Divine Healing: Take The Devil To Court

DIVINE HEALING: TAKE THE DEVIL TO COURT

Mt. 26:27-28

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. During the years when Poland was still a communist bloc country, and the Christian church was still persecuted, it was very difficult for Christians to go to an underground church meeting. There were sentries stationed on street corners throughout the cities watching for any movement at particular times.

2. One Sunday an underground church member was on her way to church, carefully avoiding the sentries as best as she could. But as she crossed the street she was seen and questioned about where she was going.

3. She did not want to lie so she prayed for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom in answering the questions. When asked where she was going and why, she responded, "My brother died and my family is gathering to read the will and find out what He left us." She was allowed to proceed without delay. And how true was her statement about what she was doing!

B. TEXT

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins,’” Matt. 26:27-28.

C. THESIS

1. Today I’m explaining some of the benefits that you are eligible for in the Word of God. The Book of Hebrews 9:15-16 makes it clear that the Bible is a Will and Rom. 8:17 says we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”

2. Whatever is promised in the Bible is for us to claim and appropriate. Divine Healing is one of those benefits; it’s a finished work, just like salvation.

3. The same Jesus that bore our sins (1 Pet. 2:24) also bore our sicknesses (Mt. 8:17). But we’ll find today that we must press our claim.

4. The title of this message is “Divine Healing: Take the Devil to Court.”

I. WILLS ARE OFTEN CHALLENGED

A. DEFINITION OF A WILL

1. A “Last Will & Testament” tells you what you get when someone dies. It’s a document that records the wishes of the deceased concerning the disposition of their possessions; who's supposed to get what.

2. Before He died, Jesus made out His will and named YOU as the beneficiary to all His riches and estates. All Children of God can receive all the blessings God has ever promised!

B. WILLS ARE OFTEN CONTESTED

1. Wills are often contested, especially if there is considerable wealth at stake. And sometimes, if people are negligent, lawyers can twist the facts so cleverly that they can take away people's inheritance and they end up losing what was supposed to be theirs (cheated).

2. If you haven't learned it yet, the devil will contest "the will" (God’s Word) every time you start to claim one of its blessings. But you must press your claim. At times, you must confront him and say, "It's In The Will! I’m a Child of God and heir to the promises!" Some of them are salvation, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, physical Healing, Deliverance, Blessings, prosperity, etc.

C. PEOPLE ARE IGNORANT OF WHAT’S THEIRS

1. Often people are ignorant of what’s theirs. They live like beggars even though they are millionaires, because they don't know what's in the will/Word.

2. Like William Lyons, 87, of Brighton, England, who dressed like a hobo and refused to buy a newspaper when the price went up 10 cents! Yet when he died he left more than ¾ of a million dollars!

3. You can bet, if I was called and told that my name was recorded in a Will, and asked if I'd like to be present at the reading of the will, I'd say "Yes!" And I’d be there listening for my name and when it was read, I'd be all ears listening for what was mine. Well, Jesus, the son of God, has written a Will with YOUR name in it -- He's died and left everything to YOU!

3. He’s even left us a copy of the will; the Bible. It's up to us to read it and find out what He left us in the will.

D. HUMOR ABOUT BIBLE IGNORANCE

1. Most people never read the Bible to find out what’s theirs. Like the old lady who testified at church, “I always get a lot of help out of the Bible verse which says, ‘Grin and bear it.’”

2. Of course, that’s not in the Bible, but let me tell you some promises that are:

II. GOD HAS PROMISED US HEALING

A. O.T. PROMISES/ HEALINGS

1. Exodus 15:26, "I am the Lord that heals you.” Exodus 23:25, "And you shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you." Deuteronomy 7:15, "And the Lord will take away from you all sickness...."