Sunday Sermon Summary – May 25 2025

Sunday Sermon Summary – May 25 2025

SURPRISED BY GOD’S GOODNESS
Bethesda    John 5: 1-9

On a Sabbath Day Jesus visited the temple at Jerusalem and was at the pool of Bethesda which means house of mercy.  There he saw a paralytic for thirty eight years.

1. Persist :  John 5:5
This paralytic person had spent most of his life trying to get into the pool when the water was disturbed by an angel. Many others went in before him and received healing. He stayed at the pool, the house of mercy.  He kept trying for many years because he had no other choice.  We need to constantly go to God’s presence which is the house of mercy and seek God’s favour even if we don’t see any benefit from it. 

2. Prepare : John 5: 6

The Bible says that Jesus came to the pool and seeing him knew that he was there for a long time. Jesus took pity on him and asked if he wanted to be well.  The paralytic was trying to seek Jesus’ help to get into the pool before others and receive healing.  All he should have done is to say, “Yes, I want to be well.”  Our Lord is full of mercy. He will bless us in His own way. Not necessarily like He does for others. All we need to do is to trust Him to have His own way in our lives. Be prepared to receive your surprise blessing from God as you persevere in His grace. 

3. Prosper : John 5: 14

We read that later Jesus met the man who was healed and told him, “Sin no more that worse things happen to you.”  We understand that this man suffered for many years because of his sin.  Not everyone suffers because of sin; but Jesus was warning him to remain in God’s grace. To stay holy and continue to receive God’s mercy. God always wants us to be blessed even when we think we are going through various challenges. We must always seek His mercy and live according to His will.  

May God help us to persist in seeking His favour, to be prepared to receive His blessing and to live pleasing to God.  Amen!