Breakdown:

1. Introduction:
   • The speaker shares that they have been to many churches but have never heard the story from John 5 explained the way they are about to. They warn the listeners that the message may resonate deeply and encourage those who are ready to dive into it.
2. Setting the Scene – The Pool of Bethesda:
   • In John 5, Jesus stops at the pool of Bethesda, where a crowd of disabled people — the blind, lame, and paralyzed — lie in wait for the water to be stirred. The speaker points out that the people at the pool were close to each other, not because of friendship but because they shared the same dysfunction.
3. The Three Struggles:
   • The speaker identifies three types of struggles in the text, which many of us can relate to:
     1. The Blind – Those without a vision for where they are going.
     2. The Lame – Those who haven’t been the same since they got hurt.
     3. The Paralyzed – Those who are stagnant in some area of their life, lacking any progression.
   • The message connects this with friendships that are built not on true connection but on shared struggles or sins. The speaker challenges listeners to reflect on whether they have formed communities based on mutual dysfunction rather than mutual growth.
4. The 38-Year Paralysis:
   • The story focuses on a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years, illustrating how time was moving, but he was not. Jesus, aware of how long he had been in this condition, asks him a direct question: “Do you want to get well?” This question, although seemingly obvious, is loaded with meaning.
5. Comfort in Dysfunction:
   • Jesus’ question wasn’t just to hear the man’s answer but to provoke self-reflection. The speaker suggests that God asks similar questions not for His benefit, but for us to realize the problem. Over time, people can become comfortable with their condition, accepting stagnation or dysfunction as their normal.
6. Excuses Over Action:
   • The paralyzed man responds to Jesus’ yes-or-no question with an excuse: he blames his condition on not having help to get into the pool. The speaker points out that when God asks us if we want change, we often respond with excuses rather than taking accountability.
7. Jesus’ Solution:
   • Instead of accepting the man’s excuses, Jesus offers a solution: “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” The speaker emphasizes that while everyone else relied on the pool for healing, Jesus showed that God’s blessing can come in ways others haven’t experienced.
8. The Call to Action:
   • The speaker closes with a powerful reflection: many of us are stuck in cycles of dysfunction because we are surrounded by people who don’t challenge us to grow. The message is a call to associate with people who see your potential and refuse to let you remain stagnant.

Conclusion:

• The story from John 5 is not just about physical healing but about breaking free from dysfunction, stagnation, and excuses. To experience transformation, we must be willing to let go of the comfort found in shared dysfunction and surround ourselves with those who push us towards growth and healing.