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Summary

This sermon focuses on divine healing as part of God’s nature and the covenant established through Christ’s sacrifice. Dr. John emphasizes that healing is rooted in the cross, where Jesus took stripes for our physical healing just as He died for our sins. The message challenges the belief that God sometimes causes sickness for His glory or to teach lessons, arguing instead that sickness is a consequence of original sin, not individual sin. Dr. John shares a testimony about a bishop who didn’t believe in divine healing but was healed of cancer after hearing this message. The sermon establishes that it’s always God’s will to heal, just as it’s always His will to forgive sin, since both are tied together in Isaiah 53. The message concludes by emphasizing that divine healing is part of the Great Commission and the church’s continuing ministry.

Intro Prayer

Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us. We ask that You would speak to each person here according to their need and help us to be receptive to Your truth. Remove any preconceived notions or barriers that might prevent us from hearing Your voice clearly. Holy Spirit, guide our discussion and help us to grow in our understanding of Your will and Your ways. We surrender this time to You and ask for Your blessing upon our conversation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s one thing you’ve learned to do that required practice and patience before you got good at it?

Key Verses

• “Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
  And our sorrows He carried;
  Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
  Smitten of God, and afflicted.
  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 53:4-5
• “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. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.'” Matthew 8:16-17
• “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.” Mark 16:18

Questions

• How does understanding that healing is tied to the forgiveness of sin change your perspective on divine healing?
• What are some common beliefs about sickness and healing that might hinder someone from receiving healing?
• Dr. John mentioned that experience is a ‘poor theologian.’ How can we balance personal experience with biblical truth when it comes to healing?
• Why do you think the success rate for healing prayers is often low (around 7% mentioned in the sermon)?
• How does the story of the bishop who didn’t believe in healing but was healed anyway challenge or encourage your faith?
• What does it mean that ‘healing is in God’s nature,’ and how should this affect how we approach prayer for the sick?
• The sermon states that laying hands on the sick is part of the Great Commission. How should this impact the church’s ministry today?
• How can we develop the same confidence in God’s will to heal as we have in His will to forgive sin?

Life Application

This week, identify one area where you need healing – whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Instead of approaching it with uncertainty about God’s will, declare with confidence based on Scripture: ‘Jesus Christ heals me.’ Pray this declaration daily and look for opportunities to pray for others who need healing, remembering that it’s part of your commission as a believer.

Key Takeaways

• Healing is rooted in the covenant of the cross – the same blood that forgives sin also heals our bodies
• It is always God’s will to heal, just as it is always God’s will to forgive sin
• Sickness is a consequence of original sin, not something God puts on people to teach them or bring glory
• Divine healing is part of the Great Commission and the church’s continuing ministry
• Understanding God’s will to heal is the first crucial step in receiving healing

Ending Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for this time of fellowship and learning. We are grateful for the revelation that healing is part of Your nature and Your will for our lives. Help us to walk in the confidence that You desire to heal us just as much as You desire to forgive us. Give us boldness to pray for the sick and to believe for miracles in our own lives and the lives of others. May we never take lightly the stripes that Jesus bore for our healing. Strengthen our faith and help us to be instruments of Your healing power in this world. We commit to studying and growing in this area, knowing that You want to use us to bring hope and healing to others. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.