Sermon Tone Analysis

Matthew 8:14-17

Introduction

Disease and death are man’s greatest enemies

Our greatest fears are getting sick and dying.

Ø      We fear it for ourselves and for those we love.

Ø      In America we spend millions of dollars and hours each year combating disease and death.

One thing is certain all of us will ultimately loose our war with death.

What does the Bible teach about healing?

Much has been said and written about healing in the Bible.

Often it is referred to as faith healing and those who practice it are called faith healers.

Today I want to step back and look at this controversial and often emotional issue from a Biblical perspective.

Much of what I will share in today’s message is taken from John MacArthur’s book /The Charismatics/ (the book has been re-released under the title /Charismatic Chaos/).

I will seek to answer five questions

Ø      How and why did Jesus heal?

Ø      How and why did the Apostles heal?

Ø      Why do Christians get sick?

Ø      How and why does God heal today?

Ø      What should a Christian do when they or a loved one gets sick?

\\ 1A.

How and Why Did Jesus Heal?

1B.

How did Jesus heal?

Jesus healed with a word or a touch

Ø      The Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:8, 13)

Ø      Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:15)

Jesus healed instantaneously

Ø      The woman with the bleeding problem (Mark 5:25-29)

Ø      The healing of the leper (Matthew 8:1-3)

Jesus healed totally

Ø      Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:15)

Ø      The lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:8-9)

Jesus did not screen those He healed (Matthew 8:16)

Jesus healed organic disease

Ø      An organic disease is one in which the organ is organically destroyed, maimed or crippled (i.e.

cancer, broken bones, deformities).

Ø      A functional disease is one in which a perfectly good organ does not function properly (i.e.

low back pain, headaches).

Jesus raised the dead

Ø      The widow’s son (Luke 7:11-16)

Ø      Lazarus (John 11:38-44)

2B.

Why did Jesus heal?  (John 20:30-31)

\\ 2A.

How and Why Did The Apostles Heal?

1B.

Whom other than Jesus performed miracles of healing?

The apostles (Luke 9:1-2)

The seventy others (Luke 10:1-9)

Certain associates of the apostles

Ø      Barnabas (Acts 15:12)

Ø      Philip (Acts 8:7)

Ø      Stephen (Acts 6:8)

2B.

How did the apostles heal?

The apostles healed with a word or a touch.

Ø      Peter healed Aeneas (Acts 9:32-35)

Ø      Paul healed Publius’ father (Acts 28:7-8)

The apostles healed instantaneously.

(Acts 3:2-8)

The apostles healed totally.

(Acts 3:8)

The apostles did not screen those they healed.

(Acts 5:12-16)

The apostles healed organic diseases.

The apostles raised the dead.

Ø      Peter raised Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42)

Ø      Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12)

3B.

Why did the apostles heal?

To authenticate their message.

*Romans 15:18-19 *For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,* *in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit...

\\ 3A.

Why Do Christians Get Sick?

1B.

God is ultimately in control of all sickness.

*Exodus 4:11 *The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth?

Or who makes /him /mute or deaf, or seeing or blind?

Is it not I, the LORD?

2B.

Sickness can come as an attack from Satan.

The woman sick for eighteen years (Luke 13:11-13)

Paul’s thorn in the flesh

*2 Corinthians 12:7 *Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!

3B.

Sickness could be God chastening you for sin.

Miriam got leprosy because of her disobedience (Numbers 12)

David’s confession in Psalms 119

*Psalm 119:67 *Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

4A.

How And Why Does God Heal Today?

1B.

The gift of healing in no longer present in the Church.

(1 Corinthians 13:8-10)

The primary purpose for the gift was to authenticate the message of the early church.

We now have the Bible

2B.

God still heals miraculously today in answer to prayer and to demonstrate His glory.

3B.

God often works through doctors and medicine to heal people today.

5A.