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Summary

This sermon focuses on the various ways God heals people throughout the Bible, emphasizing that while there is one healer (God), He uses many different methods to bring healing. Dr. John shares his personal journey of studying divine healing since 2006 and how it transformed his ministry and health. He warns against becoming too attached to specific healing methods, using the example of the bronze serpent that the Israelites eventually began worshipping instead of God. The message explores different biblical healing methods including speaking words of healing, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, using medicine, and requiring obedience. Dr. John emphasizes that faith activates God’s power, not the method itself, and that Christians should remain open to however God chooses to bring healing rather than demanding it happen in a particular way.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You tonight with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You want to teach us about Your healing power. We acknowledge that You are the one true healer, and we ask that You help us set aside our preconceived notions about how healing should happen. Open our hearts to understand that You work in many different ways, and help us to trust Your methods even when they don’t match our expectations. Prepare each person in this group to receive what You specifically want them to learn today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s the most unusual or creative solution you’ve ever seen someone use to fix a problem that actually worked?

Key Verses

• “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:14-16
• “He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.” 2 Kings 18:4
• “Then Isaiah said, ‘Take a cake of figs.’ And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.” 2 Kings 20:7
• “to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,” 1 Corinthians 12:9
• “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:28
• “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” 1 Timothy 5:23
• “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,” Acts 19:11

Questions

• Why do you think people tend to get attached to specific methods of healing rather than focusing on God as the healer?
• How does the story of the bronze serpent in 2 Kings 18:4 relate to our modern approach to healing and faith?
• What are some examples from the sermon of different ways God brought healing in the Bible, and what does this teach us about His character?
• Dr. John mentioned that sometimes we get to choose how we receive healing, but sometimes we don’t. How should this affect our expectations when we pray for healing?
• How do you balance trusting God for supernatural healing while also being open to natural means like medicine or lifestyle changes?
• What role does obedience play in receiving healing, and can you think of a time when God asked you to do something you didn’t want to do?
• How can we guard against worshipping methods or people instead of worshipping God when it comes to healing?
• What does it mean that ‘faith activates the power, not the method,’ and how should this change how we approach prayer for healing?

Life Application

This week, examine your own heart and attitudes toward healing. If you’ve been stuck expecting God to heal in only one specific way, surrender that expectation to Him. If God has been prompting you to take some practical steps regarding your health (whether medical, lifestyle, or spiritual), commit to obedience in that area. Practice declaring ‘Jesus heals me’ daily, focusing on Him as your healer rather than any particular method or person.

Key Takeaways

• God is one healer who uses many different methods to bring healing to people
• We must guard against worshipping methods or people instead of worshipping God the healer
• Faith activates God’s power, not the specific method used for healing
• Sometimes God requires our obedience in practical matters as part of the healing process
• Divine healing can work through both supernatural and natural means, including medicine and lifestyle changes

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You for being our healer and for the many ways You choose to bring healing into our lives. Help us to keep our focus on You rather than on any particular method or person. Give us the faith to trust Your ways even when they don’t match our expectations, and the obedience to follow Your leading in all areas of our health and well-being. We surrender our need to control how You work and ask that You heal according to Your perfect will and timing. May we always remember that You are the source of all healing, and may we give You all the glory. In Your precious name, Amen.