Healing 2 Dr. Mike Fogerson October 24, 2012
A Any discussion of healing must start with the fundamental questions, “What is the origin of sickness & suffering?”
1 Why does . . .
a A four-month old die from SIDS, toddler get bullied, young student get hit by a car, teen die in an auto accident, girl in her 20's die of breast cancer, young man die in Afghanistan, eldery women killed during a car jacking.
b Biblically, all evil/suffering & their consequences are a result of Adam’s sin.
aa We came from the hand of God and His breath for His glory.
bb 7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." Isaiah 43:7 (NASB)
cc Paul elaborates,
11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. Eph 1:11-12 (NASB)
2 Jonathan Edwards, John Piper, & the Westminster Shorter Catechism all agree on what our purpose/reason we exist.
a “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever!”
b The reason we exist is to know God through Christ & take joy in that relationship.
aa 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart , and with all your soul , and with all your mind, and with all your strength .' Mark 12:30 (NASB)
Jesus gives the greatest commandment is that we love God with our entire being/full capacity.
bb IL.
B We were created by His hands/from His glory breath . . . and created in His image.
1 We are the only part of creation that shares this unique characteristic.
a Mind to think, heart to love, and a will to choose.
b The reason He put the “Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil” in the garden is because God did not make us spiritual robots who have no will, ability to choose.
aa It was man’s wrong choice that brought suffering & its consequences into the world.
bb injury, sickness, & death, too!
2 The moment Adam sinned, he began to die. (Disconnected from fellowship with God)
a Being out of fellowship w/ God is the worst death.
b He died a slow, progressive death in his soul (mind, thinking).
aa The evidence of this was in his children. (Cain killing Abel)
bb That story would make the 5 o’clock news today: why?
cc We would expect that kind of depravity, evil to be demonstrated by adults, but not children.
3 Salvation reverses the curse that began in the garden of eden.
a His Spirit comes to live in you, your mind is renewed, ultimately his body will be raised from the dead.
b New body will be sinless, sick-less, and deathless!
aa As we stand, one of that last remaining remnants of Adam on earth is the human body.
bb We age, subject to injury & death.
cc Our bodies still carries earth’s cursed limitations;
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Romans 8:29 (NASB)
c Because God’s image is braking through, humanity can start the process of being like Jesus & health can come to us!
I Sickness & the Wrath of God
A It was the work of the Ol’Serpant that brought sickness, injury, and death in to the world through Adam’s choice to sin. (All punished because the actions of one)
1 In Scripture, sickness is often viewed as an expression of God’s wrath/judgement.
a Sickness, like rain, falls on the just/unjust.
b All physical sickness is a temporal judgement brought to the earth by Satan through humanity’s wrong choices.
2 How can disease be God’s judgement when children get cancer?”
a Legitimate question, usually the intent is misguided.
b (Paint a non-compassionate/fair picture of God.)
B Exodus 15.26 teaches that disease often comes as God’s judgement.
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." Ex 15:26 (NASB)
1 The disease God brought on Egypt didn’t have to follow the Israelites out of bondage.
2 Disease/sickness was judgement.
II Some Temporal Causes of Sickness (and How to stay well).
A Wrong living can cause disease.
1 16 To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words;17 That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God;18 For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead ;19 None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life. Prov 2:16-19 (NASB)
a Two people who save themselves for marriage (remain a virgin until marriage) have zero chance of contracting a STD.
b There is NO SUCH thing as safe sex outside of the confines of the marital bed of two faithful spouses.
2 STD are rising among young people, AIDS is killing of entire populations: Answers?
a Not condoms, better medicines, education
b God’s answer is one woman, one man, for one lifetime.
aa 3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech ;4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Prov 5:3-4 (NASB)
11 And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed; 12 And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof! Prov 5:11-12 (NASB)
bb V.3-4 (not just about immoral women) Pleasure is immediate/very real, but there is consequences to sexual immorality.
cc Sin is pleasurable for a season but the end result is bitterness/division within your spirit.
B Live an obedient life
1 This point doesn’t settle well with the masses because of simplicity.
a We live with the best advances in medicine, medical technology, training . . . and you want me to obey God’s Word to be healthy?
b 1 My son, do not forget my teaching , But let your heart keep my commandments;2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Prov 3:1-2 (NASB)
2 When we know, believe, embrace the promises of God; Follow His law/commands, He promises to lengthen our lives, add peace to our days.
C Live trusting in the will of God
1 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. Prov 3:5-8 (NASB)
a “Do not be wise in your own eyes” lit. means that we are to trust His ways, will above our understanding.
b We cannot trust what seems right to us, but we must compare every idea with Scripture.
2 If we are to embrace this promise of healing from God we must live a life of trust in Him.
D Learn to receive correction from God
1 There is a tremendous blessing that comes from submitting our lives/wills/lifestyle to God’s correction.
a 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof,12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Prov 3:11-12 (NASB)
b Nobody likes discipline, to be told “You messed up by doing that.”
aa When our heavenly Father does this to us it is not because He isn’t good/kind . . . but rather because He does love us!
bb When we engage in activities/have lifestyles that are sinful in the eyes of God/go contrary to His Word . . . there are consequences.
2 When we choose to live a certain way we may find ourselves living out the consequences of our choice, experiencing the discipline from the hands of a loving Father who only wishes us to be blessed.
E Learn the Importance of living wisely.
1 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.15 She is more precious than jewels ; And nothing you desire compares with her.16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. Prov 3:13-18 (NASB)
2 Biblical wisdom is a practical way to live.
a Not hidden from the eyes of lay people, but laid out by God for all of us to see in His Word.
b Wisdom takes knowledge and understanding and makes it simple so that we can act according to its revelation (in this case, the promise of long life)
c TBT, our health is often the result of our choices in life.
II Some Questions
A What about those who are at the wrong place @ the wrong time, victims of the crimes of others? Born with genetic disorders, physical challenges?
1 God is good, kind, gracious and will deal graciously with those who find themselves with such challenges.
2 We don’t know why not everyone receives healing in this life, but we must confess that sickness, disease, evil are not a part of God perfect will.
a Adam’s fall (He fell first)
b Man’s freedom (We choose to fall, too.)
c Because of our choices we too cope with the presence of sickness, disease, and injury.
B God’s Will is Going To Be Done
1 At a bedside of sick/dying, people pray “God’s will be done.”
a Incomplete quoted of the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6.10).
10 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10 (NASB)
b God’s perfect will is always being done in heaven (not a moment it’s not there.)
aa Transfer that perfect WILL from heaven to earth. HOW?
bb Prayer & other spiritual means (Baptism of the Holy Spirit)
2 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Eph 1:14 (NLT)
a Evil has resulted in sickness, injury, death on earth.
aa Our bodies are proof of the Adamic fall.
bb We get old & die.
b The Holy Spirit can bring healing/renewing of our bodies out of the spiritual realm when biblical principles are obeyed.
c God’s perfect will is for us in health!
Conclusion:
A Promises!
1 25 "But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. Ex 23:25 (NASB)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Psalms 103:1-3 (NASB)
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. Isaiah 53:5 (NASB)
2 God’s covenant includes healing for you and me (everyone!)
B Song: Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
