Sermon Title: Stirring the Water

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Sermon Title Stirring the Water Key Text John
51-8 Rev. Josef A. Howard, Ph.D (ABD) Gods
spokesperson
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The Sheep Gate
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• The pool of Bethesda

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• Pool of Bethesda

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(No Transcript)
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• Do you want to be well?

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Understanding the story Bethesda means the
House of Mercy. The House of Mercy was a
house of misery for many. This pool was situated
where there were intermittent mineral springs. 
(The moving of the water by a descending Angel).
Read Rev.165 There were 5 porches which were
covered areas where the sick folk would await
their opportunity to get into the healing pool.
Jesus was attracted to one poor sufferer (He
never lost sight of the individual)...
Omnipotence met impotence!  
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In order to fully understand the story, let us
analyze it in light of six M !) The Market
Where the incident took place. 2) The
Multitude---Those present at the Pool 3) The
Man----The One healed by Jesus 4) The
Messiah----Jesus himself and his question 5) The
Mercy-----Not getting what we deserve 6) The
Message---Today could be your day.
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I. THE MARKET Vs. 2.  The sheep market was just
inside the sheep gate in the Jerusalem wall. (Neh
31)  This was the gate through which the lambs
were brought to be offered as sacrifices, and the
gate out of which Christ proceeded on his way to
Calvary. People who came to Jerusalem at Passover
time bought a lamb at the sheep market. There
is ever present by the sheep market The
sheep gate the place where the sacrifice was
made. A pool--- This pool had a miraculous
healing balm about it. 
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• II The Multitude v. 3
• They were sickall form of diseases no identity
  no social status.
• They were sinners---they needed a special touch
  to get well of their physical illness but also,
  their spiritual illness.
• They were sentenced---(John 318 KJV)  "He that
  believeth on him is not condemned but he that
  believeth not is condemned already, because he
  hath not believed in the name of the only
  begotten Son of God."

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• III. THE MAN Vs. 5-7.
• In Vs. 5 we see a certain man no name is
  given no personal details were given He
  represents you and me.
• He was disabled---37 years and could not do
  anything about it. We cant change our situation!
• He was desperate---How long? (Prov 834) 
  "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching
  daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my
  doors."
• He was disappointed---Our effort cant get us to
  the healing station (Rev. 320).

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IV. THE MESSIAH Vs. 6.  A. What He Knew. He is
omniscient.  B. What He Said. Wilt thou be made
whole?"       1. Every person must answer that
question.       2. The question requires mans
approval.  C. What He Did. Jesus did for him
what he could not do for himself. Song He came
down to my level when I couldnt get up to
him  Oh! Let me announce to you today the
Messiah is walking by where you are today. He
knows your condition and He asks you, Wilt thou
be made whole?
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V. THE MERCY Vs. 6.  Only by His mercy can we
have the opportunity to be made whole. The pool
called Bethesda a place of mercy and
healing.   No one was obliged to pay for the
mercy of God. Mercy is not getting what I
deserve Grace is getting what I done
deserve. Song Mercy there was great, and grace
was free Pardon there was multiplied to
me There my burdened soul found liberty, At
Calvary.
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VI. THE MESSAGE  Vs. 8. Rise, take up thy bed,
and walk.  A. It Was A Complete
Message.       Called for faith and action!  He
must accept and respond.  B. It Was A Certain
Message. 1. He didnt ask the man, Are you
trying to get to the
pool?            2. He didnt say, Let me
help you into the pool. 3. His message had
nothing to do with the pool at all. C.
It Was A Comforting Message.
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• And so What?
• Many of us are sick today and need a touch from
  Jesus like the man at the pool.
• The Spirit of God is still troubling the water.
• Whether your sickness is spiritual or physical,
  God can heal you.
• You must act in Faith, believing that God is
  able.
• Attempt to do what you have never done before.