"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 5:6
Ask, and It Is Given
Praise the Lord with me this morning. Last Friday the forecast said rain straight through the weekend. But that night we prayed — Lord, give us sunshine on Sunday. And look outside. God gave us the sun.
When I saw the sunshine this morning I thought: the Lord is hearing my prayers — I had better pray for more while heaven is open. So I prayed again this morning, and my wife asked what I had been praying about.
Last Sunday we talked about spiritual maturity. Today we talk about something that gets in the way of our growth as Christians: our circumstances. The everyday things that happen to us — problems that do not end, a new situation at work, in business, in family relationships. Sometimes we stumble. Sometimes we give in to temptation.
So today: how to stretch your faith above your circumstances.
The Pool at Bethesda
"Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 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. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed" (John 5:1–3).
This is where the disabled gathered. Their belief was that whenever the water stirred, angels were present to heal — so whoever entered first would be made well. (When we visited Israel we did not even go to see it; the pool is dry now.)
"One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 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?' '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 5:5–7).
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.' At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 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.' But he replied, 'The man who made me well said to me, "Pick up your mat and walk"'" (John 5:8–11).
Four things to learn.
1. Be Prepared for a Change in Your Life
Jesus asked a strange question: "Do you want to get well?" Of course he would say yes. So why ask?
Think about it. Thirty-eight years an invalid — but he was surviving. People helped him. People fed him. He did not work. And if his circumstances changed, everything else would change too. Once he could walk, no one would bring him food anymore. The expectation would be: you can walk now, go and work.
Some people become accustomed to their condition. Ayoko na gumaling, kasi may sustento ako. So Jesus asks the real question: do you truly want to get well — because all the support you have been living on will stop.
Change in life means change in circumstances. If someone asks, do you really want to be a disciple of Jesus? — understand that your circumstances will change.
A change of friends. Birds of the same feather flock together. You cannot walk closely with someone whose direction is opposite yours.
Let me give you a light testimony. When I was still at Caltex, I was a manager, and our regional manager and I were close — so close that people envied it. When I was first assigned to Mindanao, before Normie came, he would call me: "Marc, punta ka nga dito sa Davao." No reason given. Whenever he was lonely I was the one to keep him company, and we would have a good time.
But when I became a disciple, I had to say: "Boss, pasensya ka na — hindi na kita masasamahan." It took courage. I asked for prayers, especially from the brother who studied the Bible with me. That is your boss. And you are telling him no. But I had to decide. I wanted a real change in my life. I wanted to get well.
There is another reason I say this. When I came home from Saudi, I was on fire. I had been baptized in the Red Sea, and in Saudi I had nothing to do but read the Bible. When I got back to the Philippines I felt like I could make a lame man walk — that is how full I was. But the problem was, I had no Christian friends. Everyone around me was worldly. And little by little... I backslid. Praise the Lord that He brought me back. So if our friends are dragging us down, it is time to change friends.
A change of places you go to. As disciples we should no longer be seen in questionable places. Whatever the compromises were before, there has to be a change.
A change in character. After my baptism, I walked into the office one morning and greeted everyone — morning, morning. Later I found out the drivers had been talking about me: "Sister, nakangiti ah. Mukhang hindi inaway ni ma'am." Because before that, I was always hot-tempered. I was very strict. I cursed at people. I shouted at them.
Once, a tanker arrived at noon to discharge into our depot, and I climbed aboard to find nobody there — everyone was eating. I scolded the chief mate: you already gave notice to proceed; you should have had lunch first. Later he told me, "Sir, ang higpit-higpit mo. Parang ikaw ang may-ari ng Caltex." And I thought — he is right. I was stricter than the owner of the company itself. From then on that man became my friend, and I changed my attitude. Because people should be able to see Jesus in you — patience, love, the right way of handling things.
A change in responsibilities. After I was born again, work was no longer my only responsibility. Anyone I spoke with in the office, I invited to church. Many contractors came in — one truck owner whose vehicle hit ours came to the office, I invited him, and he became a disciple. A supplier came selling goods, I invited him, and he became a disciple. As long as I had the opportunity, I invited.
Because Jesus said, go and make disciples of all nations. Who was He commanding? His disciples. So if you consider yourself a disciple, that is my conviction: a disciple makes disciples. How? Invite them. Share the Word. Study the Bible with them. Pray for them. Give them your time and love them even when they are not lovable. Sometimes a person seems cold at first, but once you study the Bible together, the smile comes out.
Can you imagine if every one of us fulfilled our purpose? Next year we would not fit in this room. Remember today's date — August 16. Let that be our challenge.
2. Take Responsibility for Your Life
Look at the invalid's answer again: "I have no one to help me into the pool... someone else goes down ahead of me" (John 5:7).
Notice — he is blaming. Blaming the people around him. And that is what most of us do. When Adam sinned, what did he say? "The woman you gave me." And Eve? "The serpent deceived me." We love to point.
So: stop blaming others for your condition. Wherever you are now, if you are not happy there — take responsibility. Nothing will change while you are busy blaming. The right question is: what should I do to change the condition of my life?
Let me tell you another story. When I came back from Cagayan to Manila, I was assigned to Pasig handling LPG. And my boss there did not like me. I found out why: reviewing the budget during turnover, I saw a huge representation expense — sixty thousand in the first quarter alone. I asked my counterpart who he was entertaining, and he said, "Hindi sa akin yan, kay boss yan. Binibigay lang sa akin yung resibo." Our boss was eating out and passing the receipts down to be filed as expenses.
When I reported to Makati I was smiling: "Boss, reporting for duty." And he said, "Isara mo yung pinto." Then: "Alam mo, sa totoo lang, ayaw ko sa'yo eh." That was my welcome.
It went on like that. On the phone, while I was still speaking, he would slam it down. At appraisal time, whatever I had accomplished was brushed aside and only what remained undone was discussed. Para akong nasa oven.
Then he retired — and one day he visited the plant. And I thought: this is my chance to get back at him. I will ignore him. But the Holy Spirit spoke: no — show him kindness. So when he arrived: "O, boss, kamusta ka na?" And in that conversation he asked where I was attending church now. I told him Makati, near City Motors Building. And he said, "Magkalapit lang pala tayo ng church." He was a Christian. I could not even bring myself to say, then why did you treat me that way?
Whatever the situation, what did I do? I prayed. Lord, give me courage. Don't let me grow weary of this work — because my feet were heavy every time I walked in.
Learn to accept your mistakes and trust God to turn your situation around. God is often teaching us something — to persevere, to call out to Him more, to be humble. So always examine yourself and ask: Lord, what are You teaching me here? Because once you learn it, you move on into the promised land. Otherwise you go around the mountain like the Israelites for forty years.
And when the mistake is genuinely yours and cannot be undone — trust Him. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). I made a wrong decision taking early retirement. I had a good job. I said I did not want to work anymore — and we went bankrupt. But looking back, God moved with His mighty right hand. I will uphold you. Stay close to Him. Do not let go. He will turn your situation around.
3. Stretch Your Faith Beyond Your Ability
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.' At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked" (John 5:8–9).
Can you imagine? Thirty-eight years lying there. And suddenly Jesus says: get up, pick up your mat, walk.
What if he had not been up to the challenge? "Jesus, thirty-eight years na ako dito. Niloloko mo ba ako?" But he was up to it. He did it. Maybe slowly — bones that had been asleep for decades beginning to knit and hold. But he stretched.
Sometimes God expects us to stretch our faith beyond our ability. We have to make an effort. Take effort in your faith. It cannot be faith alone, brothers and sisters — kailangan natin magbanat ng buto, just like this man did. Wealth is not won in a jackpot. It comes through hard work, perseverance, and trust in God. Not like Juan Tamad lying under the tree waiting for the guava to fall.
And look around you. This church is a stretch beyond our ability.
We have an anniversary at the end of this month. We began with three families, meeting at a Mini Stop in Tahanan Village. Then we moved to a McDonald's on President's Avenue. Then we obtained a worship hall in Valley 1. Then COVID closed us down. We tried joining forces with another church and it did not work out — and what was left was my family and Bro. Ray's family. Back to McDonald's. And from there, step by step, until we received this place.
Without formal training. Without outside support. Nobody discipled me to run a church. I learned through many mistakes, and I had a lot of ungodly character in myself to overcome.
Why did we even start? At the church we attended before, I asked the pastor a question: is repentance still necessary for a person to be saved? And he answered: no, it is not needed anymore. I said, you are contradicting Jesus — because Jesus Himself said, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. I told him I could not accept that, and that I would leave. Two families came with me, and they called a meeting: "Brother Marc, magtayo kaya tayo ng church — ikaw ang mag-lead."
There were many hardships, many discouragements. There were times I wanted to stop. But this was my agreement with God: Lord, when I have to subsidize the church out of my own pocket, that is Your signal that You want me to stop. And the Lord has sustained it — the rent, the electricity, all of it. So we continue.
I also prayed, Lord, give me young leaders — and He overdid it. He sent scholars and university graduates. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by Bro. Vince and how many projects he brings. But it is for the good. I do not know where the Lord will take us, but if we keep helping one another as the body of Christ, nothing is impossible with God.
4. Don't Forget God in All Circumstances
"So they asked him, 'Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?' The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, 'See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you'" (John 5:12–14).
"See, you are well again" — meaning at some point in the past he had been fine and could walk normally. Because of sin, he became an invalid. So Jesus warns him: stop sinning, or something worse may happen.
"The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well" (John 5:15). And that was the right thing to do — he did not know Jesus at first, but once he encountered Him again, he named Him.
So how do we forget God?
One — by forgetting the past work of our salvation. "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Deuteronomy 6:12). Let us never forget what Jesus did on the cross for each of us. This is why we take communion every Sunday — to keep our hearts soft and remind us that He offered His body and His precious blood to redeem us. We owe Him our salvation.
Two — by believing the devil's lies instead of God's Word. "This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you, declares the Lord, because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods" (Jeremiah 13:25). Even the Israelites, freed from slavery in Egypt and heading to the promised land, forgot God. People are fragile; we forget quickly. So be careful not to listen to the whispers of the enemy. And if you have something in your heart against me, bring it out — we can talk about it. If something in a message seems aimed at you, understand: I do not prepare the adlibs. I only prepare the Scriptures I will read. Whatever comes out after that is the Holy Spirit speaking to you. So if it hits you, God is speaking — do not take it personally.
Three — by going after other lovers. "I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals; she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers, but me she forgot," declares the Lord" (Hosea 2:13). When you prosper, when you can finally buy what you wanted — do not forget the One who gave it. James says friendship with the world is enmity against God; loving worldly things too much is spiritual adultery. Enjoy the blessings, but do not make money your god. Let us thank God for what we enjoy, and always put Him first. Before you sleep, do not forget to give thanks — and do not forget to ask forgiveness. Keep your heart soft toward Him.
Four — by forgetting God after receiving His blessings. "When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me" (Hosea 13:6). Imagine the Israelites — full, satisfied, and forgetting God. This is why Normie and I practice something simple: after eating, we say, "Lord, salamat, nabusog na naman kami." Try it yourselves. Especially after a buffet.
The Challenge — Stretch Your Faith Through Jesus
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:12–14).
Do you believe what Jesus is saying? Even greater things. Jesus was only here three years — and we may have much longer, so there is much more we can do.
Ask anything in my name. So when we ask, let us always ask in the name of the Lord Jesus. On Friday we asked for sunshine — and here is the sun. I prayed it because we have baptisms, and the water would be cold. Was that a coincidence? I do not believe so. We asked, and the Lord gave it.
So let us stretch our faith beyond our circumstances. In all our shortcomings, let us keep praying in Jesus' name, and we will overcome. These are only tests. And is anything too hard for God? Is anything impossible for Him? Nothing.
Challenge
This week, answer Jesus' question honestly: "Do you want to get well?"
Because getting well costs something. Name what would actually have to change — a friendship that keeps pulling you down, a place you should stop going, a temper you have justified for years, a responsibility you have been avoiding. Be prepared for the change, not just the healing.
Then stop blaming. Take one situation you have been blaming someone else for, and ask instead: Lord, what are You teaching me here, and what should I do?
Then stretch. Pick the one thing God has been telling you to get up and do — the thing that feels beyond your ability — and take the first step this week. The man's bones had been still for thirty-eight years, and he stood up anyway.
And do not forget God when it works out. Thank Him at the table. Thank Him before you sleep. Ask forgiveness before the day ends.
Get up. Pick up your mat. And walk.
