Healings and Miracles
The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual gifts, such as faith, healing, and miracles, for the mutual benefit of the Body of Christ and the glory of God.
G.W. North emphasizes that every born-again believer has experienced the gifts of healing and miracles, which are manifestations of God's grace in their lives. He highlights the comfort and peace that come from the Holy Spirit, as well as the miraculous answers to prayer and provision that believers encounter. North explains that while these gifts may be given to a few, they are intended for the mutual benefit of the entire Body of Christ and ultimately for God's glory. He encourages believers to recognize that these gifts are not for personal pride but for the collective good of all. The sermon calls for unity and appreciation of the diverse gifts within the church, all empowered by the same Spirit.
Text
What has been said of Faith may be said also of both the other gifts which with it forms the second group of three within the nine. Whether it be Healing or Miracles, every born-again child of God has some real knowledge and experience of each in grace. Who has not known the healing power and comfort of peace which passeth understanding, or of love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit when baptised by Jesus into His death and resurrection? And who among us that are saved cannot testify to miracles of some sort having taken place in our lives, whether in spirit, soul or body? Answers to prayer, openings of doors, supplyings of needs, all testify to the reality of the miraculous life in which God, having brought us, also now sustains us; and this is just how it should be with us all. But none of these must be mistaken for the particular gifts of which they are the grace.
For Mutual Benefit to the Glory of God
The spirituals are gifts superadded to the grace, extending the ordinary to the extraordinary, and that which is common to us all to that which is entrusted only to the few. Now although this is the case, it is so by God's will, and must be understood by us aright, for although given to the few, they are not to be regarded as specially for them so much as entrustments to the whole Body unto the benefit of all mankind and the glory of God thereby. They are worked by the selfsame Spirit that indwells all, and none need feel envious or jealous of another, for in bestowal and operation each is for mutual benefit so that while credit must be given to the member who faithfully uses the gift, the glory surely goes to Him whose Body we all are.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to Spiritual Gifts
- The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
- The Operation of Spiritual Gifts
- Worked by the Selfsame Spirit
- For Mutual Benefit and Glory
Key Quotes
“Who has not known the healing power and comfort of peace which passeth understanding, or of love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit when baptised by Jesus into His death and resurrection?” — G.W. North
“And who among us that are saved cannot testify to miracles of some sort having taken place in our lives, whether in spirit, soul or body?” — G.W. North
Application Points
- Recognize the spiritual gifts of faith, healing, and miracles in your life and use them for the benefit of others.
- Understand that spiritual gifts are given for the glory of God and the benefit of the whole Body of Christ.
- Faithfully use your spiritual gift to bring glory to God and benefit to others.