Text: John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
John 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
John 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Intro: The scene; Five porches around a sheep-watering pool. All porches are filled with those in varying stages of physical distress. Tradition has instilled a futile hope in the hearts of those who are the most in need of help. It is only reasonable that those with the least infirmity will be able to step into the water ahead of those who are invalid.
See yourself as this one in need. You know you need spiritual power in your life. Perhaps you see yourself as a spiritual invalid and while others are being blessed, you HAVE NO ONE TO HELP YOU!
I. Wilt thou be made whole?
A. Of course! Why else would he be lying there?
B. Certainly. Why else would you be in church
Why else would you pray?
Why else would you read your Bible?
C. Only a fool would answer, "No, I don't want to be saved. Become a spiritual powerhouse etc.

II. A silly answer. It is always easier to make excuses for failure than to expend the needed effort for success.

A. 'I have no man'--- No one wants to help me!. From the prophet under the juniper tree who thought he was the only one left, to Peter who demanded to know what John would be doing, to this city and this congregation, we could all do wonders if only we had the proper help!
Paul said, 'No man stood by me-' but with the help of Christ he gained the victory anyway. Why do we admire Paul but emulate Peter?

B. Jesus did not ask, 'Do you have any help?' The question was, "do you want to be made whole?" To you, today the question is, do you want to be saved, have peace, strength, power with God etc.. Jesus is waiting for an answer!

C. But someone always goes before me. [ Someone is in the way!]
1. Is some Christian a stumbling block?
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
2. Are 'THEY' getting in your way? Quit looking at the pool and look to Christ!. The one who was able to blot out the handwriting of ordinances is well able to help us surmount our obstacles.
3. He did NOT ask for a list of the obstacles, just a simple, "WILT thou be made whole?"
This question is being put to each one of us today.

III. The reply of Jesus. 'Arise, take up thy bed and walk." All excuses are totally ignored. The question is restated in the form of an imperative statement. It is no longer the rhetorical ,"Do you want to---?" Jesus has given the command. If it is obeyed, there is no power under heaven that can keep it from being carried out!
Will he arise or continue to make excuses?
'But it is the Sabbath--
maybe the water will be stirred again--
but ...but ...maybe ...maybe ...etc.
Now it is entirely up to the one to whom the command has been given, Will you be saved? Will you serve? Will you go? Don't give the Lord a silly answer!