How God Helps Us When We Are Helpless

Series: That You May Believe
Message: How God Helps Us When We Are Helpless
Scripture: John 5:1-9

This miracle shows us how God deals with human helplessness

We can all relate; we all find ourselves paralyzed at times

Setting the Stage (1-5)

• A crowded city
• A helpless situation
• A superstitious belief

3 Things Opened Up the Possibility Of Change (6)

1. Jesus Saw him
2. Jesus Knew his condition
3. Jesus Asked him a question

• Sometimes we get comfortable with our condition
• At times, part of us wants to be healed, but another part of us is afraid of the change

1 Barrier Stood in The Way Of Change (7)

• The man’s Solution
• We often become so focused on one solution that we cannot see God’s solution
• We can become accustomed to life around a “Pool of Misery”

3 Things That Activate the Reality Of Change (8-9)

1. God Challenges us to do the impossible

• The only way I can do the impossible is by depending on God!

2. God tells us to Remove the temptation to relapse

• It is very easy to go back to a comfortable pattern or habit
• Sometimes you have to “burn your bridges”

3. God Expects continued success

• Jesus expected this man to live a life based on his healing
• Faith is Doing what God tells you to do

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“Every parable that Jesus taught was a miracle of instruction, and every miracle that Jesus wrought was a parable of instruction.”  G. Campbell Morgan

The Greatest Healing

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8–10)

• By Grace
• Through Faith
• For Good Works

“Hopelessness is the doorway to hope. You have to give up on yourself before you will be excited about the hope that is yours in Christ Jesus.”  Paul Tripp

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Do You Want To Be Healed? 

Who can you share these truths with?