Physician, Heal Yourself Series

He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’” Luke 4:23

The preambles:

This phrase as used by Jesus to challenge his own people in Nazareth, symbolizes the readiness and ability of physicians to heal sickness in others while sometimes not being able or willing to heal themselves. In the context of this message, the church is the physician, while the world is the sick patient. The Church has the divine responsibility to heal the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ, so as to bring about salvation, deliverance and godly conduct in their life; but wait a minute, what is the true health status of the Church who has been vested with these responsibilities.

The Lord has laid it upon my heart to use this medium to diagnose the ailment facing the Church today and make possible prescription, which must be administered if she has to successfully carry out her divine mandate to the world. The motive of this message is to instigate the commencement of the Reformation movement in the house of God and not intended to be used for any anti-Christ campaign or an excuse for our non-Christian friends to feel justified in their belief system and practice of evil behaviors. Jesus Christ remains the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man can go to God except through Him. John 14:6, Acts 4:12.

The State and the Church:

Matthew 5:14-16 says “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden….Let your light so shines before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The Church is the institution ordained by God to give direction to the State. Beginning from the Old Testament, God had used His Prophets like Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel etc to boldly declare His counsel in Nation building process and impact the system of governance. She is to divinely set the pace and give exemplary leadership lifestyle to the Nation. She is the light, the salt and the health of the Nation. If the Church is healthy, the Nation becomes healthy. But unfortunately, today’s Church seem to have lost her role as a voice to the Nation and her salt has lost its flavor and being trampled underfoot by men.

The State of the Church:

Luke 6: 41-42 says “ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

Beloved, as I examine the FOUR types of spirit plaguing most of the Churches today, let me also say that, this may not be true concerning every Church; because there are still other Churches that have not succumbed to these end-time spirits. Rev.3:4. Such Churches may be unpopular and lack huge congregational patronage, but they possess God’s undeniable power for the manifestation of signs and wonders. Our Churches have become worldly and comedy centers, swimming in the ocean of confusion, complacency and lack of decorum. In fact, most of our new converts are being prepared to inherit the earth and no longer the kingdom of God. Our altar has become an entertaining podium for alcohol tolerant ministers. I weep because this is not the Church that Jesus shed His blood and died for.

1. Spirit of Deception: The first thing the Devil destroys in the Church is the gift of discernment of the spirit and introduces the spirit of deception. 1Cor.12:10. The Church can no longer discern the spirit behind every miracle as long as the name of Jesus is mentioned. Matthew 7:21-23. It is now difficult for both the preachers and the members to endure sound doctrine. Our prophecy has become a mechanically planned statement rather than divine utterances inspired by the Holy Spirit. Our preaching is now being powered by the amplifier’s electronic energy rather than the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 2Cor.11:13-14, 1Thes.1:5. Physician, heal yourself!

2. Spirit of Witchcraft: The Devil has sent forth his messengers to penetrate the Church and pollute the Lord’s altar. There are many false prophets using the spirit of divination to foresee and prophesy whereby they manipulate their client’s destiny. Some of our Church leaders are now being initiated into occultism and engaged in blood-shedding rituals and crowd-pulling sacrifices to seek power for miracles, signs and wonders, which triggers their popularity and prosperity. Little wonder, the olden days commercial magicians have transformed themselves into ministers of light in our Churches. Ezekiel 21:21-24, Acts 16:16-18. Physician, heal yourself!