Healing and the Gospel!

“The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power...” (1 Cor 4) “For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit...” (1 Thess 1)

Jesus’ ministry & lifestyle “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 brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4) “... God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, Who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10) Jesus’ works confirmed Him as the promised Messiah!

John 5:36 “The works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me...” John 10:25 “The works that I do in My Father’s Name, bear witness of Me.” John 10:37 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me.”

Matt 4 “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon- possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.” Luke 13 “Go and tell (Herod), behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’

Confirmation Jesus’ works confirmed: – His identity as the Chosen Messiah – The message of Jesus that God’s Kingdom had come When people saw Jesus healing take place, they were seeing Gods healing power flowing back into human history to end the reign of sickness and pain! # His mighty power was evidence that He was working on Gods behalf.

Jesus’ command Luke 9:1 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.... He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 10:9 “And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature..... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of Heaven has drawn near.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” To the 12 Disciples - Representing Israel (Gods people) To the 70 disciples - Representing the nations

Early Church life Acts 3 : Lame man at the Beautiful Gate Acts 5 “so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” Acts 8 “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.”

Why healings and miracles? The power of God was given to confirm the message that was being proclaimed......it was also a visible demonstration of the disinterested love and kindness of God for people. “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” Mark 26:20

“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” Acts14:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” Heb 2:4

“For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God... so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Rom 15:18,19

Authority “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Matt 28:18 Rom 8 Heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ Eph 1,2 Christ has been raised up to heavenly places above all things.....we have been raised up with Him! Luke 9 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases....”

1 John 4 “He that is in you is greater than He that is in the world.” 1 John 5 “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” Luke 10 “Behold I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy...” Matt 10 “He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sicknesses and all kinds of diseases.”

The Name “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name......they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17 Acts 3 - “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 4 – “...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth....this man stands here before you whole.

The Holy Spirit “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.” Acts 1:8 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God...” Rom 14

Greater works! “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

Gods will?

Faith!!! “ And these signs will follow those who believe...they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.” (Mk 16) “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” (Mk 9) “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 ) “...if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17) “And His name, through faith in His name has made this man whole...yes, the faith that comes by Him...” (Acts 3)

Jesus has paid it all! “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Is 53)

Saved (gk) – ‘to rescue, make well, restore to health, preserve, make whole, keep safe and sound.’ Eph 2 – “For by grace you are saved...” Acts – “ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved...” 2 Tim 1 –“Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling.”

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

“Faith is the denying of our own wisdom and human understanding, and trusting the wisdom of God.” “Faith is the position of your heart to believe what He has already accomplished...”

The result... ‘And Peter said to him…”Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you”…..So all who dwelt in Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord.’ (Acts 9:32-25) ‘”Tabitha, arise”….and she opened her eyes…..and it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.’ (Act 14:8-18) ‘Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul….and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them….this became known to all The jews and greeks dwelling in Ephesus.’ (Acts 19:11) ‘Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on Him and healed him……so when this was done, the rest of those on the island, who had diseases also came and were healed.’ (Acts 28:8)

“Satan’s kingdom was destroyed and his power was broken forever at Calvary...It is for us to make manifest that triumph, that dominion, that authority and rule in every area in life, thought and action...”