{"id":323,"date":"2023-04-05T16:14:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T16:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=323"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:48:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:48:59","slug":"live-well-live-blessed","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/live-well-live-blessed\/","title":{"rendered":"LIVE WELL, LIVE BLESSED"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Live Well, Live Blessed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Faith You Can Believe In! \u2013 Message #3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 8:40-56<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Proverbs 16:25<\/strong> we find a verse that sums up the society in which we live today. It says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 16:25 <\/strong>(NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We live in a day and age where people are so misguided. The things they think are of most importance are far from the priorities which they should be living by. Never before has there been some many things which bring distraction and encourage self-absorption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is for that reason that God has called out His family to raise up a new standard by which we are going to live. He has declared that one of our primary reasons for being is to bring others to Him\u2026that they may embrace a better way of living \u2013 so they too can be blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem though \u2013 is that so many people who claim faith in God lack any real understanding of who He is or even what it is they claim to believe in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been here the last two weeks, then you know we\u2019re in a series of messages called: A Faith You Can Believe In. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the primary focus of this series is simply to remind you and me the basics of our faith. To reestablish the core of our faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason this is so important is because, as I have stated before — our behaviors will always follow our beliefs! So, if we don\u2019t really know what we believe \u2013 then how can we ever expect to really \u201cLive out our Faith\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The springboard verse for us has been the third verse of Jude\u2019s letter in the New Testament. He wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/em><\/strong>Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jude 1:3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning I want to talk to you about one of the most important things we believe as followers of Christ\u2026and please understand this \u2013 what I am going to talk with you about is so much more than just a doctrinal position statement; it is a personal convictions! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to begin by saying: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God is more than just a \u201cspiritual\u201d figure in our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have established already, our God (Jehovah) is a very personal God\u2026Jesus said, He is our \u201cHeavenly Father.\u201d And as such, He\u2019s not just concerned with religious rules and regulations. The bible establishes the case that our God cares about us. He cares about our spiritual health as well as our physical and emotional heath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT\u2019s time for us to believe in the power of divine healing again!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been said that what is taught the most from the pulpit is what will be lived out the most in the pew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, we don\u2019t have pews in here \u2013 but I think the truth still applies. So, today we are going to talk about HEALING!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the very beginning of time, the Bible declares that God created the heavens and the earth. Now this is one of the most exciting places in all of scripture. The bible tells us that God made everything out of nothing. He didn\u2019t have anything to start with\u2026and yet, created the stars and the moon and the earth and everything in it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most exciting part is when He created mankind. The wonder of creation exposes that God created you and me in his image. Do you get that. You were created in the image of the divine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn to the person on your left and right and tell them:<\/strong> \u201cI am looking good \u2013 because I am made in the image of God!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were made by God \u2013 in His image. Now, why is that important? Because, He designed us, created us and gave us life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, don\u2019t you think if He designed us, created us in His image, and breathed life into our bodies\u2026that He would want our bodies to be healthy and function well? Again\u2026in His image!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen, our God is very personal and loving God. And we know through scripture that God is concerned about our physical bodies as much as He\u2019s concerned about other aspects of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the point. The pain in our body is as much on His mind as the hurt in our soul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the stories found in Luke\u2019s gospel. Luke 8:40-56<\/strong> (NIV). There are really two different stories \u2013 with the same ending. Look at it with me.  Luke 8:40-56:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>40<\/em><\/strong>Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. <\/em>41<\/em><\/strong>Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house <\/em>42<\/em><\/strong>because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

   As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. <\/em>43<\/em><\/strong>And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,<\/em>[<\/sup><\/em>d<\/sup><\/em><\/a>]<\/sup><\/em> but no one could heal her. <\/em>44<\/em><\/strong>She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>45<\/em><\/strong>“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. \u2028      When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>46<\/em><\/strong>But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>47<\/em><\/strong>Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. <\/em>48<\/em><\/strong>Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So again, here\u2019s the story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus was inching His way through the crowds of people when a father shows up and begs Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was dying. Jesus agrees and while moving through the crowd of people\u2026someone else with a need for a miracle shows up and touches him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An interesting note \u2013 the girl dying at home was 12 years old, which was the same length of time that this woman had been hemorrhaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke states the she was desperate for a miracle. She had tried every other option to no avail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I want you to realize this\u2026her chronic loss of blood was more than a physical nightmare; it was a social disgrace. The regulations of religious purification banned her from temple worship. People in her condition were quarantined from public places. Just by touching another human being would have made them unclean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have to realize the shame and isolation she must have felt\u2026and that may have been even more painful than her physical condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, Jesus immediately realized that \u201cSomebody\u201d had touched him! This woman had made intentional contact with Jesus \u2013 and because of it, she connected with a miracle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s as if a spiritual discharge healed her physical discharge.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where, there was total silence on her part\u2026because she knew\u2026revealing her identity was a huge risk! She was fully aware of the consequences of her actions. Jesus (who felt her touch) could have easily exposed her. But He didn\u2019t. He waited for her. Trembling and tearful she fell to His feet and she joyfully announced her dramatic healing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Jesus celebrated her courage and faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I really like the way Eugene Peterson<\/strong> translates this verse in the Message <\/strong>version of the Bible. He translates it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDaughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you\u2019re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 8:48<\/strong> (MSG)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, that\u2019s when the second story really begins. After this amazing healing, someone from the father\u2019s house comes running up and tells them that they are too late \u2013 his daughter had died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bible tells us in verse 49<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>49<\/em><\/strong>While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>50<\/em><\/strong>Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>51<\/em><\/strong>When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. <\/em>52<\/em><\/strong>Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/em>53<\/em><\/strong>They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. <\/em>54<\/em><\/strong>But <\/em>he took her by the hand<\/em> and said, “My child, get up!” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let me just pause for a moment and tell you \u2013 that was a \u201cno-no\u201d! Jewish people would have never touched a dead person. It would have defiled them and made them unclean! But Jesus knew she wouldn\u2019t be dead long\u2026so the threat to him wasn\u2019t really there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bible says\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

54<\/em><\/strong>But <\/em>he took her by the hand<\/em> and said, “My child, get up!” <\/em>55<\/em><\/strong>Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. <\/em>56<\/em><\/strong>Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Luke 8:40-56<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Now I tell you those stories to drive home the point that Jesus is our Healer! He was then\u2026and He is now. Jesus heals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bible makes the case that He cares about our well being. He wants us to be healed and not suffer in our bodies. The last words of the Old Testament forecast the arrival of Israel\u2019s Messiah and Healer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor you who revere my name, <\/em>the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malachi 4.2 <\/strong>(NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healing is a promise which is just as real as salvation. In fact the word \u201cto save\u201d, (the Greek word — sozo) in the New Testament also means \u201cto deliver\u201d and \u201cto heal\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And should you think that healing is limited to certain issues or small things\u2026the understand this, healing involves the whole person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John writes in one of his brief letters at the end of the New Testament and says in 3 John<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeloved, I pray that in all respects <\/em>you may prosper<\/em> and <\/em>be in good health<\/em>, just <\/em>as your soul prospers<\/em>.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 John 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God is really concerned about our well being. And, He wants us to be healthy: mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:23<\/strong> and says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMay God himself, the God <\/em>who makes everything holy and whole<\/em>, <\/em>make you holy and whole<\/em>, put you together\u2014spirit, soul, and body\u2014<\/em>and keep you fit <\/em>for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1Thessalonians 5:23<\/strong> (MSG)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen, God wants to get real personal with you and me\u2026and He wants to touch us and discharge healing to our spirit, soul and bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has always been a part of the ministry of Christ\u2026.and as long as He is concerned \u2013 it will continue to be a part of His ministry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bible tells us that Jesus spent a lot of time healing the sick. And even when He sent out his disciples to do ministry\u2026He empowered them to do the same thing. Luke 9:2<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 9:2<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, one of those early leaders was very direct about healing in his letter. James 5:14<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs any one of you sick? Call the elders of the church to pray over you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make you well.\u201d  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

James 5:14<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me tell you how we understand scriptures like this around here. It\u2019s pretty simple actually\u2026we tend to take these scriptures at face value and therefore, we openly practice them in our church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we pray \u2013 we expect results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our prayer team is comprised of people who don\u2019t just talk about  prayer \u2013 but they practice it. And when they pray, they believe that they\u2019re going to receive answers to their prayers (just as the bible says).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We believe\u2026healing is an integral part of the Gospel.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bible declares with great authority that healing is part of Christ\u2019s Atonement (His death and work on the cross). The atonement was Jesus\u2019 sacrificial death of the cross in our place for our sin, sickness and spiritual health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prophet Isaiah envisioned our salvation and healing in the sufferings of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 53:5<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew, who connects many of Jesus miracles with the ancient prophecies of the Old Testament, makes this point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: \u201cHe took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matt. 8.16-17<\/strong> (NIV)          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hebrew word here for healed is (rapha). It is \u201cto mend\u201d, (stitch) \u201cto repair\u201d \u201cto cure\u201d, or \u201cmake whole\u201d. God actually represented Himself to His people by this name (Jehovah Rapha \u2013 the God who heals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ex. 15.26<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healing is still somewhat of a mystery. There are a lot of theories on why some do and some don\u2019t get healed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do know faith is involved:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n