The Healing Power of the Gospel: Embrace Your Calling

 

Summary

In the passage from Luke 5:17, we find a profound illustration of the healing power of the Gospel. Luke, a physician by trade, uniquely captures the essence of Christ's healing ministry, emphasizing that the power of the Lord was present to heal. This narrative invites us to reflect on how our own vocations and skills can be used to serve Christ, just as Luke used his medical background to highlight the healing miracles of Jesus. Each of us is equipped with unique gifts and placed in specific contexts to serve God effectively. We are encouraged to embrace our individuality and use our talents for God's glory, rather than coveting the roles or gifts of others.

The Gospel's power is primarily a healing power, not a destructive one. Jesus came not to condemn but to save, offering a remedy for the spiritual maladies of humanity. Unlike the law, which reveals our sin, the Gospel provides the cure. Jesus, the Great Physician, heals not by pointing out our flaws but by offering Himself as the remedy. His divine and human natures combine to provide a complete and perfect healing for our spiritual diseases. The power to heal is not limited to physical ailments but extends to the forgiveness of sins, the healing of broken hearts, and the liberation from the power of sin.

There are special times when the power of the Lord is particularly manifest, such as during revivals or seasons of spiritual awakening. These are times when people are especially eager to hear the Word, and the teaching of Christ is more prevalent. It is during these times that the power to heal is most evident. However, not everyone present will experience this healing power. Those who are self-righteous or merely spectators may miss out on the blessings available to them. It is crucial for believers to actively engage with the Gospel and bring others to experience its transformative power.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Your Unique Calling: Each person is equipped with specific gifts and placed in unique contexts to serve God. Embrace your individuality and use your talents for God's glory, rather than coveting the roles or gifts of others. This diversity in service reflects the richness of God's creation and His purpose for each of us. [01:12]

2. The Gospel's Healing Power: The Gospel is primarily a healing power, offering a remedy for the spiritual maladies of humanity. Jesus came not to condemn but to save, providing a cure for our sins through His sacrifice. This healing is available to all who come to Him in faith, regardless of the depth of their sin. [05:42]

3. Divine and Human Nature of Christ: Jesus' ability to heal stems from both His divine and human natures. As God, He possesses infinite power to heal spiritual diseases, and as a man, He empathizes with our weaknesses, having borne our infirmities. This dual nature makes Him the perfect Savior and healer. [10:09]

4. Special Times of Manifest Power: There are seasons when God's power to heal is particularly evident, such as during revivals or spiritual awakenings. These times are marked by a heightened desire to hear the Word and a greater prevalence of Christ's teaching. Believers should be attentive to these times and actively engage with the Gospel. [25:53]

5. Active Engagement with the Gospel: Not everyone present in a place of divine power will experience its blessings. Those who are self-righteous or merely spectators may miss out. It is crucial for believers to actively engage with the Gospel, bringing others to experience its transformative power and ensuring they do not miss the opportunity for healing. [33:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Luke 5:17
- [00:28] - Luke's Perspective as a Physician
- [00:58] - Using Our Gifts for Christ
- [01:29] - Embracing Our Unique Callings
- [04:15] - The Healing Power of the Gospel
- [05:42] - Christ's Mission to Save
- [08:08] - Jesus as the Great Physician
- [10:09] - Divine and Human Nature of Christ
- [13:45] - Forgiveness of Sins
- [19:06] - Overcoming the Power of Sin
- [25:53] - Times of Manifest Power
- [32:45] - Special Cases of Healing
- [42:53] - Call to Action for Believers
- [46:12] - Final Exhortation and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 5:17

Observation Questions:
1. How does Luke's background as a physician influence his account of Jesus' healing ministry in Luke 5:17? [00:28]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of individual gifts and vocations in serving God? [01:12]
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary purpose of the Gospel, and how does it differ from the law? [05:42]
4. What are some of the special times mentioned in the sermon when God's power to heal is particularly evident? [25:53]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Luke's perspective as a physician provide a unique insight into the healing power of the Gospel? [00:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' dual nature as both divine and human contributes to His ability to heal? [10:09]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of actively engaging with the Gospel to experience its transformative power? [33:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the potential barriers that prevent individuals from experiencing the healing power of the Gospel? [33:01]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to serve God in your current context, rather than desiring the roles or gifts of others? [01:12]
2. Consider a time when you experienced the healing power of the Gospel in your life. How did it transform your understanding of Jesus as the Great Physician? [05:42]
3. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually sick or burdened? How can you bring these to Jesus for healing, trusting in His power to forgive and restore? [10:09]
4. Think about a time when you were a mere spectator in a spiritual setting. How can you become more actively engaged with the Gospel to experience its full blessings? [33:01]
5. Identify a person in your life who might benefit from experiencing the healing power of the Gospel. What steps can you take to introduce them to Jesus' transformative love? [43:24]
6. Reflect on a season of spiritual awakening or revival you have witnessed or experienced. How did it impact your faith, and how can you remain attentive to such times in the future? [25:53]
7. How can you ensure that you are not self-righteous or complacent in your faith, but rather open to the healing and transformative power of the Gospel? [33:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Unique Calling
Each person is uniquely equipped with specific gifts and placed in distinct contexts to serve God. Embracing one's individuality and using one's talents for God's glory is essential, rather than coveting the roles or gifts of others. This diversity in service reflects the richness of God's creation and His purpose for each of us. By recognizing and valuing our unique callings, we contribute to the greater tapestry of God's work in the world. It is a reminder that every role, no matter how small it may seem, is significant in the eyes of God. [01:12]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: What unique gifts or talents do you possess that you can use to serve God today? How can you embrace your individuality in your current context to glorify Him?


Day 2: The Gospel's Healing Power
The Gospel is primarily a healing power, offering a remedy for the spiritual maladies of humanity. Jesus came not to condemn but to save, providing a cure for our sins through His sacrifice. This healing is available to all who come to Him in faith, regardless of the depth of their sin. The Gospel's power extends beyond physical healing to include the forgiveness of sins, the healing of broken hearts, and liberation from the power of sin. It is a transformative force that brings wholeness and restoration to those who believe. [05:42]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the healing power of the Gospel? How can you invite Jesus into those areas today to experience His transformative power?


Day 3: Divine and Human Nature of Christ
Jesus' ability to heal stems from both His divine and human natures. As God, He possesses infinite power to heal spiritual diseases, and as a man, He empathizes with our weaknesses, having borne our infirmities. This dual nature makes Him the perfect Savior and healer. His empathy and understanding of human struggles allow Him to offer a complete and perfect healing for our spiritual diseases. By recognizing and accepting this dual nature, believers can find comfort and assurance in His ability to heal and save. [10:09]

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' dual nature as both divine and human impact your relationship with Him? In what ways can you draw near to Him with confidence today?


Day 4: Special Times of Manifest Power
There are seasons when God's power to heal is particularly evident, such as during revivals or spiritual awakenings. These times are marked by a heightened desire to hear the Word and a greater prevalence of Christ's teaching. Believers should be attentive to these times and actively engage with the Gospel. By recognizing these special times, believers can be more open to experiencing God's transformative power and bringing others to experience it as well. It is a call to be vigilant and responsive to the movements of the Spirit. [25:53]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: Are you aware of any special times of spiritual awakening in your community or personal life? How can you actively engage with the Gospel during these times to experience God's power?


Day 5: Active Engagement with the Gospel
Not everyone present in a place of divine power will experience its blessings. Those who are self-righteous or merely spectators may miss out. It is crucial for believers to actively engage with the Gospel, bringing others to experience its transformative power and ensuring they do not miss the opportunity for healing. Active engagement involves a willingness to be transformed and to participate in the work of the Gospel, rather than being passive observers. It is a call to action for believers to be intentional in their faith journey. [33:01]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: In what ways can you move from being a passive observer to an active participant in your faith journey? How can you bring others to experience the transformative power of the Gospel today?

Quotes



Luke, the writer of this gospel, was a physician and therefore had a quick eye for cases of disease and instances of cure. You can trace throughout the whole of his gospel the hand of one who is skilled in surgery and medicine, from which I gather that whatever may be our calling or in whatever art or science we may have attained proficiency, we should take care to use our knowledge for Christ. [00:31:40]

Let no man despise his calling, whatever instrument of usefulness God hath put into thine hand. Consider that the Great Captain knew what weapon it were best for thee to wield. Covet not thine neighbor's sword or spear, but use that which thy Lord hath given thee, and go forth to the Battle of life to serve according to thy capacity. [00:72:72]

True men do not imitate one another, but each one moved of God speaketh according to his native bias and according to the circumstances in which Providence has cast him. It was destructive to Egyptian art when the Great Men of the land framed articles of taste and laws of Statuary and of painting by which every sculptor must be bound. [01:56:59]

The power of Christ in the gospel is mainly a power to heal. The power of the Lord was present to heal them. The power of the Gospel of which Christ is the sum and substance is a healing power. My brethren, when Christ came on Earth, he might have come with destroying power. Justly enough might God have sent his only son with the armies of Vengeance to destroy this rebellious world. [04:62:07]

The gospel is not intended to be a power to destroy. God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. And if that gospel be made a Savor of death unto death unto any, it is not on account of its own intrinsic qualities or design, but because of the perversity and wickedness of the human heart. [05:39:36]

Although our lord Jesus healed as Divine, remember that he also possessed power to heal because of his being human. Is it not written, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed? He used no other remedy in healing our sin sickness but that of taking our sicknesses and infirmities upon himself. [11:75:16]

The power which dwelt in Christ to heal, coming from him as Divine and human, was applicable most eminently to the removal of the guilt of sin. Reading this chapter through, one pauses with joy over that 24th verse: the son of man hath power upon Earth to forgive sin. Here then is one of the great Physician's mightiest darts: he has power to forgive sin. [14:25:32]

There are special periods when the power to heal is most manifestly displayed. The verse before us says that on a certain day the power of the Lord was present to heal, by which I understand not that Christ is not always God, not that he was ever unable to heal, but this: that there were certain periods when he pleased to put forth his Divine energy in the way of healing to an unusual degree. [24:79:79]

There are times when the power to save is more than usually manifest, times of refreshing, seasons of Revival, days of visitation, acceptable days, Days of Salvation. Any student of the world's history who is readded in the light of True Religion will have observed that there have been favored periods when the power of God has been peculiarly present to heal men. [25:41:00]

When the power of the Lord is present to heal, it may not be seen in all but may be shown in special cases and not in others. It is a Melancholy reflection that men may be in the region of divine power and yet not feel its operations. I have read this verse through a great many times with one object. [32:70:67]

You may be in the midst of this congregation which is under remarkable visitations of God's grace, and yet there may be no power present operating in your heart to heal you. You will observe that those who missed this Grace were not the harlots. Infamous as they were by character, they felt the power of the love of Jesus and entered into his kingdom. [34:68:56]

When the power of Christ was present, it called forth the energy of those who were his friends to work while that power was manifest. My dear Brethren, the members of this church especially, what I have to say is earnestly addressed to you. You will perceive that as soon as ever it was discovered that the power of healing was present, loving hearts desired to bring in others that they might experience it. [42:71:55]

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Transcript
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