Forgiveness and Healing

A. The Source of Sickness

“Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” Romans 5:12

1. There have been two Adams. The first and last - Adam and Jesus.

2. Adam was the federal head of all mankind as later was Jesus.

3. What happened in Adam passed to all mankind. What happened in Christ can be passed to all mankind

4. We sinned in Adam when he sinned, “…all have sinned “ (Romans 3:23).

5. We died in Adam when he died. “death passed upon all men” (Romans 5:12).

6. Sin is the core of all curses. It is the core of personal sins, poverty, and sickness.

7. We had no choice to be in Adam. We were born into his spiritual death.

8. But we do have a choice to be in Christ. It is a free gift (Romans 5:15).

9. Being in sin and poverty is not a choice. Neither is sickness.

10. Salvation, prosperity, and healing are gifts, a choice.

B. Forgiven Then Healed

“So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?  For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Mathew 9:1-7

1. This is the story of the man let down through the roof (Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26).

2. This man had been sick for some time and had not been healed. The faith of his friends brought him to Jesus.

3. “…be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven…” (vs. 2)

   a. “be of good cheer” - be encouraged. What kept this man from being healed was discouragement. WHY?

   b. “your sins are forgiven” (perfect tense)

4. “You have been forgiven since the time you asked.” (vs. 2)

5. An inability to forgive yourself will hinder your healing.

6. Divine healing is the outward proof, manifestation of Jesus’ ability to forgive sins. (vs. 6)

C. Bible Examples of Atonement for Sin and Sickness

1. John 3:14, 15 - “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness… that whosoever believes in Him might have eternal life.”

   a. Numbers 21:9 - The brass serpent used for physical healing.

2. Psalms 103:1-3 - “…forget not all his benefits… who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.”

3. Luke 4:18 - “…anointed me to preach the gospel, deliverance to the captive (sin), recovery of sight to the blind (sickness).”

4. 1 Corinthians 11:29, 30 - Why 2 elements for communion? Sin and sickness. “…for this cause man are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (die early)… not discerning the Lord’s body.”

   a. Jesus’ blood provided salvation and forgiveness of sins.

   b. Jesus stripes provided healing of our sicknesses.

5. 2 Corinthians 4:11 - “…the life of Jesus made manifest in our mortal bodies.”

6. James 5:16 - “the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and if he has committed any sins they shall be forgiven him.”