Scripture on Divine Healing
For the past two weeks we have been looking at what the scriptures reveal to us about the heart of God or His essence. We have found that the scriptures tell us that Jesus was/is an exact replica of the Father in John 14:9. And, we have found that the scriptures tell us that in order for us to stand against the world’s knowledge we have to continually feed upon God’s Word, it is to be our daily manna. Jesus tells us in Matthew 4:4 that “we cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” And then we learn that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” in Romans 10:17. This week we are going to introduce scriptures, from the Word of God, for meditation and discussion dealing with the promises of healing for all believers. First we need to understand the parable of the seed from Mark 4, Matt 13, and Luke 8, in this parable the Word of God is the seed, and just like seed planted by farmers and gardeners, there are natural rules or laws governing how they work such as after the seed is planted it takes time for it to grow and mature before the harvest is ready to be taken. Just like planting seed, there are things that can spoil, hinder, and altogether prevent a harvest. And then there are also plantings of seed that yield some 30, some 60 and some 100 fold times harvest. ALL of the promises of God hinge on the law of seed, time, and harvest.
1 Peter 1:23 (KJV) 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Healing is part of the “finished” package of what took place through Calvary. Today, after the resurrection and transfiguration of Christ, when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit to replace our fallen spirit to come and live permanently within us. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV) says, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Because we are three part beings, it is possible for born again Christians to be sick in their bodies and/or their minds. But, our spirits when we get born again are the perfect likeness of Christ, and our born again spirits are incorruptible. After we are born again and receive our incorruptible spirits it is up to us to renew our minds with the Word of God and get our physical minds and bodies to come into agreement with our spirits so that we can enjoy all the benefits of our inheritance through Jesus Christ.
When we study the scriptures we find that there are many different reasons for illness setting in, and there are many different ways that healing can manifest, one even being, that God created our bodies to heal themselves. But today, we are just simply going to present scriptures that point out that God does not want us to be sick ever. It is NEVER God’s will that a person, any person, whosoever, be sick.
Healing is Part of the Kingdom
Luke 4:18 (KJV)
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:43 (KJV)
43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
Luke 9:11 (KJV)
11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV) 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus took our sickness upon the cross so that you and I don’t have too!!
Isaiah 53:4-5 (NLT2) 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5 (KJV) 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Matthew 8:16-17 (NLT2) 16 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. 17 This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”
Matthew 8:16-17 (KJV) 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
I. Introduction
A. We believe that divine healing was provided for in the atonement and that it is the privilege and will of God for every believer.
B. Jesus paid for our sickness at the same time that He paid for our sins. What does the Bible say about divine healing?
II. Healing is a Covenant Right of Believers
A. Exodus 15:25-26 – “I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that heals you.”
1. The Lord showed him a tree, which when he cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet (healed).
a. Three trees of healing
i. The tree in Exodus 15:25
ii. The cross
iii. The tree of life-The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Rev. 22:2
2. Exodus 11:7 (KJV) 7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
B. Sickness is included in the curse. (Old Testament, Old Covenant)
1. Deuteronomy 28:22 – Consumption, fever, inflammation, extreme burning
2. Deuteronomy 28:27 – Botch, emrods (tumors), scab, itch
3. Deuteronomy 28:35 – Smote in knees, legs with the sore botch, from the sole of your feet to the top of your head.
4. Deuteronomy 28:59 – Great plagues and sore sicknesses of long continuance
5. Deuteronomy 28:61 – Every sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this Law.
C. But, Christ has redeemed us from the curse!
1. Galatians 3:13 (KJV) 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
2. Luke 13:10-17 (NLT2) 10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! 14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.” 15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?” 17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
III. Satan is the Author of Sickness
A. Sickness entered the human race through sin.
1. John 9:1-7 (KJV) 1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
2. His blindness was not a result of his personal sin, or his parents personal sin, but it was a result of the fall of man.
3. It was a result of the original sin.
B. Sickness is really limited death. It is a result of death that entered the human race through sin. Satan is the author of death.
1. John 10:10 (NLT2) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10 (KJV) 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
C. Sickness is not good, and therefore, cannot be from God.
1. James 1:17 (KJV) 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
D. Jesus accounted sickness to the devil.
1. Luke 13:16 (NLT2)
16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
2. Acts 10:38 (NLT2) 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
IV. Jesus Healed Them ALL
A. Jesus was a perfect representation of the Father. If we want to understand the Father, we need look no farther than the life of Christ here on the earth.
1. Hebrews 1:3 (NLT2) 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
2. John 1:18 (NLT2) 18 No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
B. Fourteen times in the New Testament, the scripture says, “He healed them all.”
1. Luke 4:40
2. Matthew 9:35
3. Matthew 4:24
4. Luke 6:17, 19
5. Matthew 14:14
C. The life and ministry of Jesus proves the will of God concerning healing. He healed them all. He never made one sick.
1. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT2) 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
V. Divine Healing is an Integral Part of the Gospel
A. Forgiveness of sin and healing of the body are side by side in the Word.
1. Psalm 103:3 (NLT2) 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
2. Matthew 9:1-8 (NLT2) 1 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” 3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 7 And the man jumped up and went home! 8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.
3. Mark 2:4-5 (NLT2) 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
B. Jesus paid for our forgiveness and our healing at the same time. He was wounded for our transgressions. By His stripes we are healed!
C. Jesus commanded His disciples to heal the sick.
1. The twelve
a. Matthew 10:7-8 (KJV) 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
2. The seventy
a. Luke 10:9 (KJV) 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
3. All believers
a. Mark 16:17 (KJV) 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
b. John 14:12 (NLT2) 12 “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.
D. Healing should follow the gospel message.
a. Acts 8:5-7 (KJV) 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
b. Colossians 1:13 (KJV) 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
c. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (KJV) 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
VI. Conclusion
A. We have to study God’s Word. We have to Know what God’s promises are.
B. It is God’s will to heal every believer today. God promised it, Jesus paid for it, and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to receive it, in Jesus’ name!
C. God has commanded us to go out and share the Gospel and to lay hands on the sick, and He said they will recover.
