THE GOD WHO HEALS YOU
THE GOD WHO HEALS YOU --June 25, 2017
The God Who Heals You www.bethelinvancouver.com | Pastor Phil Mittelstaedt Main Text: Exodus 15:22-27
What “Bitter Water” Experiences Teach Us 1. About life – we can expect life to include both bitter and sweet, both ups and downs, dry spells and abundant springs. When life gets bitter, the challenge is for us not to get bitter! 2. About ourselves – our hearts can become quick to complain when our faith is tested. Will we complain against God (or people), or pray to God for help? As people of faith, we all need to learn contentment while at the same contend for the “breakthrough”. The Apostle Paul to the Philippians: “….I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11–13) (NIV)
3. About God – His desire to teach us faith, obedience, and reveal himself as our healer. Bitter water experiences provide an occasion for us to trust his instruction in the midst of unexpected hardship. 4. About the future – God can turn “bitter” into “sweet” and lead us to refreshing springs and shelter! Exodus 15:27 – From Marah to Elim!
God’s Heart to Heal We may know God as our creator, forgiver, provider, or deliverer, but do we know God as our healer? •
Just as people can get physically sick, people by nature are spiritually sick (i.e because of sin)
Mark 2:16–17 (NLT) 16 …
when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
•
Jesus came to those who needed some kind of “healing” in life: broken hearts, guilt/shame, addictive habits, rejection, debilitating circumstances.
•
God’s love is for the whole person: physically, emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually.
There are different kinds of healing that God desires to bring: spiritual healing, physical healing, healing from past hurts, healing in our relationships. Because… • •
healing was part of Jesus’ message/ministry of God’s Kingdom arriving with his coming (see Luke 9:2) healing was part of what Jesus accomplished through his death on the cross (see Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24)
…healing is available for the asking, believing, and receiving! We not only can receive his healing as a part of life when we experience bitter waters. We can bring God’s healing, with message of Christ, and with the power of the Spirit.
Don’t complain against God in hardship. Go to him for healing!
Questions for Reflection or Discussion Have you ever experienced a “bitter water” experience, a situation that was unpleasant and where you felt helpless? How did you respond?
Read Exodus 15:22-27 •
What did the people do when they realized the water was bitter? What does the Scripture say God was doing in this situation?
•
As the people started out in the wilderness, why do you think God used this opportunity to reveal himself to them as their healer?
•
On a scale of 1 – 10 how quick are you to question God when you face bitter situations
•
How can you guard yourself from getting bitter in a world of full of bitterness?
•
If applicable, how have you personally experienced God as your healer?
•
What - if any - kind of healing are you trusting God for and praying for, either for yourself or someone else?
The God Who Heals You www.bethelinvancouver.com | Pastor Phil Mittelstaedt Main Text: Exodus 15:22-27
What “Bitter Water” Experiences Teach Us 1. About life – we can expect life to include both bitter and sweet, both ups and downs, dry spells and abundant springs. When life gets bitter, the challenge is for us not to get bitter! 2. About ourselves – our hearts can become quick to complain when our faith is tested. Will we complain against God (or people), or pray to God for help? As people of faith, we all need to learn contentment while at the same contend for the “breakthrough”. The Apostle Paul to the Philippians: “….I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11–13) (NIV)
3. About God – His desire to teach us faith, obedience, and reveal himself as our healer. Bitter water experiences provide an occasion for us to trust his instruction in the midst of unexpected hardship. 4. About the future – God can turn “bitter” into “sweet” and lead us to refreshing springs and shelter! Exodus 15:27 – From Marah to Elim!
God’s Heart to Heal We may know God as our creator, forgiver, provider, or deliverer, but do we know God as our healer? •
Just as people can get physically sick, people by nature are spiritually sick (i.e because of sin)
Mark 2:16–17 (NLT) 16 …
when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
•
Jesus came to those who needed some kind of “healing” in life: broken hearts, guilt/shame, addictive habits, rejection, debilitating circumstances.
•
God’s love is for the whole person: physically, emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually.
There are different kinds of healing that God desires to bring: spiritual healing, physical healing, healing from past hurts, healing in our relationships. Because… • •
healing was part of Jesus’ message/ministry of God’s Kingdom arriving with his coming (see Luke 9:2) healing was part of what Jesus accomplished through his death on the cross (see Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24)
…healing is available for the asking, believing, and receiving! We not only can receive his healing as a part of life when we experience bitter waters. We can bring God’s healing, with message of Christ, and with the power of the Spirit.
Don’t complain against God in hardship. Go to him for healing!
Questions for Reflection or Discussion Have you ever experienced a “bitter water” experience, a situation that was unpleasant and where you felt helpless? How did you respond?
Read Exodus 15:22-27 •
What did the people do when they realized the water was bitter? What does the Scripture say God was doing in this situation?
•
As the people started out in the wilderness, why do you think God used this opportunity to reveal himself to them as their healer?
•
On a scale of 1 – 10 how quick are you to question God when you face bitter situations
•
How can you guard yourself from getting bitter in a world of full of bitterness?
•
If applicable, how have you personally experienced God as your healer?
•
What - if any - kind of healing are you trusting God for and praying for, either for yourself or someone else?
