Welcome to the Sermon Recap! Today, we will be discussing the difference between a good gift and a perfect gift.
James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
In the book of Genesis, before man’s fall from grace, the world was a paradise untouched by disease, plagues, storms, sorrow, death, or separation. It was a time when humanity lived in harmony with God and creation. However, when Eve fell, Adam followed suit, stepping down from a God nature to a flesh nature. With this fall came attacks. These attacks include disease and sickness.
Isaiah 53:5 reminds us of the power of healing, declaring that the same God that forgives our iniquities also has the ability to heal our diseases. This profound truth sets the stage for a journey through the Scriptures, revealing the intertwining of faith, prayer, and the Great Physician’s intervention in the process of healing.
Isaiah and Hezekiah
Isaiah’s encounter with Hezekiah provides a powerful example of the impact of fervent prayer. When Isaiah delivered the message that Hezekiah’s life was nearing its end, Hezekiah turned to God in prayer. With a pure heart and a faithful spirit, Hezekiah’s plea moved heaven and touched the heart of God. Before Isaiah could leave the court of the palace, God turned him back with the news that He would add 15 more years to Hezekiah’s life. As a sign of this miraculous healing, God stopped and reversed the movement of the sun.
This remarkable story illustrates that God not only hears our prayers but sometimes also responds with both words and miracles. It’s a reminder that divine healing can come in various ways, using different means.
What about doctors?
Think about this for a moment. Do you think that the devil provided doctors with the knowledge to perform complex surgeries or develop life-saving treatments? The devil does not want humanity saved. But God does! Some may ask if it’s wrong to go to the doctor as if perhaps we are putting less trust in the Lord if we do so. This is where the good gift comes in. God wants you to rely on Him, but at times, He uses doctors as instruments of His grace and healing. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the kindness of doctors and the blessings of modern medicine. Sometimes, God works through medical professionals to bring healing and relief to those in need. Doctors, their knowledge and skills, and the healing that can come along with them is the good gift.
The Perfect Gift
In a world where healthcare can be challenging to access and expensive, God stands as the ultimate perfect gift. His healing is not subject to waiting rooms, insurance battles, or medication schedules. It is a gift already paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Mark 16:18 – “they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
1 Peter 2:24 – “who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
Mark 9:23 – “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Faith is powerful in the process of healing. If God wants to use a doctor to heal us, then so be it, perhaps that doctor needs a witness of God’s grace and saving power. But sometimes God wants to give us a miracle and that is accessible to us through faith. If we believe it, it is possible.
God longs to see us prosper. He wants to heal us; it’s in His will. If you haven’t gotten your healing yet, seek it with faith and perseverance, understanding that God can work through different means, including medical professionals, to bring about His gift of health and wholeness. In times of affliction, we can hold onto the promise of healing, remembering that it is a gift already paid for by the ultimate sacrifice of God’s love.
Thank you for reading! For a deeper study into this topic, watch the sermon “A Perfect Gift” by clicking HERE. God bless you!
Pastor Anthony Wynn
