Healing Beyond the Surface: Embracing Jesus' Wholeness

Devotional

Day 1: The Universal Cry of Creation

Description: All of creation stands in unison, proclaiming the holiness and greatness of Jesus. This universal cry is a reminder of the unique privilege we have as believers to sing from our souls, having experienced His salvation. Our worship is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus' name. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our worship is not just a personal act but a cosmic one, joining with all of creation in declaring the glory of God. This perspective can deepen our worship experience, knowing that we are part of a much larger chorus that spans the heavens and the earth. [30:09]

Bible Passage: "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth." (Psalm 96:11-13, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that all of creation worships God alongside you change the way you approach worship? Can you take a moment today to join in this universal cry, praising God for His greatness and holiness?

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Day 2: Emotional Sinkholes

Description: Just like physical sinkholes, emotional hurts can lie hidden beneath the surface, eventually leading to collapse. Ignoring or avoiding these hurts only allows them to fester. Jesus wants to heal our emotional wounds, starting with our hearts, so we can live healthy, whole lives. Emotional sinkholes are those deep, hidden hurts that we often ignore or try to avoid. They can be past traumas, unresolved conflicts, or unspoken fears. If left unaddressed, these emotional sinkholes can lead to a collapse in our emotional and spiritual well-being. Jesus' healing touch is not limited to our physical ailments; He desires to heal our deepest emotional wounds as well. [43:46]

Bible Passage: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3, ESV)

Reflection: What emotional sinkholes might you be ignoring in your life? Can you invite Jesus into those hidden places today and ask Him to begin the healing process?

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Day 3: The Power of Jesus' Command

Description: Jesus' question to the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" challenges us to confront our own hurts. His command to "get up, pick up your mat, and walk" signifies the need to take active steps toward healing, moving beyond our past and not letting it define us. This story from John 5 serves as a powerful metaphor for our own lives. We often find ourselves stuck in our past hurts, feeling invalidated and unable to move forward. Jesus' command is a call to action, urging us to take responsibility for our healing and to step into the new life He offers. [49:34]

Bible Passage: "And Jesus said to him, 'Get up, take up your bed, and walk.' And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked." (John 5:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to move beyond a past hurt? How can you actively participate in the healing process that Jesus offers?

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Day 4: Holding Onto Hurt

Description: Holding onto hurt can lead to a sense of entitlement and a cycle of blame, preventing us from experiencing true freedom. Jesus calls us to release our hurts, forgive, and move forward. This act of letting go is crucial for emotional and spiritual health. When we hold onto our hurts, we often fall into a cycle of blame and entitlement, thinking that we deserve to hold onto our pain. However, this only keeps us trapped and prevents us from experiencing the freedom that Jesus offers. Letting go of our hurts and choosing to forgive is a powerful step toward emotional and spiritual health. [51:00]

Bible Passage: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? Can you ask God to help you release your hurt and extend forgiveness, just as He has forgiven you?

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Day 5: Community and Support

Description: Healing often requires the support of a community. Whether through Celebrate Recovery, grief support groups, or life groups, we need spaces to process our pain and find encouragement. Communion reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom He offers from our past hurts. Being part of a supportive community is essential for our healing journey. These groups provide a safe space to share our struggles, receive encouragement, and find accountability. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom He offers from our past hurts, inviting us to release our pain to Him and embrace the new life He has for us. [01:10:50]

Bible Passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Are you part of a supportive community where you can process your pain and find encouragement? If not, can you take a step today to join a group or reach out to someone for support?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that Jesus desires to heal not just our physical ailments but also our emotional wounds. We began by reflecting on the universal cry of creation, proclaiming the holiness and greatness of Jesus. This led us into a time of worship, emphasizing the unique privilege of those saved by His blood to sing from their souls. We then transitioned to a powerful testimony from Maritza, who shared her journey and the importance of extending the love and healing of Jesus to others through Celebrate Recovery.

The core of our discussion centered on the story from John 5, where Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. This story serves as a metaphor for the emotional sinkholes in our lives—those deep, hidden hurts that we often ignore or try to avoid. Just as a sinkhole eventually collapses, our unresolved hurts can lead to emotional and spiritual collapse. Jesus' question to the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" challenges us to confront our own hurts and take active steps toward healing.

We examined how holding onto hurt can lead to a sense of entitlement and a cycle of blame, preventing us from experiencing true freedom. Jesus' command to the invalid to "get up, pick up your mat, and walk" is a call to action for all of us. It signifies the need to move beyond our past hurts, to stop letting them define us, and to walk in the newness of life that Jesus offers.

We concluded by emphasizing the importance of community and support in the healing process. Whether through Celebrate Recovery, grief support groups, or life groups, we need spaces where we can process our pain and find encouragement. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom He offers from our past hurts. As we partake, we are invited to release our pain to Him and embrace the new life He has for us.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Universal Cry of Creation: All of creation stands in unison, proclaiming the holiness and greatness of Jesus. This universal cry is a reminder of the unique privilege we have as believers to sing from our souls, having experienced His salvation. Our worship is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus' name. [30:09]
2. Emotional Sinkholes: Just like physical sinkholes, emotional hurts can lie hidden beneath the surface, eventually leading to collapse. Ignoring or avoiding these hurts only allows them to fester. Jesus wants to heal our emotional wounds, starting with our hearts, so we can live healthy, whole lives. [43:46]
3. The Power of Jesus' Command: Jesus' question to the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" challenges us to confront our own hurts. His command to "get up, pick up your mat, and walk" signifies the need to take active steps toward healing, moving beyond our past and not letting it define us. [49:34]
4. Holding Onto Hurt: Holding onto hurt can lead to a sense of entitlement and a cycle of blame, preventing us from experiencing true freedom. Jesus calls us to release our hurts, forgive, and move forward. This act of letting go is crucial for emotional and spiritual health. [51:00]
5. Community and Support: Healing often requires the support of a community. Whether through Celebrate Recovery, grief support groups, or life groups, we need spaces to process our pain and find encouragement. Communion reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom He offers from our past hurts. [01:10:50]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:09] - Worship and Praise
[35:31] - Communion and Reflection
[41:45] - Introduction to Healthy Living Series
[42:37] - The Sinkhole Story
[43:46] - Emotional Sinkholes
[44:29] - Jesus Heals the Invalid
[45:34] - The Question: Do You Want to Get Well?
[46:50] - The Pool of Bethesda
[48:10] - The Invalid's Response
[49:34] - The Power of Jesus' Command
[51:00] - Holding Onto Hurt
[52:46] - Identifying Your Hurt
[54:42] - Jesus' Prescription for Healing
[56:20] - Get Up and Walk
[57:52] - The Sabbath Controversy
[59:24] - The Man's Heart Issue
[60:55] - Jesus' Call to Stop Sinning
[62:36] - Moving Forward from Hurt
[64:23] - The Power of Letting Go
[67:32] - Testimony of Johnny Erickson Tada
[70:50] - Community and Support
[72:24] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the condition of the man that Jesus healed at the pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been in that condition? ([48:10])
What question did Jesus ask the invalid man, and what was the man's initial response? ([49:34])
What command did Jesus give to the invalid man, and what was the immediate result? ([56:20])
How did the Jewish leaders react to the man carrying his mat on the Sabbath, and what does this reveal about their priorities? ([57:52])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well instead of just healing him immediately? ([49:34])
How can holding onto hurt lead to a sense of entitlement and a cycle of blame, as discussed in the sermon? ([51:00])
What does Jesus' command to "get up, pick up your mat, and walk" signify in the context of moving beyond past hurts? ([56:20])
How does the community and support play a role in the healing process, according to the sermon? ([01:10:50])

Application Questions

Reflect on the question Jesus asked the invalid man: "Do you want to get well?" Are there any emotional wounds or past hurts in your life that you need to confront? ([49:34])
The sermon mentioned that holding onto hurt can lead to a sense of entitlement and a cycle of blame. Can you identify any areas in your life where you might be holding onto hurt and how it affects your relationships? ([51:00])
Jesus commanded the man to "get up, pick up your mat, and walk." What practical steps can you take this week to move beyond a past hurt and not let it define you? ([56:20])
The sermon emphasized the importance of community and support in the healing process. Are you currently part of a support group or community that helps you process your pain? If not, what steps can you take to join one? ([01:10:50])
Communion serves as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom He offers from our past hurts. How can you use this time of communion to release your pain to Jesus and embrace the new life He has for you? ([35:31])
The sermon highlighted the importance of letting go of hurt to experience true freedom. Is there someone you need to forgive or a situation you need to let go of to move forward in your emotional and spiritual health? ([51:00])
How can you actively participate in helping others heal from their emotional wounds, as Maritza did through Celebrate Recovery? What specific actions can you take to extend the love and healing of Jesus to others? ([01:10:50])

Sermon Clips

1. "All of creation. All of it. All of it. All of it stands in unison. crying out how holy, how separate, how unique, how powerful, how great, how almighty the name of Jesus is. In unison, they sing with all of their hearts. And here's what's so fascinating. Only humans who've been saved by the blood can sing it from their souls because they've experienced the salvation of Jesus." [30:09] (30 seconds) ( | | )

2. "That's why healthy living starts with the heart. And so that's what I want to do is show you throughout the next couple of weeks how to deal with the hurts, habits, and hang-ups. And I want you to see that the reason Jesus, the greatest recovery expert of all time, shows up. some stories out of the scriptures where he actually does intercede for the healing of a person. And in that healing, you see how he's trying to restore health to a part of your life." [44:29] (31 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Hurt of the past is like a sinkhole. There's a hole in your heart. There's an emptiness. Left behind. And so often, we try to ignore it or hide it or forget about it or move on with our life and think, oh, it's never going to bother me. I'll just stay away from that person. I'll just stay away from that situation. I'll just avoid those kinds of problems. I won't put myself in position to have that hurt anymore. And if I stay away from the hurt, it won't hurt me anymore. That is a lie from the pit." [43:46] (32 seconds) ( | | )

4. "You will be hurt in this life. Come on. Just to encourage everybody else around you, just raise your hand if you've ever been really hurt. Come on. And the rest of you, get your hands up. Come on. If not, talk to me afterwards. I'll correct the situation for you. Of course, we've been hurt. And hurt is an event that happens to us, but that's not the worst part of hurt. Because like the invalid, hurt does something far worse. It gets in your heart, and you start thinking somebody owes you." [49:34] (43 seconds) ( | | )

5. "Jesus wants a healthy heart for you. He wants you to love the Lord your God with all your say it with me heart. He wants a healthy heart for your life not just physically but emotionally he wants to free you from the past that keeps locking you in and give you the freedom because out of the heart the mouth speaks above all else guard your heart for from it comes a wellspring of life if you're going to fix your life you got to start with your heart." [01:00:55] (36 seconds) ( | | )

6. "When you hold on to hurt you give the hurt power on you you're letting the hurt have power over your life I don't want hurt to own me anymore can I get an amen I want to move on I want to get up I want to get out of this I want to go and that doesn't mean you physically get rid of the hurt it's still the hurt it's still the hurt it's still the hurt it's still there but hurt's not going to be in charge of me anymore get up." [01:04:23] (28 seconds) ( | | )

7. "Your kids are watching to see how you handle hurt they're listening they're paying attention and that stuff that comes out of our mouth when we're angry or upset is being caught by generations after us you need to pick up your mat and show them a different way I'm not defined by the hurt I'm defined by the blood and the pain and I'm not defined by the hurt of Jesus that heals me." [01:08:50] (34 seconds) ( | | )

8. "Jesus wants to heal you but you got to participate many people today will walk in with a broken heart life does that to you over and over and over again but you can choose to surrender to jesus and let him heal it because he wants your heart healthy and that's what cr is about to help heal the hurts in our lives the habits and the hang-ups." [01:10:50] (37 seconds) ( | | )

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