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The Paralytic’s Healing:
You Too Can Be Used in Healing Ministry
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.
Sermon Summary: Acts 3:1-20 describes a dramatic healing miracle. Simple principles are revealed that can prepare you for a ministry of healing the sick.
Vs. 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon.
•• “They were going up to the temple” — that is, they were being faithful to their normal religious duties.
• Remain faithfully involved in the ministry of your local church, and you will expose yourself to opportunities for ministry, including healing the sick.
•• “...at the time of prayer” — Their hearts were prayerfully disposed towards the Lord.
• Recall how Peter prayed, then he raised the dead widow Dorcas (Acts 9:39-40).
• My pastor used to say, “You are as spiritual as you are prayerful.” A healing ministry will require consistent prayerfulness. The prayer of faith heals the sick (James 5:15).
vs. 4 Peter looked straight at [the paralytic], as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
•• It seems that Peter sensed the importance of riveting the man’s attention on what God was going to do.
Vs. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
•• “Silver or gold I do not have” — God’s power functions independently of our human resources or abilities. This healing miracle was entirely from the power of God.
•• “What I have I give you” — It’s important for the believer to know and acknowledge what he or she has in the Lord. We have the Name of Jesus, we have the Word of God, we have within us the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
•• “What I have I give you” — Healing is a free gift from God, to be given out by us freely. It’s all God!
•• “In the name of Jesus Christ ... walk!” — He didn’t pray to Jesus, but rather spoke to the man in Jesus’ Name.
Vs. 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
•• Don’t do this on human presumption. But if you sense faith working, be willing to do radical things like this.
Vss. 11-12 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
•• Healings tend to amaze people. Like Peter, when you see this amazement, be ready to speak a word about the saving and healing Lord!
•• Note Peter’s commendable humility — “Why do you stare at us?”
•• He disclaimed personal fame — “...as if by our own power or holiness” they had healed him. Peter was willing to take no personal credit. He gave all glory to the Lord.
Vs. 13a [Peter preached] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.
•• The man was healed ... the people gave attention ... Peter immediately preached Jesus to them.
• A godly opportunism, taking advantage of the occasions God gives to share the Gospel to an attentive audience.
Vs. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
•• How did the healing happen (then and now!)? — The paralytic received “by faith in the name of Jesus.”
•• Not just Jesus’ name spoken, but “[KJV] his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong.”
Vss. 19-20 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus.
•• Healings and miracles, then and now, open the door for the Gospel — “Repent...so that your sins may be wiped out ... times of refreshing...”
•• In sum, Peter took the whole scenario and turned it towards an occasion to preach the Gospel.
• Result? — Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
Summary: Some very simple and doable principles can be learned from this dramatic healing of the paralytic — principles that may enable you to enter into a healing ministry to the glory of God.
• Be faithful in gathering with other believers, in “church” and elsewhere.
• Be men and women of prayer.
• Remember, miraculous healing is an expression of God’s power, not of our natural abilities.
• Remember the spiritual tools you have from God — including Jesus’ name, God’s Word, and the empowering Holy Spirit.
• The gifts of healing come freely from God; give them out freely.
• Speak to the sick in Jesus’ name — e.g., “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you” (Acts 9:34).
• When you sense the Lord so leading, be willing to step out in faith as Peter and John did amidst a crowd of people.
• As healings occur and onlookers are amazed, be ready to speak to them about Jesus the Lord and Savior and Healer.
• Healing miracles can be a temptation to pride. Remain humble and always give the credit to the Lord.
• Don’t just invoke the name of Jesus over the sick; invoke Jesus’ name in genuine faith in Him. Then watch and rejoice in the Lord’s faithfulness to heal!
Preached at Medford (Oregon) Christian Center, September 11, 2002
Our in-depth bible study on divine healing may be viewed at Divine Healing | Spiritual Healing.
A related free sermon outline of interest is The Power of Healing Prayers for the Sick.
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© 2002, James H. Feeney, All rights reserved.
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