The only sickness that can keep you out of Heaven is the sickness known as sin.
The previous statement comes from my message at EPIC Church this past Sunday entitled The Greatest Miracle. This was the seventh and final message in the Miracle Grow series. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we were unable to capture the recording. However, here’s the basic thought from the sermon.
We are all sin-sick people. Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” In other words, we have all missed God’s mark of perfection because of our sin. Therefore, our greatest need as sinners is a Savior. Mark 2:1-12 demonstrates this truth.
Jesus tells a paralytic man, who obviously wants to be able to walk, that his sins have been forgiven. He then asked this question to the teachers of the law: “Which is easier to say? Your sins are forgiven? Or get up, take your mat and go home?” Then Jesus proceeds to heal the man and the former paralytic walks out in view of everyone.
So what point was Jesus trying to prove? I believe the greatest need that day for the paralytic was not physical healing…his greatest need was FORGIVENESS! The obvious thing for Jesus to do was to heal him physically because everyone could see the outcome. The more difficult thing for people to grasp was the internal work that Jesus accomplished – FORGIVENESS!
Some things have not changed in 2000 years. Our greatest need is still the same. We can go to Heaven with any disease or sickness except for unforgiven sin…and only Jesus can forgive our sins. The greatest miracle is when we respond to the grace of God and invite Jesus Christ into our lives. As Christmas approaches let’s remember the reason for the season.
If our greatest need was the economy then God could have sent an Economist.
If our greatest need was justice then God could have sent a Judge.
If our greatest need was science then God could have sent a Scientist.
If our greatest need was politics then God could have sent a President.
But our greatest need was forgiveness from our sins so God sent Jesus…and that’s the reason to celebrate this Christmas!
Not a sermon…just a thought!
