Our Nation’s Desire
John 5:1-9 – Victory Fellowship
April 24, 2022 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. Who would NOT like to get well?
II. Jesus asked the man at Bethesda “Do you wish to get well?”
a. After all, he carried his affliction for 38 years
i. The man’s desire to be healed allowed the Lord to work a miracle in his life.
III. I’ve shared with you in the past that there are certain circumstances in which the Lord chooses not to heal:
i. The ministry of suffering
ii. To bring glory to God
John 11:4: But when Jesus heard it, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it."
b. Usually, though, healing has more to do with our own Spiritual condition – really our own desire.
IV. It may be time to ask our nation as a Whole –“Do you wish to be healed?” There are circumstances in our lives that may hinder God’s healing activity:
a. If we harbor iniquity in our heart, or have unrepentant sin. (Psalm 66:18; 1st John 1:9)
If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;
b. If we are presently or formerly involved in Cult of Occult activity.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13: 10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 "For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. 13 "You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.
c. If we are ruled by Doubt, Fear, Anxiety, Worry, Un-forgiveness, Bitterness
James 4:7-8: Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
d. If we Identify with the condition or have no whole-hearted desire to be healed. (John 5:6)
e. If we are in Spiritual bondage
(Eph. 6:12-13) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm
V. Application:
a. God is a God of Healing – if we as individuals, as a church, and as a Nation desire to be healed.
Jeremiah 17:14: 14 Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For Thou art my praise.
VI. Conclusion:
Come for prayer and anointing for healing.
Song: Come Heal this Land by Robin Mark
John 5:1-9 NLT Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days.2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches waiting for a certain movement of the water, 4 for an angel of the Lord came from time to time and stirred up the water. And the first person to step in after the water was stirred was healed of whatever disease he had. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!