Trusting God Through Healing and Suffering

 

Summary

Today, we gathered around the story of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law in Mark 1, and from there, explored the profound mystery of healing—both its presence and its absence—in the Christian life. The scene in Mark is not just about one woman’s fever, but a glimpse of what the world looks like when Jesus is King: sickness is banished, people are lifted up, and community is restored. Yet, even as Jesus heals, we are reminded that every healing in this life is temporary; even those who were miraculously restored eventually died. This points us to a greater hope—the promise of resurrection and ultimate wholeness when Christ returns.

We wrestled honestly with the reality that God does not always heal in the ways or timing we desire. Sometimes, despite fervent faith and prayer, healing does not come. This is not a sign of God’s absence or our lack of faith, but a call to deeper trust in God’s wisdom and goodness. Faith is not a tool to manipulate God, but a confession of our inability and God’s sovereign ability. We are invited to trust that God is good not only when prayers are answered as we wish, but also when they are not, believing that He has reasons beyond our understanding.

Healing, whether through ordinary means like medicine or through miraculous intervention, is always a gift of God’s grace—a signpost pointing to the coming kingdom where every tear will be wiped away. The church is called to pray boldly and humbly for healing, recognizing that the greatest miracle is not physical restoration, but the spiritual healing and new life we receive in Christ. Our hope is anchored not in our circumstances, but in the unshakeable reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of a new heaven and new earth.

In suffering and in health, in answered prayers and in silence, God is near. He comes close, speaks truth to the powers of sin and death, and raises us to new life. This is the miracle available to all who trust in Him—a hope that endures beyond this life, a love that never fails, and a reason to worship, no matter what we face.

Key Takeaways

- Healing in This Life Is a Sign, Not the Destination
Every act of healing—whether ordinary or miraculous—is a foretaste of the coming wholeness promised in the resurrection. Even the most dramatic healings are temporary, pointing us to the day when Christ will make all things new and every tear will be wiped away. Our ultimate hope is not in temporary relief, but in the eternal restoration Jesus will bring. [33:47]

- God Heals Through Both Ordinary and Miraculous Means
God is the author of all truth, whether it comes through medicine, rest, or supernatural intervention. We honor Him by embracing both the gifts of science and the power of prayer, recognizing that all healing ultimately comes from His hand. Faithfulness is not rejecting ordinary means, but trusting God to work through all avenues for our good and His glory. [36:35]

- Faith Is Trust in God’s Character, Not a Formula for Results
Faith is not a lever to force God’s hand, but a humble confession of our dependence and His sufficiency. Sometimes God heals in response to faith, but a lack of healing is not always due to a lack of faith or hidden sin. True faith trusts God’s goodness and wisdom, even when His ways are mysterious and our prayers seem unanswered. [44:08]

- Suffering and Unanswered Prayers Can Deepen Our Faith
God does not glorify suffering, but He can use it to transform us, drawing us into deeper dependence on Him. When healing does not come, we are invited to discover that Jesus is truly all we need, and that His presence is enough. The perseverance forged in trials matures us, making us whole and complete in Christ. [44:56]

- The Greatest Miracle Is Spiritual Resurrection in Christ
Physical healing is a gift, but the miracle of salvation—being raised from death in sin to life in Christ—is the greatest gift of all. Jesus comes close, rebukes the powers of sin and death, and raises us to new life. This spiritual healing is the foundation of our hope, assuring us of ultimate wholeness when He returns. [55:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[04:30] - Opening Prayer and Dismissal of Kids
[06:00] - Reflections on Family and Marriage
[10:45] - What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?
[15:20] - Wrestling with Suffering and Unanswered Prayer
[20:51] - The Reality of Death and God’s Presence
[26:39] - Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law
[27:50] - The Kingdom Snapshot: Healing and Restoration
[29:37] - Temporary and Complete Healing: Stories and Reflections
[30:30] - The Gospel Pattern in Healing
[33:47] - Healing as a Foretaste of Resurrection
[36:35] - God’s Use of Ordinary and Miraculous Means
[41:40] - The Role of Faith in Healing
[44:08] - Trusting God When Healing Doesn’t Come
[47:27] - The Church’s Call to Pray for Healing
[50:10] - Healing and the Mission of the Gospel
[55:14] - The Greatest Miracle: Salvation and New Life
[56:51] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[58:40] - Benediction and Sending

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Mystery of Healing and the Hope of Resurrection

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### Bible Reading

Mark 1:29-34
_As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him._

Revelation 21:1-4
_Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”_

James 5:14-16
_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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective._

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### Observation Questions

1. In Mark 1:29-34, what actions does Jesus take when he hears about Simon’s mother-in-law’s illness? What is the immediate result?
2. According to Revelation 21:1-4, what is promised for the future of God’s people? What things will be “no more”?
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between temporary healing and the ultimate healing Jesus promises? [[29:37]]
4. According to James 5:14-16, what is the role of the church community when someone is sick?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law is described as both “complete” and “temporary”? What does this teach us about the nature of healing in this life? [[29:37]]
2. The sermon says that “healing is not guaranteed in this life, but it is promised in the coming resurrection.” How does this perspective affect the way Christians should pray for healing? [[33:47]]
3. The pastor mentions that God heals through both ordinary (medicine, rest) and miraculous means. How should this shape our attitude toward medical treatment and prayer? [[36:35]]
4. The sermon says, “Faith is not a lever to force God’s hand, but a humble confession of our dependence and His sufficiency.” What does it look like to trust God’s character even when prayers for healing seem unanswered? [[44:08]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that every act of healing is a “signpost” pointing to the coming kingdom, not the final destination. How does this change the way you view answered and unanswered prayers for healing in your own life? [[33:47]]
2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a situation where God healed through ordinary means (like medicine or rest) or through something miraculous? How did you respond, and did it change your faith? [[36:35]]
3. The pastor shared that sometimes, despite faith and prayer, healing does not come. Have you faced a time when God didn’t answer your prayers the way you hoped? How did you process that, and what helped you keep trusting God? [[44:08]]
4. The sermon says, “You don’t really know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” Is there an area of suffering or unanswered prayer in your life where you need to experience Jesus’ presence more deeply? What would it look like to invite Him into that place? [[44:56]]
5. James 5 encourages the church to pray for the sick together. Is there someone in your life (including yourself) who needs prayer for healing right now? How can your group support each other in prayer this week? [[47:27]]
6. The greatest miracle, according to the sermon, is spiritual resurrection—being raised from death in sin to life in Christ. How does this truth give you hope, even when physical healing doesn’t happen? [[55:14]]
7. The pastor said, “God is near…in suffering and in health, in answered prayers and in silence.” What is one practical way you can remind yourself or someone else of God’s nearness this week, no matter the circumstances? [[56:51]]

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Close in prayer, inviting God’s presence and hope into every situation represented in your group.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Heals and Comes Close to the Broken
Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law is more than a story of physical recovery; it is a vivid picture of how Jesus draws near to those who are suffering, bringing restoration and hope. He enters into our pain, takes us by the hand, and lifts us up, demonstrating that God is not distant or detached but is present and compassionate in our moments of need. This nearness is not just for physical healing but is a sign of the gospel’s power to bring new life and wholeness, both now and forever. [27:50]

Mark 1:29-34 (ESV)
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to invite Jesus to come close and bring his healing presence—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—today?


Day 2: Ultimate Healing Is Promised in the Resurrection
While God sometimes brings healing in this life, the ultimate promise is that one day, all pain, sickness, and death will be wiped away when Jesus returns. Every act of healing now is a foretaste of the coming wholeness and renewal of creation, where God will dwell with his people, and every tear will be wiped from our eyes. This hope anchors us in seasons of loss and reminds us that the story does not end with suffering, but with resurrection and eternal life in God’s presence. [33:47]

Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Reflection: How does the promise of a future without pain or death shape the way you face suffering or loss today?


Day 3: Faith in God’s Goodness—Even When Healing Doesn’t Come
Trusting God’s goodness means believing that he is able to heal, but also that he has wise and loving reasons when he does not. Faith is not a tool to control God, but a confession of our dependence on him and his sovereignty. Even when prayers seem unanswered, God invites us to trust that he knows more than we do and that he is working for our ultimate good, deepening our faith through every circumstance. [44:56]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Is there a situation where you have struggled to trust God’s goodness because he didn’t answer as you hoped? What would it look like to surrender that situation to his wisdom today?


Day 4: The Church Prays Boldly and Humbly for Healing
God calls his people to pray together for healing, bringing their needs before him with both confidence and humility. Healing is not a formula, but a gift that God gives according to his will, and the church is invited to participate in this ministry by praying for one another, anointing with oil, and trusting God for the outcome. Whether healing comes or not, the act of praying together strengthens faith and reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. [47:27]

James 5:14-16 (ESV)
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Reflection: Who in your church community could you pray for or ask to pray for you today, trusting God together for his healing and comfort?


Day 5: The Greatest Miracle Is Salvation and New Life in Christ
Physical healing is a wonderful gift, but the greatest miracle is the spiritual healing Jesus brings—raising us from death in sin to life in him. Jesus comes close, rebukes the power of sin and death, and gives us new life by his resurrection. This miracle is available to all who trust in him, and it is the foundation of our hope, joy, and worship, no matter what we experience in this life. [55:14]

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Have you received the miracle of new life in Christ? If so, how can you live today in gratitude and confidence in his resurrection power? If not, what is holding you back from trusting him?

Quotes



Faith is not a weapon by which we demand things from God. It is not kind of this karmic thing that we use that if we do this then God has to do this. God is never under our compulsion. God is always compassionate, but never under our authority. Instead, faith is a confession of our inability to do anything, and a confession of God's ability to do everything. [00:41:29] (24 seconds)


A lack of healing is not always due to a lack of faith. We need to reject that idea that unhealed sickness is due to something in us. Our faithlessness or even our sin. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that failure to be healed is the result of sin or insufficient faith. It simply means that God has a reason we don't know about. [00:43:57] (27 seconds)


The greatest miracle of all is salvation from death in sin to life in Christ. Physical healing is a miracle, but not as great as the miracle of spiritual healing, which will ultimately bring resurrection. All true healing, whether ordinary or miraculous, is a gift of God's grace, pointing us towards this ultimate salvation that we have in Christ. [00:53:30] (23 seconds)


Our hope is not bound to our circumstances or our health, our hope is bound to the belief that God will be glorified in all things, good and bad, in suffering and in health, in times of blessing and in times of cursing, that God's glory transcends all of that. Isn't that wonderful? God will be glorified no matter what. [00:53:00] (20 seconds)


There is coming a day when the last tear will be cried. When the last tear will fall from someone's cheek. There is coming a day when grief and pain and sadness will be no more. They will just be a memory. There is coming a day when that will happen. [00:35:18] (15 seconds)


Jesus came close, he touched Peter's mother-in-law, Jesus comes close to us now and touches our lives, touches the very essence of our being, our spiritual hearts, that he rebukes the disease, he rebukes the sin and shame, he rebukes the spiritual death, and then he raises us to new life, that we might live fully, that we might live gratefully, that he raises us in his power so that we might rejoice in his glory and live by his grace. That, my friends, is the most amazing miracle of all. [00:53:54] (36 seconds)


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Transcript
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