11.02.2022 | THE MINISTRY OF RAISING THE DEAD
THE MINISTRY OF RAISING THE DEAD
1. Who are some of the people in Scripture the Lord has worked through to raise someone from the dead?
Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, Peter, and Paul
Who are people outside of Scripture the Lord has worked through to raise someone from the dead?
Smith Wigglesworth, Reinhard Bonnke
Who else could the Lord work through to raise someone from the dead?
Matthew 10:7
And as you go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
2. What is the ministry of raising the dead?
Believing that people who have experienced physical death will come back to life through the prayers of God’s people and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The ministry of raising someone from the dead is not the same as Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
3. Why should we engage in seeking to raise the dead?
Jesus commanded us to do so in Matthew 10:7.
Raising the dead is a sign of the Kingdom of God.
Raising the dead is a foretaste of the resurrection of the dead when Jesus returns.
Raising the dead brings people to Jesus Christ.
“The underlying purpose of raising the dead is to display a sign of the power of God so that people will be saved.” – Peter Wagner
Acts 9:42
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
4. How do we engage in the ministry of raising the dead?
1 Kings 17 describes Elijah being used by the Lord to raise a young boy from the dead.
A. Be open to the miracles of God.
1 Kings 17:17
Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him.
1 Kings 17:18
So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”
1 Kings 17:19
And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed.
Elijah believes God is able to bring this boy back to life.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
B. Hear the voice of God; what is His heart?
Acts 9:40a
But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to us?
C. Call upon the Name of the Lord.
1 Kings 17:21
And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.”
Psalm 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
D. Speak to their spirit.
1 Kings 17:22
Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.
Mark 5:41
Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
Luke 8:55a
Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.
Acts 9:40
But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
E. Give God the glory and share the Gospel.
1 Kings 17:23
And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”
1 Kings 17:24
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”
Acts 9:41
Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Acts 9:42
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
John 12:28a
Father, glorify Your name.