Hear And Be Healed

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!