Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, July 21, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
A DOCTOR THAT I CAN RECOMMEND
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:22-23; 5:30-32
Text: Luke 5:31
Luke 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Introduction: This morning I am especially mindful of the blessings of health and the frailties of the body. One of the little girls of our church, Elisabeth Stewart, is in the hospital in Atlanta, as doctors run tests to try to find out why she is having health problems. This morning was the first time I have left my house in two days because of the flu. As I look across our congregation, I am aware that many of our people are sick today, and some of you have chronic health problems.
One thing is for sure. Whether the stock markets go up or down, doctors will always have work to do.
Although a Christian needs to seek God FIRST in time of sickness, there is nothing sinful about going to a doctor. I haven’t had health insurance in around 15 years, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in doctors. In our text, Jesus said that sick people need a doctor!
I look at doctors like I do auto mechanics. They know more than I know, but they don’t know everything. They run tests, and they make educated guesses based on experience, education, and the test results.
Unfortunately, even with all the rigid requirements today, there are still some “quack” doctors. Some doctors are sloppy, and some just don’t care. Some doctors are drug abusers. Job spoke in the Bible of “physicians of no value.”
It is a blessing when you have a good doctor, one whom you trust. I don’t have a family doctor, but I do have a Heavenly One. His name is Jesus, the Great Physician.
I. THERE IS A CRY FOR A PHYSICIAN
When I was a child, it was common for a TV drama or movie to include an incident in which someone was hurt and the cry would go out, “Is there a doctor in the house?”
Jeremiah 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
The cry comes because of
A. The need for a physician
- Sin is not a sickness in reality, but the likeness is made in the Bible. See John 3:15.
- Leprosy pictures sin.
- Everyone has health problems eventually, and EVERYONE has a SIN problem (Romans 3:23)!
B. The number of phonies
- These are the spiritual “quack doctors”
- Dr. Smith of the Mormons
- Dr. Russell and Dr. Rutherford of the JFW’s
- Dr. White of the 7th Day Adventists
- Dr. Campbell of the Church of Christ
- Drs. Shambach, Duplantis, Crouch, of the Thick Baloney Network (TBN)
II. THERE IS CONCERN FROM THIS PHYSICIAN
Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
In these days when letters are spit forth from computers and our numbers mean more than our names, it is a blessing when you feel like your doctor cares for you personally.
A. Jesus loves you!
B. Jesus lets you know the truth
C. Jesus lay down His life for you
D. Jesus longs for you to come to Him
III. THERE IS CONFIDENCE IN THIS PHYSICIAN
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Notice the complete absence of words like, “I think,” “Perhaps,” “I hope,” “Maybe,” “I guess,” “We’ll try,” “The probabilities are,” or “Let me run some more tests.” He said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” GLORY!
He is confident because of
A. His past successes
B. His perception of your situation
C. His power over all manner of sickness (sin)
- Jesus died for every sin and for every sinner.
- He can save ANY sinner
IV. THE CHARGE FROM THIS PHYSICIAN
If you’re not feeling bad when you visit the average doctor or hospital, you will feel bad when the bills start coming in!
Many people don’t go to a doctor because they don’t feel that they can afford it.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
A. His fee is surprising
- His healing of the soul, salvation, eternal life, is a gift!
- Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
B. His fee is simple
- Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:29-31)
C. His fee is the same to all
- Rich people and poor people come the same way.
- No one gets saved by giving the Lord anything. You get saved by accepting what He has to offer!
- No one can truly buy Him, but all can in a sense afford Him!