Family Matters Week 4: Do You Want to Be Healed
Family Matters Week 4: Do You Want to Be Healed
February 23, 2025
Summary of Sermon: Do You Want to Be Healed?
Introduction Pastor Torry continues the "Family Matters" series, addressing the complexities of family, including divorce, trauma, and abuse. He acknowledges that discussing family is challenging because of the deep emotions attached to it. Some come to this series feeling blessed, while others are reminded of pain. He emphasizes that regardless of one's past, there is hope and healing available through Christ.
Context: The Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9) The story takes place during a Jewish feast, a time of celebration, yet also a time that can highlight pain for those who feel alone or broken. The setting is the Pool of Bethesda, a place where the sick gathered, hoping to be healed by the stirring of the water. Pastor Torry draws a parallel between these individuals and those today who seek healing in different ways—sometimes in destructive or ultimately ineffective places.
A key figure in the story is a man who had been infirm for 38 years. The passage suggests he was not always lame, implying that something happened to him that changed his life. This resonates with many who feel their lives have been altered by trauma, pain, or loss. The enemy often uses past events to fill people with guilt, shame, and regret, but dwelling on "what ifs" only prolongs suffering.
Jesus' Question: Do You Want to Be Healed? Jesus sees the man and asks, "Do you want to be healed?" On the surface, the question seems unnecessary—of course, the man wants healing. However, the man responds not with a simple yes, but with reasons why healing has not happened for him. He explains that he has no one to help him into the pool, highlighting feelings of helplessness and self-pity.
Pastor Torry points out how many of us respond similarly to Jesus’ offer of healing. We fixate on obstacles, waiting for external conditions to change, rather than recognizing the healing Christ offers. Healing is not found in receiving an apology, getting even, or external validation. Making our healing dependent on others only prolongs our suffering. Jesus bypasses the man’s excuses and simply tells him, "Rise, take up your bed, and walk."
Faith to Walk The man had to exercise faith to stand up. He could have continued listing reasons why he could not, but instead, he obeyed and was healed. This illustrates that healing requires faith to move forward, even when uncertainties remain. Many people remain in their pain because it is familiar, but God calls them to step out in faith toward healing.
Three Truths About Healing
Our Hurt Does Not Destroy Us (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
Paul endured immense suffering but declared that though he was pressed, he was not crushed; though struck down, he was not destroyed.
Pain may feel overwhelming, but with Christ, one can endure and emerge stronger.
Our Hurt Does Not Define Us (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Paul’s past as a persecutor of Christians did not define his future.
Believers are made new in Christ. Their identity is not found in their trauma, failures, or weaknesses, but in Jesus.
Our Hurt Does Not Determine Our Future (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
The ministry of Christ is one of reconciliation.
We are not promised restoration, but the reconciliatory work of Christ in our lives gives us the strength to stand and start again.
Conclusion Healing is both an instant miracle and a process. The man at Bethesda was healed immediately, but his journey with Jesus continued afterward. For those struggling with family trauma, loss, or regret, Pastor Torry assures them that their pain is not the end of their story. By fixing their eyes on Jesus and taking steps of faith, they can experience the abundant life God intends for them.