It's God’s Will
Scripture: Matthew 8:2-3Devotional Series: The Holy Ghost and Power
Teaching: The Holy Ghost and Power pt. 3 (SUN_AM 2024-10-20) by Pastor Star R Scott
Miracles, signs, and wonders, healings, testify of the anointing that was upon Jesus, that He truly was the Messiah. And ultimately, as we get back and we see the different references out of John 10, it becomes so, then, specific as He declares Himself God, the Messiah, the Son of God. And the confirmation is, “Believe me for the works” (John 14:11). If you can’t believe the words— “We cannot deny that a notable miracle has been done” (Acts 4:16). “Nobody can do these things except God be with him” (John 3:2) was the testimony. “When the Messiah comes, will He do greater things than these?” (John 7:31) was the reasoning of those who had a heart open to God. When people begin to see these things, God’s tugging on their hearts. They’re not seeking Him; God’s seeking them.
I’ve actually found over the years that it’s almost easier to pray for unbelievers than believers, because unbelievers are being tugged upon by the Holy Spirit. If we even have a vague understanding… If God is drawing our hearts—remember, Him first; He’s drawing us. We’re not seeking Him. If God is drawing us, and we’re beginning to have this awareness of a confrontation, a decision we’re going to have to make about whether God exists and whether I’m going to accept Him as my Lord… I’ve shared before, and I’m sure, with some of you. I had friends that were Catholics and we’re getting ready to go out drinking and carousing, looking for some girls. And he says, “Can you stop here at my church?” And I said, “What for?” He said, “I just want to go into confession.” I said, “Well, you’re going to need to do that afterwards.” He said, “No, I just haven’t since our last outing.” And I said, “Okay.” So, I’m sitting there, and I’m thinking, “If there is a God, He ain’t going for this.” Even the God I was able to imagine… If you even begin to imagine a God who is just, a God who is loving, a God who is holy, then surely, He would be compassionate. And if He had the power to make me well, He would, as I trusted Him and believed Him. And that’s why, in this simple, childlike faith, so many of these people that are on the verge of redemption, of regeneration, can receive as little children.
Some of us that are battle scarred—we’ve seen times when we’ve been healed, and we’ve not been healed, and we’ve prayed for people that were healed. And we’re trying to figure all of this stuff out, and we need to stop trying to get it complicated and begin to make it simple again; amen? First of all, God wants everybody healed. And if they don’t get healed, I don’t know why, but that doesn’t change the truth of what God has declared. Amen? I think Robbie mentioned it the other night. Here you are—I’m teaching on radio and different things and teaching to thousands of people here in the metropolitan area, glorifying God through His Word and His covenant promises, and have people come up to you and say, “What are you going to preach when your wife dies?” And it’s a very simple answer: I’m going to preach the truth that by His stripes we’re healed, praise God (Isaiah 53:5). “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (James 5:15). And He healed them all, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah (Matthew 8:16‑17). That when Jesus was approached and said, “Lord, if You will, thou canst make me whole.” “I will” (Matthew 8:2‑3). Amen? That’s what I’m going to preach, because my experience has nothing to do with the mercies, the sure covenant, and the essence of who our God is—Jehovah Rapha, the Lord that heals us. Hallelujah!
Father, we thank You for Your Word. We ask that You would cause us to go out boldly. You will confirm this Word with signs following. Your name will be lifted up. As we look into Your Word tonight, Father, help us to see that following the majority of these great expressed miracles, we find this: “And they glorified God.” So, Lord, we want to see You glorified in our lives, in Your church, for You alone are worthy. And we ask these things, Father, in Jesus’ name, amen.
I’ve actually found over the years that it’s almost easier to pray for unbelievers than believers, because unbelievers are being tugged upon by the Holy Spirit. If we even have a vague understanding… If God is drawing our hearts—remember, Him first; He’s drawing us. We’re not seeking Him. If God is drawing us, and we’re beginning to have this awareness of a confrontation, a decision we’re going to have to make about whether God exists and whether I’m going to accept Him as my Lord… I’ve shared before, and I’m sure, with some of you. I had friends that were Catholics and we’re getting ready to go out drinking and carousing, looking for some girls. And he says, “Can you stop here at my church?” And I said, “What for?” He said, “I just want to go into confession.” I said, “Well, you’re going to need to do that afterwards.” He said, “No, I just haven’t since our last outing.” And I said, “Okay.” So, I’m sitting there, and I’m thinking, “If there is a God, He ain’t going for this.” Even the God I was able to imagine… If you even begin to imagine a God who is just, a God who is loving, a God who is holy, then surely, He would be compassionate. And if He had the power to make me well, He would, as I trusted Him and believed Him. And that’s why, in this simple, childlike faith, so many of these people that are on the verge of redemption, of regeneration, can receive as little children.
Some of us that are battle scarred—we’ve seen times when we’ve been healed, and we’ve not been healed, and we’ve prayed for people that were healed. And we’re trying to figure all of this stuff out, and we need to stop trying to get it complicated and begin to make it simple again; amen? First of all, God wants everybody healed. And if they don’t get healed, I don’t know why, but that doesn’t change the truth of what God has declared. Amen? I think Robbie mentioned it the other night. Here you are—I’m teaching on radio and different things and teaching to thousands of people here in the metropolitan area, glorifying God through His Word and His covenant promises, and have people come up to you and say, “What are you going to preach when your wife dies?” And it’s a very simple answer: I’m going to preach the truth that by His stripes we’re healed, praise God (Isaiah 53:5). “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (James 5:15). And He healed them all, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah (Matthew 8:16‑17). That when Jesus was approached and said, “Lord, if You will, thou canst make me whole.” “I will” (Matthew 8:2‑3). Amen? That’s what I’m going to preach, because my experience has nothing to do with the mercies, the sure covenant, and the essence of who our God is—Jehovah Rapha, the Lord that heals us. Hallelujah!
Father, we thank You for Your Word. We ask that You would cause us to go out boldly. You will confirm this Word with signs following. Your name will be lifted up. As we look into Your Word tonight, Father, help us to see that following the majority of these great expressed miracles, we find this: “And they glorified God.” So, Lord, we want to see You glorified in our lives, in Your church, for You alone are worthy. And we ask these things, Father, in Jesus’ name, amen.