Sabbath, May 14, 2005

“Christ was the greatest physician that ever trod this sin-cursed earth.” –Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 178.

OBJECTIVES

• To realize that God is interested in all aspects of our well being.
• To understand that some diseases can be the result of a wrong life style.
• To become aware of the importance of practicing the principles of health reform.
• To realize the importance the health reform message has for the progress of the gospel.

A SAD CONSEQUENCE OF MAN’S FALL

1. What was the condition of the world in Jesus’ time?
Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

“…This world is a vast lazar house, but Christ came to heal the sick, to proclaim deliverance to the captives of Satan. He was in Himself health and strength. He imparted His life to the sick, the afflicted, those possessed of demons. He turned away none who came to receive His healing power. He knew that those who petitioned Him for help had brought disease upon themselves; yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when virtue from Christ entered into these poor souls, they were convicted of sin, and many were healed of their spiritual disease, as well as of their physical maladies.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 823.

2. What is sickness a consequence of?
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

“…Thus He taught that disease is the result of violating God’s laws, both natural and spiritual. The great misery in the world would not exist did men but live in harmony with the Creator’s plan.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 824.

HOPE IN THE LORD

3. What is the Lord’s promise to His people?
Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

“…Christ gave to Israel definite instruction in regard to their habits of life, and He assured them, ‘The Lord will take away from thee all sickness.’ Deut. 7:15. When they fulfilled the conditions, the promise was verified to them. ‘There was not one feeble person among their tribes.’ Ps. 105:37.

“These lessons are for us. There are conditions to be observed by all who would preserve health. All should learn what these conditions are. The Lord is not pleased with ignorance in regard to His laws, either natural or spiritual. We are to be workers together with God for the restoration of health to the body as well as to the soul.
“And we should teach others how to preserve and to recover health.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 824.

4. In healing people, what element is indispensable? What remedies did Jesus use?
Matthew 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
John 9:6, 7 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

“…For the sick we should use the remedies which God has provided in nature, and we should point them to Him who alone can restore. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to Christ in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer. We should lay hold on His promise and pray for the manifestation of His power. The very essence of the gospel is restoration, and the Saviour would have us bid the sick, the hopeless, and the afflicted take hold upon His strength.” –Counsels on Health, p. 31.

5. What great lesson do we learn from the episode of the healing of the man sick of the palsy?
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

“Jesus was the healer of the body as well as of the soul. He was interested in every phase of suffering that came under His notice, and to every sufferer He brought relief, His kind words having a soothing balm.”

“The paralytic found in Christ healing for both the soul and the body. The spiritual healing was followed by physical restoration. This lesson should not be overlooked. There are today thousands suffering from physical disease, who, like the paralytic, are longing for the message, ‘Thy sins are forgiven.’ The burden of sin, with its unrest and unsatisfied desires, is the foundation of their maladies. They can find no relief until they come to the Healer of the soul. The peace which He alone can give would impart vigor to the mind, and health to the body.” –The Desire of Ages, pp. 92, 270.

BODY AND SOUL – AN INSEPARABLE UNITY

6. Are psychosomatic diseases a product of modern society only?
Psalm 31:9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
Psalm 55:4-9 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Psalm 88:3, 4 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
Proverbs 14:30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

“…Many are suffering from maladies of the soul far more than from diseases of the body, and they will find no relief until they shall come to Christ, the wellspring of life. Complaints of weariness, loneliness, and dissatisfaction
will then cease. Satisfying joys will give vigor to the mind and health and vital energy to the body.” –Counsels on Health, p. 241.

7. How can they be healed?
Psalm 38:18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

8. What place does healing occupy in the preaching of the gospel?
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

“The Lord would have His people come to Him for their power of healing. He will baptize them with His Holy Spirit and fit them for service that will make them a blessing in restoring the spiritual and physical health of those who need healing….”

“…I know that an intimate relationship should ever exist between the medical missionary work and the gospel ministry.” –Counsels on Health, pp. 301, 528.

“During the life of Christ the sick and afflicted were objects of His special care. When He sent out His disciples He commissioned them to heal the sick as well as to preach the gospel… The Saviour of the world devoted more time and labor to healing the afflicted of their maladies than to preaching.” –Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 225.

FOR MEDITATION AND FURTHER STUDY

• Analyze your health condition in the light that comes from the Word of God and the Testimonies.
• How do I contribute to the well-being of the society in which I live?
• Make a list of what being a health reformer entails–not just being a vegetarian.
• Consider these testimonies:
“The grace of God is always reformatory. Every human being is in a school, where he is to learn to give up hurtful practices, and to obtain a knowledge of what he can do for himself.” –Medical Ministry, p. 226.
“The Lord, in His great goodness and matchless love, has been urging upon His human instrumentalities that missionaries are not really complete in their education unless they have a knowledge of how to treat the sick and suffering.”–Counsels on Health, p. 536.
• Let us read Counsels on Diet and Foods in a spirit of prayer.
• Read chapters 5 and 18 from The Ministry of Healing.