Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[a] with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “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.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! … JOHN 5:1-9 NLT
Stop believing in everything but Jesus
Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. JOHN 5:3-5 NLT
But to us who are personally called by God himself … Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:24 MSG
Every day is a miracle when you know Jesus personally
Stop seeing yourself as a victim
… “Would you like to get well?” “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.” JOHN 5:6-7 NLT
I am a miracle, and so are you
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ROMANS 8:35-37 NIV
Start Asking Jesus specifically for what I need
… “Would you like to get well?” JOHN 5:6 NLT
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. JOHN 16:24 NIV
Start doing what Jesus tells me to do
Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” JOHN 5:8 NLT
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 NLT
Don’t expect everyone to celebrate your miracle
At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” JOHN 5:9-10 NIV
Don’t waste the miracle God gives me
So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” JOHN 5:12-14 NIV
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Find a quiet place away from distractions that will help you to reflect on the message of the sermon. Ask God to help quiet your thoughts and feelings. Consider taking a walk to help you do this. Take a few deep breaths, and then commit the time to God for His purposes and guidance. Pray He would reveal a miracle that He wants to do in your life. Ask Him what He wants you to do for Him to do this miracle. Picture what your life would look and feel like if Jesus did this miracle for you. Think about other actions you have taken to meet this need. How did these other actions work out? Ask God to help you discern if there is any reason you don’t want Him to do this miracle. If you choose to be healed, ask for the miracle in Jesus’ name and ask Him to help you do your part to receive it. What step of obedience can you take this week to cooperate with Him in your healing? This week, commit to taking that step. Thank Him for what He will do and for helping you trust that He is able to do the miracle in His time and way.
Discussion Questions
Get the most out of this series by reading and discussing Pastor Matt’s new book ‘Every Day a Miracle.’
Here’s how it works: Read 1-2 chapters per week and discuss the questions in the book at the end of each chapter during your group time.
Go to sandalschurch.com/miracles to get a copy of the book. Copies will also be
available for sale at every Sandals Church campus, while supplies last.
If you are not in a group, who are a few people you could invite to read and discuss the book together? We’d love to help you get started. Go to sandalschurch.com/groups and fill out the ‘Start a Group’ form.
Gather your friends, discuss the book, and experience Miracles together.
- Where are you looking for a miracle?
