Faith, Healing, and the Power of Gratitude
Summary
During the NYE Watch Night Service, Bishop Sherman Allen delivered a sermon that was both personal and powerful, focusing on the themes of gratitude, trust in God's faithfulness, and the transformative power of speaking God's word over one's life. Bishop Allen shared his own experiences with health challenges, including a diagnosis of fourth stage non-Hodgkins B cell lymphoma, which he overcame through faith and the power of scripture. He recounted moments of fear and desperation, but also the miraculous interventions that followed his steadfast trust in God's provision and healing.
Bishop Allen emphasized the importance of praising God with enthusiasm and gratitude, reflecting on the divine guidance and support he received throughout his life. He encouraged the congregation to testify to God's goodness and to share their experiences of healing, regardless of whether they had a platform or not. He spoke of his own journey with generational curses and the loss of his mother to cancer, highlighting the need to elevate praise and share God's works with others.
In his testimony, Bishop Allen described how he faced a serious health issue with a white count of 40,000 in July 2022. He recalled how, in the past, speaking the word of God over himself for hours each day led to his healing. When faced with the high cost of medication, he trusted in God rather than mortgaging his house, and was miraculously informed that he would not have to pay for the treatment.
Bishop Allen also shared his experience with cancer's return in 2012, which attacked his stomach and resulted in six tumors. Despite this, he remained cancer-free from 2012 to 2023. He spoke of the emotional struggle of reaching out to his father for support and the lessons learned about the difference between a father and a dad. Throughout his journey, he maintained communication with his father, seeking prayers and support.
The Bishop's personal journey included not wanting to burden his immediate family with his struggles, but finding inspiration in the example of Mother Ward. He expressed gratitude for surviving past the age at which his sister passed away and for undergoing successful surgery. Despite physical changes and ongoing therapy, he emphasized his spiritual strength and the support he received from the church community.
In a poignant moment, Bishop Allen described praying for evidence of healing during the seventh month of his battle with cancer, a time he associated with completion. Upon receiving an email confirming there was no evidence of cancer in his body, he was overwhelmed with gratitude. He also discussed the misdiagnosis of cancer in Black African-Americans and the personal losses he suffered, including the deaths of his mother and sister to cancer. He shared the impact of his son's decision to open a business in his grandmother's name, which had a profound effect on his life.
Key Takeaways:
- Bishop Sherman Allen's testimony of overcoming a fatal lymphoma diagnosis through faith and the power of scripture serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, calling upon God's word can bring about miraculous healing and provision. His experience underscores the importance of maintaining a deep connection with the divine, especially when facing life-threatening challenges. [01:00:47]
- The act of gratitude is not just a polite gesture but a powerful acknowledgment of God's presence and influence in our lives. Bishop Allen's expression of thanks is a testament to the transformative effect that a heart full of reverence and appreciation can have on one's spiritual journey. [0:00]
- Trusting in God's faithfulness is not a passive act but an active stance that involves speaking His word over our circumstances. Bishop Allen's encouragement to remember God's past deliverances and to testify to His goodness without the need for a public platform highlights the personal and communal strength that comes from sharing our faith stories. [01:10:59]
- The concept of embracing pain as a ministry is a profound insight shared by Bishop Allen. His journey through cancer and the subsequent changes in his life, including his approach to words and pain, reveal that our deepest struggles can become powerful testimonies and sources of inspiration for others. [01:17:20]
- Bishop Allen's personal narrative of receiving an email confirming his healing from cancer during a month he associated with completion is a powerful illustration of the significance of faith and timing. It serves as a reminder that God's deliverance can come in unexpected ways and that our perseverance in faith can lead to moments of profound gratitude and transformation. [01:03:42]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
2. Matthew 8:8 - "The centurion answered and said, 'Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.'"
3. Mark 5:34 - "And He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Bishop Sherman Allen's initial diagnosis, and how did he respond to it? [01:01:34]
2. How did Bishop Allen use scripture during his health challenges? [01:03:00]
3. What was the significance of the seventh month in Bishop Allen's journey? [01:04:35]
4. How did Bishop Allen's faith influence his decision regarding the high cost of medication? [01:08:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 10:17 relate to Bishop Allen's practice of speaking the word of God over himself for hours each day? [01:07:25]
2. In what ways does the centurion's faith in Matthew 8:8 mirror Bishop Allen's trust in God's word for healing? [01:09:27]
3. How does Mark 5:34's message of faith and healing resonate with Bishop Allen's testimony of overcoming cancer? [01:03:42]
4. What lessons can be drawn from Bishop Allen's experience about the importance of gratitude and praise in the face of adversity? [01:00:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Bishop Allen emphasized the power of speaking God's word over our lives. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [01:07:25]
2. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did your faith influence your response, and what can you learn from Bishop Allen's example? [01:01:34]
3. Bishop Allen spoke about the importance of gratitude. What are some specific ways you can express gratitude to God for His provision and protection in your life? [01:00:47]
4. How can you share your own testimonies of God's goodness and healing with others, even if you don't have a public platform? [01:10:59]
5. Bishop Allen's story highlights the importance of community support. How can you be a source of encouragement and support for someone going through a difficult time? [01:20:10]
6. Consider the concept of embracing pain as a ministry. How can your own struggles and challenges become a source of inspiration and testimony for others? [01:17:20]
7. Bishop Allen received confirmation of his healing during a significant month. How can you remain patient and faithful while waiting for God's timing in your own life? [01:04:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Miraculous Healing Through God's Word
Faith and scripture have the power to bring about miraculous healing, even in the face of terminal illness. By calling upon God's word, one can experience profound physical and spiritual restoration, demonstrating the life-changing impact of divine intervention. [01:00:47]
James 5:14-15 - "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you or someone you know experienced healing that seemed beyond human possibility? How did that experience strengthen your faith in the power of God's word?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Gratitude
Gratitude is a dynamic force that acknowledges God's active role in our lives. It is through a heart of thankfulness that one can truly appreciate the blessings received and the challenges overcome, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and transformation. [0:00]
Colossians 3:15-17 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: Reflect on a difficult situation where you found it hard to be grateful. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude today, even for the small victories or lessons learned?
Day 3: Active Trust in God's Faithfulness
Trusting in God's faithfulness requires actively speaking His word over life's circumstances. It is a commitment to remember His past deliverances and to boldly share personal testimonies of His goodness, which strengthens both individual and communal faith. [01:10:59]
Habakkuk 3:17-19 - "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more? How can you actively speak His word into this situation today?
Day 4: Embracing Pain as Ministry
Our deepest struggles, such as battling a life-threatening illness, can become powerful testimonies. By embracing pain and allowing it to shape our ministry, we can inspire and encourage others who are facing similar trials, turning our suffering into a source of strength. [01:17:20]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Reflection: How has a painful experience in your life equipped you to minister to others? What is one way you can use your story to offer comfort to someone this week?
Day 5: Faith and Divine Timing
The intersection of faith and divine timing can lead to moments of profound gratitude and transformation. Recognizing that God's deliverance often comes in unexpected ways encourages perseverance and reinforces the belief that our timing is not always aligned with God's perfect plan. [01:03:42]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you had to wait for God's timing? How did the outcome differ from your expectations, and what did you learn about trusting in God's plan?
Quotes
"Change your words, change the words that you use and secondly your pain is your greatest Ministry." [01:17:20] (Download)
"A father is someone that knows you're hurting before you hurt and he's already praying." [01:20:10] (Download)
"He is Jehovah Gyra and he has provided for you, he has protected you, he has preserved you all year long." [01:00:47] (Download)
"Speak the word over yourself and that doesn't just mean Cancer; speak the word over yourself over everything." [01:10:59] (Download)
"You don't have to have a mic to testify of the goodness of God. If God has done anything for you, we got to take this praise to another level." [01:11:43] (Download)
"The devil was a liar because I made it through. I'm 53 as of October the 6th, it didn't take me at the age of 53 and not only that, they were able to do the surgery that they told me they weren't going to do." [01:20:49] (Download)
"Don't tell me what God cannot do. And here's the blessing, here's the miracle. I'm not the miracle, the miracle is this woman sent me words of encouragement, sent me emails, this woman will call and ask me do you need me to cook." [01:22:11] (Download)
"The word of God is what healed my body, the word of God is what delivered me." [01:08:04] (Download)
"Just speak the word again and just recently they said you know you don't qualify for this drug again and I said I don't and once they got with the income tax people and everything all of a sudden God made provision for the drug again." [01:10:07] (Download)
"the way it messed me up for about 3 hours was when the email came in and said there is no evidence of cancer in her body praise the Lord bless his name and I've been going crazy ever since." [01:05:20] (Download)
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