Faith, Authority, and God's Compassion in Healing

In the warmth and beauty of summer, it’s easy to be distracted, but we are reminded of the importance of faithfulness to God and His people. Reflecting on the legacy of faithful servants like John MacArthur, we see the impact of a life wholly devoted to God’s authority and the maturing of believers. At Crosspoint, we are committed to a process of discipleship that leads to spiritual maturity, emphasizing the necessity of growing in the Word and submitting to God’s structure of authority in every area of life.

Turning to the Gospel of Luke, we encounter two stories of healing that reveal profound truths about God’s ways. The Roman centurion’s faith was not in a formula, but in the authority of Jesus—he recognized that true faith is complete confidence in God’s word, regardless of circumstances. Jesus was amazed by this faith, a faith rooted in humility and submission to authority. This principle of authority is woven throughout creation, family, government, and the church. God’s power is released in our lives when we submit to the authorities He has placed over us, not when we resist them.

The second story, the raising of the widow’s son at Nain, shows that God’s healing is not always a response to faith or a request, but sometimes flows purely from His compassion and grace. The widow did not ask for a miracle; Jesus was simply moved by her suffering. This reminds us that healing is not earned or deserved, nor is it always withheld because of a lack of faith. Sometimes, God’s purposes in suffering are deeper than we can understand.

Scripture makes it clear that while God does heal, He does not promise physical healing to everyone in this life. Even the Apostle Paul, who healed many, was not always healed himself, nor did he heal all those around him. Faith is not a lever to force God’s hand; it is a posture of trust and submission to His will. We are encouraged to pray for healing, seek medical help, trust God’s sovereignty, and allow suffering to draw us nearer to Christ. Ultimately, God’s greatest concern is our spiritual maturity, not our comfort. There is coming a day when all suffering will end, but until then, we rest in His grace, knowing that He gives more grace as our burdens grow greater.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. True Faith Submits to God’s Authority Faith is not a formula to manipulate God, but a deep trust in His authority and word, regardless of our circumstances. The centurion’s humility and recognition of Jesus’ authority amazed Christ and unlocked God’s power in his life. God’s blessings flow when we willingly submit to the authorities He has established, whether in the family, church, or society. Resisting God-given authority closes the door to His power and presence in our lives. [08:53]
• 2. God’s Compassion, Not Our Performance, Moves Him The healing of the widow’s son at Nain was not prompted by her faith or request, but by Jesus’ overflowing compassion. Sometimes, God intervenes simply because He loves and cares for us, not because we have done something to earn it. This challenges the notion that healing is always tied to the strength of our faith or our spiritual performance. God’s grace is often most evident when we least expect or deserve it. [18:48]
• 3. Healing Is Not Always Promised, and Suffering Has Purpose Scripture does not guarantee physical healing for every believer, even though we are encouraged to pray for it. The stories of Paul, Timothy, and others show that God sometimes allows suffering for reasons beyond our understanding, often to deepen our faith and reliance on Him. Suffering is not always a sign of sin or lack of faith; rather, it can be a tool God uses to accomplish His greater purposes in us. [26:52]
• 4. Responding to Sickness: Prayer, Medicine, and Trust When facing illness, we are called to pray in faith, seek the prayers of others, and make use of medical resources available to us. Trusting God’s sovereignty means believing that He is good and wise, even when healing does not come as we hope. Through suffering, God refines our faith, draws us closer to Himself, and often opens doors to new opportunities for growth and ministry. [36:58]
• 5. Eternal Healing and the Hope of Heaven While God sometimes heals in this life, ultimate healing is promised in eternity, where there will be no more pain, sorrow, or death. The stories of Joni Eareckson Tada and Annie Johnson Flint remind us that God’s grace is sufficient, and He often brings beauty and ministry out of our deepest trials. Our hope is not in temporary relief, but in the eternal joy and wholeness that await all who trust in Christ. [44:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:47] - Remembering John MacArthur’s Legacy
• [03:30] - Crosspoint’s Discipleship and SALT Class
• [04:20] - Questions About Healing
• [05:16] - The Frailty of Health and Need for God
• [06:30] - The Centurion’s Faith and Authority
• [08:53] - The Principle of Authority in God’s Kingdom
• [12:48] - Purpose, Priorities, and Promises in the Church
• [15:37] - Jesus’ Compassion at Nain
• [18:48] - Healing Rooted in Grace, Not Faith
• [21:22] - Paul’s Thorn and the Purpose of Miracles
• [24:46] - Does God Promise Physical Healing?
• [26:52] - Faith, Suffering, and God’s Greater Plan
• [33:17] - Joni Eareckson Tada: God’s Purpose in Suffering
• [35:27] - How Should Christians Respond to Sickness?
• [36:58] - Prayer, Medicine, and Trusting God’s Sovereignty
• [40:24] - Suffering, Spiritual Growth, and Job’s Testimony
• [43:08] - The Importance of Submission to Authority
• [44:32] - The Hope of Eternal Healing
• [45:48] - The Second Death and the Call to Salvation
• [46:43] - Annie Johnson Flint: Grace in Suffering
• [47:28] - “He Giveth More Grace” Hymn
• [51:49] - Closing and Invitation

Crosspoint Small Group Bible Study Guide
When God Heals and When He Does Not

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Bible Reading

Luke 7:1-17 (ESV)
The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant and the Raising of the Widow’s Son at Nain

> 1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
> 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.
> 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
> 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him,
> 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”
> 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.
> 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
> 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
> 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
> 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
> 11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him.
> 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.
> 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
> 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
> 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
> 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
> 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

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Observation Questions

1. What was unique about the centurion’s approach to Jesus, and how did he describe his understanding of authority? ([08:53])
2. In the story of the widow at Nain, did she or anyone else ask Jesus for help? What moved Jesus to act? ([18:48])
3. According to the sermon, did Jesus heal everyone he encountered? What examples were given to support this? ([24:46])
4. What did Jesus say about the centurion’s faith, and how did the crowd respond after the widow’s son was raised? ([09:00]; [16:00])

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus was “amazed” by the centurion’s faith? What does this reveal about the kind of faith that pleases God? ([08:53])
2. The widow did not ask for a miracle, yet Jesus intervened. What does this teach about God’s compassion and the reasons He sometimes acts? ([18:48])
3. The sermon emphasized that faith is not a formula to get what we want from God. How does this challenge common ideas about faith and healing? ([24:46])
4. How does the principle of submitting to God’s authority relate to experiencing God’s power and blessing in our lives? ([08:53]; [43:08])

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Application Questions

1. The centurion recognized and submitted to Jesus’ authority. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to God or the authorities He has placed over you (family, church, government)? What would it look like to take a step of submission this week? ([08:53])
2. When you or someone you love is suffering, do you tend to look for reasons or blame (lack of faith, sin, etc.), or do you rest in God’s compassion and sovereignty? How can you shift your mindset to trust God’s heart, even when you don’t understand? ([18:48]; [26:52])
3. The sermon shared stories of people like Joni Eareckson Tada and Annie Johnson Flint, who found God’s grace in suffering. Have you or someone you know experienced God’s presence or purpose in a season of pain or illness? How did it change you? ([33:17]; [46:43])
4. When facing sickness, the sermon encouraged prayer, seeking medical help, and trusting God’s sovereignty. Which of these steps is hardest for you, and why? ([36:58])
5. The message said that God’s greatest concern is our spiritual maturity, not our comfort. In what ways might God be using a current struggle or disappointment in your life to grow your faith? ([43:08])
6. How can you come alongside someone in your life who is suffering, not with easy answers, but with compassion and presence, like Jesus did for the widow? ([15:37])
7. The hope of eternal healing was highlighted as our ultimate comfort. How does the promise of heaven shape the way you view suffering and loss today? ([44:32])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another—especially for those who are sick or suffering. Ask God for healing, but also for grace, trust, and spiritual growth in every circumstance.