In Wayne Boyd's sermon titled "A Certain Man," he explores the theological doctrines of grace, election, and the complete inability of man to save himself, as illustrated in John 5:1-9. He argues that the account of Jesus healing the impotent man reflects the sovereign grace of God, who chooses and calls His people without any merit from them. Through various Scripture references, Boyd highlights how the different attributes of God's grace and power are demonstrated in Jesus’ miracles, particularly in how Christ individually sought out the helpless man amongst a multitude, symbolizing God’s electing love. The practical significance of this message serves to reassure believers of their identity as chosen recipients of grace and to encourage them in their spiritual journey, recognizing that it is solely by God's initiative that they are saved and made whole.
Key Quotes
“Only God's made us to differ. Only the Lord. What a picture of salvation by the grace of God alone.”
“He had no ability to just get up. But God's perfect healing... When God commands the light to shine in the darkness, how many of our sins are forgiven at Calvary's Cross? All of them.”
“Salvation's all a grace. We're either saved all by the grace of God in Christ or we're not saved at all.”
“What a Savior, what a Redeemer is Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
The Bible teaches that man is dead in trespasses and sins, unable to help himself or attain salvation through his own efforts.
Scripture clearly illustrates the concept of man's inability to save himself. In Ephesians 2:1, we are taught that we were dead in our trespasses and sins, depicting our spiritual lifelessness and incapacity to choose God. Just as the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda was powerless and entirely dependent on divine intervention for healing, so are we totally reliant on God's sovereign grace for salvation. Romans 3:10-12 affirms that none are righteous, and all have turned aside; this emphasizes the universal need for Christ's redemptive work. Furthermore, passages such as John 5 illustrate that it is God who initiates healing and restoration, highlighting His sovereign will in the salvation of His people.
Ephesians 2:1, Romans 3:10-12, John 5
God's grace is sufficient because it is through His sovereign will that we are saved, as seen in the healing of the impotent man.
God's grace is the cornerstone of salvation and is sufficiency demonstrated by His sovereign choice to save whom He will. In John 5, we see this illustrated vividly when Jesus, moved by compassion, approaches a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. This miracle not only reveals Christ's power but also represents the grace bestowed upon those whom God calls to Himself. As noted in 2 Corinthians 4:6, God commands light to shine out of darkness, signifying that salvation is initiated by God’s will and not man’s effort. Therefore, our confidence in God’s grace stems from its divine origin, showing that He alone is capable of delivering us from our spiritually desolate condition.
John 5, 2 Corinthians 4:6
Understanding man's spiritual condition helps Christians appreciate the depth of God's grace and their reliance on Him for salvation.
Acknowledging man's spiritual condition is crucial for Christians because it underscores the necessity of God's grace in salvation. The Bible teaches that all humanity is in a state of sin, described in John 5 as being like the impotent man—spiritually helpless and unable to save ourselves. This condition is not just a minor flaw; it is a complete inability to attain righteousness or reconcile with God. When one understands this bleak reality, it fosters a deeper appreciation for Christ's redemptive work and the grace He extends to chose ones. Romans 5:6 expresses that Christ died for the ungodly, demonstrating that God's grace shines most brightly against the backdrop of our helplessness. Recognizing this truth encourages believers to remain humble and grateful for their salvation, which is wholly a gift from God.
John 5, Romans 5:6
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