Your Faith Has Healed You
Luke 7:1-10, Mark 6:1-6
The fourth sermon in the series Authority to heal is entitled “Your Faith Has Healed You”. Click here to listen to the sermon (right-click to save it to disc, or ctrl-click on the Mac). Next sermon
Notes
“All the books on healing, including the book on healing, the New Testament, emphasise the role that faith plays in healing. ‘Go in peace, your faith has made you whole’ is a constant saying of Jesus.” (Francis MacNutt)
This vital truth is illustrated by two contrasting narratives:
Mark 6 comes hard on the heels of Jesus remarkable works throughout the rest of Galilee. For whatever reason, the people in his home town are offended by Jesus' ministry.
Mark 6:5: Lack of faith and hostility to Jesus means that he could not do any miracles there other than to heal a few sick people. Jesus is somehow constrained by lack of faith.
Luke 7: If people of Nazareth are without excuse, here is a man whom we might expect to be far from faithful (Gentile). Yet he is full of faith. He recognises that healing is not about techniques etc. but about a person (“only say the word”).
Recognition (v8) of the authority of God manifest in Jesus.
Here is a lesson in the real nature of faith for healing, a quiet and settled trust in God's character and authority in his ability and desire to heat. This attitude is commended by Jesus.
Exercising faith
Who must exercise faith for healing?
It doesn't really seem to matter!
A responsible friend/relative
For example the Centurion, Jairus, Mk 2 friends of the paralytic
Sometimes those too close to the sufferer are the last people who should be involved in prayer for healing; too anxious and fear destroys faith.
The sufferer themselves
For example the woman with the issue of blood in Mk 5
Sometimes the sufferer is too beaten down by the extent of the problem and has lost hope. Jesus never seems to criticise a sick person for lack of faith.
Always respond to the presence of faith in someone who is suffering; it is very potent!
A third party, for example Acts 3: Beggar at Gate Beautiful. Sometimes God simply equips someone with faith for healing of another. Go with it!
Faith is very different from wishful thinking! Specific confidence in God that he wants to act now in the life of another.
The need for faith
There has developed in more recent years a view which sees faith almost as the human effort which God rewards by granting healing. Ken Blue suggests that this 'Faith formula' approach is a fusion of 'can-do'. American optimism and Christian fundamentalism which produces a triumphalistic theological hybrid which is both attractive and dangerous.
Essentially this position insists that all divine blessings (inc. health) are constantly available to all Christians and that God always wants to heal those who are sick. These blessings are appropriated by faith, the more faith we have, the more we get from God. Impoverishment is always due to a lack of faith.
Faith is expressed by the positive confession of our needs and requirements ('whatever you ask for in my name...'). This approach can be criticised on a number of grounds both in terms of what it teaches and the consequences it produces:
Faith is reduced to the human will to believe and our faith is placed in our own level of faith rather than in God himself; faith can become nothing more then frenzy;
Inadequate understanding of the provisional nature of the Kingdom of God (the best is yet to be);
Our relationship with God becomes contractual rather than covenantal; he responds to people because of their work rather than because of his grace; God becomes akin to a Canaanite fertility god;
If we have exercised faith then we have to confess our healing... despite the continued presence of symptoms. Nonsense!
Prayer in the name of Jesus is not a formula but a parameter, it implies that we should pray according to his will and in the light of his character;
The strength of faith is not important to God (mustard seed).
cf. David Watson was not healed physically despite immense believing prayer; other Christians have experienced full healing after being prayed for by those whose faith is weak cf. Mark 9 I do believe...
So why does God heat only in the presence of faith?
Because his goal is relationship
Jesus resists confronting people with the fullness of his glory; he comes not to persuade doubters against their will but to stimulate faith.
Indicative of the fact that God wants to work in partnership with us, not independently of us.
What kind of faith is God looking for?
Francis MacNutt describes faith as chutzpah that is nerve/brass, extreme confidence in action (cf. woman who touches Jesus' robe).
It is not blind faith but confidence or obedience to the promises of God, trust in the character of God.
“Like Abraham, we set out for an unknown promised land. The faith lies in setting out on the journey, not in being sure of exactly where we are going. We believe that God is faithful, provided we do what is in our power, and that is to pray for the sick... faith is simply obedience and the willingness to risk; not an absolute certainty about what is going to happen on the journey.” (MacNutt)
It is stronger than optimism or wishful thinking; it is different from absolute certainty. John Wimber used to say it should be spelled R-I-S-K. Involves element of making ourselves vulnerable, sticking our necks out, running the risk of being made to look foolish. It is living in the light of a different reality than the one we see.
How do we stimulate faith for healing?
Aroused by dwelling on promises of God
Grateful reflection on previous healings; faith builds as Jesus' ministry progresses
Healing in stages; look for small signs of encouragement cf. blind man who saw men as trees walking
Not tackling things which are too big all at once
Identify people of faith cf. Mt 9:25 only a few disciples are taken along and crowds are put outside
Faith is not a formula... but it is integrally linked to seeing healing take place. The more faith we exercise the more we will see happen.
Sermons on healing
Your Faith Has Healed You (this sermon)
See also
