TITLE: HEAVENS HERALD OF HEALING
Mat. 2:2,7,9-11
Before we begin to examine the birth of Jesus. I believe we need to go back several thousands of years before the birth of Christ.
Back to a place called the garden of Eden. A beautiful, floral, serene paradise. There co-existed a man and wife by the name of Adam and Eve. Life for them was pleasant, healthy, enjoyable, wonderful and vibrant. It was life as we all wish that it could be for us and our children.
However, Adam and Eve made a terrible decision to listen/ follow the lies of spiritual foe of God and man named satan.
As a result of their sins of Adam and Eve man fell from their position of spiritual purity and were expelled from the paradise of Eden.
Immense spiritual darkenss and spiritual void fell upon the Earth and mankind.
Temporary ways were employed by God such as animal sacrifices to cover their sin and later a law that would direct them in finding the will of God.
Yet, even with all of this God provided there was still spiritual darkness and void upon the world. More importantly, there was spiritual emptiness and hurt inside the souls of mankind.
Individuals were unable to heal his\her own hurt or spiritual void inside.
That's where the Christmas story really begins. It begins in a state of terrible darkness that continued until nearly 2,000 years.
Then something happened in the middle of all this gross darkness a light appeared, a Star.
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Luke 1:78 whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
PROP: JESUS CAME TO HEAL THE INCREDIBLE HURT OF THE WORLD.
I. A SAVIOR\HEALER BORN
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
A. HEAVEN HERALDS AND INTRODUCES THE SAVIOR HEALER (ANNOUNCEMENT OF A KING)
1. The heavenly host sang a song of redemption.
2. The song of man's redemption had not been sang to man before this time.
3. I can imagine how the Lord told the angelic choir that this wonderful day was coming.
4. I can imagine how the angelic choir arranged a special song for this special day.
5. I can imagine the angelic choir inquiring as to when this day would come so that they could debut the song they had been diligently practicing.
6. I can imagine the Father telling them just a little longer.
7. I can imagine as that special night came as all of heaven saw the birth of our savior. The angelic choir lifting their voices to sing the song of redemption, "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward man."
B. A GIFT GIVEN TO MANKIND AS A TOKEN OF GOD’S GOOD WILL. GOD SENT HIM TO DO GOOD
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
1. Jesus personified the good intentions that the Father had toward humanity.
2. God anointed Him with the power of the Holy Ghost to do good.
3. God anointed Him to bring healing.
C. JESUS ANOINTING TO HEAL THOSE WHO ARE HURTING
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
II. HEAL THOSE WHO ARE HURTING
A. PHYSICAL HURTS "Recovering of the sight to the blind"
1. Physical sickness can greatly hinder our quality of life.
2. Sometimes slows us down spiritually.
3. Can be long enduring
4. The power of Jesus healing virtue can make whole those that are sick.
Woman w/ the blood disease or disorder.
B. FINANCIAL HURTS
C. SPIRITUAL HURTS
SALVATION OF THE SINNER
1. Jesus possessed and has the power to forgive sins and take them away.
Man of Palsy - Mat. 9:2-6
2. Man's greatest need is to be made whole spiritually.
we can have health, wealth,and success in this life, but it will profit us nothing if we gain the whole world and lose our own soul.
3. Man is eternally depraved - original sin.
4. We can be mad whole again through the power of Jesus and His blood.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
RESTORATION OF THE BACKSLIDER
Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.
D. EMOTIONAL HURTS "Heal the brokenhearted" (Jesus stethoscope)
1. Emotional sickness or distress can be even more damaging than physical sickness.
2. Emotional hurt can include care, worry, mental anguish, depression, anxiety, or sadness from a wrong suffered.
3. Traumatic things or events during our life can cause long enduring illness/ suffering.
3. Jesus is sympathetic/ tender towards those suffering from emotional pain or trauma.
grave of Lazarus Jesus wept
4. Jesus can totally heal / take away emotional baggage.
5. Jesus explained to Martha that His presence could heal her if she would,
But turn to Him.
Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
I believe this text implies that Jesus had helped Mary over this problem. It makes sense because certain problems seem to run in families.
III. VISITING THE PHYSICIAN OF OUR SOUL VS. CHOOSING TO STAY SICK
A. MANY TIMES WE CHOOSE TO KEEP HURTING BY NEGLECTING TO LET GOD HELP US
Jeremiah 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
1. God is waiting for us to come to Him for help. He will not intrude into our lives.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
2. In a sense, we build our own emotional and spiritual prisons by ignoring and neglecting the help that God wants to give us. That is why God tells us that He will have no sympathy for those who refuse His sympathy.
Proverbs 1:23-26
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
ALTAR CALL:
TODAY WE CAN BE MADE WHOLE IF WE CAN, BUT REACH OUT TO JESUS AND LET HIM HELP US.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
