Sermon on 07 Jun 2020 by Pastor Jusin
Introduction
Today we start the series on healing. The moment you accepted Christ, your life started to reflect the life of Christ. This is your “new normal”. Always put on the robe of righteousness and full armour of God.
Message
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. – Mark 3:1-2
The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely, not to hear the word of God, but to wait for a chance to accuse him.
And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” - Mark 3:1-3
“Come here” is such a comforting invitation from the Lord. In Matthew, Jesus also said “come to me, all you who are weary and burden, and I will give you rest…” (Matthew 11:28-30).
And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. – Mark 3:5
Obedience before knowledge is the key to receiving the Lord’s blessing. Obedience is an act of faith in Christ. If like his man with the withered hand we simply trust in Him, we will experience healing. Jesus demonstrated His righteous anger against the Pharisees. Note that Jesus did not lose control of His emotions toward them; He did not sin. He exerted His authority over the Sabbath. Just like Jesus, when doing good and having compassion for one another, we need not be confined by time or location.
Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath – Ephesians 4:26
The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. – Mark 3:6
As the religious experts, the Pharisees were supposed to lead the people toward righteousness. Instead, they plotted to kill Jesus.
Let these truths sink into the very core of your being:
1. God is omnipotent. He is all-powerful.
2. God is sovereign. He has the authority to work miracles through the hand of a righteous man. He can heal any sickness according to His sovereign will.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. – James 5:15
Healing was part of Jesus’ work.
Jesus answered and said to them, “God and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel reached to them.” - Luke 7:22
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed; - Luke 4:18
And we are sent to do the same.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. - John 14:12
Healing was normal in the early church. The apostle Peter healed the beggar at the temple (Acts 3:6). Philip healed many in Samaria of unclean spirits (Acts 8:7). There were many more, and point to a greater power – Jesus, who healed physically and spiritually.
Let us talk about spiritual healing.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, - Hebrews 9:27
We need to be concerned about eternity for our friends and family. There is no other way to meet their spiritual needs but to bring them to Jesus. No one goes to the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Are we willing to do what it takes to get them to Jesus? Are we willing to do good for them, sharing with them the gospel of Christ? Are we willing to pray, to invite? And most importantly, are we willing to live a life reflecting our own eternal salvation? Can they see the change in us? Doing good is about your actions and deeds.
How can we do good that glorifies God?
1. Tell people Jesus loves them, by demonstrating His love in you for others
Let us practise loving each other, for love comes from God (1 John 4:7). There must be evidence in our life that we know God. When you love others, God’s love is manifested in us. Through your conduct, you heal spiritually.
Having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. - 1 Peter 2:12
2. Doing good by bringing pre-believing friends and family to Jesus for their spiritual needs
Don’t lose faith. Don’t give up. Keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking.
Jesus always put His attention to people who needed Him. At the synagogue, Jesus saw the man with the withered hand. With compassion, Jesus was determined to heal the man with the withered hand. Be sensitive to those in need of compassion.
To press forward, you need to be obedient to the will of God. Never question God why a person is not healed or saved. He is sovereign.
3. Doing good that glorifies God by demonstrating our love and peace in our heart
Do not give up on those who do not know Jesus. Let us not grow weary in doing good.
For those who completely take pleasure in the world and are doing well financially, they may not be interested in seeking a relationship with God. But let us not forget them. Show them love.
As for those who are suffering, show them love as well. Show them how to live joyfully and the secret of contentment in every situation. Show them the strength of Christ to bring them through.
Closing
Be sure to do good in our daily living, glorifying God. Take every opportunity in preaching the good news. Increase your concern about spiritual healing. The only hope for our friends and family in being saved is through Jesus.
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. - Revelation 21:4
God will make all things new.
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