"Truly Natural"

The title for this sermon series comes from a quote by theologian Jurgen Moltmann:

"Jesus’ healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world. They are the only truly ‘natural’ thing in a world that is unnatural, demonized and wounded.”

We often think of Jesus' healings as "defying nature," but the truth is that they show us how the world was intended to be. God created the world to be free of illness, disease and injury. In the fall, humans made creation unnatural, corrupting it with sin. In his healings, Jesus gives a glimpse of what the natural order, as God intended it, was made to look like.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is presented primarily as a healer. In this sermon series, we will be looking at Jesus' healings in Mark, seeing how these healings show us what God intends for creation and for our lives.

Apostle's Creed

Here is an English translation of the Apostle's Creed, which Pastor Jon referenced:

2.1 I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

2.2 And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

2.3 I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. Resurrection of the Body.

II. What's the point of physical healings?

III. Do they happen today?

IV. How to talk about them.

V. The resurrection to come.

NEXT STEPS:

1) Think of someone in need of physical healing.

2) Pray for that person.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1) What do you think is the purpose of the stories of physical healing in the Bible?

2) Do you believe healings happen today? Why or why not?

3) What could be the point of healings in today's world? Why might God work in this way?

4) Why is the idea of the "resurrection of the body" important?

5) In what ways might believing in the resurrection of the body alter your view of healings?

6) In what ways might believing in the resurrection of the body alter your view of medicine?

7) How do you talk to others about physical healings well?

We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events.