I Have a Faith-Ability
[Jhn 5:1-8 KJV] 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep [market] a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For 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. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When 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? 7 The 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. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Introduction
It takes a lot of faith to wait on something. Waiting without having a timetable to work with, a sign of improvement, or even a pat on the back from someone to acknowledge your waiting is a struggle. For many of us in the U.S., our idea of waiting has been minimized significantly. We are privileged to have food ready in an instant, multiple options for speedy travel, and instantaneous communication. We are blessed to be in a time and place where our faith often becomes an intentional practice for our spiritual growth.
Faith should be our strongest ‘why’. Why we do a thing is often stronger than what we do or how we do it. ‘Whys’ are emotional things. Driven and sustained by our emotional longings for those things we feel are missing or want to hold onto that much more strongly. Though we religiously speak of purpose, destiny, calling, and seasons, we are most driven by our pleasures, pain, and longings. It is because of these almost primal reasons, our basic ‘whys’, we are like the man at the pool.
Background
Bethesda would be much like our modern-day hospitals today. Filled with all kinds of people from different walks of life. The unifying thread amongst them all was that they were infirm. They needed healing and lacked the means to get it. Some may have had money, but were faced with something that at the time was incurable. Others may have been faced with something that could not be diagnosed. Still others could not get relief from symptoms of their disease or illness. Regardless of their ailment, all of the inhabitants of Bethesda were waiting for a seasonal occurrence. At Bethesda, the water at the pool would be stirred by an angel which granted one person an opportunity for healing. The problem with this miracle is that it was limited to one person. You can imagine that the mindset of the people at Bethesda was probably not helpful. It was probably a very limited, yet consistent mindset held by the infirm people there. This mindset was so embedded in the people, that no one considered the miracle working power of Jesus, even when face to face with Him.
Points to Remember
1) Identify Your Stubborn Weaknesses
Jhn 5: 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
Stubbornness causes delays
Note: Children of Israel in the book of Numbers are delayed several times because of rebellion and stubbornness.
[1Sa 15:23 KJV] 23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.
Beware of time-stealers
Number (add purpose to) your days
[Psa 90:12 KJV] 12 So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.
Everything has a set season
[Ecc 3:1 KJV] 1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Even vision is time-bound
[Hab 2:3 KJV] 3 For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
2) Make His Question Your Profession
Jhn 5: 6 When 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?
Hold Fast to Your Profession
[Heb 10:23 KJV] 23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)
A profession is an acknowledgement
A profession speaks one unifying thing
3) Change Your Inner Conversation
Jhn 5: 7 The 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.
Stop meditating on the excuses
Note: Moses when he is called by God tries to disqualify himself
[Exo 3:11, 13 KJV] 11 And Moses said unto God, Who [am] I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? ... 13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them?
[Exo 4:1, 10 KJV] 1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. ... 10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
Renew your mind with the Word
[Rom 12:2 KJV] 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Mind renewal is a transformation
Mind renewal is necessary to prove what is good, acceptable, and the perfect (mature) will of God.
Conclusion
You Have a Faith-Ability
John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Before you have an excuse, you have a responsibility.
Think of your responsibility to operate in faith as a faith-ability.
The lame man had no ability within himself, but he did have the ability to take Jesus at His Word.
Action Steps
1) Renew Your Thinking
[Rom 12:2 KJV] 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Change your inner conversation
Identify God’s will (i) corporately and (ii) individually for you
Become a student of the Word to successfully do 1a and 1b
2) Remove excuses
[Eph 4:14 KJV] 14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
After the Word comes, follow through with it
Quiet your mind’s excuses, rationale, opinions, and desires to be disobedient
3) Be Committed and Consistent in Faith
Recall Hebrews 10:23
