New Hope Calendar

“He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him:  ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.  That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.  I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one “Come,” and he comes.  I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’”

**Had authority over every sickness and disease and gave it to his apostles and others at transition points in his ministry – Luke 9:1ff; 10:1ff

The early church…examples…
**“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” – Acts 3:16
**“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” – Acts 4:29-30

The early church…little teaching…
**“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good…to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit…” –   1 Corinthians 12:7, 9

**“Is any one of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” – James 5:14-16

Early church leaders…what else happened…
**“As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.  Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn…” – Galatians 4:13-15
**“…Epaphroditus…was ill, and almost died.  But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.” – Philippians 2:25-27
**“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” – 1 Timothy 5:23
**“…I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.” – 2 Timothy 4:20

Future promise…
**“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river…Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” – Ezekiel 47:12
**“…And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be any curse…” – Revelation 22:2-3

Present realities…
*Jesus is our healer…our hope, the one who has authority over everything
*He is worthy to be humbly trusted for all things
*He encourages us to believe and seek him for total healing
*There is still mystery to when and how God works…we can trust him