Yesterday I read a
Facebook post by a friend of mine, Dr. Don Lynch, who asked as a conversation
starter: “To what extent should miracles, signs and wonders be paired with
preaching?”
I began to think almost immediately
of all the Scriptures I have ever used in preaching along these lines over the
years. But I couldn’t get the thought out of head even this morning. Then to my
remembrance came this verse that Rev. Kenneth E. (Dad) Hagin used to quote way
back in the early 80’s when I used to attend Healing School at Rhema while a
student there.
“But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his
power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed
of their diseases.” Luke 5:15 New Living Translation (emphasis mine)
I want you to pay
attention to what The New Living Translation brings out that other Translations
don’t. They came to hear Him Preach…and to Be Healed of their diseases. They
didn’t just come to be Healed…But to Hear and be Healed. Most other
Translations just say: “…great multitudes came together to hear, and to be
healed by Him of their infirmities.”
I am struck with the
thought that many want to be healed, but don’t want to hear anything. They want
you to lay hands on them and just ZAP it to them. Well thank God for the Gifts
of the Holy Spirit being in operation as He wills, but if they aren’t…you
better Hear The Word!
I am also reminded of the
ministry of Jesus in Matthew chapter 4.
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom,
and healing all kinds of sickness and
all kinds of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23 New King James
Version (emphasis mine)
Again notice in the
ministry of Jesus that He was not just Healing, but He was Teaching, Preaching
and Healing. The Word must be proclaimed if we expect to see the Healing Power
of God. God confirms His Word, and if we don’t put His Word out there He has
nothing to confirm.
Remember the Great
Commission in Mark 16?
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all
creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he
who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they
will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they
will lay hands on the sick, and
they will recover’….And they went
out and preached everywhere, while the Lord
worked with them, and confirmed the
word by the signs that followed.” Mark 16: 15-18 & 20 New American
Standard Bible (emphasis mine)
I want you to notice that
in obedience to the commission that they received, that they went out and
preached everywhere…and the Lord worked with them…and confirmed the word by the
signs that followed. What if they didn’t preach? Then I dare say the Lord would
not be able to work with them. Notice He confirmed the word. He only confirms
the word! He will not confirm anything but His Word!
