SPECIAL DAYS: Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 23, 2001 - Lesson: Matthew 4.23-25

Sermon Title: The Healing Power of Jesus

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INTRODUCTION:

Mom and small child had gone to the supermarket.

You get to that aisle, you know the one I mean.

Small child wants something, I mean, really wants something.

So she throws herself on the floor and begins to kick and scream.

Mom goes around the corner of the aisle

Keeping watch, but with an expression that said, Whose child is this, anyway.

MAIN BODY:

  1. Whose child is this? What child is this?
    1. We sing a Christmas carol.

What child is this who laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

    1. Whose child is this? What child is this?
      1. We listen to the readings and prayers for Advent.
      2. We speak of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace.
  1. We ask again: 

What child is this who laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

    1. The answer comes back

This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the son of Mary.

    1. How do we know?

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  1. What evidence do we have to prove the sentiment and conclusion to this carol?
    1. We have testimonials.
      1. Jesus once asked his disciples to help identify him.
      2. In Luke 9:18-20 he asked two questions.
        1. "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
        2. 19They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen."
        3. 20He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
        4. Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."
      3. Is this a declaration that has substance?
    2. We have eye witness accounts of those who were with Jesus.
      1. A summery is found in 1 John 1.1-4

1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us--3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

      1. This is a complete and powerful summery of what the disciples experienced.
      2. Are they people to be believed?

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    1. We have Jesus works
      1. Jesus said, in John 14, that if one could not believe the words, then believe because of the works.

2In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves, (John 14:2-11, NRSVA).

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      1. This brings us to the lesson for today from Matthew 4.23-25

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

  1. So we ask again the questions that plead for answers.
    1. Whose child is this? What child is this?
      1. Witness the compassion of God
      2. Witness the love of God
      3. Witness the designs of God
      4. Witness the desires of God.
      5. Witness the fulfillment of the promises of God.
        1. The promise, in Malachi 4.2, is that:

2But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

    1. The Son of righteousness has risen with healing in his wings.
      1. Jesus healed all who came to him.
      2. There were no pre-conditions.
      3. There were no restrictions.
      4. There were no limitations.
      5. He cleansed their minds.
      6. He healed their diseases.
      7. He restored their souls.

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  1. We ask again the same questions: Whose child is this? What child is this?
    1. We know, if we have faith, we know, if we have the faith to accept, we know.

Peter Wagner in How to Have a Healing Ministry Without Making Your Church Sick tells the story of the King of Siam who in the 17th century was pleased to talk to the Dutch ambassador.

He was enthralled by the stories of life in far-off Holland - that is until the ambassador began to tell the king about winter in Holland and how the water could turn so hard that an elephant could walk on it. This was simply too much for the king who had lived his whole life in the tropics.

The king replied: Hitherto, I have believed the strange things you have told me, because I look upon you as a sober faithful man; but now I am sure you lie. (1)

      1. Even in the midst of doubt we can have faith.
      2. This is the experience told in Mark 9. 14-29, of a dad who pleaded with Jesus to heal his son.
        1. Jesus, Peter, James and John had been on the Mount of Transfiguration.
        2. When they came down, well this is what happened:

14When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. 16He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" 17Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so." 19He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." 20And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." 23Jesus said to him, "If you are able!--All things can be done for the one who believes." 24Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" 25When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!" 26After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 28When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer."

        1. I believe, help my unbelief.
        2. This is the conflict between faith and doubt.
        3. It is a conflict that can be won.

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    1. I remember singing a song, I Believe In Miracles. that illustrates this point.

Creation shows the power of God,
There's glory all around.
And those who see must stand in awe,
For miracles abound.

I believe in Miracles,
I've seen a soul set free.
Miraculous the change in one,
Redeemed by cavalry.
I've seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod,
I believe in miracles, for I believe in God.

    1. I do not believe in faith-healers.
      1. Years ago, A. A. Allen was on TV.
        1. He would pray and while he was praying he would urge people to come and touch the television screen.
        2. Its as if there was power in the remote contact.
      2. Although there may be inadvertent healing.

Paul Brenner, in his All Movie Guide describes Steve Martin as having one of his best roles in Leap Of Faith as Jonas Nightengale, a high-tech faith healer and revival preacher who takes pride in the money he squeezes out of people, convincing himself that he can't deliver hope, but "I give my people a good show."

As the film begins, Nightengale's truck caravan breaks down and his troupe finds itself stranded in the backwater town of Rustwater, Kansas. Nightengale figures that as long as he's there, he might as well set up the rubes and put on a performance.

With the aid of his assistant Jane (Debra Winger ) (who talks to Nightengale through an earpiece, informing him of the physical problems of certain members of his audience), Nightengale puts on a glorious show and rakes in the money.

Nightengale also meets someone, Marva (Lolita Davidovich ), a local waitress with a crippled son. The boy thinks Nightengale can heal him. Nightengale tries to make the child understand that he can't help him, but it turns out that Nightengale knows very little about his own faith powers.

        1. The child is healed.
        2. Who does not want to be healed?
        3. How are we going to find healing.

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CONCLUSION:

  1. So we ask ourselves for the final time: Whose child is this? What child is this?
    1. Jesus is not present in person to work the wonders of his love.
    2. Jesus still works.
      1. He works through the hands of the surgeon.
      2. He works with those who have been trained to apply Christian principles in the counseling process.
    3. But sometimes we have to wait for the ultimate healing to take place.
      1. That day when all things will be restored.
      2. When there will be, according to Revelation 21.1 and 4

And there will be no more separation, no more sea. 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away."

Joan Chittister, in The Rule of Benedict relates a story of a man who came to a holy person seeking healing.

The holy person listened patiently as the man listed his complaints and then asked, Do you really want to be cured?

The man was shocked by the question and said, Of course I want to be cured. Why else would I have come?

To which the holy person replied, Most come, not to be cured, that is too painful. They come for relief. (2)

  1. We do come to Christ for relief.
  2. We do come to Christ for healing.
  3. Thank God for Christmas.

This, this is Christ the King.
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the son of Mary.

1. Peter Wagner, How to Have a Healing Ministry Without Making Your Church Sick (Eastbourne, Eng.: Monarch 1988), 143.

2. Joan Chittister, The Rule of Benedict (New York: Crossroad, 1992), 128.

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