Authority Over Sickness

February 28th, 2021
Speaker: RJ Dugone
Text: Mark 1: 29-34. 29 And immediately after they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and they immediately spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she served them. 32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

• One of the signs that marked Jesus' Ministry was physical healing.  Why was healing people an important part of Christ's Ministry?
• Sickness is a symptom or a natural result of sin, ultimately leading to death.  Jesus authority over sickness was a foreshadowing of His authority over death.  Why is it important for Jesus to have authority over sickness?  

Big Idea: Recent events have made everyone (worldwide) aware of how vulnerable we are to disease. Please note that before sin entered the world, there was no disease.  Part of the future hope for Believers is that there will be no sickness in heaven.  Jesus demonstrated His authority over sickness by healing people.  The ultimate completion of Christ's atoning work is that Believers will pass from this life into eternal life with a glorified body that is never tired, never sick and will never die.  

• The threat of disease effects people in different ways.  Some people are preoccupied with what disease might ail them.  Others are afraid of what they might "catch."  How do we go about giving our fear (concerning our vulnerability to sickness) over to God?
• Why are some people healed when "we" pray for them while other people remain sick?

Cross References: Isaiah 53:3-6 (NASB) 3  He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4  Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5  But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6  All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

• Notice that the atoning work of Christ addressed sickness.  Why is this important?

James 5:14-15 (NASB) 14  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; 15  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. 

• The church is called to continue the ministry of Christ by praying for the sick.  How important is it for the church to continue to pray for the sick?

Apologetics/Theology: In addressing His disciples, Jesus declared that they would do the same works that He did and even greater works.  (John 14:12)  If you examine the "works" that Jesus did it is a pretty extraordinary thought to suppose that we would engage in the "same" works.  I do not believe that this gives the church of today, the permission to explain away the possibility of healing through the ministry of the saints.  It is difficult to maintain a cessationist view of healing and other spiritual gifts in light of Christ's declaration.  Why are "we" instructed to pray for the sick if we do not expect the sick to be healed?  Make no mistake, Jesus is the healer, but He uses us as His vessels that continue to administer His grace; and so, we lay hands upon the sick and pray with the expectation that the atoning work of Christ is still in force and that the sick will be restored to health.

• Is it always God's will to heal?  (There is always a possibility that God's will is to bring someone through the gate of death and usher them into His presence.  This is the ultimate healing experience)
• We know that God heals people, why doesn't He always heal people who are sick?