Carrying Loved Ones in Faith and Healing
Summary
The sermon titled "How to Carry Your Loved Ones in Faith" delves into the profound role of faith in the healing and support of loved ones. The speaker begins by drawing from the biblical account of the paralyzed man whose friends, in an act of faith, lower him through a roof to Jesus for healing. This story serves as a foundation for understanding the power of collective faith and the lengths we must go to in order to bring healing to those we care about. The speaker emphasizes that faith is not passive but requires action and cooperation from both the one carrying in faith and the one being carried.
The speaker shares personal testimonies, including the healing of their mother, to illustrate the immediacy and continuity of God's healing power when faith is applied. They also address the challenges that arise when individuals do not cooperate with the faith of those praying for them, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility in retaining healing.
In discussing sin and healing, the speaker reassures that for the saved, sin does not revoke God's healing, as Jesus has already forgiven our sins. They encourage confession and reliance on God's forgiveness, emphasizing that sin should not be seen as a gateway to sickness for believers.
The sermon also touches on the practical aspects of faith, such as dealing with finances. The speaker advises that obedience to biblical principles like tithing and offering is crucial for financial breakthroughs. They share a personal story of faith for new shoelaces, demonstrating the importance of specific prayers and recognizing God's provision in even the smallest of needs.
Furthermore, the speaker discusses the limitations of faith when praying for others, especially children. Parents can carry their children in faith to a certain extent, but ultimately, grown children must stand in their own faith. The speaker also highlights the power of specific prayers for spiritual restoration, such as those for a prodigal son or daughter.
Lastly, the speaker shares a poignant experience of releasing a loved one who was ready to pass away, emphasizing the importance of letting go when the time comes and choosing battles wisely. They conclude with a story of miraculous healing, where a person's broken neck was healed without surgery, underscoring the importance of having a supportive faith community.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is an active force that requires both action and cooperation. The story of the paralyzed man and his friends demonstrates that faith often involves overcoming obstacles and taking bold steps to seek healing. This principle applies not only to physical healing but to any area of life where we are believing for a breakthrough. [30:06]
- Personal responsibility in faith is crucial. While we can carry others in our faith, they must also be willing to cooperate and maintain their healing or breakthrough. This is particularly true in cases of healing, where the individual's faith and cooperation can significantly impact the outcome. [22:39]
- Sin should not be viewed as a barrier to healing for believers. The speaker reassures that for those who are saved, sin has been forgiven through Jesus Christ. Confession and repentance are important, but believers should not live in fear of sin as a cause of sickness or disease. [35:08]
- Specific prayers can lead to specific provisions from God. The speaker's personal story about believing for shoelaces illustrates that when we pray for specific needs, we are more able to recognize and give thanks for God's answers to our prayers. This principle encourages believers to be precise in their petitions to God. [17:40]
- The power of prayer and the word of God in a believer's life extends to their ability to influence the spiritual journey of their loved ones. Parents have authority in prayer over their children, and specific prayers can have a profound impact on bringing a wayward child back to the faith. This underscores the importance of standing firm in prayer and trusting in God's promises for our families. [09:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 5:17-26 (The story of the paralyzed man and his friends)
2. Philippians 4:19 ("And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.")
3. Romans 10:17 ("Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.")
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the friends of the paralyzed man take to bring him to Jesus, and what does this reveal about their faith? ([20:36])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the power of the Lord being present to heal? ([19:02])
3. How did the speaker illustrate the importance of specific prayers with the story about shoelaces? ([16:17])
4. What role does personal responsibility play in retaining healing, according to the sermon? ([22:39])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the paralyzed man in Luke 5 demonstrate the concept of collective faith and cooperation in seeking healing? ([20:36])
2. In what ways does the speaker suggest that sin should not be viewed as a barrier to healing for believers? ([35:08])
3. How does the speaker's personal testimony about his mother's healing illustrate the immediacy and continuity of God's healing power? ([22:00])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the limitations of faith when praying for others, especially children? ([05:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to rely on the faith of others for support. How did their actions impact your situation? How can you be that support for someone else? ([20:36])
2. The speaker emphasized the importance of specific prayers. Identify a specific need in your life and formulate a precise prayer request for it. ([16:17])
3. How can you ensure that you are cooperating with the faith of those praying for you, especially in times of need? ([22:39])
4. Discuss a situation where you had to let go of a loved one who was ready to pass away. How did you find peace in that decision, and what can you learn from the speaker's experience? ([51:17])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of obedience to biblical principles like tithing for financial breakthroughs. How can you apply this principle in your financial life? ([12:01])
6. Think of a loved one who has strayed from faith. How can you use specific prayers to support their spiritual journey back to God? ([07:32])
7. How can you build yourself up in faith to be prepared for future attacks or challenges, as suggested by the speaker? ([41:14])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Demands Bold Action
Faith is not a passive state but a dynamic force that propels one to take decisive steps towards the desired breakthrough. Just as the friends of the paralyzed man overcame physical barriers to bring him to Jesus, believers are called to actively engage in their faith journey, overcoming obstacles and demonstrating their trust in God through their actions. Faith is seen in the willingness to do whatever it takes to seek and receive healing, not just for oneself but also for those one carries in their heart. [30:06]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: What is one bold step you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in an area where you are seeking breakthrough?
Day 2: Embracing Personal Responsibility in Faith
While faith can be a communal effort, it also requires personal engagement and responsibility. Just as those praying for healing must have faith, the one being prayed for must also actively participate in their healing process. This cooperation is essential for sustaining the breakthroughs and blessings received. It is a reminder that faith is not just about receiving but also about maintaining what has been granted through a continued commitment to trust and follow God's guidance. [22:39]
Galatians 6:5 - "For each one should carry their own load."
Reflection: How can you take personal responsibility for your faith journey and actively participate in maintaining your spiritual health?
Day 3: Sin as a Non-Barrier for the Redeemed
For those who have been saved, sin is not an insurmountable barrier to God's healing and grace. The forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ covers past, present, and future sins, allowing believers to approach God with confidence. While confession and repentance are important, they are not to be done out of fear but out of a desire to maintain a close relationship with God. Believers are encouraged to live in the freedom of God's grace, knowing that their sins have been forgiven and should not be viewed as a cause for sickness or lack of healing. [35:08]
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you struggle to accept God's forgiveness? How can you remind yourself of His grace and live in the freedom He provides?
Day 4: The Power of Specific Prayer
Specific prayers reflect a heart that trusts God for the details of life. Just as the speaker experienced God's provision in the simple need for shoelaces, believers are encouraged to bring their specific requests to God, no matter how small they may seem. This practice not only strengthens faith but also allows one to recognize and appreciate God's hand in every aspect of life. It is a testament to the belief that God cares about the intricacies of His children's lives and is attentive to their calls. [17:40]
Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Reflection: What specific need can you bring to God in prayer today, and how will you look for His provision in that area?
Day 5: Standing in Prayer for Loved Ones
The influence of prayer and the Word of God in a believer's life extends to their ability to impact the spiritual journey of their loved ones. Parents, in particular, have a unique authority to carry their children in prayer, and specific intercessions can be powerful in guiding a wayward child back to faith. This authority, however, is partnered with the understanding that as children grow, they must develop their own relationship with God. The power of prayer is not to control but to lovingly support and lead others towards God's grace. [09:00]
Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
Reflection: How can you more effectively use the power of prayer to support the spiritual growth of your loved ones, especially those who may have strayed from their faith?
Quotes
1) "In any attack against you personally, you must mount a detailed strategy against that attack." [40:29]
2) "Whether or not they retain the healing is totally up to them, but if you get in a situation with your loved one or a friend who may not have the faith that you have or the knowledge that you have, there are some areas in which you can carry them in your faith." [22:39]
3) "Sin will never open the doors to sickness or disease to the Born Again believer because the sin issue has been dealt with." [35:08]
4) "Faith is very specific, it works in a very specific way to bring a very specific answer." [16:50]
5) "If you have a child that is was raised in a house that was exposed to the word of God but has grown away from God...the most effective prayer that you can pray for that child is the prayer of the prodal son or daughter." [06:52]
6) "we do what we need to do to get our loved ones our family members our friends healed we don't let opposition stop us we don't let hindrances stop us we continue to move through we continue to stand on the word of God we continue lifting this person up" [30:06]
7) "Sometimes folks know they've run their race and they're ready to go home and what you need to do is make sure it's okay with the Holy Spirit make sure he confirms this but you go in there and you release him because that's what he's waiting for." [50:35]
8) "The power of the Lord is present to heal all the time, but when it comes down and falls in a specific place at a specific time to do specific things, it manifests in a specific way." [19:02]
9) "The word of God is your final Authority in your life and what we do is we take that word and we give it to our families." [54:45]
10) "If you have a child that grows up in your home and is exposed to the word of God, there comes a time in their life where Mom and Dad's Faith doesn't work anymore." [05:20]
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