VISITATION #9: JESUS IS THE COMPASSIONATE HEALER
OPENING TEXT:
“And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (Luke 6:17-19).
• TESTIMONY: Jerrold’s dad’s healing in basketball game at youth, then Tori’s healing.
THE BIG IDEA: Jesus is a compassionate healer. As believers, we need to step out in faith in obedience to the great commission and pray for the sick, and see them recover.
BIBLE STORY: (Luke 8:40-55).
“40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ’Who touched Me?’ " 46 But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.”
10 REASONS WHY HEALING IS GOD’S WILL TODAY:
1. JESUS IS WILLING TO HEAL THE SICK:
“And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5:12-13).
• Most Christians believe that Jesus can heal the sick (He has the power to do so) and that He has healed the sick in the past, but doubt His willingness.
2. JESUS IS A COMPASSIONATE HEALER:
“Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people.” (Luke 7:11-16).
• “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14).
3. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS A GOOD GOD:
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13).
• Matthew adds: “How much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11). God loves to give good gifts to His children!
4. JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL:
“Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” (Luke 13:10-13). Then the ruler of the synagogue got mad at Jesus.
“So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” (Luke 13:17).
• “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38).
• “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8b). Sickness is one of the works of the devil.
5. HEALING BRINGS GLORY TO GOD:
When Jesus healed this woman who had been bound by a spirit of infirmity: “He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” (Luke 13:13).
• When Jesus healed the paralyzed man: “And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!” (Luke 5:26).
• When Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead: “Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying… "God has visited His people.” (Luke 7:16).
• Whenever you see someone healed by Jesus in the Gospels, they gave glory to God.
6. GOD’S NAME IS ‘THE LORD OUR HEALER’:
“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” (Ex. 25:26)
• “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6).
• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).
7. THE FULL GOSPEL IS POWERFUL:
“in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God…I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:19).
• “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” (Mark 16:20).
• The Kingdom of God is not in word only, but also in power!
8. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT ARE FOR THE CHURCH TODAY:
“to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles.” (1 Corinthians 12:9-10).
9. JESUS PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR HEALING:
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).
• “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24).
10. JESUS HAS COMMISSIONED US TO GO AND HEAL THE SICK:
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature… And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15-18).
• Jesus has given us the power and authority to lay hands on the sick and see them recover!
THE ABC’S OF PRAYING FOR HEALING:
A. ASK IN THE NAME OF JESUS:
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13).
B. BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24).
C. CONTINUE ASKING UNTIL YOU RECEIVE!
“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up.” (Luke 18:1, NLT).
• Even Jesus had to pray for a blind man twice before he was fully healed! (Mark 8:22-25).
PRAYER FOR THE SICK:
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
