Ordinary people: extraordinary GodJoining God in his work

God’s powerful tools

Pentecost: empowered by God’s spirit

Father’s Day

How to hear God

Does God heal today?

Living a kingdom life

Evening Celebrations this summer

Doing the Stuff: how to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit

Ask questions, watch demonstrations and have a go.

Does God heal today?

Our challenges•General scepticism•Don’t have a theologicalframework for healing•Don’t have a model to use•Don’t know how to processfailure and disappointment•Haven’t seen much healing

Our commission

Matthew 10: 1 & 8 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness…. Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.

Luke 8: 40 - 56

43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.45 ‘Who touched me?’ Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.’46 But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she

had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ he said. ‘Don’t bother the teacher anymore.’

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.’51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her.

‘Stop wailing,’ Jesus said. ‘She is not dead but asleep.’ 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!’ 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

John Wimber:It’s in the book so I do it.Nine months beforeanyone was healed!God’s challenge: Will youteach your experienceor my word?Obedience drives us forward.The Bible doesn’t say everyone will be healed.But we are commissioned to do it.Our task is to pray; God is the one who heals.

Jesus was always involved in healing.Fifth of gospels devoted to Jesus’ healing ministry. 44 instances of healing; 31 long term.

Through healing Jesus says something about:•The character of God •The nature of the Kingdom

What does Jesus heal?Greek word for healing: wholeness, life, well being. Woman receives physical, spiritual & emotional healing.

Go in peace v48

How does Jesus heal?Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me. v46A touch, a word, a command, spit & mud.

My child, get up v54No formula, no hype.

What was the response?Nothing in the kingdom goes unopposed.

Opposition v49Doubt v52Ridicule v53

Understanding the spiritual dynamic will help us to persevere.

What about faith?

Woman’s faith commended v48Jairus’ faith encouraged v50Jesus called those of faith around him v51We see Jesus moving people from fear to faith. Don’t be afraid; just believe v50

Faith is important.But healing isn’t dependent on the faithof the sick person. Faith is a gift we ask for. (1 Cor 12:9)

What if people aren’t healed?We need an understanding of the now and not yet of the Kingdom.

As we pray we are reachingfor God’s kingdom.Matt 6:10 Let your kingdom come, letyour will be done on earth…

But people do get sick and die…

Gary Best: Naturally Supernatural My greatest crisis didn’t come in the early days of learning to pray for the sick – at that time I was quite patient, expecting that it might take some time to learn the ropes. Mymost difficult times took placelater, after witnessing somevery powerful interventionsof God. I has seen him healblindness, deafness, cancer … yet became increasingly frustratedto the point of wanting to quit. Thepain of what didn’t happen overwhelmed me.

D Day – June 6th 1944

VE Day - May 8th 1945 (11 months later)

Do we just need more power then? We need a deeper understanding ofour authority and commission.Power is vital. But…Authority allows us to usethe power.

And we use thisauthority to serve Jesus. Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matt 10:1

How to get started…

It’s like walking on water.•Good to have Biblicalprinciples•Good to talk to othersBut in the end we haveto get out of the boat!

To see more healing…we start praying!