Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 20 June 2021

Text: John 5:1-15

Subject: Evangelism

Focus: A Special Evangelistic Effort

INTRODUCTION

1. Religious feasts of Israel

There were 3 major feasts that required attendance in Jerusalem

a) Passover-Unleavened Bread (Deuteronomy 16:1-8)

b) Pentecost (Feast of weeks) (Deuteronomy 16:9-12)

(First-fruits)

c) Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:15-17)

(Harvest)

2. The Lord Jesus Christ

a) In Jerusalem

b) Feast of the Jews (John 5:1)

(Unspecified)

BETHESDA IN JERUSALEM

1. Meaning of Bethesda

a) House of grace

b) House of mercy

2. Archaeological Discovery

a) There was such a pool (Two pools were discovered)

b) Separated by 5 porches/ porticoes

c) The Upper pool supplied the water for the Lower pool

d) Water was used for purification rites

e) This was built in the days of King Herod

AT THE BETHESDA POOL

1. A great multitude of sick people (John 5:3)

2. Compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ led Him to visit Bethesda

3. Description of the people

a) Blind

b) Lame

c) Paralyzed

4. Legend

a) Moving of the water

b) Everyone waited (John 5:3)

c) An angel went down “at a certain time” to stir the water

(Perhaps at the Feast)

i) Whoever stepped in first

ii) He would be healed of his illness/disease John 5:4

EVANGELISM AND GOOD WORKS

1. Evangelism and Good Works

a) Both are taught

b) Both are emphasised

c) Both are enjoined

2. They are to be practised separately

a) Good works are done because there are clear teachings 

i) Remember the Poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-18)

ii) Acts of the righteous (Psalm 112:4-5, 9)

iii) Do good to all (Galatians 6:10)

iv) Be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:18)

v) Maintain good works (Titus 3:14)

vi) Do good… share (Hebrews 13:16)

b) Evangelism

i) The command of the Lord Jesus

“You shall be witnesses” Acts 1:8

ii) Faithfulness of the Apostle

“We are all witnesses” Acts 2:32

iii) Courageous commitment

“We cannot but speak of the things which we have seen and heard” Acts 4:20

iv) Do the work of an evangelist

“Fulfill your ministry” 2 Timothy 4:5c

3. Great carefulness

a) We don’t make use of good works to do evangelism

b) This can have bad repercussions

i) Accusations may arise

ii) The Lord’s name may be blemished

iii) The Gospel may be compromised

iv) People may speak of “conversion” to obtain more support

THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. At the Bethesda Pool

a) He could have easily healed everyone

b) He did not have a mass healing campaign

2. He singled out one person

a) The man had an infirmity for 38 years (John 5:5)

b) The Lord saw him (John 5:6a)

c) He knew that he had been in that condition a long time (John 5:6b)

3. He struck a conversation with the man

a) “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:6c

b) The sick man answered

“Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up” John 5:7a

c) Further word shared

“But while I am coming, another steps down before me” John 5:7b

4. The healing of the man

a) “Rise, take up your bed and walk” John 5:8

b) There was no speaking of:

i) Faith

ii) Salvation

5. The man was healed instantly

a) “And immediately, the man was made well” (John 5:9a)

b) “Took up his bed, and walked” (John 5:9b)

6. The healing took place on the Sabbath (John 5:9c)

 A CONFRONTATION

1. The Jews

a) A term that was used to describe the Jews who ruled

b) They were part of the Sanhedrin Council

2. They said to the man who was cured

a) “It is the Sabbath

b)  It is not lawful for you to carry your bed” John 5:10

3. The reply given

a) “He who made me well said to me

b) ‘Take up your bed and walk’” John 5:11

4. The query of the Jews

“Who is the Man…?” John 5:12

5. There was no response

a) The one who was healed did not know who it was (John 5:13a)

b) For Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place (John 5:13b)

FINDING THE MAN

1. The man went to the temple (John 5:14a)

a) To pray

b) To give thanks

2. The Lord Jesus spoke to him 

a) “See, you have been made well.” John 5:14b

b) “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” John 5:14c

3. The man now had new-found knowledge

a) The man departed

b) And told the Jews 

c) That it was Jesus who had made him well (John 5:15)

AN EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNITY CAN ARISE 

1. The man was in the Temple

2. The Lord instructed him

a) About Himself

b) About his healing

c) About the danger of sin

d) About the new life he must now lead

3. The man showed that he understood

He spoke about the Lord Jesus now that he knew more about him!