American Gospel #5

Introduction

In our world so many people are searching for answers to sickness left and right. We want things to work out well for ourselves and for those whom we love and this desire to not be sick has driven some to do some crazy things. Whether it be a traditional remedy, a cutting edge discovery, or consulting a powerful individual, people have tried for years to defeat the ticking clock of suffering and illness. In the book of Acts we see this happening as the power of the Gospel was changing lives and people were repenting of their sins and following Christ as Lord. In Acts 8 we read about Phillip proclaiming the Gospel and a man named Simon hearing the Gospel and went forward to be baptized. Fast forward just a little bit and Peter and John come to check out what the Holy Spirit has done and Simon approaches them about the power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:18–19 CSB

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

From the outside looking in, Simon was known as Simon the Sorcerer, and profited by claiming to be a great and powerful person. In come these Christians filled with the Holy Spirit and Simon sees them genuinely healing people and people flocking to their teaching and instruction… What does this do? This makes him curious and possibly threatened. He says the right things and does the right action with Phillip but then whenever Peter and John come and do the same thing, he wants more. He wasn’t interested in the Good News of Jesus, he was interested in the physical power of Jesus! Peter calls him out on this and says this

Acts 8:20–23 CSB

20 But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. 23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.”

He thought that he could obtain the power of the Holy Spirit through money… Sadly people believe the same thing today. By doing enough things, by paying enough money, by having enough good vibes they can gain this incredible power and heal people and look really good along the way.

Why do people crave power so much?

We see this in Acts 8 and we see this with faith healers today as they claim to have the ability to heal and cure all of these ailments when in actuality, at best it’s the Holy Spirit’s power and at worst they deceive people as false prophets.

The Bible isn’t opposed to health and wealth, but as we read God’s Word it is clear that those things aren’t the end goal. God gives us those things in order for us to give to others and ultimately get HIM!

Tonight as we nearly wrap up this documentary, we’ll encounter suffering and healing. We’ll have discussion on what the Gospel truly is about and what it truly does in our lives. There are 2 extremes that we need to get away from.

Extreme 1) It’s always God’s will to immediately heal

Extreme 2) Jesus doesn’t heal at all

Prosperity Gospel advocates preach view 1 and atheists preach view 2. While the miracles done by Jesus and early Christians aren’t normal in our world today, we acknowledge that Jesus can and still does heal people… He can, we believe that He will, and even if He doesn’t do what we’d like… He is God and we will trust in Him alone!

Video

_______

1. Can God still heal genuinely sick people?

Absolutely! I’ve seen this.

2. Is the power of the true Gospel for sale?

3. Which matters more? Truth or unity?

Spurgeon once said that truth alone must determine our allegiance because unity without truth is hazardous. Our world wants unity but our world doesn’t want any one group to define what truth is. Whenever truth is relative it creates problems for unity to exist. How can you be united if you don’t have a common definition of what you are united in? Unity in the church is very important

Ephesians 4:1–3 CSB

1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

But what unites us? Faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. If we get the truth of the Gospel wrong, it doesn’t matter what unites us as we’re hell-bound. We must get the truth right and stand united in the truth rather than aligning ourselves with others who do not stand for the true Gospel.

4. Why is it so important for people in prosperity gospel churches to not go see the doctor or admit that they are sick?

5. Prosperity dilemma: If you name it and you claim it and it doesn’t happen who is to blame?

a. Not the preacher. Not God. You are the problem. You lack enough faith.

This hurts people!

6. What does the word theology mean? Do we create our own theology or do we understand theology through God’s Word?

Theology is a compound word “theo” - God “logy” - study. It means simply the study of God. We do not create our own theology! We study God’s Word and God’s Word creates theology and we apply theology to our lives. Whenever Bill Johnson at Bethel says that he refuses to create a theology that allows for suffering he’s confused at best that we don’t create our theologies. The Bible has already done that! The Bible tells us that God doesn’t just allow suffering but as we studied in Job last Sunday, that God ordains suffering to accomplish His purpose. He promises to work all things for the good of His people - this includes suffering.

7. What was the main healing Jesus accomplished? Physical, relational, or spiritual?

On the cross, some say that Isaiah 53:4-5

Isaiah 53:4–5 CSB

4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

this means, to some, that we should never be sick because we’re healed by His stripes/wounds. If Jesus’ main concern was physical healing, Paul didn’t get the memo. Peter must’ve lacked faith when he was crucified upside down. Same with Stephen when he was stoned.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 CSB

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Jesus was about so much more than just making us feel better and healthier… He died so that we might be saved from the punishment of our sins for all eternity. Give me that over not having back pain all day, every day!

8. We all need small faith in a big God!