LAST SUNDAY'S SERMON NOTES
Read Peter's preaching notes....
“The Divine Healer”
Mark 2:1-12
1/18/26
“Why did God let this happen?” toughest question I ever face as pastor
in past few months, asked by two women who exp’d devastating illness, self/family
answer I gave probably not something should say in pulpit: we live in an f’d up world
try today to explain what I meant w/out using crude lang
more polite way to put it: we live in a broken world that breaks people
effect of sin in world not limited to those who commit: distorts & corrupts all creation
yes: Lord has power & authority over all creation: can do whatever he wants
at times brings miraculous healing into our lives, but not always
has apparently chosen to allow effects of sin continue to trouble our world
at least for now: trust all will be made right when X returns
With this in mind, today look at 2nd answer to question: what can Jesus do for you?
he brings healing
continuation of what did during earthly ministry: gospels tell stories of being healed
but stories we have only small sample: healing significant part of ministry
in Mt alone, at least 9X read about Jesus healing large crowds of people
stories that go into bit more detail help us understand what his healing can mean for us
how we can exp: what happens if don’t receive healing we seek
In order to exp healing that Jesus brings, must 1st be open to receive it
ie make self available to X to do his work in your life
in Jn 5, when Jesus encountered disabled man at pool of Bethesda, asked,
“Do you want to get well?” – odd: answer would seem obvious
but perhaps at times so used to our broken condition, don’t see any other way to live
until Jesus comes w/ invitation to exp more from life
Role model for us is blind man of Jericho named Bartimaeus (Mk 10)
heard that Jesus was coming, started to shout “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
people tried to shut him up: only shouted louder
eventually Jesus heard, called for him, asked “What do you want me to do for you?”
replied “I want to see.”
in our own ways, we can call out like he did: “Jesus, have mercy on me!”
when he asks you want you want him to do for you, tell him
As said, may not always bring healing into your life
or at least, not in way asked or hoped for
find example in 2 Cor 12: apostle Paul afflicted w/ “thorn in [his] flesh”
don’t know exactly what it was: physical infirmity or something else
asked for Lord to take it away: he didn’t: instead, told Paul
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
as Paul understood, was in danger of becoming conceited
thorn in flesh to keep in humble: force to rely on God’s strength
learn another important lesson in this story about how Jesus brings healing
several times, after Jesus healed someone, told them “Your faith has healed you”
don’t believe means healing depends on how much faith you have : mustard seed
but that you have faith at all: turn to Jesus in hope of what he can do for you
here is apostle Paul: one of greatest heroes of early church: Jesus didn’t heal
sometimes, when Jesus doesn’t bring healing, people feel guilty
think because didn’t believe strongly enough: not the case
Lord in control, not us: don’t manipulate or manage him: he does what he wants
faith for us means trusting that he wants what is good for us
One more story of healing to help us learn more about what Jesus can do
Mark 2:1-12: 4 friends lower invalid through hole made in roof
couldn’t get him through the door: too crowded, so improvised
Jesus healed the man: two points in particular to notice
1st: Jesus began by saying “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus can forgive our sins, of course: what talked about last week
but that wasn’t why his 4 friends went to such extremes to bring to Jesus!
not only that, but offended relig leaders in room
rightly believed that only God can forgive sin
wrongly assumed that Jesus was not God
Jesus’ response provides valuable insight into depths of healing he offers
“Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up, take your mat & walk’?”
seems like ½ dozen one, 6 of the other: doesn’t make any difference, same thing
forgiveness of this man’s sins directly related to his physical healing
sometimes, our physical infirmities are a reflection of our sp infirmities
notice: sometimes: not saying all sickness is result of sin, but at times, 2 are related
what is happening in our sp has an effect on our body: eg sick if stressed
Jesus’ response reminds us of the scope of healing he can offer us
sometimes, it is our spirits that are wounded & hurting, not our bodies
may affect us more profoundly than anything could suffer physically
when consider how Jesus can heal you, don’t limit it to your body
come to him w/ your inner struggles & pain
2nd thing to notice in story: “When Jesus saw their faith…” he healed
Jesus responded not to the invalid’s faith, but his friends’ faith
reminder that we can have role to play when Jesus heals other people
healing not only something receive from Jesus: calls for us to share in his healing work
insight that Scripture makes very clear in other places
when Jesus sent out 12 disciples, among other things sent them to heal
not just them: healing is one of sp gifts that God provides us w/: expects us to use
James 5: if someone is sick, call church leaders to pray over & anoint
May shy away from seeking healing from Jesus, or seeking to heal other in his name
have heard too many stories of faith healers who are frauds
worry that if seek to heal or be healed, will be disappointed if God decides not to
valid concerns, but no reason to ignore one of blessings Jesus provides
can heal us, body & soul, and equip us to heal others in his name
Mark 2:1-12
1/18/26
“Why did God let this happen?” toughest question I ever face as pastor
in past few months, asked by two women who exp’d devastating illness, self/family
answer I gave probably not something should say in pulpit: we live in an f’d up world
try today to explain what I meant w/out using crude lang
more polite way to put it: we live in a broken world that breaks people
effect of sin in world not limited to those who commit: distorts & corrupts all creation
yes: Lord has power & authority over all creation: can do whatever he wants
at times brings miraculous healing into our lives, but not always
has apparently chosen to allow effects of sin continue to trouble our world
at least for now: trust all will be made right when X returns
With this in mind, today look at 2nd answer to question: what can Jesus do for you?
he brings healing
continuation of what did during earthly ministry: gospels tell stories of being healed
but stories we have only small sample: healing significant part of ministry
in Mt alone, at least 9X read about Jesus healing large crowds of people
stories that go into bit more detail help us understand what his healing can mean for us
how we can exp: what happens if don’t receive healing we seek
In order to exp healing that Jesus brings, must 1st be open to receive it
ie make self available to X to do his work in your life
in Jn 5, when Jesus encountered disabled man at pool of Bethesda, asked,
“Do you want to get well?” – odd: answer would seem obvious
but perhaps at times so used to our broken condition, don’t see any other way to live
until Jesus comes w/ invitation to exp more from life
Role model for us is blind man of Jericho named Bartimaeus (Mk 10)
heard that Jesus was coming, started to shout “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
people tried to shut him up: only shouted louder
eventually Jesus heard, called for him, asked “What do you want me to do for you?”
replied “I want to see.”
in our own ways, we can call out like he did: “Jesus, have mercy on me!”
when he asks you want you want him to do for you, tell him
As said, may not always bring healing into your life
or at least, not in way asked or hoped for
find example in 2 Cor 12: apostle Paul afflicted w/ “thorn in [his] flesh”
don’t know exactly what it was: physical infirmity or something else
asked for Lord to take it away: he didn’t: instead, told Paul
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
as Paul understood, was in danger of becoming conceited
thorn in flesh to keep in humble: force to rely on God’s strength
learn another important lesson in this story about how Jesus brings healing
several times, after Jesus healed someone, told them “Your faith has healed you”
don’t believe means healing depends on how much faith you have : mustard seed
but that you have faith at all: turn to Jesus in hope of what he can do for you
here is apostle Paul: one of greatest heroes of early church: Jesus didn’t heal
sometimes, when Jesus doesn’t bring healing, people feel guilty
think because didn’t believe strongly enough: not the case
Lord in control, not us: don’t manipulate or manage him: he does what he wants
faith for us means trusting that he wants what is good for us
One more story of healing to help us learn more about what Jesus can do
Mark 2:1-12: 4 friends lower invalid through hole made in roof
couldn’t get him through the door: too crowded, so improvised
Jesus healed the man: two points in particular to notice
1st: Jesus began by saying “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus can forgive our sins, of course: what talked about last week
but that wasn’t why his 4 friends went to such extremes to bring to Jesus!
not only that, but offended relig leaders in room
rightly believed that only God can forgive sin
wrongly assumed that Jesus was not God
Jesus’ response provides valuable insight into depths of healing he offers
“Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up, take your mat & walk’?”
seems like ½ dozen one, 6 of the other: doesn’t make any difference, same thing
forgiveness of this man’s sins directly related to his physical healing
sometimes, our physical infirmities are a reflection of our sp infirmities
notice: sometimes: not saying all sickness is result of sin, but at times, 2 are related
what is happening in our sp has an effect on our body: eg sick if stressed
Jesus’ response reminds us of the scope of healing he can offer us
sometimes, it is our spirits that are wounded & hurting, not our bodies
may affect us more profoundly than anything could suffer physically
when consider how Jesus can heal you, don’t limit it to your body
come to him w/ your inner struggles & pain
2nd thing to notice in story: “When Jesus saw their faith…” he healed
Jesus responded not to the invalid’s faith, but his friends’ faith
reminder that we can have role to play when Jesus heals other people
healing not only something receive from Jesus: calls for us to share in his healing work
insight that Scripture makes very clear in other places
when Jesus sent out 12 disciples, among other things sent them to heal
not just them: healing is one of sp gifts that God provides us w/: expects us to use
James 5: if someone is sick, call church leaders to pray over & anoint
May shy away from seeking healing from Jesus, or seeking to heal other in his name
have heard too many stories of faith healers who are frauds
worry that if seek to heal or be healed, will be disappointed if God decides not to
valid concerns, but no reason to ignore one of blessings Jesus provides
can heal us, body & soul, and equip us to heal others in his name
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | [email protected]
724-538-8672 | [email protected]