Ordinary people: extraordinary God Joining 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 theological framework for healing Don’t have a model to use Don’t know how to process failure 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:

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 before anyone was healed! God’s challenge: Will you teach your experience or 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. v46 A touch, a word, a command, spit & mud. My child, get up v54 No formula, no hype.

What was the response? Nothing in the kingdom goes unopposed. Opposition v49 Doubt v52 Ridicule v53 Understanding the spiritual dynamic will help us to persevere.

What about faith?

Woman’s faith commended v48 Jairus’ faith encouraged v50 Jesus called those of faith around him v51 We 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 faith of 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 reaching for God’s kingdom. Matt 6:10 Let your kingdom come, let your 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. My most difficult times took place later, after witnessing some very powerful interventions of God. I has seen him heal blindness, deafness, cancer … yet became increasingly frustrated to the point of wanting to quit. The pain of what didn’t happen overwhelmed me.

D Day – June 6 th 1944

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

Do we just need more power then? We need a deeper understanding of our authority and commission. Power is vital. But… Authority allows us to use the power. And we use this authority 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 Biblical principles Good to talk to others But in the end we have to get out of the boat! To see more healing… we start praying!