The promise of healing is assured, but its timing is in God's hands. We are called to trust in His perfect plan, even when healing is delayed. This trust is not a denial of God's power but an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and wisdom. In our lives, we often face situations where we long for immediate relief from pain or suffering. However, the assurance of healing is not always about the present moment but about God's overarching plan for our lives. Trusting in His timing means recognizing that He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us, even when we cannot understand it. This trust is a profound act of faith, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. [02:34]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you actively practice trusting His timing today, even if the outcome is uncertain?
Day 2: Jesus' Ministry as a Foretaste of Redemption
Jesus' ministry was a foretaste of the complete redemption to come. His healings were not exhaustive but illustrative of the spiritual and physical restoration that awaits us. This perspective helps us understand the purpose of miracles and the nature of God's kingdom. Jesus' earthly ministry demonstrated the power and compassion of God, offering glimpses of the kingdom to come. His miracles were signs pointing to a future reality where all things will be made new. Understanding this helps us see that while miracles are significant, they are not the ultimate goal. Instead, they are a reminder of the hope we have in Christ and the complete restoration that is promised. [06:40]
Matthew 11:4-5 (ESV): "And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a miracle or answered prayer in your life. How does it point you to the greater hope of complete redemption in Christ?
Day 3: Living in the "Already but Not Yet"
The "already but not yet" tension of God's kingdom means we experience partial redemption now, with the full realization in the future. This understanding encourages us to live in hope and patience, knowing that our present sufferings are temporary. As believers, we live in a world where God's kingdom has been inaugurated but not fully realized. This means we experience moments of God's presence and power, yet we also face the realities of a fallen world. Embracing this tension helps us navigate life's challenges with hope, knowing that our current struggles are not the end of the story. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect time. [08:53]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate hope and patience in your current circumstances, knowing that God's kingdom is both present and yet to come?
Day 4: Embracing Suffering and Waiting
Suffering and waiting are integral to the Christian journey. They refine our faith and deepen our reliance on God. The purgative nature of suffering is not to be minimized but embraced as part of God's redemptive work in our lives. In a world that often seeks to avoid pain at all costs, the Christian perspective invites us to see suffering as a tool for growth and transformation. Through trials, our faith is tested and strengthened, drawing us closer to God. Embracing suffering does not mean seeking it out, but rather, recognizing its potential to shape us into the image of Christ. It is through these experiences that we learn to rely on God's strength and grace, finding peace in His presence. [08:17]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify a current struggle or area of waiting in your life. How can you view it as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God?
Day 5: The Holy Spirit as a Down Payment of Our Inheritance
The presence of the Holy Spirit is a down payment of our future inheritance. It assures us of God's promises while reminding us that we are still subject to the realities of this fallen world. This tension calls us to live in hope and anticipation of the redemption to come. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a guarantee of what is to come, a foretaste of the eternal life promised to us. While we experience the Spirit's presence and power now, we also recognize that we are not yet fully free from the effects of sin and brokenness. This dual reality encourages us to live with a sense of anticipation, looking forward to the day when God's promises will be fully realized. [09:31]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life give you hope for the future? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence today?
Sermon Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound mystery of physical healing and God's timing in our lives. The question of when God will heal us of our pain is a deeply personal and often perplexing one. Throughout my journey, I've witnessed the harsh realities of illness and death, from the loss of close friends to cancer at a young age to the passing of mentors and colleagues. These experiences have shaped my understanding of God's promises for healing and the timing of those promises.
The central theme is the assurance that a day is coming when all suffering will cease, and every ailment will be healed. This future hope is rooted in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who came to purchase our redemption and provide a foretaste of the complete healing that awaits us. However, this full redemption is not yet realized in our present age. Jesus' earthly ministry, while marked by miraculous healings, was not the consummation of redemption but a demonstration of its nature—both spiritual and physical.
The tension lies in the "already but not yet" aspect of God's kingdom. We experience glimpses of healing and redemption now, but the complete fulfillment is reserved for the age to come. This understanding challenges the notion that God guarantees immediate healing in this life. Instead, it invites us to trust in His perfect timing and purposes, even when they involve suffering and waiting.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8, speaks of the groaning and eager anticipation for the redemption of our bodies. This groaning is not a sign of weak faith but a recognition of the present reality and the hope of future glory. It warns against the false inference that possessing the Holy Spirit means we are exempt from the struggles of this age. Instead, we are called to wait patiently, trusting in the promise of complete redemption.
Key Takeaways
1. The promise of healing is assured, but its timing is in God's hands. We are called to trust in His perfect plan, even when healing is delayed. This trust is not a denial of God's power but an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and wisdom. [02:34]
2. Jesus' ministry was a foretaste of the complete redemption to come. His healings were not exhaustive but illustrative of the spiritual and physical restoration that awaits us. This perspective helps us understand the purpose of miracles and the nature of God's kingdom. [06:40]
3. The "already but not yet" tension of God's kingdom means we experience partial redemption now, with the full realization in the future. This understanding encourages us to live in hope and patience, knowing that our present sufferings are temporary. [08:53]
4. Suffering and waiting are integral to the Christian journey. They refine our faith and deepen our reliance on God. The purgative nature of suffering is not to be minimized but embraced as part of God's redemptive work in our lives. [08:17]
5. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a down payment of our future inheritance. It assures us of God's promises while reminding us that we are still subject to the realities of this fallen world. This tension calls us to live in hope and anticipation of the redemption to come. [09:31] ** [09:31]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' healings during His earthly ministry? How do they relate to the concept of redemption? [03:22]
In Romans 8:23-24, what does Paul mean by "the first fruits of the Spirit," and how does this relate to the concept of waiting for the redemption of our bodies? [08:53]
How does the sermon describe the "already but not yet" tension of God's kingdom? What examples are given to illustrate this concept? [07:01]
What are some of the personal experiences with illness and death shared in the sermon, and how do they shape the understanding of God's promises for healing? [01:08]
Interpretation Questions
How does the sermon interpret Isaiah 53:5-6 in the context of physical and spiritual healing? What implications does this have for understanding the timing of God's healing? [04:03]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of suffering in the Christian journey? How is it described as purgative and valuable for faith? [08:17]
How does the sermon address the misconception that possessing the Holy Spirit exempts believers from the struggles of this age? What is the intended message of Romans 8:23-24 in this context? [09:31]
In what ways does the sermon challenge the notion of guaranteed immediate healing in this life? How does it encourage trust in God's timing and purposes? [08:00]
Application Questions
Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed delayed healing. How did it affect your faith and trust in God's timing? What steps can you take to strengthen your trust in His perfect plan? [02:34]
The sermon mentions the "already but not yet" tension of God's kingdom. How can you live in hope and patience, knowing that present sufferings are temporary? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this mindset? [08:53]
Consider the role of suffering in your own life. How can you embrace it as part of God's redemptive work rather than viewing it as a hindrance? What specific actions can you take to deepen your reliance on God during difficult times? [08:17]
How does the presence of the Holy Spirit serve as a down payment of your future inheritance? In what ways can you remind yourself of this assurance in your daily life? [09:31]
Reflect on the purpose of miracles as described in the sermon. How can this perspective change the way you pray for healing and understand God's kingdom? What adjustments might you make in your prayer life as a result? [06:40]
The sermon warns against the false inference that believers are exempt from struggles due to the Holy Spirit. How can you balance acknowledging the reality of suffering with maintaining hope in future glory? What practical steps can you take to live out this balance? [09:31]
Identify a specific area in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you actively practice patience and trust during this waiting period? What support or resources might you seek to help you in this journey? [09:52]
Sermon Clips
There is coming a day when every crutch will be carved and every wheelchair melted down into medallions of redemption and Merlin and ruin and Jim and Hazel and Ruth and all the others are going to do cartwheels through the kingdom of heaven heaven and we will rejoice but not yet it may not be yet the day is coming. [00:02:41]
Jesus Christ came into the world to die to purchase that Redemption demonstrate its character as both spiritual and physical and to give us a foretaste of it now listen very carefully here because right here is where I think many healers in our day misunderstand God's purposes and distort his intentions. [00:03:14]
The blessing of forgiveness and the blessing of healing were perect purchased in the death of Christ and everyone who joins to Christ and lives for Christ will have both blessings but when when that's the question of our day when do those blessings come in full force when will our bodies no longer be enslaved to corruption. [00:04:23]
The ministry of Jesus as we read it in the gospels was a Ministry of healing and a Ministry of forgiveness he said for example to those Disciples of John the Baptist who were very perplexed he said you go tell John what you see and hear the blind receive their sight the lame walk the lepers are cleansed. [00:04:55]
The answer to why Jesus only raised a few people and not everybody is that contrary to Jewish expectation the first coming of the Messiah was not the consumation of redemption nor the closing of this Fallen age the first coming of the Messiah was to purchase that Redemption and to illustrate the nature of that Redemption. [00:05:56]
He is going to come again and now we know from his illustrations that when he comes there will be Resurrection for all his people and there will be healing for all his people no more crying no more pain at that day but let me stress here lest there be misunderstanding we do have a foretaste. [00:06:59]
The benefits of forgiveness and the healing are real God can and does heal the sick now in answer to our prayers and nothing I say should be construed to imply that he doesn't but he doesn't always does he the miracle mongers of our day who guarantee that Jesus wants you well now are guilty of a gross Distortion. [00:07:39]
They have failed to understand the nature of God's purpose in this Fallen age they have minimized the depth of sin and the cruciality of the purgative nature of suffering and the value of faith that comes through suffering and they're guilty of trying to force into this age what God has reserved for the age to come. [00:08:17]
Notice the flow of thought in Romans 8: 23 and 24 we ourselves having the first fruits of the spirit even we ourselves grown in ourselves waiting eagerly for adoption as Sons the Redemption of our bodies for in Hope we have been saved because of Christ's purchased Redemption we already have the spirit. [00:08:39]
But it's only a a first fruit it's only a down payment it's only a foretaste of redemption and you can't help but see that when Paul stresses this we ourselves even we grown in ourselves that what he's doing by stressing even we is by warning the theong Romans and warning us against a false inference. [00:09:09]
The false inference would be I have the Holy Spirit almighty God reigning in my life how then shall I remain subject to the bondage of this age Paul's against that inference he's against it you can see it in the word we even we ourselves grown in ourselves waiting waiting waiting the Redemption of our body. [00:09:34]
Christ has purchased Redemption he has demonstrated and Illustrated that it is both physical and both spiritual and he has given us a glorious foraste of it amen that was John Piper and his sermon titled Christ and cancer preached a month into his Pastor way back on August 17th 1980 uh sermon on Romans 8. [00:10:18]