What’s Out of Our Control is Under Jesus’ Control

Posted on Mar 1, 2021 in Devotions |

Text: John 5:1-9

Introduction: Are things out of your CONTROL? Honestly. as long as we FEEL in CONTROL, we do not get too “stressed” or “depressed.” However, when things start “spinning” out of CONTROL, that is when we get ANXIOUS. But I’ve got some GOOD NEWS! Jesus is in CONTROL!! This passage of Scripture written by John the evangelist, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us three (3) proofs why we need to let JESUS take CONTROL:

1. FIRST Proof- Jesus SHOWS UP at the “Right Place” at the “Right Time”! (John 5:1-3)

“1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.”

Jesus shows up at the Right Place! (v 1)
Jesus shows up at the Right Time! (vv 2, 3)

Imagine 38 long years of waiting and suffering. Imagine how discouraging that would have been.

Lesson: Sometimes we have to be patient. Jesus works on His timetable. But PRAISE God…He is an ON TIME God!

2. SECOND Proof- Jesus BLOWS Up our “Hopelessness” and turns it into “Hopefulness”! (John 5:3-6)

“3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?”

How do we lose Hope?

“Waiting for something to happen.” (v 3)
Depending on man too much. (v 7)

How to we gain Hope?

What is out of our CONTROL is under JESUS’ CONTROL!
Hope in the Lord!! (Rom 15:13)

“13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

3. THIRD Proof- Jesus THROWS UP things out of our “CONTROL” and brings it Under His “CONTROL”! (John 5:7-9)

“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”

Jesus wants to know from the crippled man…

“Will you be made whole?”

Jesus asks the same question to you and me?

“Do you want to be made whole? Spiritually? Physically? Emotionally? Relationally?”

Conclusion: Instead of worrying, Jesus calls us to be praying…..Paul writes in a prison epistle:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6, 7)

Also, instead of trying to figure it all out, Jesus wants us to “TRUST” in Him…

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

Notice….it took an act of FAITH from the paralytic in the words of Jesus.

“8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

Remember:

“6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)

Take up your bed and walk!

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese