THE POOL OF MERCY: WHEN JESUS STEPS INTO BROKEN SYSTEMS PART 9: THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF AGONY – THE GOD OF RESTORATION

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THE POOL OF MERCY: WHEN JESUS STEPS INTO BROKEN SYSTEMS PART 9: THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF AGONY – THE GOD OF RESTORATION John 5:5— (KJV) "And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years."  In Part 8, " The Hopeless – When Waiting Steals Your Expectation ," we discovered that hopelessness is one of the greatest battles a person can face. We learned that prolonged disappointment can weaken faith, drain joy, and make temporary situations feel permanent. Yet Jesus came to Bethesda to remind us that no situation is beyond His reach. Where Christ is present, hope can rise again. Today, we turn our attention to one particular man among the multitude— a man whose suffering had lasted for thirty-eight years . His story reveals the power of God's timing, the reality of long seasons, and the restoration that comes through an encounter with Jesus. John does not tell us this man's name. He does not tell us his family background. He does not tell us...
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RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 10: FROM THE ARK TO THE NATIONS

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER

PART 10: FROM THE ARK TO THE NATIONS


Genesis 1–2, Genesis 6–10, 2 Kings 5, Acts 8


In Part 9, we focused on discovering and developing the evangelist within every believer. We saw that:                                Every believer carries the potential to share God’s message. Recognition may come from within or from others. Development requires understanding, obedience, and love. Evangelism can flow through ordinary people in ordinary circumstances.

Now, in Part 10, we bring the story full circle. We will trace God’s salvation and evangelism strategy from creation to the desert road.


1. Creation – God’s Original Mission

God created humanity in His image and gave the first missionary mandate:

“Fill the earth.”

Humanity was designed to be living advertisements of God’s character, sharing His knowledge naturally. Evangelism began in the heart of God, long before formal ministry structures existed.


2. The Flood – Global Salvation Through Noah

Noah became the first global preacher, building the Ark to preserve life.

Key evangelistic symbols:

The Ark = salvation in Christ

Animals entering in pairs = all creation invited, clean and unclean preserved God used judgment to announce grace, showing that salvation is extended to all.

3. The Nations – Strategic Positioning

After the flood, Noah’s sons spread across the earth.

Cush = Northeast Africa

Mizraim = Egypt

Put =North Africa

Canaan = Levant (Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, parts of Jordan)

God strategically positioned nations that would later receive the gospel. Africa, the Middle East, and surrounding regions were all included in His plan.

4. Naaman – Obedience and Transformation

Centuries later, God used Naaman’s leprosy to reveal His power: A little servant girl pointed him toward God. The prophet Elisha instructed him to obey. The Jordan River became the place of cleansing. Naaman’s obedience brought healing and transformation, and his life became a witness in Syria.

5. The Ethiopian Eunuch – Divine Appointment

God’s plan reaches full circle in Acts 8:

An Ethiopian official travels to Jerusalem seeking God. Philip is sent by the Spirit to meet him. Through Scripture explanation and immediate obedience, the eunuch is baptized.

This shows that God moves heaven and earth to reach one seeking soul, using ordinary believers to fulfill His mission.

Key Truth – From the Ark to the Desert Road

From creation to the desert road, God’s strategy is consistent:

Prepare the world – Creation and nations

Raise witnesses – Noah, the servant girl, Philip

Position the seekers – Naaman, the Ethiopian eunuch

Activate obedience – Jordan River, baptism

Multiply impact – Lives transformed, nations touched. God has always been sending witnesses, and ordinary believers are part of the chain.


Application

You are called to be a witness, whether or not you hold the title of evangelist.

God uses ordinary lives for extraordinary purposes.

Your obedience, testimony, and willingness to act can carry the gospel to the nations.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing us how Your salvation plan spans generations and nations. Help us to see that we are part of Your strategy and to embrace the evangelist You have placed within us. Teach us to be obedient, bold, and faithful in every opportunity to share Your truth. May our lives point others to You and multiply Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Preview of the Final Message

In Part 11, we will close the series with the personal call:

How to discover the evangelist within you

How to develop that gift in everyday life

How to walk in obedience and recognize divine opportunities. 

God is speaking, are you listening?



Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)

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