Foundations of our faith: GOD ’ S HANDS OF HEALING

1. Foundations of our faith:GOD’S HANDS OF HEALING Penge Baptist Church 9th October 2011

2. Death and sickness were not God’s plan • Genesis 3:19 “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” • But God is the God of healing • Exodus 15:26 “for I am the Lord, who heals you” • Healings from God in the Old Testament • Isaiah 38:5 Go and tell Hezekiah, “This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.” • 2 Kings 5:1:14 “his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy”

3. Prophecy of a healing Messiah • Isaiah 53:4 “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,yet we considered him stricken by God,smitten by him, and afflicted.” • Five healings of Jesus • “When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.” Luke 4:40-41 • “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” Matthew 8:2-3

4. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8:23-25 • On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Luke 13:10-13 • While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”….. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. Matthew 9:18, 25

5. Jesus heals in his own name with a word of command • Often lays on hands • “What mighty works are wrought by his hands” Mark 6:2 RSV • “the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all” Luke 6:19 • Motivated by love • Giving social and spiritual as well as physical healing – “Shalom”

6. Healings a sign of the kingdom coming, reversing the curse of the fall • “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Matthew 9:35 • Disciples follow his call to heal in his name • As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:7-8 • “The Lord bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” Acts 14:3 RSV • Healing is a spiritual gift • “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good….. gifts of healing by that one Spirit….. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.“” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

7. Just ask in prayer • Jesus said “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name” John 14:12-13 • Laying on of hands • “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17-18

8. Anointing, prayer and faith • “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:14-16 • Healing beyond the personal • “the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” Romans 8:21

9. Mystery and persistance • “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 • “a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 • The ultimate healing is yet to come • “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 • “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2