A Healing Word From Heaven
David Wilkerson's sermon emphasizes the power of a heartfelt cry to God as a means of healing for the spiritually impotent.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the story of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, illustrating how many Christians today feel hopeless and spiritually impotent, burdened by sin and despair. He highlights the man's long suffering and the lack of understanding from those around him, drawing parallels to the struggles faced by believers who feel isolated in their pain. Wilkerson reassures that God's love responds to heartfelt cries for help, and that Jesus is always ready to bring healing and restoration to those who seek Him earnestly. The sermon encourages listeners to reach out to God in their distress, reminding them that a sincere cry from the heart will be met with divine compassion and healing. Ultimately, it is a message of hope for those feeling lost and powerless.
Text
Jesus was drawn to an impotent man lying by the pool of Bethesda. "And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 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 5:5-6). This unnamed crippled man has many faces and represents multitudes of impotent Christians who feel hopeless.
Impotence comes in many forms: physical, spiritual, mental--or all of these at once. Mentally and spiritually you may be that man lying by the pool. You are in a situation that seems hopeless and you see no way out. No one really understands the depth of your suffering; not a single friend or loved one seems to have the time, love or energy to really touch the hurt in you.
Take a good look at that impotent man and think of the years of struggle, the hurts heaped upon him by uncaring, insensitive people. How often he must have lifted a withered hand to those rushing by to get their own needs met, crying, "Someone, help! Please! I can't do it on my own!"
Multitudes of Christians are spiritually helpless and impotent because of a lingering battle with some besetting sin that has robbed them of spiritual life and vitality. They lie helpless on the bed of depression and despair, always hoping for a miracle, always waiting for someone to stir things up and make something happen. They drag themselves to meeting after meeting, counseling sessions, seminars, waiting for that one great, life-changing miracle. But nothing changes.
I believe God's great love is revealed in response to a cry from the heart--and I believe Jesus came to this man in answer to a deep and agonizing cry to the Father. The Bible has much to say about this cry from the heart. "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears" (Psalm 18:6). A cry to God from the heart will always be answered by a merciful, healing word from heaven!
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the impotent man at Bethesda
- Significance of the man's long-term suffering
- Representation of the impotent man in today's Christians
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II
- Different forms of impotence: physical, spiritual, mental
- The feeling of hopelessness among believers
- Lack of understanding from friends and loved ones
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III
- The cry for help from the impotent man
- The struggles faced by Christians with besetting sins
- The cycle of despair and waiting for miracles
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IV
- God's love revealed through a heartfelt cry
- Biblical examples of answered cries
- The promise of healing words from heaven
Key Quotes
“Wilt thou be made whole?” — David Wilkerson
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple.” — David Wilkerson
“A cry to God from the heart will always be answered by a merciful, healing word from heaven!” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize your own struggles and bring them to God in prayer.
- Understand that healing may require a sincere cry for help.
- Seek community support while waiting for God's intervention.