With all of the seminars, conferences, Bible studies, etc. that are marketed, sold, promoted, or otherwise channeled to Christians, it is easy to forget the simplicity of the Gospel. Here is a passage from Lilian Yeomans about how Jesus went about his own earthly ministry:
Note first of all that He followed a definite method and order in its performance: (1) teaching, (2) preaching, and (3) healing. (Matt. 4.23.) “First things first,” so Jesus first teaches; He reveals to man God’s will for him and shows him how far he has wandered from it. Second, He preaches, or proclaims, to man the salvation provided for him through Christ Jesus, which, accepted by faith, brings him into perfect harmony with the divine will. And third, heals; He removes from human bodies the results of sin. This is God’s order, and it is well to remember that it is unchanging.
Sometimes people who come to be healed of some distressing complaint are likely to feel rather impatient when - instead of at once praying for their immediate deliverance - we deliberately, prayerfully, and reverently, read to them from the Word (even for hours if the Spirit so leads). They forget that the words themselves are “Spirit and life” (John 6:63) and that “He sent his word and healed them.” (Ps. 107:20.) (Lilian Yeomans, His Healing Power, 111)
How many times have we seen the offer for prayer prior to any teaching or preaching?
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