9/23 Sermon on Miracles, Part 3

At The Family Church here in Gainesville, senior pastor Philip Griffin continued his series on the seven signs, or miracles, that Jesus gave in the Bible's New Testament book of John.  The passage of focus, concerning the healing at the pool, is John 5:1-18...click on it to read it via Bible Gateway.  Pastor Philip's message contained two important areas: how we can get ourselves "unstuck" and healed physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually...and the true meaning of the Sabbath.  To this effect he posed three questions: do I want to get well, am I receiving everything God wants to give me, and do I find in God my true Sabbath rest?  Philip noted that the man at the pool had identified himself with his illness and the sick people at the pool.  He had a misplaced hope that an angel would stir up the healing waters for him and, instead of trusting in Jesus as his Lord, gave him instructions to help him into the pool.  None of these false notions helped this man...only through the love and power of Jesus did he get physically healed.  Yet the man did not allow himself spiritual healing, for he and others turned on Jesus for this healing on a Sabbath day...our pastor wondered how people could be so legalistic to concentrate on that point after someone stricken for nearly forty years was suddenly, wonderfully healed of his affliction.  But the true Sabbath, as Pastor Philip concluded, is based on God's work in the creation...he did not rest on the seventh day because he was tired or the "rules" mandated it, but rather because his work was done.  It's because, he said, of Jesus's work that we can rest from our work.  We find our Sabbath rest in Jesus, not in ourselves. At the end of this message, Philip read James 5:14-16, which is about prayer within the church body, and invited anyone from the congregation with a need for healing to come forward for prayer with church elders and pastors...

This sermon is available for you to watch through the church's YouTube video website...click to the following link: [TFC Videos].  The Family Church is located at 2022 SW 122nd Street and holds its Sunday morning services at 9 and 10:30.  There's the weekly message, praise and worship music, prayer, great fellowship, and all sorts of group and learning activities to participate in.  And the hospitality room features free coffee and treats before and between services, always a destination for me when I arrive.  Looking forward to this Sunday at the church...