today ­ people who will exhibit some faith, no matter how small it is, and cry out for mercy. Jesus loves to answer prayers like that by healing us from the inside out, granting us spiritual insight as he moves us out of darkness.

Verse 43 tells us that, “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”

When Bart got his sight back, he couldn’t help but break out into praise. He was thrilled! Bart the blind man became Bart the believer. He recognized his blindness, exhibited his belief by crying out with boldness and then received a blessing, which spilled over into others’ lives.

Bart experienced four things:

A change of focus: from darkness to the light ­ that’s conversion
A change of direction: from sitting to following ­ that’s discipleship
A change of purpose: from begging to praising ­ that’s worship
A change of scope: was blessed in order to bless others ­ that’s evangelism

SERMONS ON MIRACLES OF JESUS

HEALING OF A LEPER

INTRODUCTION
Luke 17:11-19

Have you ever had a totally lousy day? I read about a man who was sitting in a bar, looking at his drink. He stayed like that for half-an-hour. Then, a big trouble-making truck driver stepped up next to him, grabbed the drink from him, and gulped it down in one swallow. At that, the man burst into tears. The truck driver said, “Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I’ll buy you another drink. I just can’t stand to see a grown man crying.” “No, it’s not that.” The guy said, “Today day is the worst of my life. First, I overslept and was late to an important meeting. My boss was outrageous and he fired me. When I left the office, I discovered my car had been stolen, and the police said there was nothing they could do. I took a cab home, and as he drove off I realized I left my wallet in the back seat of the taxi. I thought it couldn’t get any worse, but when I walked into my house I found my wife in the arms of another man–and she told me to leave. So I stopped by a chemical store, and then came here. I’ve been sitting here thinking about taking my life…when you come in and drink all my poison!”

That’s a bad day–for both of them! The Bible never promises our lives will be free from pain and difficulties, instead the Bible promises we will have many trials and tribulations in this life. The secret to a successful life is knowing where to turn for help when you have a problem. That’s the lesson we are going to learn today from a man who had leprosy. Let’s read about it beginning in Luke 17:11:

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God is a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well.”

As you study the New Testament you find Jesus performed many miracles and He shared many parables. Always take time to pause and look below the surface of the scripture because there is a miracle hidden in every parable, and there is a parable to be found in every miracle. On the surface, Jesus heals ten men of leprosy and only one returned to thank Him. In addition to this miraculous healing, there are some valuable spiritual principles to be found. I want us to look below the surface because I think there are at least seven important lessons we can learn about ourselves.

1. YOU HAVE A DEADLY PROBLEM THAT ONLY JESUS CAN FIX

As a boy in church, I can remember hearing about lepers in the Bible. For a long time I thought the preacher was saying “leopards.” So I pictured Jesus working with big jungle cats. I recall hearing one old country preacher pronounce it “leapers.” So I pictured men who went around jumping all the time. It’s funny the way a child’s mind works! But there is nothing funny about leprosy.

In biblical times, leprosy was a terrible problem. The wordwas often used to describe a variety of skin diseases, but doctors believe most of the people suffered with what we now call Hansen’s Disease. It starts with a white patch of skin that becomes numb, so much so that the victims cannot even feel a needle piercing the spot. The patch begins to spread all over the body and often manifests itself on the face, so the disease is impossible to hide. It then begins to form spongy tumors on the face and, at the same time, attacks the internal organs as well. The nerve endings become numb so the victim cannot tell when something is hurting him, like fire burning his hand. The leprosy itself was not fatal, but more lepers died from other diseases they contracted because of their weakened condition.

Lepers were called “the walking dead,” and were kicked out of their homes and villages and forced to live in colonies with other lepers. They couldn’t work or worship at the temple.

Even though none of us have leprosy, that’s a good description of us. We are all born with a deadly disease the Bible calls terminal sin; it causes us to be spiritual outcasts. It’s part of our genetic code. I got it from my parents who got it from their parents, and it goes all the way back to a couple named Adam and Eve. The Bible says, “Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. From the soul of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness–only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil.” (Isaiah 1:4, 6)

Those words were written 2,700 years ago, but God could say exactly the same thing about our rotten culture today. The Old Testament prophets teach us God holds both individuals and nations accountable for sin and immorality. Studying prophecy is not so much about figuring out obscure symbols and signs as it is hearing God calling us to repent of our sin. Some prophecy buffs are holed up in their rooms trying to figure out the meaning of 666 while God is saying, “You live in a world that is sick, sick, sick!” because of the deadly disease of sin.

You may feel healthy today, but if you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, there is a terrible, invisible, insidious cancer growing inside your soul. No MRI, CAT scan or other diagnostic tool can find it, but God’s Word says it’s there. What are you going to do about it? You should do the same thing these ten men did.

2. YOU MUST ADMIT YOUR NEED AND CRY OUT TO JESUS

These ten men banded together and decided they wouldn’t just give up and die, so they got up and headed toward Jesus. When they found Jesus they didn’t talk about the weather, Jewish politics or chariot races; they cried out as one voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

It would have been easy for these ten lepers to look at each other and think, “We’re not so bad, we’re all in the same condition.” One of them could have said, “My leprosy is not as bad as his, so I’m doing okay.” Instead, they said, “We’ve got a big problem! We’re going to die! We need to get some help!”

Too many people today are living in denial. They don’t want to admit their need because they look around and they can usually find someone worse than themselves. Because we live in a spiritual leper colony called America,there are plenty of chances to think, “I’m not so bad. I’ve never robbed a bank, I’ve never murdered anyone. I’m not a drug pusher or a child molester. In fact, I’m better than many of those hypocrites who go to Green Acres Baptist Church!”

Before Jesus can help you, friend, you must quit fooling yourself and admit you have a problem, but that’s not enough, you must cry out to Jesus. All the twelve-step programs agree the first step for recovery is to admit “I am an alcoholic. I am addicted to pornography. I am addicted to cocaine.” But that’s not enough, you must seek help. Before you can have a relationship with Jesus you must say, “I am a rotten sinner! Jesus, have mercy on me! Help me Jesus!”

I read about a woman who was in the hospital when she got a bad report. She was so mad at God she went into the hospital chapel to tell God off. She was angry because she thought God had been fooling people by telling them He was a God of love. As she approached the front of the chapel she tripped and fell on her face. When she looked up she read what was engraved on the bottom step of the altar. It said, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” At that moment, God broke her heart and she realized she had no business blaming God, instead she should be asking for His mercy, so she did. And God healed her.

Have you done that? Have you been making demands of God? Or have you come to a place of total surrender where you’ve said, “God, be merciful to me a sinner?”

3. GOD’S POWER IS NOT RELEASED UNTIL YOU STEP OUT IN FAITH

Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem to die on the cross to redeem mankind, yet He still had time to stop and help these ten men. God is busy holding the universe together, but He still has time to hear your cry for help. Instead of laying hands on them, He simply said, “go show yourself to the priest.” Leviticus 13 has some very detailed regulations about how a Jewish priest could declare a person to be clean or unclean. These ten men knew they were unclean, they had already been declared to be lepers. Jesus brought them to a crisis of faith. They could have said, “No, Jesus, can’t you touch us or something, or say some words?” Or they could have looked at their infected limbs and said, “What? We aren’t healed yet! Just look! Besides, I got checked last month, and I’m no better off now than I was then!”

Instead all ten of them headed off to see the priest. And as they were going, they were healed. There is a powerful lesson about faith here. It wasn’t until they stepped out in faith and obeyed Jesus, that they experienced His healing power. Jesus gave them the Word–they stepped out in faith and–BOOM! That’s when it happened. They didn’t stand there and say, “Well, after you heal me Jesus, then I’ll go show myself to the priest.”

That’s the way faith works. Faith is trusting and obeying God even if you don’t have any visible, physical evidence supporting your decision. I love the story in Matthew 14 about the disciples of Jesus out in the boat in the middle of a stormy night, and Jesus came walking on the water to them. They were terrified and thought He was some kind of a ghost. But Jesus told them, “Don’t be afraid.” Simon Peter who was always shooting off his mouth blurted out, “Lord, IF it’s really you, tell me to walk on the water with you.” Jesus said, “Come on!” Now here is a picture of faith: Peter threw his leg over the side of the boat and he started walking toward Jesus. Now you may think Peter was walking on water, but really he was walking on the Word of God. Jesus told him to step out and walk, and He did. If Jesus hadn’t told him to step out on the water, Peter would have sunk like a rock. And when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started looking at the wind and the waves, he probably began to think, “This is impossible! There no way I can be walking on this water.” When he took his eyes off Jesus and began to doubt, then he began to sink. Jesus grabbed him and said, “Oh you of little faith, why did you begin to doubt me?”

Faith is walking on the Word of God. Faith doesn’t need any evidence, it simply obeys. This book is full of God’s directions on how we are to live, but with every single directive, He also provides the power to accomplish it. Our job is to step out in faith and simply obey Him. Years ago, heard a quote about faith I’ve never been able to forget: “Faith is coming to the edge of all you can see and feel and taking one more step into the darkness–trusting that God will either catch you or teach you how to fly!”

What is it today God is telling you to do in His Word? What are you waiting for? Step out in faith and obey Him, and only then will you experience His mighty power.

4. IT IS GOOD TO SPEND TIME AT THE FEET OF JESUS

On the way to the priest, one of the guys looked at the other and said, “Hey Reuben, your skin is clean!” Then he looked at his own hand, and the color and life returned. They began to look at each other and suddenly they realized they were healed. Can’t you see them jumping up and down hugging one another? These lepers became “leapers” indeed!

At this point, we don’t know what happened to 90% of the group. Perhaps they journeyed on to show themselves to the priest, or maybe they ran back to their families–we don’t know. One of them could have said, “I want to see if this really lasts.” Or, “I was getting better anyway, I knew it was just a matter of good exercise and diet.” But we know from Jesus’ response only one of them did the right thing. He wasn’t content just to go to church and see the priest, he turned and ran back to Jesus and fell at His feet to give Him thanks. He wanted a relationship, not a religion!

Falling at someone’s feet is a picture of submission and worship. Mary spent time at the feet of Jesus when He came to have supper at her house. The woman at Simon’s house spent time at the feet of Jesus washing His feet with her tears. In the book of Revelation, the 24 elders, who represent all the redeemed of all the ages will bow before the Lamb who is on the throne. It is good to spend time at Jesus’ feet.

Here’s the key lesson:
Ten men were exposed to God’s power, but only one sought a personal relationship with Him.

Nine of the men were content to receive the blessing of God, but only one of them cared enough to return to the source of the blessing to worship God. That’s so true today as well. God’s blessings are poured out on all people, not just His children. Jesus said God makes it rain on the just and unjust alike. But only a relatively few people are interested in having a personal relationship with God.

Have you found you only come to God when you have a shopping list? Or maybe you use God like a heavenly 911 call? “Help, God I have an emergency, bail me out!” God loves you and wants you to spend time with Him. He desires for you to worship and fellowship with Him.

5. FEELING THANKFUL IS DIFFERENT THAN GIVING THANKS

The man threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. The most amazing thing about this miracle is that out ten people who were healed, only one came back to say, “Thank you.” Jesus even took note of this in verse 17. He asked, “Were there not ten who were cleansed? Where are the other nine?” Note his next words carefully because He is identifying Himself as God. He asked, “Was no found to give praise to God except this foreigner?” When the man came and fell at the feet of Jesus to say, “thank you” Jesus said it was giving praise to God.

I believe God is still saddened by how few people actually express thanksgiving to Him. Many Americans are too busy to stop and acknowledge God and simply say, “Thank you, God.” Or they have convinced themselves they deserve everything they have, so why thank God?

I’ve never seen an episode of the television show “The Simpsons” but I read in one episode the family was sitting down for a meal and the dad asked Bart to give thanks before the meal and Bart said, “Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing.” Some people may laugh at that line, but I think it reveals a real problem many people have. They live their lives enjoying the blessings of God but never once stopping to say “Thanks.” They are just like the old pig that roots around among the acorns on the ground and never once looked up to acknowledge the tree that produced the acorns.

The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) People ask me all the time, “How can I find God’s Will for my life?” You can start by reading His Word, and this verse says clearly and plainly God’s Will for your life is that you give thanks in all circumstances. If you aren’t obeying that portion of His Will for your life, what makes you think He’s going to reveal any more than that?

They key is to give thanks, not merely to feel thankful. Now, I’m certain the other nine lepers were thankful about being cleansed. How could anyone not feel thankful after being healed of a deadly disease? But only one of the ten did the right thing by coming to Jesus and expressing thanksgiving. There is a tremendous difference between simply feeling gratitude and expressing gratitude.

Let’s say someone does something nice for me, and I look at that person and think, “My, I’m so thankful for what (name) has done for me.” But if that’s all I do, I miss a chance to be a blessing to that person. But if I write them a thank you note, or speak to them and say, “(Name), I really appreciate what you did for me” then they are blessed, too.

With God, don’t just feel thankful: Give thanks! The Bible says in Hebrews 13:15, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of LIPS that confess his name.” It says “the fruit of lips” not “a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart.” Don’t just feel it, tell God how thankful you are.

But you aren’t just to thank God for the good things in life. I Thessalonians 5:18 says we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Whatever happens, you can always find something for which you can give God thanksgiving.

Matthew Henry was an early American preacher and most pastors have a copy of his commentary on the Bible. Once, while traveling to preach, Matthew Henry was robbed. Now most people wouldn’t think that would be a circumstance in which you could give thanks, but he did. He wrote: “I am thankful that during these years I have never been robbed before. Also, even though they took my money, they did not take my life. Although they took all I had, it was not much. Finally, I am grateful that it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

You ought to try that. If you are going through a time of pain and difficulty, why don’t you try to find at least five things about your situation for which you can thank God? I’ve often wondered as I read about this healing of the ten lepers if Jesus was trying to tell us about 90% of us don’t thank God enough. Don’t be like the unthankful crowd. Determine that you are going to be like the one man who returned and gave thanks to Jesus.

6. A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS MAKES YOU A FOREIGNER IN THIS WORLD

Jesus pointed out that the one man who returned was a Samaritan–a foreigner. He acted differently than 90% of the other lepers. I believe there is a powerful lesson there for us as well. Those of us who have entered into a relationship with Jesus don’t act or think like other people. We are always in the minority about the way we act and think. We never quite feel at home in this world, and we shouldn’t. The Bible says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) It doesn’t matter where you came from; it’s your destination that is most important. Although we are citizens of Tyler, Texas, and America, our main citizenship is in heaven. That’s why we often feel like foreigners in this place. Whenever I’m away from my wife and family on a mission trip, I always feel the “tug” of my home. I realize I’m only in the foreign land for a short time, but soon I’ll be returning home. I feel the same way about heaven. This world is NOT my permanent home, and I often get homesick for heaven. Peter writes: “I urge you as strangers and aliens in this world to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” (I Peter 2:11)

Just as this one man, a foreigner, acted differently from the crowd, so should we. A marching band was performing in a parade. All the band members were walking in perfect rhythm except one guy who was totally out of step. Upon closer examination, you could see wires running to his ears. He was plugged into his walkman and it was playing a different tune than everyone else was hearing. That’s a picture of us: we are marching to a different beat than this world because we are listening to different music.

7. LET JESUS FINISH WHAT HE STARTED IN YOU

Look again at Jesus’ final words to this man in verse 19. He said, “Rise and go, your faith has made you WELL.” Concentrate on that last word; it’s the word sozo which means “saved.” It’s the same word the Philippian jailer used in Acts 16 when he said, “What must I do to be saved?” The word means to “be made complete or whole.” Jesus didn’t come to earth to heal people of diseases; otherwise He would have established a hospital. He came to this world to seek and to save the lost. He came to make people whole.

Here’s the result of this miracle: Ten men were cleansed, but only one man became “whole.” Ninety percent of them only received a small portion of what could have been theirs, and only one received full salvation.

My friend, Jesus wants to do more than just clean you up; He wants to make you whole and complete. One of my favorite promises is found in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in your will carry it on until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) It’s a process. Have you simply approached Jesus because you want eternal fire insurance, or are you continuing at His feet daily so He can make you whole? I don’t know why you came to church today, but I know why Jesus showed up here today, He wants to make you whole!

CONCLUSION

Cindy and I don’t get to watch a lot of television, but sometimes we enjoy watching an old movie. A few weeks ago, we watched “Ben Hur.” It was the 1926 black and white version, not the 1959 version starring Kirk Douglas. It wasn’t even a “talkie” it was a silent movie with music in the background and words that came up on the screen to read. Ben Hur’s mother and sister had been isolated to some dark caves outside the city because they had leprosy; they pictured them as having bleached white skin and dark, sunken eyes. Ben Hur rescues them and takes them to Jesus who is carrying His Cross. This was before special effects were perfected, so they had to convey the message with the expressions on their faces. You can see the hopelessness and despair in the eyes of these two women. They look almost dead. Then you see a hand reach out toward them. It is blood spattered and bruised. You never see the face of Jesus, but you see the faces of these women as wonder and hope flood their expressions. Then as the hand touches them, they are totally transformed–their lives change instantly–with no special effects. I sat on the couch and cried like a baby. But I wasn’t crying for Ben Hur or his mother or sister. I was moved to tears as I thought again how that’s exactly what has happened to me. I was as good as dead, and Jesus touched me and He gave me hope. He not only cleansed me of my sin, but He is making me whole. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be like those nine men, I want to be the one who says, “Thank you, thank, thank you, Jesus, for what you have done for me!”

“Thank you Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me, thy great salvation so rich and free!”

TEACHINGS OF JESUS

 THE MAN BY THE POOL OF BETHESDA
JOHN 5:2-9
 1) “Now there is in Jerusalem near the sheep Gate a pool which in Aramaic is called Bethesda (house of olives or house of mercy).. in these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed…” Verse2

THE SICK BY THE POOL OF MERCY!
-Jerusalem is a place of peace but there are multitudes who are not peaceful!
-Jerusalem is a place of blessing but there are people who are not blessed;
-Jerusalem is a place of healing and deliverance but there people lying around in bondage
- The name of the pool ‘Bethesda’ translates to ‘House of Mercy’ yet people are there who have not received mercy but rather are sick, blind, and lame.
This is the situation of many of us who have proclaimed our belief in Jesus:
- We have been called to be kings but we insist on sitting by our inheritance and starve to death without making any move to possess our possession.
- We are in the place of mercy and deliverance but we still feel bound by our circumstances and environment.
- Though the bible assured us that those who have been set free by Jesus are free indeed, many of us are still living blind, lame and paralyzed lives- We have been lame in terms of being stuck in one place for a long time and paralyzed from doing anything about our pitiful condition


2) “in these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.” Verse 3

THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE MOVING OF THE WATER!
-The condition of many of us today is that we are waiting for something
-There are many who go to church WAITING for some great emotion to engulf them so that they can be sure they are in the presence of God.
-There are those who have not given their lives to Christ and are just waiting for some great emotional movement in their lives that will show that God is calling them.
-There are those who are WAITING who have their eyes on business and are WAITING for something to happen so that they can get rich quick.
-There are those who are WAITING for something that has happened to an individual they know to happen to them also.
Too many of us are not making any progress in life because we are waiting! Waiting! And waiting! When all we need to do is move out in faith and trust on the one who has called us.

Question is: What are you waiting for? Who are you waiting for? Remember waiting around will not solve the problem: The man has been waiting for 38 years!

3) “Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘do you want to get well?’
- At first glance, Jesus’ question sounds funny: Why is he asking a lame man whether he wants to be well? He could see his pitiful condition; he could see he had camped by the water that could heal him..
- I believe that Jesus asked the question because he was surprised to see the man there;
- Jesus knew the man had no business waiting for any movement of water because he had the potential to do whatever he wants;
- Jesus was surprised that the man could be lying there waiting for something magical to happen when he could make the move himself.
- Jesus was surprised that the man could be waiting around and expect something to happen to him.

Jesus is asking you the same question today:
Do you really want to get out of poverty?
Do you really want to get a better Job?
Do you really want to control your environment?
-Jesus is asking today because he knows that many of us have not really considered the question in the light of our potential;
-Jesus is wondering why we are still waiting for him to solve our problems when he had already solved it 2,000 years ago: He has already proclaimed freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, freedom for the oppressed and also proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor.”(Luke 4:18) and he is wondering what we are waiting for
-Jesus mission was to deliver us and empower us to dominate our environment and earthly situations and he has accomplished this on the cross, so he does not understand why we are still waiting around

Jesus is telling us today that we need not sit by the pool of despair when we had all the potential to overcome in us all the time.
DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL? This is the question Jesus is asking you and I today!


4) NOTE THAT JESUS SINGLED OUT ONE MAN AMONG THE MULTITUDE FOR CONVERSATION
-Jesus did not address the whole congregation and he did not heal the whole group;
-Jesus always addresses one person at a time; He rarely talks to a crowd
-It is a personal question for you from Jesus today
-Too many people are hiding in a group saying ‘after all I am not the only one in this situation.’ Or ‘I am better off than most other people’
But Jesus is asking you directly ‘do you want to be made whole?’
-I believe Jesus is speaking to you personally today- ‘Do you want to be made whole?
What is it going to be?


5) “The sick man answered him, ‘Sir I have no man to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
- This is the major problem among people today: Many of us are living below our potential because we are still waiting for people to bail us out
- Many are still waiting for our friend or brother who is connected to give us a hand-out
- Many are still waiting for other men to hold our hand and lead us forward when we could very well do ourselves the favor.

He said ‘while I am coming, another steps down before me’
-He is ready to blame other people for his inability to get in the water
-He is ready to blame other people’s activities for his own mediocrity
-He is ready to divert attention from his own laziness by focusing on the aggression of other people.

Too many of us are not doing as well as we can because we are just too ready to blame other people for our lack of progress:
-It is just too easy and convenient to blame other people for our problems
-We blame people who did not work with us;
-we blame people who did not call us and come to pick us up for prayers or job appointments;
-We blame people who did not borrow us money…. We blame everybody but our own laziness and lack of discipline!

Who are you blaming today?
What is your excuse to Jesus this morning when he asked you whether you really want to be well?
What is the reason you give yourself for your lack of progress with God or with life?
Do you blame your family? Do you blame your boss? Do you blame the city that you are in?
Do you blame your pastor? Do you blame the govt?
Who are you blaming today?


6) “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.”
-In the context, Jesus’ response was anti-climatic:
He did not pray for him;
He did not help him to get into the water;
He did not speak in tongues;
He did not give him any principles for daily living;
He did not give him money or handouts.

Rather Jesus spoke to the potential in him: Pick up your mat and walk!
Jesus spoke to the power that has been lying dormant in the man
Jesus spoke to the ability in the man that he did not know he possessed
Jesus made him aware of the awesome ability he possessed
Jesus simply asked him to pick up his mat by himself:
Jesus did not call for people around to help him;
Jesus did not pick the mat up for him;
He simply told him what he must do to be well

AND THE MAN PICKED UP HIS MAT AND WALKED!
-The miracle was not really performed by Jesus but by the man himself!
(It is amazing the feats man can achieve if we applied the great minds and resources God has blessed us with.)
-Jesus has already done all the miracles he is going to do and is just waiting for us to do our part :
“Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven…” Matthew 16:18 (Amplified Version).
Mark 16:17-18 says “These signs shall follow them that believe, in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.”

I believe God is waiting for each and everyone of us to demonstrate his miracle power in our lives by picking up our mat and walking!

7) JESUS ASKED HIM TO PICK UP HIS MAT, BUT WHAT IS THE MAT?
-The mat is whatever has been your comfort zone;
-The mat is whatever is making your present bad situation comfortable
-The mat is whatever you have been using as an excuse for not walking in victory
- The mat is whatever has kept you chained down in mediocrity
- The mat is whatever symbolizes your handicap or shame

Jesus is speaking to someone here this morning that the time has come to pick up your mat and walk;
The time has come for you to stop wallowing in self pity but rather to get up and do something special about your life;
Jesus is saying to someone here that you have more in you than you realize;
Jesus is saying that the time has come to manifest the greatness of God in you;
Jesus is saying you can be all that you want if only you will go in the strength that you have;
Jesus is reminding you that nothing shall be impossible to those that believe and if you believe the time has come to tackle that mountain

The time has come to start exercising the power of the kingdom of God inside of you because the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power

Moreover, the whole creation waits in eager expectation of the manifestation of the children of God!

THE NAMES OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD

 

 

ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1

meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.

ADONAI......Malachi 1:6

meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.

JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4

a reference to God's divine salvation.

JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13

meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"

JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1

meaning "The Lord my shepherd"

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35

meaning "The Lord who is present"

JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26

meaning "The Lord our healer"

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6

meaning "The Lord our righteousness"

JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14

meaning "The Lord will provide"

JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15

meaning "The Lord our banner"

JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24

meaning "The Lord is peace"

JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3

meaning "The Lord of Hosts"

JEHOVAH-GMOLAH........Jeremiah 51:6

meaning "The God of Recompense"

EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14

meaning "The most high God

EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13

meaning "The strong one who sees"

EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1

meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty"

EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31

meaning "The everlasting God"

MORE NAMES OF GOD

• ABBA.............................Romans 8:15
• ADVOCATE.........................I John 2:1 (kjv)
• ALMIGHTY.........................Genesis 17:1
• ALPHA............................Revelation 22:13
• AMEN.............................Revelation 3:14
• ANCIENT OF DAYS..................Daniel 7:9
• ANOINTED ONE.....................Psalm 2:2
• APOSTLE..........................Hebrews 3:1
• ARM OF THE LORD..................Isaiah 53:1
• AUTHOR OF LIFE...................Acts 3:15
• AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH..............Hebrews 12:2

• BEGINNING.........................Revelation 21:6
• BLESSED & HOLY RULER..............1 Timothy 6:15
• BRANCH............................Jeremiah 33:15
• BREAD OF GOD......................John 6:33
• BREAD OF LIFE.....................John 6:35
• BRIDEGROOM........................Isaiah 62:56
• BRIGHT MORNING STAR...............Revelation 22:16

• CHIEF SHEPHERD.....................1 Peter 5:4
• CHOSEN ONE.........................Isaiah 42:1
• CHRIST.............................Matthew 22:42
• CHRIST OF GOD......................Luke 9:20
• CHRIST THE LORD....................Luke 2:11
• CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD..........Matthew 16:16
• COMFORTER..........................John 14:26(kjv)
• COMMANDER..........................Isaiah 55:4
• CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL...............Luke 2:25
• CONSUMING FIRE......................Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29
• CORNERSTONE.........................Isaiah 28:16
• COUNSELOR...........................Isaiah 9:6
• CREATOR.............................1 Peter 4:19

• DELIVERER..............................Romans 11:26
• DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS.................Haggai 2:7
• DOOR...................................John 10:7(kjv)

• END....................................Revelation 21:6
• ETERNAL GOD............................Deut. 33:27
• EVERLASTING FATHER.....................Isaiah 9:6

• FAITHFUL & TRUE........................Revelation 19:11
• FAITHFUL WITNESS.......................Revelation 1:5
• FATHER.................................Matthew 6:9
• FIRSTBORN (3)........................................Rom.8:29,Rev.1:5,Col.1:15
• FIRSTFRUITS............................1 Cor.15:20-23
• FOUNDATION.............................1 Cor. 3:11
• FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS.....Matthew 11:19

• GENTLE WHISPER.........................1 Kings 19:12
• GIFT OF GOD............................John 4:10
• GLORY OF THE LORD......................Isaiah 40:5
• GOD....................................Genesis 1:1
• GOD ALMIGHTY...........................Genesis 17:1
• GOD OVER ALL...........................Romans 9:5
• GOD WHO SEES ME........................Genesis 16:13
• GOOD SHEPHERD..........................John 10:11
• GREAT HIGH PRIEST......................Hebrews 4:14
• GREAT SHEPHERD.........................Hebrews 13:20
• GUIDE..................................Psalm 48:14

• HEAD OF THE BODY.......................Colossians 1:18
• HEAD OF THE CHURCH.....................Ephesians 5:23
• HEIR OF ALL THINGS.....................Hebrews 1:2
• HIGH PRIEST............................Hebrews 3:1
• HIGH PRIEST FOREVER....................Hebrews 6:20
• HOLY ONE...............................Acts 2:27
• HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.....................Isaiah 49:7
• HOLY SPIRIT............................John 15:26
• HOPE...................................Titus 2:13
• HORN OF SALVATION......................Luke 1:69

• I AM....................................Exodus 3:14, John 8:58
• IMAGE OF GOD............................2 Cor. 4:4
• IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.....................Hebrews 1:3 (kjv)
• IMMANUEL................................Isaiah 7:14

• JEALOUS..............................Exodus 34:14 (kjv)
• JEHOVAH..............................Psalm 83:18 (kjv)
• JESUS................................Matthew 1:21
• JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD................Romans 6:23
• JUDGE................................Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

• KING.................................Zechariah 9:9
• KING ETERNAL.........................1 Timothy 1:17
• KING OF KINGS........................1 Timothy 6:15
• KING OF THE AGES.....................Revelation 15:3

• LAMB OF GOD...........................John 1:29
• LAST ADAM.............................1 Cor. 15:45
• LAWGIVER..............................Isaiah 33:22
• LEADER................................Isaiah 55:4
• LIFE..................................John 14:6
• LIGHT OF THE WORLD....................John 8:12
• LIKE AN EAGLE.........................Deut. 32:11
• LILY OF THE VALLEYS...................Song 2:1
• LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH............Revelation 5:5
• LIVING STONE..........................1 Peter 2:4
• LIVING WATER..........................John 4:10
• LORD..................................John 13:13
• LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.....................Revelation 15:3
• LORD JESUS CHRIST.....................1 Cor. 15:57
• LORD OF ALL...........................Acts 10:36
• LORD OF GLORY ........................1 Cor. 2:8
• LORD OF HOSTS.........................Haggai 1:5
• LORD OF LORDS.........................1 Tim. 6:15
• LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..............Jeremiah 23:6
• LOVE.................................1 John 4:8

• MAN OF SORROWS.........................Isaiah 53:3
• MASTER..................................Luke 5:5
• MEDIATOR................................1 Timothy 2:5
• MERCIFUL GOD............................Jeremiah 3:12
• MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT................Malachi 3:1
• MESSIAH................................. John 4:25
• MIGHTY GOD...............................Isaiah 9:6
• MIGHTY ONE...............................Isaiah 60:16

• NAZARENE.................................Matthew 2:23

• OFFSPRING OF DAVID.......................Revelation 22:16
• OMEGA....................................Revelation 22:13
• ONLY BEGOTTEN SON........................John 1:18(kjv)
• OUR PASSOVER LAMB........................1 Cor. 5:7
• OUR PEACE................................Ephesians 2:14

• POTTER...................................Isaiah 64:8
• POWER OF GOD.............................1 Cor. 1:24
• PRINCE OF PEACE..........................Isaiah 9:6
• PROPHET..................................Acts 3:22
• PURIFIER.................................Malachi 3:3

• RABBONI (TEACHER)........................John 20:16
• RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY..................Heb.1:3
• REDEEMER.................................Job 19:25
• REFINER'S FIRE...........................Malachi 3:2
• RESURRECTION.............................John 11:25
• RIGHTEOUS ONE............................1 John 2:1
• ROCK.....................................1 Cor.10:4
• ROOT OF DAVID............................Rev. 22:16
• ROSE OF SHARON...........................Song 2:1
• RULER OF GOD'S CREATION..................Rev. 3:14
• RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH................Rev 1:5
• RULER OVER ISRAEL........................Micah 5:2

• SAVIOR...................................Luke 2:11
• SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL....................Numbers 24:17
• SEED.....................................Genesis 3:15
• SERVANT..................................Isaiah 42:1
• SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS....................1Peter 2:25
• SHIELD...................................Genesis 15:1
• SON OF DAVID.............................Matthew 1:1
• SON OF GOD...............................Matthew 27:54
• SON OF MAN...............................Matthew 8:20
• SON OF THE MOST HIGH.....................Luke 1:32
• SOURCE...................................Hebrews 5:9
• SPIRIT OF GOD............................Genesis 1:2
• STAR OUT OF JACOB........................Numbers 24:17
• STONE....................................1 Peter 2:8
• SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.....................Malachi 4:2

• TEACHER...................................John 13:13
• TRUE LIGHT................................John 1:9
• TRUE WITNESS..............................Revelation 3:14
• TRUTH.....................................John 14:6

• VINE......................................John 15:5

• WAY........................................John 14:6
• WISDOM OF GOD..............................1 Cor. 1:24
• WITNESS....................................Isaiah 55:4
• WONDERFUL..................................Isaiah 9:6
• WORD.......................................John 1:1
• WORD OF GOD................................Revelation 19:13

NAMES TO DESCRIBE JESUS

100 NAMES TO DESCRIBE JESUS.                                              
Perfect.
Holy.
Righteous.
Loving.
Kind.
Friendly.
Helpful.
Protective.
Caring.
Sharing.
Powerful.
Mighty.
Compassionate.
Forgiving.
Empowering.
Discerning.
Overwhelming.
Consuming.
Cleansing.
Healing.
Delivering.
Restoring.
Moving.
Creating.
Destroying.
Smiting.
Fulfilling.
Distinctive.
Comforting.
Providing.
Teaching.
Training.
Purifying.
Freeing.
Liberating.
Preserving.
Consigning.
Reproving.
Addressing.
Confiding.
Courageous.
Victorious.
Credited.
Historical.
Proven.
Incorruptible.
Unfailable.
Infallible.
Trustworthy. 
Protected.
Immune.
Responsive.
Privileged.
Honorable.
Honored.
Legitimate.
Reliable.
Good.
Reputable.
Celebrated.
Praised.
Glorified.
Famous.
Renowned.
Loved.
Served.
Worshipped.
Sought.
Needed.
Required.
Requested.
Beautiful.
Living.
Breathing.
Alive.
Active.
Amazing.
Inspiring.
Productive.
Producing.
Creative.
Abundant.
Rich.
Adequate.
Decent.
Modest.
Pure.
Real.
Moral.
Wholesome.
Safe.
Beneficial.
Excellent!
Eminent.
Prominent.
Remarkable.
Extraordinary.
Supernatural.
Miraculous.
Astounding.
Jesus the Christ is the only one who could SAVE anyone from having to pay the punishment(s) for their own sins. Thus, as he has said: "I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father [GOD], but by me." (John 14:6). "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12).


Thank you Jesus for all the souls you have saved throughout the generations! Please continue to open the hearts and eyes of men and women to your Holy truth, and save a few last souls in these end times. Amen.

YOU HAVE MORE NAMES TO DESCRIBE JESUS? ADD THEM UP PLEASE. THANK YOU.