Looking for What God Is Already Doing: A Lesson from John 5

Sermon Reflection | Fenton First Presbyterian Church | Fenton, Michigan
Pastor Robbie Carnes
Scripture: Zechariah 9:9–12 and John 5:16–30

Have you ever been so focused on what you expected God to do that you almost missed what He was already doing?

That question was at the heart of Sunday's worship at Fenton First Presbyterian Church as we explored Jesus' words in John 5: "The Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing." (John 5:19)

These words invite us into a different way of living—a life that is less about pursuing our own plans and more about recognizing where God is already at work and joining Him there.

A Rainbow in an Unexpected Place

The morning began with a children's message using a flashlight and a prism. As the beam of light passed through the prism, a beautiful rainbow appeared—but not where anyone expected it.
Instead of shining directly in front of the flashlight, the light bent, creating something beautiful off to the side.
It became a powerful picture of how God often works.
Many of us expect God to show up in predictable places—in our carefully laid plans, our schedules, or the situations we think He should change. Yet time and again throughout Scripture, God surprises people.
He appears in burning bushes.
He speaks through shepherds.
He comes to the poor, the forgotten, and the overlooked.
The rainbow reminded us that if we're only looking straight ahead, we might miss the beauty God is creating just outside our expectations.

Why Was Jesus in Trouble?

Our Gospel lesson takes place immediately after Jesus heals a man who had been unable to walk for decades.
Instead of celebrating the miracle, the religious leaders focused on one detail:
Jesus healed him on the Sabbath.
To them, this was breaking the rules.
Jesus' response, however, was astonishing:
"My Father is still working, and I also am working."
Jesus wasn't simply defending Himself. He was revealing His identity.
The Father never stops giving life.
God never takes a day off from sustaining creation, extending mercy, hearing prayers, welcoming new life, or calling people back to Himself.
Because Jesus perfectly reflects the Father, He heals where the Father heals.
He restores where the Father restores.
He loves where the Father loves.
Jesus wasn't acting independently. He was doing exactly what He saw His Father already doing.

What Are We Looking At?

Perhaps the most practical challenge from Sunday's message wasn't about theology at all.
It was about attention.
Jesus saw the Father because His attention was fixed on the Father.

So the question becomes:

What has our attention?

Today's world constantly competes for it.
News headlines.
Social media.
Political debates.
Entertainment.
Algorithms designed to keep us scrolling.

Every day we absorb thousands of messages telling us what to fear, what to desire, what to value, and even who our neighbors are.
Whether we realize it or not, what we repeatedly look at shapes our hearts.
Our habits shape our character.
Our attention shapes our discipleship.
If we continually consume anger, we become more anxious.
If we continually consume fear, we become more fearful.
If we continually consume comparison, we become less content.
But when we consistently look toward Jesus through Scripture, prayer, worship, and authentic Christian community, our hearts begin to reflect His heart.

Learning to See Like Jesus

One of the simplest yet deepest invitations from this passage is to begin each day with a different question.
Instead of asking:

"What do I want to accomplish today?"
Perhaps we ask:
"Father, what are You already doing today?"
That single question changes everything.
Instead of trying to force our own agenda, we begin looking for opportunities.
Where is someone lonely?
Who needs encouragement?
Where is healing beginning?
Where is hope breaking through?
Where is forgiveness needed?
Where is God already opening a door?

The Christian life isn't merely about doing more religious activities.
It's about learning to recognize God's activity and faithfully joining Him.

The Table That Changes Everything

The sermon concluded around the Lord's Table.
Communion is more than a tradition.
It reminds us that Jesus welcomes every one of us—not because we have everything together, but because His grace is sufficient.
At Christ's table, divisions begin to fade.
People with different opinions, different backgrounds, different stories, and different struggles gather together as one family.
Before worship even officially began, we were reminded that this is not simply God's house—it is God's home.
In God's home, we are more than acquaintances.
We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Communion becomes a visible reminder that Jesus is still gathering people together, still extending grace, and still inviting us to love one another as He has loved us.

A Challenge for the Week

As you go through your week, try beginning each morning with this simple prayer:

"Lord, help me see what You are already doing today."

Then keep your eyes open.
You may discover God at work in a conversation.
In a neighbor.
In a difficult circumstance.
In an unexpected opportunity to serve.
In someone who simply needs to know they are loved.
The good news of the Gospel is that God has never stopped working.
The question is not whether God is moving.
The question is whether we are paying attention.
When we learn to look where Jesus is looking, we begin to discover that God's grace is already at work all around us.

Join Us This Sunday

If you're looking for a church in Fenton, Michigan, or searching for a welcoming Christian community where you can grow in faith, ask honest questions, and experience meaningful worship, we'd love to meet you.

At Fenton First Presbyterian Church, we seek to know Jesus Christ and grow, share, and serve as His disciples. Whether you've attended church your whole life or you're exploring faith for the first time, there is a place for you here.

Join us this Sunday as we continue exploring God's Word together, worshiping Christ, and discovering where God is already at work in our lives and in our community.

Come as you are. We look forward to welcoming you.