Fellowship Hall

I will start with a funny today.  Frank Peterson, a census taker, was on a route in the country.   He came to his first house and asked the lady's name.  It was Sara Pepper.  He asked about the children in the household and their names.  She said yes, four, Eenie, Meenie, Miney and George.  Bewildered, he asked why the last one's name was George.  She replied, 'cause we don't want no Moe.  I thought that was cute.  Now, Healing! 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.  This must have been important because the name means House of Mercy.  This was a place like an infirmary where the sick, lame, weak.  and helpless, could be protected from the weather.   Our churches should be a House of Mercy for the sin-sick soul.  The greatest healing we ever receive from the Lord is when he saves us and washes our blackened, sin-sick soul and renews us.  II Corinthians 5:17 says If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.  There were many people who  were waiting for the angel of the Lord to trouble the waters so they could step in and be healed.  A man had tried for 38 years but was unable to get in the water because he was lame.  Jesus saw him and asked him if he would like to be whole.  He said I am unable to get in the water when the angel troubles the waters.  Jesus said, rise, take up thy bed and walk.  Jesus did not ask why he wasn't healed.  Since he was healed, he could be responsible for meeting his own needs.  He had to believe and act on his faith.  He rose, took up his bed, ( signifying that he took on the responsibility of a normal life) and walked off, a free, whole man.  In California, I met a mentally ill woman and a man in a wheel chair.  They were asked if they would like to be healed.  They both gave the same answer: yes, but I'd have to give up my welfare.  I was shocked.  Is there something standing in your way that you don't want to give up?  Not all lack of healings are because of that, but some are.  Healing is the children's bread.  Thank God that we are grafted in.  God is faithful.  Salvation is not necessary for healing but as with the blind man who was asked if his parents had sinned or if he had sinned, Jesus said neither.  His receiving sight was to glorify God.  He became a believer in Jesus after he was healed.