Healing

There is controversy regarding healing. Can God use people to bring healing? Is it real, or are these healers phony? Most of us today have questions regarding the reality of healing in modern times. But even in Jesus’ time, there was controversy. Jesus had a three-fold ministry:

Preaching
Teaching
Healing

Matthew 12:14

We see that the healing ministry of Jesus played a large part in the decision to crucity Him.

There is a legitimate ministry of healing. We should not put limits on God. God can do anything He wants to. We need to stretch out our faith and not pull it in.

Matthew 12:15

Those who followed Jesus received healing of all their diseases. Still, not everyone was convinced.

Matthew 12:22

We see a man bringing three problems to Jesus. We often find that we have problems in groups of three. If it isn’t one thing, its another. If not that, then its the same old thing. The man’s three problems were:

Spiritual Problem

This man was demon possessed. The demon was inflicting pain and agony.

Problem of Limitation

He was blind and could not perceive what was ahead or what was behind. Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Communication Problem

He was mute and could not share with people. He was shut off, shut out, and shut down.

When this man met Jesus, he was healed of all of his problems.

Matthew 12:23

The people were amazed at what Jesus did. They questioned if Jesus was truly the Messiah, the Son of David. Jesus did what no one else could do, but the people didn’t immediately accept Jesus... they questioned Him.

There is nothing wrong with asking God questions. Before we buy into a ministry, there are some questions we need to ask:

Does it work?

Is the ministry effective? Is the healing real? Are there fakes, actors or liars pretending to be healed?

There was a televangelist years ago (not to besmirch TV preachers) who wore an earplug. His wife used a transmitter to tell him (through the earplug) things she ascertained by mingling in the congregation. He would pretend that what he heard from his wife was received spiritually from the Lord. This man was a phony.

Is it consistent with the word of God?

If you need a job, don’t ask God to let you win the lottery. If you have marriage problems, don’t ask God to send you a new spouse. What you should do is ask God for a renewed spouse (see 2nd Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:2).

Does the preacher say that you can only get into the prayer line if you have $50 to give him (relegating those with less than $50 to a “general overview prayer”)? God’s gifts cannot be bought. God gives freely. How dare someone charge for the blessings of God?

Who does it glorify?

Does this ministry glorify God, or does it glorify a man? Does it lift up Jesus or does it lift up an evangelist? Will he sell you his handkerchief or his “holy water?” Does he say, “You can’t miss if you use this?” Is Jesus glorified?

If the ministry is not of God, run (don’t walk) away from it. We must be sure that what we do is effective and that it glorifies God.

What if the ministry is of God? What if the healing ministry IS effective... IS consistent with God’s word... IS lifting up Jesus?

Matthew 12:24

The Pharisees could not deny Jesus’ works, so they tried to destroy His character. They attributed His works to satan. That is a DANGEROUS thing to do. They were threatened by Jesus’ authority and threatened by Him personally, so they lied about Him.

Jesus is the Real Deal

There are three reasons why Jesus is the Real Deal:

A house divided against itself cannot stand. It can not be satan against satan.

Who do the children of the Pharisees use to cast out the devil?

If Jesus is using God’s power, He must be strong and mighty in God.

The Pharisees’ Sin

All sins can be forgiven except one. If someone commits blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, they will not be forgiven.

What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? There are some things that it is not.

It is not cursing.

It is not using God’s name in vain.

It is not possible for a Christian to commit this sin.

If you are worried about it, you haven’t committed this sin.

So then, what exactly is this sin?

Mark 3:30

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to intentionally lie and speak against the work and power of the Holy Spirit. You cannot do this ignorantly or innocently. It takes planning to do this. It takes determination to separate people from Jesus by any means necessary.

Conclusion

If you see the power of God moving, don’t deny it. God is moving in these last and evil days. God is opening blind eyes and bringing the dead back to life.