1. Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the sick. He is still moved with compassion and has never stopped loving – likewise He has never stopped healing the sick and freeing the oppressed.
2. The disciples, when asked how could a cripple stand, said that the miracle happened through the name of Jesus, and faith in that name – His name is still the same, and faith in Jesus’ name will still see similar results.
3. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. he healed 2000 years ago, and certainly continues to heal today. Ultimately, all sickness and disease of any kind will be eradicated through His power and love.
4. His death was for the sins of mankind.His death was for the sicknesses of mankind. (Isaiah 53:4-5).He saves today from sin. He heals today from sickness.The same sacrifice that deals with our sin, deals with our sickness.
5. Jesus took upon Himself the “chastisement of our peace” – all that afflicts the body, soul or spirit of mankind was addressed in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
6. Healing was available under the Old Covenant, how much more now under a new and better covenant?
7. The Lord Himself commanded His followers to lay hands on the sick, expecting them to recover.
8. Often Jesus or the disciples ministered healing and said, ” by your faith be it unto you” or “Your faith has made you well”. Faith, as a spiritual law, works the same today as it has always worked.
9. Jesus came to give life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). Sickness and disease are not part of the abundant life He offers and promises.
10. The epistles speak about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are distributed to the church. One of these gifts is the “gift of healings”.
11. Another gift mentioned in this list is the gift of the “working of miracles”. Miraculous healings are possible today through this gift of the Holy Spirit.
12. Jesus said that whatever we pray, believing, we shall receive. We can pray for healing, believing God’s Word and promise, and receive what we ask.
13. Sickness and disease are part of the curse, and Galatians 3:13 says that we have been redeemed from the curse.
14. Sickness and disease are referred to as the “oppression of the devil” (Acts 10:38), and Jesus came to heal us of it.
15. One of God’s covenant names is “jehovah-Rapha” meaning the Lord who heals – He is true to His name.
16. The Greek word for salvation is “sozo” which means “to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): — heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.”
17. 1 Peter 2:24 says that “by His stripes, we were healed”.
18. If sickness was part of the fall, of necessity healing must be part of redemption or Jesus work was incomplete and did not restore what had been lost at all.
19. If sickness were God’s will, all doctors and nurses would be rebels, and to seek relief from disease would be a direct violation of God’s desire for our lives – such a notion is simply absurd!
20. Romans 8:11 says that the Holy Spirit gives life to our mortal body, not death and disease.
21. Proverbs says that God’s Word is like a medicine, strengthening the bones and health to ur flesh. God’s Word has power to affect both our spiritual and physical well-being.
22. Psalm 103 says that one of the benefits we are to believe for and remember is hat God heals all of our diseases.
23. Jesus is the perfect example of God’s will in action – He always is seen healing and restoring and delivering people from sickness and disease, not putting it on them!
24. Matthew points out the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic word when he says; “they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
25. I have seen God heal with my own eyes.

What comes to mind when I mention the big “C”? I dare to say that for most people they think of something dreadful, and that their perception of the biggest “C’ they can think of is one that destroys life and robs families. Cancer is not a subject I approach lightly. I have known people who have fought the good fight and won against this dreaded disease, and others who have fought and lost.

It is not a subject that can be lightly glossed over, but I do want to boldly and unapologetically declare that there is a BIGGER “C” that overcomes cancer every time, even if the damnable disease wins one round of the battle, it can never win the war!

The biggest “C” in our life, and the one that should take preeminence every time we face sickness and disease of any kind is “CHRIST”.

He came to destroy every work of the devil:

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

Cancer is a work of the devil!

The second BIG “C’ is the CROSS!

It was here that the victory was won. Isaiah, in his amazing prophetic foretelling of the work and purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice and substitution says this:

“Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” (Isaiah 53:4-5 AMPLIFIED)

and again:

“Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief and made Him sick. When You and He make His life an offering for sin [and He has risen from the dead, in time to come], He shall see His [spiritual] offspring, He shall prolong His days, and the will and pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” (Isaiah 53:10 AMPLIFIED)

Sickness is under the curse, and Jesus has redeemed us from the curse! (Galatians 3:13). Let us magnify the name of Jesus – focus our attention on the CHRIST and the CROSS and all that they accomplished. Let the little “c” bow before the all consuming fire of healing in the wings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, my dear friends, even if cancer or any other sickness manages to destroy the body of a believer, it is only a temporary victory. The day is coming, and soon, when:

“…the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 NKJV)

Our final victory is assured. Our ultimate and thankful declaration:

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Jesus is the Healer as well as the Saviour. His atoning sacrifice dealt not only with sin, but sickness, disease and every wicked thing that would attack the body or soul of His people.

Our BIGGEST “C” – CHRIST – is alive today, healing the sick and delivering from oppression. Let us believe His Word and stand in the face of what may seem impossible odds. Never give up – your victory is guaranteed.

Hidden throughout the Scriptures are tantalising glimpses of the Saviour, acting like signposts until we stand and behold the full glory of the Father in the Person of His Son. Jesus Himself spoke of this when He walked with the disciples toward Emmaus, speaking of all things that concerned Him from Moses and through each of the prophets. These two disciples spoke later of how their hearts burned within them as Jesus spoke from the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:32).

Oh, that our hearts would also burn within us as we look into the eternal Word and see the face of Jesus Christ looking deep into our eyes from its pages.

Jesus, the Creator…

Right from the very first verses of Genesis we look into the mystery that is Christ. Genesis 1:1 speaks of a plurality in the Godhead when it introduces this indescribable Being as Elohim (a compound unity), creating the heavens and the earth with the breath of His mouth. John the Beloved later has a similar introduction to his gospel account, but with Jesus in clear view as the Prime Mover in this cosmic miracle of creation.

In the same chapter this unity in plurality is again intimated when the Lord says, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26).

Jesus, the Perfect Man (who didn’t mess up)

Paul in His letter to the Romans speaks of Adam, the first man, as a type (a prefigure) of the One who was to come (Romans 5:14). Through the first Adam, as the representative head of mankind, came death through his disobedience. Through the second Adam, as our representative and substitute, came life and righteousness through His perfect obedience.

Jesus, the Seed of woman destined to crush the head of the enemy

Just as God wastes no time introducing His Son to us in creation, so we receive our first introduction to the story of redemption, and it’s chief protagonist, just a few short chapters into the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 3:15 the proto-evangelium brings to us a pithy summary of the great story soon to unfold over the following millennia – a man born as the seed of woman (an accurate if veiled description of a virgin birth), who will be bruised by the serpent, but ultimately crush that old devil underfoot. Again, John perfectly describes this mission when he points out that the purpose Christ came was the destroy the works of the evil one.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Now it is our turn to act as His hands to reach out to those who still need to know His love, and His feet to crush satan into the dust that he is forever cursed to eat.

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:20

Jesus, our Ark of Salvation…

Next we climb aboard a God ordained and designed ship of salvation, carrying the faithful from the old world to the new. Christ is now our ark, in and through whom we climb aboard our own saving ship, and pass through the waters of baptism to a new life and a new creation.

It is also worth noting that there came a day, an appointed time, where God Himself closed the door of the Ark (Genesis 7:16). So it will be in our day – a moment will come when the door of salvation will be shut and all that will remain is judgment for those who have chosen their own path. Don’t wait one more second before climbing aboard or it may be too late.

Jesus, the Seed of Abraham, through whom all the families of the earth will be blessed

Paul identifies the ‘seed’ spoken of in Genesis 12:3 and 22:18 as a proclamation of the gospel, foretelling long before the gals tidings of the Saviour long before that day of His revealing. Through Him all families, every tribe and tongue, can know the blessing of forgiveness and salvation through His blood.

Jesus, the Angel of the Lord – the Living One who sees…

In Genesis 16:7-14 we find Hagar fleeing the strained situation in her master Abraham’s home. She is met by what the Bible describes as the Angel of the Lord. But this is no ordinary angel. Referred to throughout the Old Testament as ‘the angel of the Lord’, “of God”, or “of His presence”, this Supernatural Being is identified with the Lord Himself (Genesis 16:11, 13; 22:11-12; 31:11-13), yet clearly distinct from the Father (Genesis 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Zechariah 1:12-13). He never appears in scripture again after the incarnation of Christ. Commentators are unanimous that this is indeed a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son.

Jesus, one of Abraham’s mysterious visitors

In Genesis 18 Abraham is graced by three mysterious visitors. The Bible simply says that the Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, in the guise of three men. These men, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, no less, share promises and warnings with this chosen man and his giggling wife.

Jesus, the Beloved Son of Promise

We find many types (pre-figures) of God the Son in Scripture, but only one type of the father – Abraham. The father, in Genesis 22, is told to take his son of supernatural birth, and sacrifice him on the mountain of Moriah. Knowing God’s promises concerning Isaac, Abraham believed that God would raise him back to life again. Abraham’s prophetic prediction that God Himself would provide a Lamb (Genesis 22:8) was later fulfilled when another Father offered His Son for the sins of the world on the very same mountain. The perfect Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world, and raised again from the dead, overcoming sin, hell and the grave!

Jesus – the wrestling Blesser

In Genesis 32 we have the memorable account of Jacob wrestling with a mystery man until daybreak, demanding to be blessed. This man is identified as God Himself (Genesis 32:30). We certainly do not have to wrestle for God’s blessing any longer, but I think He still needs to wrestle some of the swindling nature out of us before He can bestow all He desires upon our lives!

Jesus – a Prince with God and with Men

Genesis Chapter 32 also refers to Israel, meaning prince with God, as one who prevails with God and with men (32:28). Our Prince too has prevailed, and prevails still with our hearts and minds.

Jesus – our misunderstood and mistreated deliverer

Joseph, whose story is related in Genesis chapters 37-50 is one of the fullest types of Christ we find anywhere in the Bible.

The following table outlines some of the similarities between the young dreamer of the early world, and the Dream Giver and Fulfiller Himself, Jesus Christ…

“Jesus!”

To some a swear word, to others a Saviour. Regardless of your opinion, no one can deny that this humble carpenter from the Galilean coasts has had incalculable impact on society, culture and history. What can account for this disproportionate influence if He were, as some try to contend, no more than a charismatic carpenter and nothing more.

C S Lewis rightly pointed out that it is foolish to say that He was jut a good man, or an enlightened teacher, even a prophet. He may have been all of these and more, but one thing above all else defines Him as someone far greater than just exalted humanity – He Himself declared that He is God!

On more than one occasion He made this outlandish claim, identifying Himself with deity in the most intimate of terms. In one place He even took the name the Almighty used to introduce Himself to Moses at the burning bush, and applied it to Himself – I AM. (John 8:58).

If He were not the person He declares Himself to be, then He was nothing more than a deceiver (a bad man), deceived (a mad man), or both.

The only other option is to take Him at His word and believe that this great teacher, this awesome prophet, this humble artisan, was indeed Lord of All.

My advice to any traveller seeking truth is to quieten the crowd with their opinions and prejudices, and allow the Man to speak for Himself. The book of Hebrews says in the first few verses that, although God has spoken in many ways and at many rimes, in our days He wants to speak to us directly through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Take the Bible, especially the New Testament, read it for yourself. Take a small portion each day, and as you do ask God, if indeed He is God, to speak to you personally through it. Ask Jesus to show up in your life in a real and tangible way. But then again, if you don’t want your assumptions about Christianity, and the Person of Christ, to be severely messed with, you probably better not, because He may justu answer you!

If we take an honest look we discover that Scripture confirms the divinity of the Son of God in many ways. These include: Divine attributes, divine names, divine works, divine worship, divine claims and divine relationship ascribed to Him.

The Bible itself leaves us in no doubt that the Man Christ Jesus was no other than Almighty God Himself – humbled to become flesh like you and I in order that He might save us through His own sacrifice.

Paul not surprisingly calls this a ‘mystery’:

1Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Indeed, how can one even begin to comprehend such a Truth. It must simply be accepted in a child-like manner, and enjoyed! The Creator and His Creation reconciled in the wonder of the incarnation.

The following scriptural evidences for Christ being fully God are offered:

• He pre-existence in eternity (outlined earlier in this session)
• He is called God Rom 9:5; Heb 1:8,10; 1 John 5:20; Tit 2:13
• He is God manifest in flesh John 20:28; 1 Tim 3:16; Col 2:9; Acts 20:28
• He is Creator and Sustainer Col 1;17; Eph 3:9; Rev 3:14 (AMP); 1Jn 1:3
• He has power in earth John 17:2
• He has power in heaven Matthew 28:18
• He has power over nature Matthew 8:23-27
• He has power over demons Luke 4:35-41
• He has power over angelic hosts 1 Peter 3:22; Eph 1:20-22
• He has power over all things Hebrews 1:3
• He is all-knowing John 16:30; 2:24-25; Col 2:3; Heb 4:12-13
• He is everywhere present Matt 18:20; 28:20; John 3;13; Eph 1:23
• He is immutable (unchanging) Heb 13:8; Psalm 102:26-32
• He is infallible, every word true John 12:44-50; 14:6
• He is Sovereign over all Phil 2:9-11; Isaiah 9:6; Rev 19:16
• He is perfectly holy Luke 4:34; Acts 4:27-30; 1 Pet 3:22
• He is perfectly righteous Jer 23:5-6; 1 Cor 1:30; Heb 1:9
• He is perfect love John 15:9-10; I John 3:16; 1 John 4:15-16
• He is perfectly faithful Rev 1;5

Divine names attributed to Him include:

• Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6
• Lord – Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:17; Luke 2:11
• Lord of hosts – Isa 44:6
• Lord Jesus Christ – 1 Cor 12:13; Rom 10:9
• Yahweh – Isaiah 12:2; Hosea 1:7
• Alpha and Omega – Rev 1:8; 22:13
• The First and Last – Isa 44:6; Rev 1:17-18
• The Eternal Word – John 1:1,14; Rev 19:13
• I AM – John 8:56-58
• The Son of God – Matt 16:16; 17:5; Lk 1:35
• The Holy One of God – Mark 1:24
• The Way, Truth and the Life – John 14:6

Divine works attributed to Him include:

• Creator of the Universe – Heb 1:3; Col 1:16
• Upholds and maintains universe – Col 1:17
• Forgave sins – Acts 5:31; Matt 9:6; Col 3:13
• He raised the dead – Jn 5:28-29; Phil 3:21
• He will Judge the world – Acts 17:31
• He gives eternal life – John 17;2
• He will regenerate the universe – Rev 21:5
• Divine worship was given to Him Heb 1:6; Mat 8:2; 15:25; Rev 5:13; Jn 5:23
• He claimed divinity Jn 10:30,38; 8:56-58; 18:1-5; Mk 3:33-34
• Divine relationship attributed to Him Matt 28:18-20; 2 Cor 13:14; Jn 14:1

We unashamedly proclaim with Thomas from the testimony of Scripture:

“And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”” (John 20:28 NKJV)