THOUGHTS FOR MY SOUL

JESUS OUR HEALER

Hallmarks

Distinctives of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of the Philippines

Lesson 3

JESUS OUR HEALER

Healing is the restoration to health of a person suffering from an organic or/and psychological disease. In the Alliance we believe that even as Jesus healed those who were sick when He was here on earth, He still heals people today.

I. The healing power of God is mentioned and shown throughout the Bible.

A. In the Old Testament

1. From Exodus 15:26:

a. What does God say about Himself?

b. What would He do for the Israelites?

c. What must the Israelites do to receive this benefit?

2. In Psalm 103:3, what does David include with the Lord’s forgiveness of his sins?

3. In Isaiah 53:5, what is prophesied about Jesus?

4. In the Old Testament God also healed through people.

One example is the raising from the dead of the son of the widow of Zarephath through the prophet Elijah. This is recorded in 1Kings 17:17-24.

B. In the New Testament

1. The frequency of healing miracles is much greater in the New Testament.

2. The ministry of Jesus always included healing.

a. In Matthew 8:16,17 and 1Peter 2:24, what prophecy is referred to? (Question I.A 3)

b. According to Matthew 4:23,24, whom did Jesus heal, and what were some of diseases He healed?

3. In the New Testament God also healed through people.

a. Luke 9:1,2,6

1) What did Jesus give His disciples?

2) What did they do besides heal people?

b. What further explanation does Mark add in Mark 6:12,13?

c. Acts 3:1-10 recounts one of the many “miracles and wonders” mentioned in Acts 2:43.

1. In whose name does Peter Heal the lame man? (vs.6)

2. In verses 12,13 and 16 of Acts 3, where does Peter say the power that gave strength to the lame man comes from?

3. What made the lame man well?

II. Healing in the New Testament was sign to unbelievers.

In the New Testament this was a miracle showing God’s power through Jesus Christ so people would believe and accept Him as the Son of God.

In John 9:1-7, why was the man born blind and then healed by Jesus? (Vs.3b)

III. Healing in the New Testament was also a benefit to believers.

This too was a sign to unbelievers and bring glory to God.

A. John 11:1-44 gives the account of Lazarus’ sickness, death and return to life.

1. What does Jesus say is the reason for the sickness of His friend? (vv.4,40)

2. What other reasons does Jesus give in verses 14 and 15,41, and 42?

3. According to verse 45, what was a result of this miracle?

B. In Acts 9:32-35 there is an account of the healing of a believer in Lydda.

1. Who made the man well? (vs.34)

2. What was a result of this miracle? (vs.35)

C. In Acts 9:36-42 God used the apostle Peter to bring a woman back to life.

1. Who was this woman? Why was she mourned so greatly? (vv. 36,39)

2. After Dorcas returned to life what did Peter do? (vs.41)

3. What was a result of this miracle? (vs. 42)

IV. The gift of healing is one of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers –1Corinthians 12:9,28-30.

A Christian with the gift of healing can help those who are sick by praying for their healing. However, it is God’s power that heals, working through the one with this gift.

V. The New Testament gives us instructions in asking God for the healing of believers.

A. According to James 5:14-16, if someone in the church is sick:

1. Who should be sent for? (vs.14)

2. What two things are they to do? (vs.14) NOTE – Oil itself cannot heal, and it has no “magic” quality. It is God who heals.

3. In whose name are the church elders to do this? (vs.14)

4. What is necessary when prayer is made? (vs.15)

5. What will be the results? (vs.15)

6. What can spoil fellowship among believers making it difficult (if not impossible), for them to worship and pray together, and to have God grant their requests? What two things need to be done for healing to take place? (vs.16) See also Matthew 5:23,24.

7. What effect does the prayer of good (righteous man have? (vs.16)

B. Certain things are necessary for a believer who wants the Lord to heal Him.

1. A believer must be certain there is no sin in his life, and that he is living in a right relationship with God.

a. According to Psalm 66:18 and Isaiah 59:1,2,what prevents the Lord from hearing our prayers?

b. Why is it important to remember this when we ask God for healing?

c. The Bible does not teach that all sickness is due to the sin of the one who is suffering, but there are times when this is true.

1) Numbers 12:1-15 tells us that because Miriam criticized her brother Moses, who had been chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt, God punished her by causing her to get a terrible skin disease, probably leprosy. After a period of time she was healed.

2) In John 5:14, what does Jesus tell the man He healed at the pool?

3) In 1Coringthians 11:27-29, what does Paul say is the reason that many of the Corinthian Christians were weak and ill, and some had died?

2. A believer must have faith that Jesus Christ can heal him.

a. In Mark 5:34, what does Jesus say about woman’s faith?

b. In Matthew 21:22, what else does Jesus say about believing, or having faith?

c. In Mark 9:17-24:

1) What does the father of the boy possessed by an evil spirit ask Jesus? (vs.22)

2) How does Jesus answer him in verse 23?

3) What is the father’s reply in verse 24? What does he need?

We too can ask God to make our faith stronger.

3. A believer must ask for healing in God’s will.

a. According to 2Corinthians 12:7-10:

1) From where does healing come?

2) From these verses how do we see that healing does not depend only upon what a person wants?

3) Upon what does healing depend?

4) What reasons does Paul give for the Lord not healing him? (vv.7,9)

5) What is Paul’s reaction to not being healed? (vv.9,10)

b. In His time of great suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, for what did Jesus pray? –Matthew 26:39,42

When we ask for God’s will in our healing, He may show us, by reminding us of certain verses of Scripture, or by giving us the faith and assurance, that it is His will to heal us.

It is our privilege to ask for healing, but not to demand it. Sometimes our healing is not granted now. If we have followed all of God’s instructions and are not healed, we must accept that it is not His will to heal us through His power at that time. We must also remember that, while sometimes healing is instantaneous, sometimes it is a gradual restoration to health.

Being a Christian does not prevent a person from having trouble or sickness. It is only in heaven that there are no tears, death, crying or pain.

However, as God’s children, we have His love and care, and we have the privilege of asking His to heal us when we are sick, and through our healing, bring glory to Him.

This same Jesus, who, as our Sanctifier supplies us with His spiritual health and strength, as our Healer, also provides for our physical health and strength. And we can draw whatever strength and energy we need from Him, day by day, and moment by moment.

JESUS OUR SANCTIFIER

Hallmarks

Distinctives of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of the Philippines

Lesson 2

JESUS OUR SANCTIFIER

The word sanctify means

to set apart or dedicate

and

to make holy.

This is what Jesus does for the believer.

I.                   In the Old Testament

Certain people and objects were set apart to belong exclusively to God and be used by Him. For example: the Sabbath day –Genesis 2:3; the sacred tent (tabernacle) and alter –Exodus 29:44; priests –Exodus 28:41, etc.

Under a special agreement (covenant) with God the Israelites were also set apart from other nations to be God’s chosen people. This included not only external, physical evidence of their separation (circumcision), but also inward holiness –Leviticus 20:7,8,26.

II.                In the New Testament

Jesus Christ Himself was dedicated –set apart –for His special work of sacrificing His life for all mankind – Hebrews 10:9,10. Because of Christ’s death for us we are now living under a new covenant between God and man. For the believer, the outward sign of being set apart – physical circumcision –is no longer necessary –1Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6, but rather the inward separation or “circumcision” of the heart –Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11.

         Under this new covenant;

A.    Sanctification is the setting apart or dedication of a believer to God.

This means that we are set apart – dedicated – to God to be holy and to be used for His holy purpose – Ephesians 1:4; 1Peter 2:5,9.



1.      As His disciples, Jesus dedicates us to God.

In His prayer for His disciples in John 17:15-20

a.       What two requests does Jesus make to His Father in verses 15 and 17?

b.      What does He not ask His Father to do? (vs.15a)

c.       What responsibility that Jesus received from His Father has he passed on to His disciples? (vs. 18)

d.      Why does Jesus dedicate – sanctify (set apart) – Himself to His Holy Father? (vs. 19)

e.       What shows us that we today are included in Jesus’ prayer? (vs. 20)

2.      We also have a part in the dedication of our life to God.

We are convicted of sin and born again through the work of the Holy Spirit. However, even though the Holy Spirit enters our life when we become God’s child –John 3:5,6; Romans 8:9, not all Christians are filled with the Spirit –Ephesians 5:18.

Although as a believer we have been set apart by God to be holy and to be used for His holy purposes, in order to have victory over sin and temptation and become more and more like His Son, Jesus Christ must also be our Sanctifier.

As we took the step of salvation by faith, we must also take the step of sanctification by faith. This faith is the absolute, unchangeable trust of our whole nature in Jesus Christ; and we show this trust by the dedication of our life to God and obeying His command to be filled with His Spirit.

This initial filling of the Spirit can take place in a believer’s life at the time he receives Christ as His Savior if he has sufficient understanding and his dedication to God is complete. Or it can be subsequent experience.

Of primary importance, however, is our deep desire to do what God requires of us, “to hunger and thirst for righteousness” –Matthew 5:6, and “to be conformed (to become identical in character) to the likeness of His Son” –Romans 8:29. Only then are we prepared to obey His command to be filled with the Spirit.

We do this by:

a.      confessing all know sin in our life –

1John 1:9.

It can be helpful to list these down, asking the Holy Spirit to bring to our remembrance all that for which we must ask God’s forgiveness. This may also include confessing to another person and asking their forgiveness for any wrong we may have done to them.

b.      surrendering ourself completely to God- Romans 6:13,19;12:1

There are Christians who have never surrendered their lives completely to God and have never been filled His Spirit. They seem to have little interest in becoming like Jesus, lack power to overcome temptation and are constantly defeated by sin.

The filling of the Holy Spirit is dependent upon putting God in charge of our life. We must, by an act of our will, deliberately give every area of our life to Him – business, social, education, family, etc. Even our thought life must be surrendered to His control. This act of surrender includes being willing to obey God’s Word in everything.

c.       telling God our desire to follow His command in Ephesians 5:18 and asking Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit

d.      believing – by faith – that we are filled

Because no person is exactly like another, the manifestation of the filling will not always be identical. Therefore we should leave this up to the Holy Spirit rather than seek to have the same type of experience as another. Also, nowhere does the Bible teach that a certain gift or an outward, physical manifestation is the evidence that we are filled with the Spirit. We must never depend on our feelings or a special experience as the proof. If we have honestly met God’s requirements, He will be faithful to His Word. We must trust God’s promises. Read Luke 11:13 and James 1:6.

However, one manifestation of the filling which is always evident is that the experience is Christ centered. In other words, Christ, not the Holy Spirit is emphasized and glorified –John 16:14. Jesus was the center of the message of the early Church. And, even as Jesus was vividly real to the early Christians, He is equally real today to the sanctified believer. We are conscious of His presence and He is the center of our life.

The filling of the Holy Spirit also makes us spiritually powerful –Acts 1:8. For example, clever words and intellectual arguments will not win an unbeliever to Christ. It requires the power of the Holy Spirit to move a person’s heart toward God. This spiritual power is also present in other areas of our life.

We might not always be conscious of the Holy Spirit’s power or “feel” it, but when here is a need for the manifestation of His power we will see it. F.B. Meyer has written: “ Reckoning that God has kept His word with you, dare to believe it, though you may not be conscious of any emotion, and you find that when you come to work, or to suffer, or to meet temptation, that there will be in you the consciousness of a power which you have never known before, and which will indicate the filling of the Spirit.”



B.     Sanctification is also the process of being made holy.

The infilling of the Holy Spirit is not an end in itself. It is a beginning. Sanctification is a continuous process of spiritual growth. This means that we well mature as a Christian as we obey the Bible and are constantly controlled by the Spirit.



1.      To be sanctified is to become more and more like Jesus –Romans 8:29.

It is the life of Jesus reproduced in us. The Holy Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death to reflect the Lord’s glory so that we are transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory –1Corinthians 3:17,18.

It is an inward change taking place in our life, resulting I purity and holiness – 1Peter 1:15,16; Colossians 1:22.

a.       We have a part in the process of our sanctification.

1.      This requires first of all, a conscious, on-going decision on our part to think of ourself as “dead” as far as sin is concerned –Romans 6:11; Galatians 5:24.

2.      We are also required to live as God wants us to live – Ephesians 5:1; 1Thessalonians 4:7; 1Corinthians 6:19,20; 2Corinthians 7:1; Colossians 3:16, 17.

3.      What is necessary for us to do in order to live as God wants us to? See John 15:4,5; 1John 2:5,6,24, 27; 3:24.

b. God’s Word is vital in our sanctification. – John 17:17

         If we are sincere in our desire to be sanctified (set apart and be made holy) God’s Word will be of utmost importance to us. A distinctive work of the Holy Spirit is to impart truth to us –John 16:14:3. As He helps us understand and obey the truth, it becomes an instrument used by Him in our sanctification

         In Ephesians 5:18-20 we are told to be filled with the Spirit. In a parallel portion in Colossians 3:16,17 we are told that the Word must dwell in us richly. We cannot have one without to other. Both are absolutely necessary for the believer.

         It is impossible for us to live a sanctified life apart from God’s Word. Instead we must be nurtured and matured by it –1Peter 1:22-2:3; Hebrews 5; 12-6:1. This can only be done through listening to it being preached and taught, and in personal reading and study, meditation and memorization. Then, as we live in obedience to its teaching the Holy Spirit works through His Word to make us more and more like Jesus.

b.      We have Jesus Himself, through the Holy Spirit, living in us.

As we allow Him control of our life He is continually and patiently at work in us to make our character a replica of His own – Galatians 4:19.

1.       What does Galatians 5:16,17,25 say about the control of a believer’s life by the Holy Spirit?

2.       In contrast to what human nature does –Galatians 5:19-21, what qualities of character that Jesus showed when He was on earth does the Spirit produce (like a tree produces fruit) in our life? –Galatians 5:22,23.

         2. To be sanctified is to be provided with spiritual power.

                       The Holy Spirit not only gives us power to serve as Jesus witnesses –Acts 1:8 and exercise our spiritual gifts –1Corinthians 12:4-7, He also gives us the power to live a life that is pleasing to God and brings glory to Him.

                       According to Ephesians 3:14-21:

a.       Who gives us power? through whom? (vs.16)

b.       What does the power do for us? (vs.16) NOTE: The Greek words inner selves, inner man or inner being (verse 16) include a person’s reason (intelligence), conscience and will.

c.       Who makes His home in our hearts? How? (vs.17)

d.       For what reasons mulct our roots and foundation be in love? (vv.18, 19)    NOTE: The fullness of god or the nature of God (verse 19), includes all the excellence and perfection of God. It refers to the moral qualities of God found in Jesus Christ which are given to believers, and are shown in their lives as Christ lives in their hearts by faith.

e.       To better understand the greatness and extent of God’s power working in us, see Ephesians 1:19, 20 and Jude 24.

f.        From Ephesians 3:21, who receives glory?

g.       How, do you think, does God receive glory in the church? in Christ?

h.       For how long? (Ephesians 3:21; Jude 25)

To be filled with the Spirit is an experience necessary for every Christian in order to live a normal, everyday Christian life which is pleasing to God.

            However, we must remember that our sanctification is not complete when we surrender ourselves entirely to God and ask the Holy Spirit to totally fill and control us. Sanctification keeps going on. When we receive Jesus Christ our Sanctifier we are not instantly perfect. God never takes away from us the power to choose to do right or to do wrong. Although we can choose to do right, what if we do wrong?

            Even as the Old Testament priests had to worship in the sacred tent with hands and feet washed clean by the water in the laver (basin) –Exodus 30:17-21, we too must have pure hearts of worship God –Psalm 24:3,4. Although we received forgiveness and cleansing from sin when we repented and accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, because we are human, there are times when we sin. Jesus, as our Sanctifier, dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, and provides for us, as we ask forgiveness for wrongdoing, immediate cleansing.

            Today there is much discussion concerning sanctification and being filled with the Spirit, as well as differences of opinion as to the “correct” terminology. However, the important thing is to ask one’s self, “Does my life today show to others that I am filled with the Spirit? Am I becoming more and more like Jesus?

            Life in the Spirit is a continuing experience, and as we let the Spirit control us we will see His power and guidance in every area of our life and in all our relationships.

            We must never trust in our own ability to be holy, but take our spiritual life from Jesus who supplies us, moment by moment, with whatever grace or help we need. And we can truly say, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” –Galatians 2:20.

JESUS OUR SAVIOR

Hallmarks

Distinctives of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of the Philippines

JESUS OUR SAVIOR

Salvation is the deliverance of people from the power and effect of sin.

This deliverance from evil could only come through the payment of a price. That price was the death of the Perfect Son of God. Jesus dealt with the problem of sin by willingly dying on the cross. And, through his death and resurrection, He is able to bring sinners into a right relationship with God – 1 Peter 1:18 – 21; Ephesians 2:18.

Because Jesus has already paid the penalty for sin, our salvation is free. It begins when we repent of our sin and trust Jesus Christ as our only Savior – Ephesians 2:8-9. It continues as He makes His home in our hearts by faith and we live a new life – Ephesians 3:17, and will be complete when Christ appears again – Philippians 3:20,21.

I. Mankind has been under bondage to sin since Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in the Garden of Eden.

A. According to the following verses, who has sinned?

I Kings 8:46; Psalm 14:1-3;

Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:9,23; 5:12

B. Why is sin such a serious thing?

Psalm 5:4-6; Isaiah59:2;Colossians 1:21

C. How do the following Bible verses show us that no one, by his own efforts, can deal with sin and have a right relationship with God?

Proverbs 20:9; Romans 4:1-5; 7:24;

Galatians2: 16;Titus3: 5;

Ephesians 2:8,9

II. The Bible tells us how god, who is absolutely holy and righteous, puts a sinful person right with Himself.

A. According to Romans 3:21-26:

1. Who has sinned? (vs.23)

2. How does God put people right with Himself? (vs.22)

3. What does verse 24 say about the cost to the sinner of being put right with God?

4. What is the result of being put right with God through Jesus Christ? (vs. 24)

5. Why did God offer His Son? (vv. 25,26)

6. How are people’s sins forgiven?(vs. 25)

B. Read also Ephesians 1:5-7 and 1 John 2:2.

III. Our salvation is past, present and future. A Christina is already saved, is being saved, and will be saved.

A. A Christian is already saved.

He already possesses salvation. Because of this salvation the believer:

1. has passed from death to life-John 5:24

2. is a new person –2Corinthians 5:17

3. Has changed from being God’s enemy to being His friend –2Corinthians 5:18; Romans 5:10,11.

4. is given assurance by the Holy Spirit that he is a child of God –Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6,7

5. has the righteousness that comes from God –Philippians 3:9

6. has freedom from the bondage of sin –John 8:34-36; Romans6:22: Romans 8:2

7. has been set free from the fear of death –Hebrews 2:14;15

8. has peace with God –Romans 5:1

B. A Christian is being saved.

His life is continual living evidence of the salvation he possesses through Christ, and reflects Christ’s love and character to others in need of salvation.

1. What does 1Corinthians 1:18 say about the message of Christ’s death on the cross to those who are being saved?

2. How great is God’s power, and what does it do for us?

Ephesians 1:19,20; 3:16, 20;

2 Peter 1:3

3. What are some visible results in a Christian’s life of the salvation he possesses through Jesus Christ? Romans 6:14,22; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:14a; Galatians 5:1,24,25.

C. A Christian will be saved.

His salvation will be completed in the future, and is closer that when he first believed –Romans 13:11b. Christ “will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are waiting for him: -Hebrews 9:28b.

When our salvation is complete:

1. We will be saved from God’s anger –Romans 5:9; 1Thessalonians 5:9

2. Christ will change our bodies and make them like His own –Philippians 3:20,21; 1John 3:2

3. We will live together with Christ –1Thessalonians 5:10

4. We will possess the blessings God keeps for His people and will share in what God has reserved for His people in the Kingdom of light –Romans 8:17a; Colossians 1:12

5. We will posses with Christ what God has kept for Him; we will also share His glory –Romans 8:17b.

6. Under the authority and Lordship of Christ, we will rule as kings forever –Revelation 22:5b.

7. We will have eternal glory; we will live with Christ and rule with Him –2Timothy 2:10-12.

8. Both creation and we will be set free from slavery to decay, and share the glorious freedom and the children of God. –Romans 8:21-23.

9. There will be new heavens and a new earth “where righteousness will be at home” –2Peter 3:13.

Jesus is the source of our eternal salvation, so “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end” –Hebrews 12:2.

God Prepares His Bride

Rev. Ira Lee Rosalita
“God prepares his bride”
Mark 14:1-9

One of the privileges of being a minister is the opportunity to solemnize weddings. I must confess that I had my share of surprising moments during weddings. I remember solemnizing a wedding where both myself, and the groom were having high fever. My head was aching and my whole body was shaking, but I had to go through the ceremony together with the groom who was also praying that the ceremony would end soon because he was also having a difficult time. There was another time where in the middle of the ceremony the bride collapsed, perhaps out of exhaustion from the heat or for lack of sleep and rest prior to the wedding. I had to pause for a while and asked the groom and the maid of honor to assist the bride until she gained consciousness. However, there is one thing I noticed in all the weddings that I solemnized, that is, the bride was always the center of attraction and attention. Most people do not really mind the groom and the other participants, but their eyes are glued on the bride.
The imagery of a bride in the Bible is unique to the followers of Jesus Christ. Only in Jesus do we find the relationship as between husband and bride. Prior to the incarnation of Jesus, the relationship between God and Israel was a relationship between a master and servant. Moses himself was a servant in God’s house and all who followed Moses were servants in God’s house. The reason why Moses and the Israelites were governed by laws, rules and regulations is because they were servants. As long as the servant is faithful in following the rules and regulations in the house, the owner of the house will reward him generously. However, when the servant misbehaves and becomes rebellious, the master will kick him out.

Jesus is the perfect Savior

Rev. Ira Lee Rosalita
“Jesus is the perfect Savior”
Romans 5:12-21

Abraham Lincoln is remembered by most Americans as the president who emancipated the slaves. He led the northern states to fight against the southern states to end slavery in America. He sacrificed his life so that thousands of slaves will be liberated from bondage. The lives of the slaves were forever changed when they were given equal rights as citizens of the country. But Abraham Lincoln was only able to set the slaves free from the physical and material condition. There is another slavery which is far greater and more devastating to the human soul. This is the slavery to sin and death. No other person can save us from this bondage except the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why is Jesus the perfect savior?