Sunday 1st Service
Title / Scripture Incurable Disease and the Authority of Jesus (Matthew 8:1-4)
Speaker Pastor Kwang-Soo Ryu
Date / Place January 30, 2022 Immanuel Church
Matthew 8:1-4
01 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him
02 A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean
03 Jesus reached out His hand and touched him and said, I am willing, be clean. Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy
04 Then Jesus said to him, See that you tell no one, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them
Summary
To a relative with an incurable disease, a child at the brink of death, and a child possessed by a demon, the gospel was testified to and healing took place. The most important thing is the fundamental healing, and God changed this fundamental root. What must be noted is that basic things such as the hospital, the doctor’s words, food, etc., should not be ignored.
▣ Introduction_ Before the fundamental healing
1. Resolving the fundamental problem – Jesus immediately healed the leper
1) Having leprosy was not his own fault
2) It was not the parents’ fault (heredity) either
3) There is a great plan of God
2. The need for a fundamental blessing – the need for Christ
The most frequently promised thing in the Bible is the prophecy that Christ would come. He has come. And this leper has now appeared before Him. This is the greatest blessing.
3. The fundamental solution
1) Matthew 8:2 “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me.” This is the solution
2) Matthew 8:3 Jesus said, “I am willing for you to be made clean.”
3) Matthew 8:4 The moment Christ is testified to, the fundamental thing is healed
▷ For cancer patients and those with mental illness, more important than what remains is that the fundamental thing be healed.
▣ Main_ The history that occurs when you hold onto the covenant of fundamental healing
1. This is the beginning of fundamental healing (Matthew 8:2).
1) Calling Jesus “Lord” – knowing that Jesus is the Christ is the beginning of healing
– Against the backdrop of the Pharisees calling Him “Teacher” while criticizing Him, and an era in which the word “Kurios (Lord)” was used only for the Roman emperor, calling Jesus not “Jesus” but “Lord” could put one in danger of being killed
2) “If the Lord is willing” – the day Christ becomes my Master, fundamental healing begins
3) John 8:44 Satan drags humanity along through 12 stages of a journey, and one must come out of this
▷ When one becomes a child of God and Christ becomes my Master, the forces of darkness flee. When He becomes my Master, He takes responsibility for everything. If Christ is the Master of our work, our church, and my life, then everything is settled
2. The state of fundamental healing is created.
1) Meeting Christ is the timetable for the Triune God to come upon me
2) The meeting with Christ is the timetable for the 9 blessings of the throne to come upon me
3) That Christ has come upon me means it is the timetable for God’s power, which changes the times, to come upon me
▷ This spiritual state is created. This is the state of fundamental spiritual healing. Whatever the problem, do not worry. If the power of the throne comes upon and is created within me, it all becomes a stepping stone. Though it was a short time, with one word from Christ, this spiritual state was created for this leper.
3. This is the result of fundamental healing (Matthew 8:4).
▷ He told him to go show himself to the priest and have the priest testify that his disease was healed. At that time, even if the doctor said he was completely healed, legally he had to be confirmed by the priest in the end, and only when the priest testified could he return home.
1) That which no doctor, no priest, and not even the person himself could do, Christ healed with one word of power
2) Because of you, just one person, Christ is testified to the priest and to many religious people. That is why the disease was given.
3) In conclusion, God called this leper to testify before the priest. That is why he was healed immediately. Even if this patient had not been healed, the very fact that he met Christ is already an answer. Because his disease was healed he must stand as a witness, but even if he had not been healed, he is still a child of God.
▷ Saying that Christ is my Master means that when Christ actually appears, He becomes the Master. At this point, the spiritual state in which fundamental healing can occur is created. This is testifying to this fact. How did the leper live out the rest of his life? Presumably, he must have without fail gone to people in difficulty and testified.
▣ Conclusion_ The last thing to hold onto is fundamental power. Fundamental power came upon all the witnesses in the Bible. Being healed of disease is important, but you must find God’s fundamental power now and bring the world to life
1. Joseph, who knew God’s fundamental power in advance, and Moses, who knew it later
2. Samuel and David, who knew it from childhood
3. Elisha, who found fundamental power when he started
4. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, and Esther, who took this with them to Babylon
5. The Galilean disciples and Peter, who had no power of their own but had already received this power at Mt Olive
▷ Remember two words. Fundamental healing and fundamental power! It is not something received as an answer to prayer by chance, but something already possessed.
Transcript
This is the covenant you all must take hold of this week. The title is “Incurable Disease and the Authority of Jesus.”
Even now, I have seen many shocking things. There was a person I knew very well who was completely at the point of death, and I saw that person simply receive the gospel and come back to life like that. Well, most people, when this happens, end up being called by God in that way, but since this was someone I knew best among the few I’ve seen like this, it was a shock to me.
There was one of our aunts who, while everyone else received the gospel, would not receive it no matter what. Then one day she came down with a fatal disease. To put it simply, it was a disease in which her kidneys were completely destroyed. She could not live. But when it came down to the very end, she sought out our mother. So this sick person, who couldn’t even move, said for the first time that since our mother was going to a service, she wanted to go too. Even now I cannot help but believe it. Our aunt, who was dying, went to the service, received grace, threw away all her medication, and was healed. I thought, well, this is probably temporary. “It could happen.” But that wasn’t it. She was truly healed. It doesn’t make sense, does it? Medically it doesn’t make sense. Because of this, our aunt, though a new believer, went and prayed for sick people in ways our mother couldn’t, and I thought, “Wow, such things happen.”
Another time, when I was an evangelist, a child who was completely at the point of death was sent home from the hospital because there was nothing more they could do. I really just shared the gospel and came back. I didn’t even believe “this child will be healed.” I went with a pure heart thinking, “Since this is the end, at least let them hear the gospel and be saved.” So having gone with such a pure heart and shared the gospel, that very night the child got up. After sharing the gospel I came home. Because the child’s face had become so bad that even looking at it was a burden, I was thinking, “Wow… what happened here?” to that extent. Since the child came back to life, I don’t doubt it, but “how did this happen? If it were after a worship service and the child gradually got better over time,” that I could understand, but it happened that very night. It’s hard to understand, isn’t it?
And there’s one more thing that shocked me. We got a call connected to our house, and before that we had gone, but after that I went on a home visit together with the pastor to a home of unbelievers. They asked us to hold a service, and during the service someone kept banging on the wall next to us. We asked what that sound was. They said it was their son. They said whenever he hears the church bell, he bangs on the wall. So we thought something must be strange with him, and they said this happens when worship is held. So while we were in the next room, I saw his face. I had never seen a demon before. But the moment I saw his face, I thought, “Ah, this is what being demon-possessed looks like.” It was beyond imagination. Our pastor looked at me and told me, since I was young, to come every day and hold a service and help the child. That was the first time I learned there were stories about demons in the Bible. This child was demon-possessed. So I had to go, right? I went and read about the demon-possessed people, the stories of Jesus healing them – I just read the Bible to him. A change happened in him. I was truly surprised. I didn’t do anything special. If it seemed like I had done something, you might call it “power,” but there was nothing. I just talked. Just continued with the Word.
Through experiences like that, there’s one thing I came to realize. Ah, there can be many kinds of treatment and healing, but what’s most important? Fundamental healing. God changed this root. That’s right. At that time I thought, “Ah, this has nothing to do with me. God did this.” From that point on, I came to have confidence in healing. Because I personally experienced those two events myself. In my aunt’s case, I saw it myself. Well, I know about taking medication, but I didn’t see that part; with these children, I just went and shared the gospel, and this is what happened.
There’s one thing here that you all need to be careful about. It’s not saying that because “this is what happens when you believe in God,” you should completely disregard the basics – not listening to the doctor, doing things like that. That’s not what’s meant. When many people say, “This food is good. This medicine is good,” what worries me the most is that it’s different for everyone. That’s why people go find a doctor and go to the hospital, right? You need to have the basics in place in order for the fundamental thing to be changed – that’s what I’m saying. Right? Because God is the one who changes the fundamental thing.
Now I get regular checkups every year. Well, different people say different things. I went for a physical, and someone very close to me sent me some material. What kind of material? “Diseases that come from not eating salt” – they sent that, not just one or two, but a whole bunch packed in. What diseases come from not eating salt or eating too little? They sent it filling several lines. At the very end, who wrote it? A doctor wrote it. So when I went for my checkup, I asked the doctor in charge of nutrition, “Should I eat a lot of salt, or should I not eat it?” And that person answered exactly like a doctor would. “Chairman, you’re not in a situation to be concerned about that right now, are you?” “Oh, really?” That’s a fair point. Coldly, “No, your body’s condition right now isn’t one where you should be worrying about that.” After this ended, my primary doctor sat down with me at the end to talk. I asked, “They say you must not skip salt – what do you think?” This person respects me a great deal and isn’t someone who speaks carelessly. He said to me flatly, “Don’t listen to crazy people. Aren’t I the internal medicine doctor?” I said, “Understood.” This time, at the checkup, what did the nutrition person say? “You should reduce your salt a little.” What is all this based on? It’s based on actually looking at my body and talking about it. That’s correct, isn’t it? Saying recklessly, “This is good, eat this and you’ll be completely healed” – well, that’s a scam. Why am I saying this? Because it’s not “believe unconditionally.”
▣ Introduction_ Before the fundamental healing
Look at this today. A leper went to find Jesus. Jesus immediately healed that leper. That is today’s event.
1. Resolving the fundamental problem – Jesus immediately healed the leper
So then, what is the covenant we must hold onto today? The fundamental problem was resolved.
1) Having leprosy was not his own fault.
This person did not have leprosy because of his own fault.
2) It was not the parents’ fault (heredity) either.
Well, since nothing is said about the parents, it isn’t heredity either.
3) There is a great plan of God.
So then what is it? It is that there is a great plan of God.
2. The need for a fundamental blessing – the need for Christ
So this person, before fundamental healing, first received a fundamental blessing.
What is that? The most frequently promised thing in the Bible is the prophecy that Christ would come. He has come. And now this leper has appeared before Him. What a great blessing this is. He came to enjoy a fundamental blessing. You all must remember this. What is most important to us? We need fundamental healing. You must remember this.
3. The fundamental solution
So this fundamental solution came out today.
1) Matthew 8:2 “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me.” This is the solution.
First, what did he say? This leper said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me.” This is the solution. “If You are willing, You can heal me.”
2) Matthew 8:3 Jesus said, “I am willing for you to be made clean.”
At that time Jesus said this. He didn’t say something else to the patient – He said, “I am willing.” “I am willing for your disease to be healed.” And what did He say along with that? “Be made clean.” At that moment, since He is Christ, at that moment healing took place.
3) Matthew 8:4 The moment Christ is testified to, the fundamental thing is healed.
Watching people who were healed instantly after I shared the gospel of Christ, I came to understand this word: “Ah, that’s it. Time is not the issue.” The moment Christ is testified to, the fundamental thing is resolved. I have experienced this twice. “Wow, can this really happen? Who in the world is Christ?” You all need this fundamental blessing, this healing, to happen.
There are people who urgently have cancer. What remains is more important – fundamental healing. Right? Also, day by day there are more people with mental illness. Now you can’t even trust what people say. There are too many people who have gone out of their minds. You shouldn’t carelessly listen to what this person or that person says. There are many people who say crazy things. How should these people be healed? Fundamental healing must occur, that’s what I’m saying. So today, if you hold onto this covenant, what kind of history will occur?
▣ Main_ The history that occurs when you hold onto the covenant of fundamental healing
1. This is the beginning of fundamental healing (Matthew 8:2).
First. The beginning of fundamental healing. What is the beginning of fundamental healing? When you meet patients, you must teach them correctly.
1) Calling Jesus “Lord” – knowing that Jesus is the Christ is the beginning of healing.
What is fundamental healing? This person came out and said, “Lord, if You are willing” – it came out like this. Right? Those Pharisees called Him “Teacher” – well, these Pharisees who criticized Jesus came to Him and said “Lord.” “Lord, if You are willing” – it came out like this. This is the beginning of fundamental healing. He looked at Jesus and called Him “Lord.” In simple terms, he looked at Jesus and called Him “Christ, Lord.” This is tremendous. This is the beginning. Now it’s easy for us to call Jesus “Christ, Lord” like this. But at that time, coming to Jesus and calling Him “Lord” was a tremendous thing. You all need to know the word “Lord.” It is the supreme word in the nation of Israel. The “Adonai,” this “Lord” – this word carries tremendous meaning. In Greek it’s called “Kurios.” That’s a tremendous word. Why did Rome persecute Christianity for 250 years? Why call Jesus “Lord” instead of just “Jesus”? This word “Kurios,” “Lord,” was a word used only for the emperor. If you used it, you’d be killed. This is a terrifying word. Later, Constantine confessed Christ as Lord. This is a tremendous thing. “He is my Master” – that’s what this means.
2) “If the Lord is willing” – the day Christ becomes my Master, fundamental healing begins.
“If the Lord is willing” – it came out like this. The beginning of fundamental healing. The day Christ becomes your Master is the beginning of fundamental healing, that’s what I’m saying. Is Christ truly your Master? The forces of darkness are bound to flee.
3) John 8:44 Satan drags humanity along through 12 stages of a journey, and one must come out of this.
Why is that? Jesus said this. John chapter 8, verse 44, “your father the devil” – He said that. To unbelievers. Nothing works. “Your father the devil” – also a liar, a deceiver, that’s your father. You belong there, He’s saying. It cannot be done. This must first be made clear. “If you believe in Jesus you can be healed of your disease” – I don’t even say this. “If you believe in Jesus, you can be saved. Then you can pray in His name. Disease, healing – that comes after.” Isn’t that right?
In a way, “Hey, if you believe in Jesus, you’ll go to heaven when you die” – that’s true, but it’s not right either. Going to someone lying there sick and saying flatly, “If you believe in Jesus, you’ll go to heaven even if you die” – some people might say “Amen,” but some people would slap you. That’s wrong. Who doesn’t know that believing in Jesus means going to heaven? That’s the wrong thing to say. You need to say it accurately.
“If you know who Jesus is today and know Christ, you become a child of God. How long you live on this earth, whether long or short, depends on God, so you pray to God about it.” Right? “And on the day you leave this earth, you don’t go to hell – you go to the Kingdom of God.” You must share the accurate gospel. Right? Right now you need to become a child of God. This person came to Jesus and said “Lord.” To what degree? “If the Lord is willing” – like this. At this level, fundamental healing begins.
Why is that? Satan drags humanity along through 12 stages of a journey. You must come out of there. Right? You become a child of God. He didn’t call Jesus “Teacher” but “Lord.” In simple terms, he knew that Jesus is the Christ. This is the beginning of fundamental healing. You must enjoy this and pass it on, but the issue is, “Christ becomes my Master” – this is a tremendous confession.
He didn’t say, “Save me. Why did only I get this leprosy? Heal me.” We usually say things like, “Why did I have to get this disease? What’s my fault? Why am I like this?” – that’s usually how it goes.
He said, “If You are willing, I can be healed.” When Christ becomes your Master, everything is settled. He’s not a guest. You can’t treat Him as an honored guest – He must be the Master. You can’t treat Him as a visitor – He must be the Master.
At the wedding at Cana, when He came as a guest, He stayed quiet. When He played the role of the Master, the miracle appeared. Today, all of you must hold onto this covenant, but especially those who are sick, please hold onto it. Why? Because the root begins to be healed. Darkness is bound to leave you. Satan, who tries to bring you down to the end, is bound to leave. If Jesus is my Master, what can be done about it? Right?
A pastor I know was at a revival meeting, and during the day he went to play table tennis for exercise. In there (the table tennis hall), you take off your clothes to play, right? In those (clothes) were all sorts of things – this, that, ID, everything was in there – and someone took the clothes away. He reported it and talked about it, but it was useless. There was a sign posted outside: “We are not responsible for items not given to the owner for safekeeping.” That sign was posted right there at the table tennis hall. Because people forget so often, they can’t take responsibility. The owner takes responsibility. Right? When Christ becomes my Master, He takes responsibility for me, that’s what I’m saying. Mainly, we know but Christ is not the Master. Christ becomes the Master. If Christ is the Master of your work, what will happen? Christ is the Master of our church. Christ is the Master of my life – that’s it. It’s settled.
2. The state of fundamental healing is created.
Second. From that point, what happens? The state of fundamental healing is created.
1) Meeting Christ is the timetable for the Triune God to come upon me.
Since the beginning has occurred, the state is created. What kind of state? Meeting Christ, meeting the word “Christ,” is the timetable for the Triune God to come upon me.
2) The meeting with Christ is the timetable for the 9 blessings of the throne to come upon me.
The meeting with Christ is the timetable for the 9 powers of the throne to come upon me. Right?
3) That Christ has come upon me means it is the timetable for God’s power, which changes the times, to come upon me.
That Christ has come upon me means that meeting Christ is the time for God’s power, which will change the times ahead, to come upon me. This spiritual state is created precisely. This is the state of fundamental spiritual healing. Don’t worry. Whatever the problem, don’t worry. If the power of the throne comes upon and is created within me, it will all become a stepping stone. “My family background is too poor” – it will become a stepping stone. “Oh no, I married the wrong husband” – it will become a stepping stone. “I married the wrong wife” – that will become a stepping stone. Isn’t that right? Looking at history, when you look at men who accomplished great things, many had strange wives. It doesn’t matter. To take a representative example you all know well – look at someone like Socrates, look at his wife. It’s well known. There are many examples of important figures in the Bible, but since it would be disrespectful, I won’t say – but among pastors I know, there are many such people. Also, among women who were used by God to move the times and received answers, many had strange husbands.
It’s about what state you are in. Though it was a short time, this spiritual healing state was created for this leper. With one word from Christ. “I am willing, be made clean.” Jesus stopped walking, looked at Bartimaeus and said, “According to your faith, let it be.” Jesus, in front of the tomb, said, “Lazarus, come out.” And Lazarus came out. Fortunately – if He had said in front of the tomb, “Come out, you corpses,” they would all have come out. He said, “Lazarus, come out.” You must hold onto this. You must absolutely hold onto this.
3. This is the result of fundamental healing (Matthew 8:4).
Last point. The result of fundamental healing. What result comes out? He said something important. “Go show this to the priest. Don’t show it to anyone else – show it to the priest. Have the priest testify that your disease is healed.” That’s what He said. This is an important word. At that time, legally, whether a leper was healed or not had to be finally approved by the priest. It wasn’t easy to get healed. So even if the doctor said he was completely healed, he had to come to the priest. Only when the priest testified that he was healed could this person return to his original home. It’s not a simple story. “Don’t tell anyone else – show your body to the priest and have the priest testify that you are healed.” Tremendous things are included in this.
1) That which no doctor, no priest, and not even the person himself could do, Christ healed with one word of power.
Something no doctor could do. Something no priest could do. The person himself couldn’t do it either. You all cannot do it. We must be honest about this. We cannot do it. But Christ, with one word of power, healed it. This result – this is the result of fundamental healing. What does this mean?
2) Because of you, just one person, Christ is testified to the priest and to many religious people. That is why the disease was given.
Through you, one person, Christ is testified to. Because of you, one person, Christ is testified to the priest. Because of you, one person, Christ is testified to many religious people. That is why the disease was given.
3) In conclusion, God called this leper to testify before the priest.
To conclude, God called this leper to testify before the priest. Some things can be healed immediately. Well, some things might be healed much later, but this person’s situation was different. He was healed immediately.
I think this way. Even if this patient had not been healed – even if, though healed, he had not been healed – the very fact that this person met Christ is already an answer. If I had been at the scene, I would have wanted to explain it to that leper this way: “You are so fortunate because you were healed. Stand as a witness. But even if you had not been healed, you are still a child of God.” That’s what I would want to tell him. A tremendous scene took place. This blessing – that Christ is truly my Master – this is more than a confession of faith; when Christ actually appears, He becomes Master. Isn’t that right? The spiritual state in which fundamental healing can occur is created. This testifies to this fact.
How did this leper live out the rest of his life? This is anticipation. This is speculation. He must have lived as a witness, right? Even without being told, he must have lived as a disciple, right? Without fail. He must have gone to other people in difficulty and testified, given witness, right?
▣ Conclusion_ The last thing to hold onto is fundamental power. Fundamental power came upon all the witnesses in the Bible. Being healed of disease is important, but you must find God’s fundamental power now and bring the world to life
What is the last thing you must hold onto here?
Beyond fundamental healing, fundamental power is given to you. I don’t know this person’s name, but this patient is no longer a leper. This person has already received tremendous fundamental power. Right? It’s not that he just happened to be healed.
1. Joseph, who knew God’s fundamental power in advance, and Moses, who knew it later
All the witnesses in the Bible were like this. How do things like what happened to Joseph and Moses happen? Imagine that such a thing actually happened to you. Here, what did Joseph and Moses do? Joseph knew God’s fundamental power in advance. Moses knew it later. It doesn’t matter.
2. Samuel and David, who knew it from childhood
David, Samuel. They knew this power from childhood. This way of living, given power by God fundamentally – this is extremely important. What does this mean? It’s important that you be healed when sick, but find God’s fundamental power now and change the world from now on, that’s what I’m saying.
3. Elisha, who found fundamental power when he started
The one who found it when he started is Elisha.
4. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, and Esther, who took this with them to Babylon
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, and Esther already had this and took it with them. This is important.
5. The Galilean disciples and Peter, who had no power of their own but had already received this power at Mt Olive
The disciples, who were Galileans, had no power of their own, but they had already received this power as a covenant at Mt Olive. The same can happen to you, too. Peter, who had no power at all, was completely transformed once he received this power. Who was Peter, after all? Wasn’t he just someone who caught fish? This person was transformed. God will give you this grace, and you already have it.
Remember two words. Fundamental healing and fundamental power – you must have these. It’s not that you receive an answer to prayer by chance. This is something you already have.
I bless that this blessing may begin for all the saints in the name of the Lord Jesus. Let us pray.
Prayer. We thank You, God. Let the fundamental covenant of meeting Christ begin today. In any circumstance, let Christ become Master so that we may be witnesses who overcome darkness. Through meeting Christ, let the power of the throne become my state. And let us be witnesses to many dying people. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.