Pulpit Message Introduction for Jan.20

Pulpit Message Introduction for 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus’ third miracle is the healing of an invalid for 38 years. John 5:2-17. Why is this man an invalid for 38 years before he gets healed? His explanation is that when the water is stirred no one helps him into the pool. While he is trying to get in some one else goes down ahead of him. The Jews believe that when the water is stirred, the first one into the pool will be cured of whatever disease he has. Is this an excuse for the invalid for not getting healed? Although being invalid for such long time is no fun, yet he feels comfortable lying on his mat doing nothing. The mat has been an obstacle to him for 38 years. It keeps him from getting well. For this reason, when Jesus heals him, Jesus needs say one word: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man is cured; he picks up his mat and walk. Are we like this invalid for 38 years? Are we afraid of situations we don’t feel comfortable with? Do we make all sorts of excuses to avoid challenges?
When Jesus sees us, he will command us to pick up our mat and walk. He will urge us to live up to life’s challenges. No matter what our situations may be, we can face them courageously. We don’t need to escape with excuses.
Our God is always at work. Jesus works miracles. He heals the 38 years invalid for this reason. That’s why he says, “My father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” As Christ followers, God expects us to work like Jesus does. Let us join in his work of healing, of helping and of saving all mankind.
講壇信息介紹
根據約翰福音，耶穌第三個神蹟是醫好一個患病長達38年的人。約5：2-17.那人為甚麼病了38年才被醫好？他解釋說每當池水動的時候，總有人比他先進去（猶太人相信畢士大池水動的時候可起治療的功效），這是否只是他的藉口呢？雖然長期病倒了並不好過，他卻習慣了躺在褥子上。原來那褥子成了阻礙那患病38年的人，使他不能康復。為這原故，當耶穌醫治他的時候，只用了一句說話：“拿起你的褥子走罷。”那人果真照耶穌的吩咐起來，並且立刻痊愈了。我們是不是那個長年患病的人？我們是否害怕自己不習慣的境況，以各樣藉口逃避不去面對？
然而當我們與耶穌相遇時，祂便好像吩咐那個38年患病的人拿起他的褥子站起來一樣，催促我們要好好地活出我們的生命。無論我們的境況如何，我們都可以勇敢面對，不需作任何推搪。
我們所相信的神是一個作事的神，耶穌施行神蹟，醫治那個患病38年的人，正要表明這道理：“我父作事直到如今，我也作事。”作為基督徒，神也期望我們好像耶穌一樣，參與祂在這世界上繼續不斷的醫治人，幫助人，拯救人的工作。