House Of Grace.

John 5:1-15 [NIV]

IN THIS HOUSE...

1. Grace Doesn’t Set Conditions; It Sets Standards.

1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.

John 5:1-3 [NIV]

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 [NIV]

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:2 [NIV]

2. Grace Doesn’t Make Excuses; It Makes Miracles.

5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

John 5:5-6 [NIV]

9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman You put here with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Genesis 3:9-12 [NIV]

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job 2:9-10 [NIV]

17 “At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’”

Luke 14:17-20 [NIV]

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

John 5:7 [NIV] 

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

John 5:8-9 [NIV]

3. We Don’t Criticize; We Celebrate And Empower.

9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 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]

15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

John 5:15 [NIV]

20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…

Ephesians 3:20 [NIV]

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 [NIV]

20 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Luke 15:20-24 [NIV]