The Doctrine of Healing

Good morning and welcome to Living Faith Church. I am so excited to be able to worship Jesus Christ with you on this amazing Sunday. If we have never met before, my name is Aaron. My wife Stella and I are honored to be able to serve on the Pastoral team at LFC. Today we are continuing this series called We Are Pillars. Each week we have begun by reading a passage from the New Testament, let’s look at this again today. In 1 Timothy Paul instructed the young pastor of Ephesus, Timothy, on the role of the chuch in his community.

1 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Now, I want us to think about this idea of pillars; because while a pillar is responsible for holding something up, which is what Paul alludes to here - “support of truth”, how a pillar does this is unique. I’m going to quote from JSW Group - a multinational engineering conglomerate,

“Pillars are often made of materials that resist compression, like stone, brick, or steel.” “Load-bearing pillars, or compression pillars, carry the structure's weight above them. These pillars are designed to resist and transfer the vertical load to the foundation.”

Now, the engineering principles behind structural pillars is nearly the same as it was 2000 years ago. So what Paul is telling Tiimothy is that the churches responsibility in their community is to releave our community of the pain and pressure sin induces. How? By transfering the load to our foundation who’s name is Jesus!

1 Corinthians 3:11 NASB95

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Psalm 75:3 says this about our God.

Psalm 75:3 (NIV)

When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.

My hope and prayer for you durring this series is that what is being imparted into you, will help you build a life that is firm in faith. That your faith in Christ will be firm, and you will be a pillar in the world God has placed you in. Transfering the load of doubt, fear, anxiety, anger, resentment, deception and evil to the firm foundation which is Christ.

Today, we are going to look at another of these faith statements, as we have been doing each week. So far we have looked at what we believe about the Bible, the only sure and infalible source of truth known to mankind. Last week we looked at the topic of mankind, where did we come from, what is our status in the eyes of God, and what is our four fold purpose asigned by our creator. Today, I want us to look at the topic of healing. Does God heal? If so, does God want to heal you? If you were to go to our website, winacity.com/about/statement of faith, you would read this language:

“We Believe… Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.

It’s sad that our bodies suffer sickness, disease and death. But it is a fact of life as we know it. I have never met a person who has not been personally effected by these three things. It seems as time marches forward that sicnesses are more frequent, the effects more perilous and death more certain than ever. At times, we are our own worst enemy, destroying our own bodies as a result of our own carelessness. But what I think may be more lethal than any of these things that I have mentioned, this sad droning run on senntence, is that I am meeting more and more people who are questioning the reality of healing today. Now, I cold get really heady about this, and I will share with you a lot of Scripture today, but the Bible tells us that the word of our testimony is powerful. So, here is my testimony.

[Story of Personal Healing]

A Biblical Understanding Of the Body

God created us to be three fold: Body, Soul, and Spirit, or two fold: material and immaterial. Either way we must understand that our bodies are a God creation.

Genesis 2:7 NASB95

7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

For the old testament generations, going down into the grave was a place of dread, and the old testament seers looked ahead with hope to a time of resurrection, when the soul and body would be reunited. It was view held by many in Biblical times that human life was incomplete without a body. Paul reflects this in his writings in 2 Corinthians 5:3

2 Corinthians 5:3 NASB95

3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.

The ancient Greeks looked at the body as a “prison house” for the soul. Plato in his writing Phaedrus (Fay-druz) says:

“ [We are] entombed in this which we carry about with us and call the body, in which we are imprisoned like an oyster in its shell.”

But to the Biblical writers, this body is much more than just a lifeless shell, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NASB95)

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NASB95)

16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

John 2:19 (NASB95)

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

But, while death is a certain reality for every human, there is also another reality - and that is the resurrection from the dead.

John 11:25 (NASB95)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

1 Corinthians 15:42 (NASB95)

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;

Philippians 3:20–21 (NASB95)

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

So, as I said last week, we are not physical being that houses a spirit. Rather, we are a spiritual being clothed in a physical body. And a day is coming when this mortal body will be exchanged for an immortal body so that we can interact with and enjoy the fellowship of the believers in heaven and fellowship with and worship our God.

But this leaves us with an important question. If we are going to soon exchange this perishable body for an imperishable, does God care about this body? Is God concerned with healing? or should we just hold out for the new heavenly body?

The Lord Your Physician

We find the answer to this by looking at one of the names of God found In the book of Exodus.

Exodus 15:26 (NASB95)

26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

Ani Yahweh roph’eka. This Hebrew word healer, or reph’eka in Jeremiah 8:22 is translated physician. I am the Lord who is your physician. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 103:3 NASB95

3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;

So, why doe we believe that God still heals today? It’s is not just because we have seen it happen. And I don’t doubt that God an heal when I don’t see it happen. Because healing is not just what God can do, it is who He is. Just like I am Aaron Hackett, our God is the Lord Your Physician.

William Menzies in his book Bible Doctrines has this to say.

“Certainly if it was His nature to heal then, it is His nature to heal now. He does not change.” - William Menzies Bible Doctrines.

Healing In The Atonement - (include “this is why we pray ‘plead the blood’)

A keynote passage of Scripture when talking about healing is found in Isaiah 53:4-5

Isaiah 53:4–5 NASB95

4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

This passage was quoted by the author of the New Testament book Matthew in Matthew 8. The author is sharing his eye witness account of when Jesus healed Peters mother.

Matthew 8:15 NASB95

15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.

After this the author goes on to share how the rest of the day was spent.

Matthew 8:16 NASB95

16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill.

Following the sharing of this account, the author decides to validate Jesus, or confirm Jesus deity and authority by quoting the prophet Isaiahs Messianic prophecy

Matthew 8:17 (NASB95)

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.”

But what was Isaiah referencing; and what does it mean that “He took our infirmities”? He’s is referencing back to the book of Genesis. The sin of Adam and Eve brought to the entire world two things; sickness and death. This is not to say that all sickness and death is a result of personal sins, but rather that because of sins existence in the world, we all experience sickness and death. Satan himself is the author of all sickness and death. Often, people are angry at God because of sickness and death. This is one of Satans greatest tricks, manipulating the narrative in his favor. He is the author of it all, and it exists in our world because he deceived Adam and Eve and used them as the conduit for bringing this into our world. But listen, Because our God is the Yahweh Roph’eka- The Lord Your Physician, it should not surprise us that the Old Testament law made provision for both physical and spiritual restoration. The Old Testament law included the ministry of a High Priest who’s ministry pointed to our great High Priest Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Healing In The Atonement

The law made provision for physical and spiritual restoration through the practice of the sprinkling of blood, which points to a much greater and more perfect way, the redemption through Jesus Christ, His shedding of blood on our behalf, and in our stead.

Romans 3:25 (NIV)

25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

This word atonement is an important word to look at; and actually we are going to dedicate an entire message to just the doctrine of atonement in a few weeks. But this Greek word is the word hilastelion (Hey-la-STAY-leeon). We find this same word used in Hebrews 9:5 - when mentioning the mercy seat located inside the Holy of Holies where sin sacrifices were made to fulfil the Mosaic Law. Exodus 25: also mentions this mercy seat. This mercy seat was a solid gold lid that was placed upon the Old Testament ark of the covenant. One time a year the Hight Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies and and on this annual “Day of Atonement” provided for the by Law of God, the Hight Priest behind the veil would sprinkle the blood of a unblemished lamb, the sin offering on the mercy seat, on the solid gold cover to the ark of the covenant.

And Inside the ark of the covenant were the two stone tablets inscribed with the 10 commandments, that is why it is called the ark of the covenant, because the commandments were Gods seal of covenant with man. Israel had violated these commands and the penalty of this violation called for judgement and death. But, when the blood of the lamb was sprinkled upon the ark, representing the life of Christ, God saw the sinless life instead of the broken law and granted mercy, blessing, restoration and healing.

Leviticus 16:14–16 NASB95

“Moreover, he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; also in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. “Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. “He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.

The primary purpose of the atonement was cleansing from sin, however, we also see evident that the atonement brought about a release from the penalty of sin.

Numbers 16:46-48 we find that Atonement released the plague brought on Israel by the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

Exodus 30:12-15 we find that atonement prevented the plague following the census.

Numbers 21:9 Following the nation of Israel complaining to Moses about the wandering in the desert. God sent serpents to bite the Israelites, and many Israelites died. But God told Moses, what to do and verse 9 of Numbers 21 says:

Numbers 21:9 NASB95

9 And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.

So the atonement at the mercy seat provided not only the forgiveness of the sin, but also the prevention and removal of the consequence of sin. All of this found its fulfillment and completion through Jesus Christ on the cross. We love to quote John 3:16, but now with this that I have just shared with you, let me read John 3:14-16

John 3:14–16 (NASB95)

14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

There, at the cross Jesus made full and complete atonement for every person. In the New Testament we find the word redemption, which essentially is the same meaning as atonement.

Romans 3:24 NASB95

24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

Ephesians 1:7 (NASB95)

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 1:14 (NASB95)

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Again, atonement provides for the consequences of sin, even where sickness is not the direct result of personal sin, it is still in the world because of the effects of sin. Sickness and death are among the works of the devil that Jesus came to destroy. It is vital that we realize that the healing miracles of Jesus, including the resurrection of the dead, were not Jesus showing off. But Jesus was exercising His authority to make known to every person that He came to conquer sin and death, or sin and the effects of sin. Coming back to Matthew 8:17, it is evident that the Holy Spirit inspired this writer to clue us in that Jesus works of the miraculous were an early revelation of what His work on the cross would do. Forgive us of our sins and heal our bodies from the effects of sin.

If out of time, share [ Faith, Don’t Demand, Suffering points ] then close.

Bringing Clarity Regarding the Work of Healing

Now, I want to stop right here and bring clarity to a few things.

The Prayer of Faith

The brother of Jesus tells us in James 5:14

James 5:15 NASB95

15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

Faith is the currency of forgiveness and healing.

Ephesians 2:8 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Salvation and healing are two interconnected works because salvation is the removal of sin from your spiritual account with Christ, and sickness and death are the works of sin. This is evident in Johns account of the healing of the lame man. Following his healing Jesus instructed him, stop sinning. So Jesus forgave him of his sins, yet instructed him to stop what he had been doing lest something worse come about to him.

John 5:14 (NASB95)

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.”

The same faith that brought about your salvation by grace, is the same faith that will heal you from the effects of a fallen world.

We Don’t Demand Healing

Some have fallen into the trap of believing that healing is a right for the believer. Remember, Salvation and healing are connected works. Just as you do not demand God to forgive you of your sins, you should not demand that Christ heal your body.

Mark 5:23 (NASB95)

23 and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.”

Numbers 12:13 (NIV)

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”

The Promise of Healing Does Not Rule Out Suffering

The Bible clearly teaches that we must suffer for Jesus.

Acts 14:22 NASB95

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:23 (NASB95)

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

The author of Philippians actually tells us that to suffer for Christ sake is a blessing in the life of the believer. We should not seek to escape this, but lean into it.

Philippians 1:29 (NASB95)

29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

1 Peter 2 takes it one step further by telling us that to suffer for Christ is our calling!

1 Peter 2:21 (NASB95)

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

If we believe the lie that the promise of healing will remove the human suffering, then eventually you will corrupt your faith, making God out to be a liar. We do not worship a suffer free God, but a God has authority over sin. Romas 8:23 makes it very clear to us that our redeemed bodies are yet to come, a result of our resurrection into new life in heaven.

Romans 8:23 NASB95

23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Divine Healing Today

So, it is Gods will for us as believers today to experience and enjoy the benefits of divine healing today. Jesus, and the early disciples healed all who came to them.

Matthew 15:30 NASB95

30 And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them.

Acts 5:12 NASB95

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.

Acts 5:16 NASB95

16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

But Jesus also entrusted His healing work unto the church.

John 14:12–13 (NASB95)

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Mark 16:17–18 NASB95

17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Healing Response

Today, I want encourage your faith for the works of the miraculous, and call you to believe for greater things that what you have seen yet. You may have come today with pain in your body, pain in your soul. Week after week Living Faith Church sees salvations occur- over 100 this years alone, that same faith that brings salvation to the lost, is present to bring healing into your body. Will you step out and ask God for a miracle?

If you came into this room today needing a miracle healing from God, get out of your chair and come up to this altar space and let’s ask our God for a miracle.