Read John 5:1-17

“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”… Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”  And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-9ESV‬‬

The red letters of Jesus’ words really stand out in this section of black and white text:

“Do you want to be healed?”

‘Man Jesus I have been crippled for 38 years, every time I try and make a move, somebody cuts me off.  There is no hope for me Jesus, I’m crippled.’  I mean the guy couldn’t even respond to Jesus’ question, so Jesus extends a hand in faith:

“Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”

What came over the crippled man that he immediately got up, picked up his mat and walked?  Was it his faith, was it Jesus’ faith?  Was it the power and authority of the Spirit of God that brought that man to his feet. Can you imagine the Awe & Wonder that came upon him and everyone that was connected to him?  And the man didn’t even know who healed him, he was just left praising God.  The red letters were speaking in power then and I believe they are speaking to us today.  Do you want to be healed?  Pick up your mat and walk!!!

I want you read the scripture below and understand the principles that foster Awe & Wonder in our gathering.  So that maybe we too can walk in the Awe & Wonder, and authority of Christ by his Spirit living in us through faith in his name.

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”  [‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬-‭45‬]

Key Elements of our gatherings:

1. The teaching of Gods Word together
2. Fellowship, just being together
3. Breaking bread, sharing a meal together
4. Prayer together

There is a power as we come together, centered around Jesus, filled with his Spirit, engaging a broken world.  That power of his presence creates in us, awe and wonder that unifies the body of believers

In closing, let’s understand from John chapter 5 what role the miraculous plays in our coming to faith.

“For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.” [John 5:36]

The miraculous works prove to an unbelieving population the reality and authority of a Jesus sent from God to restore relationship with God to a dying world.  That the world would believe and be saved, live and experience eternal life now and forever.  Lastly, does the power of the miraculous live and move in us through faith in Jesus and his Spirit living inside of us?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”  [‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬]

May God the Father, through faith in his son, by the power of His Spirit lead you into all truth, power and authority to become sons and daughters and love a dying world into life everlasting. And may you experience the Awe & Wonder of his presence to will and to do beyond what you can ask, think or imagine.  With faith like lions and lioness to stand and allow him to work through you, his hands and feet.  And may the Lord bless you and keep you.  In Jesus name we pray, amen.