Healing at Bethesda (John 5:1-16)
The Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Large number of sick people at the pool.
Angel tradition - out of character with the rest of Scripture.
Do angels heal?
Why only one person?
Seems a little like a lottery, Lourdes, Ganges.
Faith in water is as foolish as baptismal regeneration.
This man tried for 38 years.
Jesus asked what seemed like a silly question.
This man had faith in angels and men.
But only faith in Jesus brought his healing.
Religious leaders objected to the man's bed!
The man did not know Jesus yet.
Jesus spoke to him of sin and its consequences.
Sinners accept Jesus.
Self-righteous people do not.
Faith is an act of obedience not superstition.
Religion is happy with holy water, trinkets, and tradition.
New Testament Christianity is found upon the Word of God.
The Divinity of Jesus (John 5:17-47)
Background: Read verse 16.
Claimed God was His Father.
Why Jesus is God:-
a) He does what the Father does (:19, 30-31).
b) The Father is in the Son (:20, 32-38).
c) Both can raise the dead (:21).
d) Jesus is the Judge (:22, 25-29).
e) Man must honour Him as they do the Father (:23).
Those who accept these things are saved.
Jesus is both fully God and fully man (:25, 27).
Reasons why people refuse to accept Jesus as Lord:-
a) Reject the Scriptures (:39, 43-47).
b) Reject Jesus as the only way (:40).
c) No real love for God (:42).
d) Receive nonsense instead (:43).
e) Full of pride and self-righteousness (:44).
It is impossible to be saved without Jesus.
He is both God and Messiah.