What’s faith got to do with it?

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

 Faith is a crucial ingredient for healing success, and most in the modern church do not have it, and God says you cannot please Him without it! (Heb. 11:6)

 What is faith?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1 ESV)

 Notice in the above passage there are two things listed which are a part of what faith is: 1) assurance (of things hoped for) and 2), conviction (of things not seen).

When you pray for healing you must pray with complete assurance and with total conviction (all your heart) that it will happen.

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 ESV)

Two positive faith examples

• A desperate woman had faith for healing. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment she would be healed. And it happened! “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48 ESV)

• A blind man had faith that Jesus would heal him. People tried to shush him but he persisted to cry out to Jesus. “And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” (Mark 10:52 ESV)

One negative faith example

• Jesus was restricted by the lack of other’s faith (Mark 6.5) - Jesus visited His home town but found very little faith there, so He couldn’t do as much as He wanted to. “Then they scoffed, ‘He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.’ They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.” (Mark 6:3 NLT)

 According to your faith

“Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.” (Matt. 9:29)

“Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.” (Matt. 15:28)

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Rom. 10:17 NKJV)

 According to the above passage faith comes by two things. 1) by hearing, and 2) hearing by the Word of God. 

Let’s look at both things.

• Faith comes from hearing

 It’s interesting that the word hearing is mentioned twice in the short passage at top. Hearing is something you do with your ears, you hear something. Why is that important to faith? Because when you hear stories of God’s miraculous works of healing faith springs up in your heart. Your faith grows. Someone once said, faith is more than what is taught, faith is caught.

•  Hearing comes from the Word of God

“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark. 11:22-24 ESV)

A testimony to help build your faith for healing

About twenty years ago, I heard a pastor's wife give a beautiful testimonial of how God’s Word had brought miraculous healing to her. She had pancreatic cancer, was very weak and extremely emaciated, and her body had turned an alarming yellow. The doctors told her there was nothing more they could do to help her and sent her home to die. She told how she then looked at her hopeless situation and what she decided to do. She said to herself, “No, this isn’t right! This isn’t how I believe. And I’m not going to die like this! I believe Jesus can and will heal me.”

She remembered a wonderful verse of Scripture that seemed very powerful and applicable to her situation:

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them in your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.” (Proverbs 4:20–23)

So she boldly put a plan together

First, she got out her Bible and looked up all the healing verses. She then got a tablet and began writing all of them there in her own handwriting. As she wrote them, she thanked God for them and claimed each one for herself.

Second, she went through her photo albums and found photos of her looking strong and healthy. She posted them on her walls all around her home so she would constantly see herself as healthy, strong, and completely well.

Each day she again wrote the verses out by hand, prayed over them, and continued to thank God for healing her.

Through this daily process, she became filled with hope and faith

Day after day, she repeated the process, and each day she continued to live and improve slightly.

Over time, her health improved dramatically

When she returned to the doctor, no cancer was found in her body. It’s been more than twenty years, and she’s still healthy and praising God for it. You can read her story in her book, Healed of Cancer, by Dodie Osteen (find it on Amazon).

Therefore

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” (Heb. 12:2 KJV)

“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:22 ESV)

“if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move...” (Matt. 17:20)

“But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” (Luke 8:50 ESV)

What prevents people from being healed today

“That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases’.” (Matt. 8:16-17 ESV)

By His wounds you are healed!

A few years ago, I was an associate pastor of a large church, and one of my jobs was to pray with anyone who came forward for prayer at the end of services. A man asked me to pray that he would be healed of a physical condition. As usual, I used Scripture as I prayed for the sick. At one point, I placed my hand on him and declared boldly, “By the wounds of Jesus on the cross, you are healed!” The senior pastor of the church was nearby and heard me, and said, “Mike, we don’t believe healing is included in Christ’s atonement, so don’t say that!” I was astounded by what he said to me, especially in front of the man I was praying for. The prayer abruptly ended, and the man left, unhealed. But, I also understood at that precise moment why no one ever got healed at that church. And I also knew why I could no longer be on staff there. So shortly after that, I left. One of the things I know is that every church that sees healing happen on a regular basis believes healing is part of Christ’s atonement, and those churches that don’t believe it, rarely see healings happen.

Scripture teaches it

• The verse at top clearly states that Jesus “healed all who were sick to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases’.”

• The Greek words for “saved”, which is used 108 times in the New Testament, is Sozo, which is literally translated as: saved from hell, healed, preserved, and rescued.

Two reliable Bible sources explaining the meaning of the word SAVED (sozo)

• Strong’s Greek: 4982. σώζω (sózó) -- to save - Phonetic Spelling: (sode'-zo) Definition: to save Usage: save, heal, preserve, rescue.

• New Testament Greek Lexicon - King James Version - Sozo. sode'-zo. Verb. to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction. one (from injury or peril) to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health. to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue. to save in the technical biblical sense.

Here are just 3 examples of saved (Greek: sozo) which appears many times in the New Testament  

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Greek: save, heal, preserve, rescue).” (Rom. 10:9 ESV) 

“For by grace you have been saved (Greek: save, heal, preserve, rescue)  through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV) 

“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Greek: save, heal, preserve, rescue), you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

What prevents people from being healed today

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8 NLT)

There are many reasons people doubt and waver when it comes to praying for healing. And, wavering in faith is a huge roadblock when it comes to being healed (James 1:6). Yesterday, I discussed that. But there is another big roadblock and that is not understanding that sickness is a result of sin.

Where does sickness come from?

No disease or sickness is from God. Diseases and sicknesses are from the kingdom of darkness – the devil. There was no sickness until the devil arrived. But, be happy and rejoice, there is good news.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kind of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.” (Matt. 4:23-24)

Therefore

“And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matt. 11:4-6 ESV)

What causes people to waver (to have doubt) when it comes to praying for the sick?

“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31 ESV)

Trained not to believe

I did hear someone ask Reinhard Bonke, who had millions show up to his African crusades and there were lots of medically verified healings, why there were so many people healed at his African crusades but not at the churches he spoke to in America, and he said something very interesting. He said in Africa, people come to his crusades filled with faith, expecting to be healed, and many are. But in America, people come not expecting to be healed, and they are not. He said people in America are too religious, have been trained not to believe, and are filled with doubt and skepticism.

What the Bible says about doubt and skepticism

James gives the following warning about wavering in your faith.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” (James 1:6-7 KJV) Other translations replace the word wavering with not doubt.

The above passage are severe words of warning, indeed! So how much doubt does it take to undermine the faith it takes for healing to happen? It sounds like not much! The verse says, “Nothing wavering” which is pretty conclusive.

So, what could cause you to waver in your faith?

Lots of things! First, you could waver if you thought God doesn’t heal people today. We showed examples yesterday to prove that He still does heal people today.

What if you’ve been taught that God may want you to be sick?

Because maybe He’s teaching you something, perhaps about humility? I’ve heard pastors say that from the pulpit, usually when they are talking about Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7), where Paul prayed three times and God didn’t remove it but said His grace was sufficient. And that answer wasn’t a no. But God pointed out that His grace is enough to handle anything the devil sends his way. In fact, he’ll become even stronger. Also, nowhere in that passage is the “thorn in the flesh” referred to as a sickness. People are just guessing that it is. Paul actually refers to the thorn more than once as a weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). And it’s not from God, but is “a messenger of Satan.” (2 Cor. 12:7). Many scholars believe the thorn is about persecution because that’s what Paul was talking about in this and the previous chapters (2 Cor 11 & 12) without ever changing the subject. And if you check everywhere else in the Bible where it refers to a “thorn in the flesh”, it’s never about a sickness but always about people, (or even giants in one passage), causing trouble. 

 Do not throw away your confidence

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” (Heb. 10:35 ESV)

God Still Does

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,” (Psalm 103:2 ESV)

I believe God still heals today!

I believe a follower of Christ can claim God’s healing promises by faith and see people healed. But we don’t see much healing going on in churches today, and that’s unfortunate. It’s a tough, controversial subject to even discuss.

Don’t allow deception and fraud to stop you

There has always been deception and fraud regarding the subject of miracles and healing. It’s not new. Incidents of it were discussed in the Bible (Acts 19:15; Acts 13:6-7). And in today’s world, they are still active; fake faith healers and so-called miracle workers continuously give the issue a black eye. There are thousands of books written on the subject, both pro and con. No wonder so many churches completely throw out anything to do with it. Therefore, not many people are prayed for with complete faith for healing in today’s modern churches, and not many people are healed.  

Medically verified healings

When I was looking for positive examples of ministries where healings were medically verified. I decided to look for ones where the leaders weren’t personally enriched by their ministry. And also no longer alive, to view them strictly from a historical viewpoint to see their ministry’s results. The following are two ministries where healings happened often and were medically verified.

·      John G. Lake (March 18, 1870 - September 16, 1935) - Over 250,000 confirmed healings in a 10 year span. 1918 Spokane Washington reported to be the healthiest city in the U.S. He was so effective in his healing ministry that he literally closed down hospitals in Spokane.  

·      Reinhard Bonke (19 April 1940 – 7 December 2019), Christ for All Nations, was a German-American evangelist, and called “the Billy Graham of Africa” with over a million at a time attending his rallies. Thousands of confirmed healings.

Why pray for healing?

Because Jesus healed everyone who asked Him without fail. He rejected no one and He has not and will never change.

“Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).  

Jesus said we’d do the same works He did

“Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father’.” (John 14:12 NLT)

“because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17b ESV)

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Prov. 13:20 ESV)

Choose your friends wisely

It’s important who you choose for your friends because they will have a major influence on you. Oh, I’m not talking about those casual friends you see at work or at the coffee shop; I’m referring to the ones you choose to hang out with mainly and closely. Those are the ones who will make the most difference in your life.

Associating with bad friends

“Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33 ESV).

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” (Prov. 22:24–25 ESV)

Associating with good friends

“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Rom. 1:12 ESV)

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17 ESV)

Therefore

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV)

 And of course…

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)

“For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor. 4:5)

 Jesus is our Lord and we are to serve Him

Bob Dylan had a song in the late 1970’s with the title,“You gotta serve somebody.” With the following refrain:

“You’re gonna have to serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord. But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

He was correct. But usually we just focus on serving ourselves. And everything else is in line after that. But it must not be that way!

Lord is defined in English as “someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.” And Jesus is certainly all of that. He is not only our personal Savior, He is also our Lord and we must serve Him as such!

Why the Lordship of Jesus is important

A person who says, “Jesus is Lord,” with a full understanding of what that means (Jesus is God and has supreme authority over all things) has been divinely enlightened. 

“No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:3)

 Faith in the Lord Jesus is required for salvation

“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

Jesus' Lordship is connected to His resurrection and your salvation

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” (Rom. 10:9)

Jesus is both Lord and God

“Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36)

“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)

“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1 Cor. 8:6)

“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9)

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8 ESV)

God is with you always!

One of my favorite promises is the one above. Knowing that God is ever present wherever I go gives me great comfort and strength. And along with that promise are wonderful benefits!

Knowing God is with you will… 

·      Keep you from fear

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 ESV)

·      Keep you content

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

·      Will preserve you

“For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psalm 37:28 ESV)

·      Will give you victory

“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” (Deut. 20:4 ESV) 

Therefore

“Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9b ESV)