The Church - A Hospital

But she continued, “Don’t feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn’t take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence.

But the lady told Campolo, “After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come into him. Tony, the last three days have been the best days of our lives. We’ve sung. We’ve laughed. We’ve read Scripture. We prayed. Oh, they’ve been wonderful days. And I called to thank you for laying your hands on him and praying for healing.”

And then she said something incredibly profound. She said, “He wasn’t cured, but he was healed.”

JUST LIKE AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE OR HOSPITAL, MANY ILLNESSES CAN BE CURED.

SO WHAT IS THE CURE FOR A BROKEN HEART?

(2 Cor 1:3-5 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. {5} For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

OUR COMFORT MUST BEGIN WITH GOD.

SECONDLY, WE AS BELIEVERS ARE TO BE A SOURCE OF COMFORT AND CONSOLATION.

(Phil 2:1-2 NKJV) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, {2} fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

OUR COMFORT COMES FROM THE BOND OF LOVE, OUR MUTUAL FELLOWSHIP

“affection” bowels in KJV, lit. spleen or intestines. Meaning – inward care or concern as opposed to outward show. We need to have a genuine care for others.

MERCY, Some need comfort because of sinful behavior and it’s results. We are to show mercy, because it is only by God’s grace this it isn’t us.

LIKE-MINDED – UNITY – SAME LOVE, ONE ACCORD, ONE MIND

(Heb 4:15 NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

JESUS SUFFERED IN PART TO BE ABLE TO SYMPATHIZE NOT EMPATHIZE WITH US.

THIS HAS BEEN THE CHURCH’S RESPONSIBILITY; TO BE A SOURCE OF COMFORT AND HEALING, BY SHOWING THE LOVE OF CHRIST, AND PROVIDING FELLOWSHIP, SHOWING MERCY AND UNITY.

WHAT CAN I DO INDIVIDUALLY TO BE HEALED OF A BROKEN HEART?

(Psa 147:1-7 NKJV) Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

DON’T FORGET TO PRAISE GOD, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS

{2} The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

UNDERSTAND THAT GOD TRULY CARES AND IS CONCERNED FOR YOU

{3} He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.