|  |  | |  |   | | | Liar Liar!! John Hafer
Q: In what kinds of situations do people most often lie? (discuss this)
John 5:1-9
1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 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. 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?” 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.”
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.
This man’s condition – disabled, lying 38 yrs, hopeless
Jesus comes along & asks Do you want to get well?
Q: Why did Jesus ask such a “ridiculous” question?
- Because there was a reason this man was stuck so long…
- There was a motivation problem!.
Q: What things are difficult to believe we can change?
- Losing weight, overeating, getting in shape
- Bad habits, smoking, etc.
- Getting your grades up
Q: What was the man’s response to Jesus?
“I’m trying” = “I can’t” = lying to ourselves
When we are unmotivated we are very likely to lie!
Q: How do people change these things?
- Personal training, tutoring, support groups…
We need these because we lie to ourselves!
Many times, we see what God wants us to do…But we don’t believe we can change!
So we make up false doctrines – just believe (vs. change)
Interestingly, James 2 tells us no change = no faith!
Q: What changed this man’s heart & attitude?
Personal training!
II Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- Personal training keeps you from lying to yourself
- Being truthful about where you’re really at changes you!
Q: What’s difficult about personal training?
- Having someone point out the truth – it hurts!
So we have to figure out if we really want to change!
Which goes back to Jesus’ question to this man…
Do you want to get well?
Practical challenges:
- Do you have a personal trainer spiritually?
- Have you ever had one?
- Get one today, stop lying to yourself, and see real change! | | |
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