Complete Sermon Notes
Matthew 20:29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
A Lesson on Spiritual Wholeness: You can be physically blind, but Spiritually whole – they knew Him – “Son of David”
A Lesson on Compassion: “The crowd is not focussed on what the blind people are saying, only on the disturbance they create. No doubt they think that they are honouring the significance of Jesus by trying to silence the voice of such insignificant people.” Nolland John. (2005). Preface. In The Gospel of Matthew.
Who is the insignificant voice in your life? Have mercy on them . . .
THE SAD TRUTH: They don’t help us, promote us, or benefit us.
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A Lesson on Healing: Jesus would often ask people, “Do you want to be made well?” (cf. John 5:6).
We must “want” to change. We have Bruce Jenner, woman of the year, the world’s most famous example of transgender identity. We have Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who identifies as black, a prominent example of being transracial. Then there’s Jewel Shuping, who blinded herself so her mind could be in harmony with her body, now a poster woman for being transabled. There’s also Gary Matthews, aka “Boomer,” who believes he’s a dog, apparently an example of being trans-species.
And now there’s Paul Wolscht, who “thinks he is actually a six year-old girl…stuck in the body of a 50-something man.” As reported by Ashley Rae Goldenberg, “At age 46, Wolscht deserted his wife and his seven children to live his ‘true’ life.”
…Woscht says he has a “adopted mummy and daddy who are totally comfortable with me being a little girl. And their children, and their grandchildren, are totally supportive … We have a great time. We color, we do kids stuff. It’s called play therapy. No medication, no suicide thoughts. And I just get to play.” More at http://www.christianpost.com/news/father-of-7-believes-hes-a-6-year-old-girl-152472/#lhoCuA5mIFbueXfc.99
Testimony: “I’m an ER Nurse and care for many people… you’re right about how people love their sin and play the victim. Most of them don’t want to change. They do not believe in victory, and I’m including believers. They do not want to see themselves for who they really are because the burden of their position is so heavy; their pride doesn’t allow them to submit themselves to a Holy God.”
Healing must start with the application of God’s Word: Romans 1 21 … “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
A lie is always the first step in the wrong direction.
The truth turns me in the right direction – Emotionally / Psychologically; Physically; Spiritually.
But what do you do when God doesn’t heal on this side of heaven?
HOPE – When God Doesn’t Heal – “I’m going thru hell but I’m holding on to heaven.”
3 Things that May Prevent Healing:
CONSEQUENCES – some pain, depression, suffering, anxiety, and so on is the result of our lifestyle choices. James 5:16 NIV Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
“What we sow we reap”…God is merciful but often there are consequences.
example a] Tommy Nelson on Family Life Today – ran on high octane, never took a Sabbath:
“There is no external reason why this is happening. You have to just stand back and trust in the sovereignty of God in the bare blade and the bare Word of God to take you through this—because your body doesn’t care that you’re quoting Scripture—because you’re hurting.”
Continually running 100 miles an hour depletes your body of serotonin – neurotransmitters send messages to the body AND all hell breaks lose.
“Be anxious for nothing” is about worrying.
example b] Withdrawals and usage of acceptable drugs – “a substance which has a physiological effect when ingested into the body.”
Irritability, Depression, Insomnia, Anxiety, Muscle Pain, Stiffness, Cramping, Heart Rhythm Abnormalities
example c] Not spending time in His Word so that healing takes place mentally and physically.The Mind controls everything.
ISIS, Monsanto, Financial Collapse, The War on Christmas, The 2nd Amendment
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CONDITION – some pain, depression, and suffering is the result of the condition of the body
It’s a fallen world. Often, there is not complete healing on this side of heaven.
HAVE MERCY – The person on insulin chides the person on Xanax. The person on beta blockers chides the person on Amoxicillin. The person addicted to 7 diet Pepsi’s a day mocks the person who can stop using Oxy…and on and on it goes.
Christian leaders who chide everyone, yet can’t control their own appetites –
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COMBAT some pain, depression, and suffering is the result of a spiritual attack.
In order to keep Paul humble, a thorn in his flesh remained – “a messenger of Satan” to torment him (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7).
Constant interference or intimidation – being strained by too many demands.
Cover all basis: demonic, health, or choices
“You may suffer, you may bleed, you may break, but you shall go on” (Catherine Booth).
Matt. 11:28 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Psalm 147:3 NIV “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
Remembering what God has done is one of the primary cures for worry:
…you were blind and lame and I opened your spiritual eyes.
…I cleansed you from your sin, redeemed you, and paid the price for you.
…I led you through the darkest days of your life, and will continue to lead you.
…I held you when the weight of the world seemed to crush you.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
