Healings and the Great Commission

Was listening to the Elijah Challenge tape and he reminded us that whenever Jesus rebuked any of his disciples it was often because they did not have faith in themselves.

They didn't have faith in the authority and power he gave them to rebuke the wind...and so cried out to Jesus.

They didn't have faith in the authority and power he gave them to heal the epileptic boy. He actually called them perverted!

Peter didn't have faith in the authority and power he gave them to continue walking on the water.

He also got annoyed with them when they didn't have faith in the authority and power he gave them to feed the thousands. he said to the disciples, "You give them something to eat."

Interesting insights from this guy so far:
In his evangelical services oftentimes the poor are more blessed and healed by God. Often the rich and those in rich countries-- even when some of the rich are Christians-- simply do not get healed in these evangelistic meetings. Reminds me of Mary's Magnificat where she says God has sent the rich away empty.

Ministers telling a Bible miracle story will not blame the ministers for problem with healings. They blame God (It's not God's will) or they blame the sick person (It's your lack of faith) but they never interpret the stories to blame the disciples which is what Jesus often did. In the story of the boy with the epileptic demon, most ministers will blame the man and say "Jesus put it back on the man. You must believe." But Jesus in fact was pretty annoyed with his disciples and told his disciples they should fast and pray for such healings.

In addition, what does it matter if a healing is not God's will? IT was not God's will to heal Hezekiah. God had appointed him to death. But God healed Hezekiah when Hezekiah prayed. Nor was it Jesus's "will" to heal the woman with the issue of blood. He was pretty neutral toward her. She wanted to be healed and she caused the healing. Nor was it Jesus' will to heal the daughter of the Syro-Phenician woman and yet he healed her because the woman prayed.

He says that Jesus has told us that he has given us the authority and power to heal the sick, raise the dead, preach the gospel. We do not need the gift of healing. This is entirely different. It is about obeying his command and walking out in faith in the great Commission. It is the talent Jesus has given to all who believes in them. So then why doesn't the Church go out and heal the sick as proof that the God of Christ is the true God! Great preaching! Challenging!

I really like his preaching and agree with 95% of what he says. Okay, so I disagree with 5%. I'm allowed. I have to come to my own conclusions about some stuff...and in this case.... 95% agreement isn't bad. The 5% is what I don't wish to believe. Might be true, might be not. And a lot of folks in the church believes that...but not me.