Mark 7:24-37 

Life in the Kingdom, through the gospel is one of growth. As we follow and continue to surrender to Jesus we will be transformed by his work, on the cross, through his resurrection and ongoing work in and around us. 

It’s amazing that the story and work of Jesus was good news for 1st Century people, and it remains good news for 21st Century people like you and me. 

As we continue in Mark’s account of Jesus life in the first Century – we discover nuances, responses, attitudes, actions, postures, lessons that are helpful as we navigate 21st Century life and faith ... also known as ‘walking in the way of Jesus.’ 

God’s Kingdom has come through Jesus. We see the signs, the works, we read and hear about him working in and around us. Yet his Kingdom has not fully come. We see and experience sickness and suffering and the brokenness of our world. 

In the idle of it all.  

Life is beautiful, hard and mysterious – we live in this tension every day and Jesus meets us right there!  

By faith we learn to trust that God’s silence is not absence. 

Our faith and trust in God grows - knowing he is present and understands our suffering - and that he sustains us. 

Our goal is not to chase miracles for their own sake – but to live / follow / walk faithfully with Jesus in the middle, between the miracle and the mystery – between the now and not yet of the Kingdom of God. 

When we engage in intercessory prayer we are loving others on the basis of Heaven’s resources – this is advocacy – knowing that God is our best gift to others. 

(here is a reminder from an earlier sermon in the series – Jesus Heals, Mark 1:29-34 May 25, ‘25) 

Biblical Healing: Biblical healing is the gracious and sovereign work of God—through Jesus and by the Spirit—that restores aspects of physical, emotional, or spiritual life as a sign of the in-breaking kingdom, a foretaste of the coming wholeness in the new creation, and a witness to the power of the gospel, to the glory of God alone. 

  1. Healing is not guaranteed in this life but is promised in the coming resurrection – Miracles are uncommon. That’s why they are called miracles. 
  2. God uses ordinary and miraculous means of healing – Both medical and supernatural are methods at God’s disposal. 
  3. Healing never occurs without faith – Healing is not formulaic; it is deeply dependent and trusting. 
  4. Lack of healing is not always due to a lack of faith – Nowhere does the Bible say that failure to healed is always the result of sin or insufficient faith. 
  5. Suffering and unhealed pain can deepen faith - God often works more deeply through suffering than by removing it. He doesn’t glorify suffering but insists it can lead to spiritual transformation. 
  6. The church should pray boldly yet humbly for healing – The normative pattern of healing is within the local church community. 
  7. Healing serves the mission of the gospel, not human comfort alone - Healing is a sign that points to the in breaking kingdom of God, meant to; strengthen faith, glorify Christ, and advance the gospel—not merely to make life more comfortable. 
  8. The greatest miracle will always be salvation from death-in-sin to life-in-Christ - This begins spiritual and fulfilled physically. This miracle is available to everyone.