Untitled Sermon

Physical Rewire

Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7–8 We are holistic people—created with physical, emotional, and spiritual components that are all interconnected and interrelated. When we focus on our spiritual journey, we are more likely to want to take care of our physical bodies. When we neglect our physical health, the consequences are fatigue, obesity, increased likelihood of diseases, among other problems—all things that can impede our ability to enjoy life, as well as to connect with and glorify God. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 NKJV Just as Christ desires a soul that is spiritually healthy, He desires a body that is healthy. There needs to be a balance of all things—we should neither neglect nor indulge ourselves in food or in physical activity. The better our physical health, the more able we are to serve God to the fullest—in every way. Our bodies are a gift of God. To neglect them or overindulge them is careless and ungrateful for the gift we were given. “Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both.… Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:12–13, 19–20 Our bodies belong to God, not to us. Food was created to sustain us, not to control us. We have the free will to choose to eat and live as we wish, but after a time, when we choose to live in excess with the things God intended to be used moderately (such as food), God’s mercy in sustaining us will subside. We must not take our focus off Him and put it on food. Where our mind abides, our motives thrive. If our mind is focused on food, our motives will be to acquire it. If our mind is focused on Christ, our motives will be to know Him better.

3 John 2 John prays that Gaius’ physical health (and all parts of his life) will match his splendid spiritual health.

Take care of your health, that it may serve you to serve God. St Francis de Sales

The Bible not only tells of people’s spiritual status but is also concerned about their physical condition. This concern appears in the emphasis on healing, particularly in the ministry of Jesus and in the early church. Nearly one-fifth of the Gospels report Jesus’ miracles and the discussions they occasioned. The Gospels record 14 distinct instances of physical and mental healing. Jesus commissioned His disciples to continue His basic ministry, including healing (Matt. 10:5–10; Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6). In the book of Acts the healing ministry continued. “Psychosomatic” is a word which literally means “soul and body,” referring to the close relationship of body and spirit. The soul affects the body, and the health of the soul may be an indication of the health of the body. In the Bible John wished for his friend Gaius to “prosper in every way and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2 HCSB). This was an anticipation of the emphasis of psychosomatic medicine: a person is a unity; body and soul cannot be separated. Christianity and health are inextricably intertwined. Most Christians believe in healing through faith, but trying to decide what techniques are scriptural, decorous, and psychologically helpful confuses the believer. Jesus used different methods in His healing ministry. They included calling upon the faith of the person or bystanders to be healed, touching the sick person, praying, assuring forgiveness of sin, uttering commands, and using physical media. On several occasions the faith of the individual was an important factor in the healing. Speaking to the woman who was hemorrhaging, Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34 HCSB; cp. Matt. 9:29). The faith of other people became a factor. Jesus stated to the father of the sick boy that healing was possible if people had faith, and the man responded, “I do believe! Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23–24 HCSB). When the centurion sought Jesus to ask for healing his servant, the Savior responded, “I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith!… And his servant was cured that very moment” (Matt. 8:10, 13 HCSB; cp. Mark 2:5). Christians are often confused about the ministry of healing, but these biblical teachings clearly appear: (1) The Bible clearly states that Jesus believed in healing of the body. (2) Jesus spoke of doctors in a positive way as He compared those in good health who have no need of a physician with those who do (Matt. 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31). God has often healed by the way He has led dedicated scientists into the discovery of body functions. (3) The methods of healing Jesus used included prayer, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and assurance of forgiveness of sins. The church continued to use these methods (James 5:14–16). (4) Jesus did not use healing as a means of gaining attention but tried to keep the experience private. “Praise the Lord … He heals all your diseases” (Ps. 103:2–3 HCSB).

Be careful to preserve your health. It is a trick of the devil, which he employs to deceive good souls, to incite them to do more than they are able, in order that they may no longer be able to do anything. St Vincent de Paul