I. Divine Healing
There are different ways healing comes to us.
* Medical Healing- Aided by medical personnel and medicine
* Natural Healing– Promotes the body’s natural process through natural methods such as proper diet, vitamin supplements, rest, etc
* Faith Healing– Emphasis often is placed on the faith of the one administering healing or the one receiving. (often promotes undue pressure on the individual)
* Divine Healing– Focus is on God and His will and heart toward the sick. Reveals the nature, fulfills the promises, and acts upon the provision of Atonement.
A. First things First
There is a God-side and a man-side to healing. (Luke5:17). The power of the Lord is made available through presenting the Word. Often the power is present to heal but one could be unaware of it. It often is not discerned by natural senses. Sometimes if can be tangible. Faith must come into contact with the power to effect change.
(Mark 11:24) declares the “position” a person should be in to receive from the Lord. Desire + Prayer + Believing you receive= results. All three must work together. Desire alone, or prayer alone does not get results. But what is one to receive? We will lay out 4 steps to arrive at this position of receiving. Each step should be understood to go to the next step.
B. The “must” factor
There are “should do’s” and “must do’s” in life. For example, you should wash your car, but you must put gas in it. You should exercise but you must eat. Hebrew 11:6 reveals 2 “musts” regarding receiving from God. 1) Must Believe He Is (a healer now, not “was” a healer) 2) Must believe He is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him (approach Him in faith)
II. Building upon the Foundation
A. It is God‘s will for you to be made well– all uncertainty must be removed from our minds regarding God’s willingness to heal our bodies (and souls)
1. Brazen Serpent (Jn.3:14-15, Num 21:4-9) and the Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7; Ex. 12:5-13; 34-38) Both of these OT accounts reveal God’s willingness to not only forgive sins but also to heal bodies.
2. Word of Jesus reveals the Father‘s will and intention. (Mark 1:40-43) Note also the commission of 3 groups of people all contain provision for ministry to the sick (Matt 10:5-8; Luke 10:1-9, Mark 16: 15-18)
3. The Actions of Jesus (Matt 4:23-24; 8:16-17; 8:35; 14:14)
4. The Plan of Redemption Scriptures (Matt 8:16-17; 1 Pet 2:24) Sickness is the body what sin is to the soul. Provision is provided to redeem both areas of our lives.
B. God- The Giver (Refer back to Heb 11:6… What can we expect when we approach God…? He is a…)
1. Liberal Giver (James 1:5-7) studies these verses backward
2. Gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17)
3. Freely gives us all things (Rom 8:32)
4. God is Love, the nature of Love is to give (John 3:16)
III. How God Gives to the Sick
A. Different Methods: incl.
* Anointing with oil and prayer of faith (James 5)
* Name of Jesus (Acts 3:1-10)
* Handkerchiefs and aprons are “prayer cloths” (Acts 19)
* Spoken Word (Luke 7; Mark 11:23)
* Prayer of Faith (Mark 11:24)
B. The Primary Method: The Laying on of Hands. This is the primary method used by Jesus and the early church. When there was no “manifestation of the Spirit as the Spirit wills” (1 Cor 12:11), then this is the most common method to minister to the sick.
1. (Mark 6:1-6)
2. (Mark 8:22-25)
3. (Luke 4:40)
4. (Mark 16:17-18)
IV. What God Gives to the Sick
A. What He does not give– is a “manifestation” of healing. Some healings are immediate. What we often refer to as miracles are natural process that has been accelerated. Most healings come gradually and require the participation of faith. Otherwise, there would be no need to “believe you receive”… you would “know” you received.
B. He gives the same “ingredient” Jesus gave during His earthly ministry: Healing Power. Aka. The Healing “Anointing” or “virtue”
1. (Acts 10:38; 1:8)
2. (Mark 5:25-34)
3. (Luke 6:17-19)
4. (Luke 5:17)
Summary:
1. God is willing that every sick person be made well.
2. God is a liberal giver who freely gives all things richly.
3. The primary way He gives healing is through laying on of hands.
4. What He gives is healing power through the Holy Spirit
5. One must believe you receive healing power that works mightily to effect healing (note, keep the “switch of faith turned on” by thanksgiving and by acknowledging every day that 1) the healing power was administered to your body and 2) the power is working mightily in you effecting healing and a cure
