Healing Touch Podcast

A Ministry of Gilead Baptist Church – Taylor, Michigan

 

 Episode #27 The Party Crasher [53:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

God’s Perfect Storms
The Party Crasher
Luke 7:36-50
Pastor Tom

Introduction: A few awkward moments caused by an intruder reveals the difference between hard hearts and soft hearts.

I. The Occasion – vv. 36-38

• Pharisee likely healed from affliction
• The woman led a life of wickedness
• She was weeping, he was seething

II. Thought Provoked Story – vv. 39-43

• Two forgiven debtors
• Lost application on Simon

III. The explanation – vv. 44-46

• From Simon: no water, kiss or oil
• From woman: tears, kisses and perfume
• Represents humility, love and worship

IV. The aftermath – vv. 47-50

• Debt forgiven – moral requirement
• Peace made with God through brokenness

CONCLUSION: His actions were ceremonial; her actions came from a sincere heart. She was healed completely – he was healed partially.

 

 Episode #26 Turning Bad Into Good [57:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
Turning Bad into Good
Pastor Tom

Introduction: God sometimes uses the worst things possible to accomplish His will in our lives.

I. The Dreamer

• Favored by Jacob – Genesis 37: 3-4
• Dreams begin – Genesis 37:5-8, 19
• Sold to traders – Genesis 37:28
• Cast into prison – Genesis 39:20
• Interprets dreams : Butler and Baker then Pharaoh –Genesis 41:39-40
• Seven years of plenty – Genesis 41:49

II. The reunion

• The hungry brothers – Genesis 42:1-5
• God’s providence – Genesis 45: 1-5
• Telling Daddy – Genesis 45:26-28

III. Behind the scenes

• Nothing changed – Genesis 46:3-4
• Jacobs death – Genesis 47:27-30; 49:33
• Fear of reprisal – Genesis 50:15-18
• God overriding the brothers – Genesis 50:19-20

Conclusion: Genesis 50:21 – God has a plan to nourish our lives even if it is using the bad for good.

 

 Episode #25 The Self-invited Dinner Guest [50:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

God’s Perfect Storms
The Self-Invited Dinner Guest
Luke 19:1-10
Pastor Tom

Introduction: When a life of success becomes a successful life.

I. The “Head Cheese” – vv. 1-4

• Presided over many tax collectors
• Zacchaeus – the name meant “pure”
• He was wealthy and unusual – I Corinthians 1:26-29
• Curiosity or conviction?

II. The self-invite – vv. 5-7

• To stay awhile and instruct
• The joy of an accepted sinner
• Complaints from his oppression

III. The Real Deal – vv. 8-9

• In response to the truth he got right with his brothers
• Why fourfold? Restoration as evidence of conversion Exodus 22:1; Numbers 5:7
• Salvation has come – right with God and money

CONCLUSION: – v. 10 Only those who recognize their “lost-ness” will Christ find and mercifully give a successful life.

 

 Episode #24 Promoted Through the Fire [52:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
Promoted Through the Fire
Daniel 1-3
Pastor Tom

Introduction: When pressure in life becomes hot and heavy, the trust we have in God will either be lacking or refined.

I. The background

• Captivity – Daniel 1:4
• An early test – Daniel 1:8, 17
• The forgotten dream – Daniel 2:46-47, 49

II. The showdown

• The golden image – Daniel 3:1
• The command – Daniel 3: 5-6
• The trap – Daniel 3:10-12
• A second chance? – Daniel 3:13-15
• Their faithfulness – Daniel 3:16-18

III. The furnace

• It was hot – Daniel 3:19-23
• Man’s amazement – Daniel 3: 24-25
• Walk in the garden
• The presence of God

IV. The result

• The humbled king – Daniel 3:26
• The power of God – Daniel 3:27, Hebrews 12:28-29
• The testimony – Daniel 3:28
• The pressure relief – Daniel 3:29

Conclusion: Daniel 3:30 – The three were promoted for their choice to honor the True King over Nebuchadnezzar.

 

 Episode #23 The Pointy Finger of Rebuke [49:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
The Pointy Finger of Rebuke
II Samuel 11:1-12:13
Pastor Tom

Introduction: God would always have us point the finger of judgment at ourselves rather than sending someone else to do it.

I. David’s blemish – II Samuel 11:1-2

• Wrong place – Wrong thoughts- Wrong actions
• The evidence – II Samuel 11:3-5
• The cover-up – II Samuel 11:14-17

II. Nathans confrontation – II Samuel 12:1-7a

• Nine months and no confession
• God sends a sharp reminder

III. David’s prayer –II Samuel 12:13a

• The backslider returns to the One he slid from
• His confession – Psalms 51:3-6
• Request for pardon – Psalms 51:1, 2, 7, 9
• Peace of conscience – Psalms 51:8, 12
• To sin no more – Psalms 51:10, 11, 14
• Access to God – Psalms 51:15
• Good to others and God’s glory – Psalms 51: 13, 16, 17, 19

Conclusion: God is willing to examine and heal us today without a pointy finger of rebuke.

 

 Episode #22 Knives, Sheep, Corn, and Grace [44:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
Knives, Sheep, Corn and Grace
Joshua 5:1- 6:2
Pastor Tom

Introduction: When faced by mighty enemies, following God’s direction brings success no matter how awkward it seems.

I. Sharp Knives – vv. 5:1-9

• River Jordan in back- Jericho in front
• The second circumcision v. 2 , Romans 2:29, Colossians 2:11

II. Passover Sheep – v.5:10

• Death, burial and resurrection of Christ
• Colossians 2:12

III. Old Corn vv. 5: 11-12

• From baptism to breaking bread
• Acts 2:41-42

IV. Divine Grace – vv. 5:13 – 6:2

• God’s Plan for victory
• God met with Joshua near Jericho after he showed diligence in attending to God’s Holy commands.
• Who fights for you? – Sword drawn

Conclusion: Where God meets us becomes holy ground – His victorious plans for us He will share.

 

 Episode #21 Living Large [43:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

TRUE RELIGION
Living Large
James 5:19-20
Pastor Tom

Introduction: Within every person is a desire for life to be larger than just ME.  True religion shows us how to live larger.

I. Desire for celebrity

• The need to be known
• The need to influence – To Matter
• The need to be remembered

II. The way of the world – v. 19a

• Doctrinal – wrong beliefs
• Practical – wrong actions Matt. 7:13,14
• Truth – without Christ we have no peace nor hope for the future

III. The result of Truth – v. 19b

• Convert – To turn
• Believer – from error to virtue
• Non-believer – from being lost to finding home

IV. The view outside ourselves – v. 20

• Saving others from destruction
• A broader view of life – Mark 10:42-45

Conclusion: We will be known, we will matter and we will be remembered by placing others needs before ours and by rescuing them from error with the truth.

 

 Episode #20 Tapping the Supernatural [40:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

TRUE RELIGION
Tapping the Supernatural
James 5: 16b-18
Pastor Tom

Introduction: Many feel powerless to change life or its circumstances yet God has designed a means to obtain blessings and accomplish great purposes through prayer.

I. What kind of prayer – v. 16b

• Energetic – fitted to produce effect
• Earnest – sincere, hearty and persevering
• Power that enters the words

II. What kind of petitioner – v. 16b

• Righteous – Good, pure, humble
• Not dependent upon talent, education, position or wealth

III. What kind of product – vv. 16b-18

• Strong, overcomes resistance
• God moments like Elijah
• Same weaknesses and infirmities
• Prayed for famine because of idolatry – I Kings 17:1
• Prayed for rain – I Kings 18:42, 45
• The famine ceased – produced crops

Conclusion: God can and will do anything to meet our needs as we live purposely for Him in response to our prayer.