Healing Church - Helping Others Series

Video Transition: Redeemed

Series: “The Healing Church 2023”

Summary Sermon 1: The Healing church – the disease of porn

But Jesus said in John 10:10: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

A few weeks back I talked about the white elephant in the corner of the church called porn and if we want to create a healing church this elephant needs escorted out of our church and out of our families.

The church, our church and our school need to fight hard in the battle for the hearts and minds of our children and teens. We need to get our heads out of the sand and address the need at hand and bring healing and health to our children’s hearts and minds. But parents have to see the importance of instilling a Biblical worldview in their children.

Summary Sermon #2: Healing Church – Words Matter

The truth is “Words” create environments – they can create a healthy and whole environment or an unhealthy and toxic environment. Words are powerful and create other worlds around us. Your words matter and I have been impressed with the show Ultimate Cowboys and the words these cowboys use – I hear words like “Please, yes sir, thank you, and I hear words like” I am sorry I messed up” and in the midst of a tough competition over four seasons- I am blown away by their words! Cowboys who are not known for being chatter boxes have learned to use their words well! We should learn from these individuals and their words, and we need to hear what James says in his letter about words – he says your tongue – your words have power to bring healing or hurt! And you better make sure your tongue is in check because if it is not your religion is worthless. Solomon said there is death and Life in our words. The Bible itself has a lot to say about our words!

Thesis: A church/ ministry that creates a healing environment and literally sees healing taking place is a church that focuses on the Good News of Jesus and on making right decisions in life. It’s a church which focuses their words on the positive dimensions of life revealed in Scripture. It’s a church that uses their words wisely and in a kind manner. A church that brings healing accepts people “as is” and forgives people’s flaws but provides means of seeing people delivered and set free from their addictions. A Church that heals strictly follows the path of dealing with others with love and truth.

Words – we all use them every day!

Scripture Text: James 3

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olive, or a grapevine bear fig? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Words – your words – my words can bring blessings or curses!

So, a Question: “What do your words say – do they heal or hurt?”

Mark’s book “Please, Sorry, Thanks” is a powerful book describing the power of our words to heal or to hurt: Here is his intent in writing this book: “This book is about three small yet powerful words: please, sorry, and thanks. Often referred to as magic words, they can work wonders. Nothing opens doors like please. Nothing mends fences like sorry. Nothing builds bridges like thanks. These three words have the power to change your life.” Batterson, Mark. Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything (p. xii). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Does your tongue speak these three powerful words?

Series: The Healing Church 2023

Sermon 2 (cont): The Healing Church – Words Matter!

T.S.- To be a healing church we have to deal with the white elephant in the corner of the church called porn. But to also be a healing church we have to be a people who see the good in others, we need to be positive and not negative toward others and toward life. We need to speak words of life and not death.

Thesis: Words our words carry the power to create a positive environment or a negative environment. Words create worlds – yes- the world’s around us are created by our words. What do your words sound like each day?

I. To create a healing church, family, office, or school means we must guard our tongues – we need to listen to our own words.