Breaking Free: Embracing Change and Healing Through Faith
Summary
With the blessing of God's great holy word, we gather today to reflect on the transformative power of faith and the importance of moving beyond the walls that confine us. It's a joy to be here with you, celebrating the incredible work of Pastor Jeff and Kim, and the collective efforts of our community in rescuing churches across the nation. As we delve into John chapter 5, we encounter a man who has been stuck in his condition for 38 years, waiting by the Pool of Bethesda for healing. This story serves as a powerful metaphor for the times we find ourselves stuck in life's challenges, whether it's debt, bitterness, or unfulfilled dreams.
The narrative of being "stuck in the wall" is a common experience. We all face moments where we feel trapped by circumstances, unable to move forward. The man at the pool had a strategy that wasn't working, much like how we sometimes persist in ineffective approaches to our problems. The key to change lies in disrupting our present to alter our future. Jesus' simple question, "Would you like to get well?" challenges us to confront our excuses and take responsibility for our healing. It's a call to action, urging us to stop blaming others and to take steps toward transformation.
In our journey, we must recognize that while the battle belongs to the Lord, the fight is ours. We are called to challenge the narratives we tell ourselves and to embrace the possibility of change. This message is not just for individuals but also for the church as a whole. The decline in church attendance and the closure of churches across America is a call to action. Through initiatives like Church Boom and Church Rescue, we are working to revitalize struggling churches, ensuring that they can continue to serve their communities and spread the message of hope.
As we reflect on these themes, let us commit to disrupting our present, embracing change, and moving beyond the walls that confine us. Together, we can create a future where both individuals and churches thrive, fulfilling their God-given potential.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Disruption: To change our future, we must disrupt our present. This means reevaluating our strategies and being willing to make significant changes in our lives. It's about recognizing that what has worked in the past may not be effective now and having the courage to try something new. [31:22]
- Responsibility and Excuses: Making excuses does not absolve us of responsibility. We often blame others for our circumstances, but true transformation begins when we take ownership of our actions and decisions. This is a call to stop pointing fingers and start taking steps toward healing and growth. [38:32]
- Faith in Action: The story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda teaches us that faith requires action. Jesus' command to "get up and walk" is a reminder that we must actively participate in our healing process. It's not enough to wait for change; we must be willing to move when called. [42:59]
- Community and Support: The decline in church attendance highlights the need for community and support. Initiatives like Church Boom and Church Rescue demonstrate the power of collective action in revitalizing struggling churches. By working together, we can ensure that churches continue to serve as beacons of hope. [47:18]
- Hope and Transformation: The story of transformation, like that of the woman who overcame bitterness and started a ministry, shows that change is possible. With God's help and our willingness to act, we can move beyond our walls and live out our full potential. [36:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction and Greetings
- [05:00] - The Importance of Community
- [08:00] - The Costa Rica Adventure
- [12:00] - Stuck in the Mud
- [15:00] - Life Before the Wall
- [18:00] - The Pool of Bethesda
- [22:00] - The Man's Strategy
- [25:00] - Disrupting the Present
- [28:00] - Quit Church Book Story
- [32:00] - The Power of Change
- [35:00] - Excuses and Responsibility
- [38:00] - Jesus' Command to Walk
- [41:00] - Church Rescue Initiative
- [45:00] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 5:1-9
Observation Questions:
1. What was the man's condition at the Pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been in this state? ([27:11])
2. What question did Jesus ask the man at the pool, and how did the man respond? ([38:32])
3. How did Jesus respond to the man's excuses, and what was the result? ([42:59])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of disrupting our present to change our future? ([31:22])
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have asked the man if he wanted to get well, even though his condition seemed obvious? ([38:32])
2. How does the man's response to Jesus' question reflect common human tendencies when facing challenges? ([38:32])
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of personal responsibility in the process of healing and transformation? ([40:16])
4. How does the story of the woman who overcame bitterness illustrate the power of disrupting one's present circumstances? ([36:46])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "stuck in the wall" in your life. What strategies did you use, and were they effective? ([27:11])
2. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well. What areas of your life might Jesus be asking you the same question, and how are you responding? ([38:32])
3. Consider the excuses you might be making in your life. How can you take responsibility for your actions and decisions to move toward healing and growth? ([40:16])
4. The sermon emphasizes the need to disrupt the present to change the future. What specific changes can you make in your life today to alter your future? ([31:22])
5. How can you actively participate in your own healing process, rather than waiting passively for change to happen? ([42:59])
6. The sermon highlights the importance of community and support. How can you contribute to revitalizing your church community or supporting others in their faith journey? ([47:18])
7. Reflect on the story of the woman who overcame bitterness and started a ministry. What steps can you take to move beyond your own walls and live out your full potential? ([36:46])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Disruption for Growth
In life, we often find ourselves stuck in routines or strategies that no longer serve us. The story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda illustrates the necessity of disrupting our present to change our future. This man had been waiting for healing for 38 years, relying on a strategy that wasn't working. Jesus' question, "Would you like to get well?" challenges us to reassess our current approaches and be open to new possibilities. Disruption is not about chaos but about courageously stepping into the unknown to allow God to work in new ways. It's a call to evaluate what is holding us back and to have the faith to try something different. [31:22]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel stuck? How can you invite God to help you disrupt your current approach and embrace a new path today?
Day 2: Take Responsibility for Your Healing
The narrative of the man at the Pool of Bethesda teaches us the importance of taking responsibility for our own healing. Often, we find ourselves making excuses or blaming others for our circumstances. However, true transformation begins when we take ownership of our actions and decisions. Jesus' question to the man was not just about physical healing but about challenging him to take responsibility for his life. This is a call to stop pointing fingers and start taking proactive steps toward healing and growth. By acknowledging our role in our situations, we open the door to God's transformative power. [38:32]
Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV): "But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."
Reflection: In what ways have you been making excuses for your current situation? What is one step you can take today to take responsibility and move toward healing?
Day 3: Faith Requires Action
The story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda is a powerful reminder that faith is not passive. Jesus' command to "get up and walk" emphasizes that faith requires action. It's not enough to simply wait for change; we must be willing to move when called. This means actively participating in our healing process and being open to the steps God is prompting us to take. Faith in action is about trusting God enough to take the first step, even when the path is unclear. It's about aligning our actions with our beliefs and being willing to move forward in faith. [42:59]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to take action in faith? How can you take a tangible step today to align your actions with your beliefs?
Day 4: The Power of Community and Support
The decline in church attendance and the closure of churches across America highlight the need for community and support. Initiatives like Church Boom and Church Rescue demonstrate the power of collective action in revitalizing struggling churches. By working together, we can ensure that churches continue to serve as beacons of hope. Community is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. It provides support, accountability, and encouragement as we navigate life's challenges. Being part of a community means actively participating and contributing to the collective well-being of others. [47:18]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week? What is one way you can offer support or encouragement to someone in your community today?
Day 5: Hope and Transformation are Possible
The story of transformation, like that of the woman who overcame bitterness and started a ministry, shows that change is possible. With God's help and our willingness to act, we can move beyond our walls and live out our full potential. Transformation is not just about changing our circumstances but about allowing God to change our hearts and minds. It's about embracing the hope that God offers and being willing to step into the new life He has for us. This requires faith, courage, and a willingness to let go of the past to embrace the future God has planned. [36:46]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace hope and transformation? How can you invite God to help you let go of the past and step into the new life He has for you today?
Quotes
1. "I look back at that moment and thinking about today's message, and then I realize this. We were stuck in the mud, but how often do you and I get stuck in the mud? And what I mean by that is we get stuck in certain things. In other words, man, it's like we get stuck in a spot where it's like, why am I still in debt? Why am I still bitter at that person? Why am I not forgiving that person? Why am I still angry? Why isn't my life farther along than I thought it would be? Why is this happening in my life right now? And we end up getting stuck, and we all get there. You may be partly stuck in there or all the way stuck, but we all get stuck." ([00:28:28] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "When you get stuck inside of the wall, you basically have two options. Here they are, okay? You either stop. Stay in the wall, and you can do that. I don't know why you'd want to, but you could. Or you can get to the other side of the wall. But please understand, there's no such thing as life before the wall anymore. It's over. So you have one of two choices. Stay in the wall or get to the other side of the wall. Okay, whether you're watching at a campus or watching right here, you have a choice in a few minutes. Walk out, stay in the wall, or get to the other side. Those are your only two options." ([00:28:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "You can't change your future until you disrupt your present. If you don't change something about the present, the future will remain the same. If you want the future to change. If you want to get to the other side of the wall, then you've got to change the present. We all have to do that." ([00:32:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Making excuses is 2,000 years old, man. Look at the first thing. Do you want to get well? Yes or no? I can't. And it ain't my fault. It's always the ability to find someone else to blame. And we all do that. I do that." ([00:39:31] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "If we're stuck in a wall, we got to get out of there. We got to get to the other side of the wall. And with God's help, and please understand something, God's going to help you get to the other side, but you got to do your part. I always say this, that the battle belongs to the Lord, but the fight belongs to us. We got to battle. We got to fight. We got to get to the other side." ([00:42:58] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Jesus told him, we wrap it up. The guy makes all these excuses. And Jesus says, stand up, pick up your mat and walk. Instantly, the man was healed. He rolled up his sleeping mat and began to walk. I don't know if you find this funny. I think it's hilarious. Here's why I think it's hilarious. The man comes up with all these excuses. I can't. It ain't my fault. It's someone else's fault. Jesus doesn't even acknowledge the man's excuses. I think it's hilarious. All he does is like, the guy goes, okay, well, it's this problem. And it ain't my fault. It's someone else's. And I love Jesus' response. Just get up and walk." ([00:43:59] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "You see, you guys, listen to me. We all get there and you got a choice. She could have stayed bitter, dead-end job, angry, upset, whatever. Or she could get to the other side of the wall. She disrupted her present and that changed her future. You have to disrupt the present. The guy there laying there had to disrupt his present or he would never get to the other side." ([00:37:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "Revelation requires responsibility. When you know about a problem, you got to help solve the problem. You can't just say that's someone else's problem. This is the bride of Christ. This is not a small thing." ([00:48:03] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "But what if we start partnering with healthy churches, Bride of Christ, to help the unhealthy churches? That seems like something Jesus would do. And that's what we're doing. We are working with churches to raise the funds to give them away so we can rescue hundreds of churches. And we are now rescuing hundreds of churches across America and soon into the thousands because we want to stop the bleeding." ([00:49:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Thank you to all you kingdom builders because you are helping to stop the bleeding. And I want to say thank you. And I love what God is doing. I want to show you this video of a pastor we rescued just outside of Detroit, Michigan. One of an example of hundreds of pastors we rescued. Check out this video of Pastor Muda. Listen to this story of a guy that's church was down to 40 people and last week had 280 and God is restoring that church, which means thousands of more people being saved and following Christ. This is one example of that rescue churches will rescue people, but rescue churches will rescue America." ([00:49:47] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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