Sunday, May 25, 2014

sermon, "Hello My Name is ... Yahweh Ropheka... (The Lord Who Heals)", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, May 25, 2014

May 25, 2014
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series on “The Names of God”
Sermon 20 of series-
“The Sacred Names of God: Yahweh Ropheka”
1 Peter 3:13-22 Common English Bible (CEB)
Acts 17:22-31 Common English Bible (CEB)
Sirach 34:19-20 Common English Bible (CEB)
  (2011-09-01). Names of God Bible (with direct verse lookup),
The (p. 100). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“Hello My Name is. . . Yahweh Ropheka. . .  (The Lord Who Heals)

Let us pray. . .  (Pray for God’s illumination of our hearts, minds and souls.)

The Lord’s eyes
are upon those who love him.
    The Lord is a powerful shield,
    a strong support,
    a shelter from the heat,
    a shade from the midday sun,
    a guard against stumbling,
    and a help against falling;
one who lifts up the spirit,
    one who gives light to the eyes,
    and one who gives healing
    for life and blessing.
(Sirach 34:19-20)

As we continue our journey of learning about and praying in the Sacred Names of God, we have come to a name we, as people of God, have prayed in so many situations throughout time and space. This name is close to the “broken hearted”. It is a name that gives you another glimpse of who our Multi-Faceted God is. It is the name Yahweh Ropheka. . . the Lord who Heals. . .

The Names of God Bible tells us that:
“The Hebrew word rophe means “heal,”“cure,”“restore,” or “make whole.” Shortly after his people left Egypt for the Promised Land, God revealed himself as Yahweh Ropheka, the LORD Who Heals. The Hebrew Scriptures indicate that God is the source of all healing.
The verb from which rophe is derived occurs sixty-seven times in the Old Testament. Though it often refers to physical healing, it usually has a larger meaning as well, involving the entire person. Rather than merely healing the body, Yahweh Ropheka (yah-WEH ro-FEH-ka) heals the mind and soul as well.

The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Great Physician, the healer of body and soul, whose miracles point to the kingdom of God. According to Jesus, sickness is not necessarily caused by sin on the part of the person who is ill. Rather, it can result from living in a sinful, fallen world.”

Throughout the bible we hear of God’s healing power of both body and soul. The LORD Provided Manna and Quails for the Israelites to Eat soul that their hungry bodies would be healed of that hunger. . .  The LORD Provides Water for the Israelites from a Rock so that their thirst could be healed by cool water in the desert. . . The LORD Provides Healing for all of humanity through His Son, Lord Jesus Christ so that humanity’s body and soul would be fed and healed of sin. . .  It is this healing from God that we proclaim to the world. Yahweh Ropheka is the healer of all of our ailments. . . He is the healer of what we cannot go to a physician to be healed of. . . we need the Great Physician to heal us from our sin. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we are healed. So. . . what do we do with this joyous news? What do we do now that we have been prescribed with the right medication for our souls? 

The 1st Peter I read this morning gives us a view of what we should do with this information. It tells us how we can obtain the prescription and how others can do the same. This healing not only heals us from sin but also brings us closer to God than we can do on our own. It tells us that we should share this Good News with others, especially when they ask about the joy we have. But it also tells us that we shouldn’t try to “beat them over the head with the truth” as some do but to do so in respectful humility. We need to share the truth in love. There may also be times when we suffer because we are so “on fire for the Lord”. You know those times when our family may not talk to us because they think we are “holy rollers”. . . those times when people may call us “Jesus freaks”. . . those times when people may talk bad about us because we are so dedicated to the Gospel of truth, God and our Savior. . .  We can’t let that stop us. We need to even be glad about it. God cared so much about humanity’s health that Jesus even went and preached the Gospel to those in prison. . . in Sheol.

We need to make God known to all those around us. Paul spent his life devoted to making God. . . Yahweh Ropheka. . . the Great Physician. . .  known after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Let me read one of those account to you. It is found in Acts 17 verses 22-31. Paul was a very bold and wise speaker. Listen to what he had to say to the people of Athens. . .

Acts 17:22-31 Common English Bible (CEB)

“22 Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, “People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown God.’ What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you. 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made with human hands. 25 Nor is God served by human hands, as though he needed something, since he is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else. 26 From one person God created every human nation to live on the whole earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. 28 In God we live, move, and exist. As some of your own poets said, ‘We are his offspring.’

29 “Therefore, as God’s offspring, we have no need to imagine that the divine being is like a gold, silver, or stone image made by human skill and thought. 30 God overlooks ignorance of these things in times past, but now directs everyone everywhere to change their hearts and lives. 31 This is because God has set a day when he intends to judge the world justly by a man he has appointed. God has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.””

The altar to an unknown God that Paul saw in Athens shows the plight of the pagans. . . and some people who call themselves Christians today. They have an idea of who God is but they have no experience of who God is. We, as a church, need to reveal the way that the world might come to a personal relationship. . . to personally come to know God, through His Son, Lord Jesus Christ.

You see the world. . . the non-Christian. . . humanity. . . worships some unknown god. It may be power and position that they worship. It may be possessions that they worship. It is anything other than the God of our salvation. Yet within our hearts we really we want to know God. We want to be healed of our infirmities that our worldly god just can’t heal us from. It is within and through our risen Lord that we come to know the unknown God. The prescription that we need is to repent of our sins and trust in the Living Christ.

We live in a world that is broken and torn. We live in a world that is full of open wounds that need to be healed. God uses us to be that healing balm that the world needs. But in order to be that conduit of healing we need to be willing to be and to go where God wants us to be and go. Yahweh Ropheka is looking for a few good men and women who are bold enough to take on the task of healing and restoration in His name. Yahweh Ropheka. . . our Great Physician. . . wants us to share our witness to those who are hurting and need a healing in their lives. . . to tell them that their unknown god is revealed in Christ. Yahweh Ropheka. . . our Great Physician. . . wants us to make Him known through our words and actions, giving healing and restoration to those who are in need. Yahweh Ropheka. . . our Great Physician. . . wants us to understand that Christ will make himself known to us through the Holy Spirit. . . giving us the boldness of Paul to share the Good News. . . the power of Peter to proclaim the gospel of peace.

How will you answer the call to action and healing? How will we become that healing balm? Where is there a need for healing in our lives and in the lives of those around us? Perhaps. . . as we look inside. . . we can find healing and restoration for our souls. Maybe, just maybe, as we are healed we can spread that healing save with those around us. Then. . . maybe then. . . we will have healing and wholeness as a people and as a nation. But it begins with you and me. . .

Let us pray. . .  

Yahweh Ropheka, the LORD who heals me, the Great Physician, we want to experience your healing grace in our body and our soul. Please work in us and through us. As you heal us, please let us glorify you by bringing the knowledge of your healing power to those in need. Increase our faith and show us how to pray. Embolden us, by Your Spirit, to put our faith to work by praying for others so that they have healing in their souls and body’s. May your name be lifted up throughout the world as people come to know Your love and healing power by our prayers of healing.

Amen!
=====
May 25, 2014
Sermon 20 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
1 Peter 3:13-22 (CEB)
Acts 17:22-31 (CEB)
Sirach 34:19-20 (CEB)
Spangler, Ann: Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-        Yahweh Ropheka  à
 the Lord Who Heals
children’s message
-          When we are sick,
God is our Healer
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Yahweh Rophekah”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
May 25, 2014
Memorial Day Sunday
&
Sermon 19 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
Spangler, Ann: Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-        Yahweh Roi and Yahweh Shammah  à
 the Lord is my Shepherd and the Lord is there
children’s message
-          God takes care of His children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Yahweh Roi/ Yahweh Shammah”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
May 18, 2014
&
Sermon 18 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Nehemiah 1:5 (English Standard Version)
Isaiah 35:1-2 (The Message Bible)
Deuteronomy 7:21 (English Standard Version)
John 4:7-15 (The Message) (MSG)
Spangler, Ann: Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El Hannora à Awesome God
children’s message by Ellen Dickinson – Amen and Bow Wow!
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . El Hannora”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
May 11, 2014
&
Sermon 17 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Exodus 34:10-14 NIV Bible
Deuteronomy 4:23-24 NIV Bible
1 John 3:1-7 Common English Bible
Spangler, Ann: Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El Kanna à Jealous God
children’s message
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . El Kanna”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
May 4, 2014
&
Sermon 16 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Genesis 21:1-21 (The Message Bible)
Acts 4:32-35 (The Message Bible)
Psalm 139
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El Roi à God watches over us
children’s message
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . El Roi”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 27, 2014
&
Easter Sunday
Sermon 15 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Jeremiah 23:5-6 (GODs Word Translation)
Jeremiah 31:33 (GODs Word Translation)
Matthew 28:1-10 (English Standard Version)
 “Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Yahweh Tsidqenu à The Lord Our Righteousness
Communion
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Yahweh Tsidqenu”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 20, 2014
&
Palm Sunday
Sermon 14 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Isaiah 53:7-12 (The Message)
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Matthew 20:26-27
(Matthew 21:1-11)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Ish Makaboth à Man of Sorrows
song and sacred dance by Erica Berberena
to “Hosanna” by Kirk Franklin
distribution of the palms
Communion
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Ish Makaboth”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 13, 2014
&
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sermon 13 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Psalm 94:2-15 (Living Bible)(TLB)
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The Message Bible)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Shopet à Judge
Communion
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Shopet”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 6, 2014
&
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sermon 12 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Isaiah 53:1-9 (The Message)
“The Suffering Servant”
1 Samuel 16:1-13
“God Looks into the Heart”
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Ebed Yahweh à Servant of God
Communion
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Ebed Yahweh”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 30, 2014
&
Third Sunday in Lent
reading of poem, “Lent”
by Ann Weems
from her book, Kneeling in Jerusalem
Sermon 11 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Psalm 31:1-5 (Names of God bible)
John 13:12-17 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
(John 20:16 – in the garden)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Rabbouni/ El Emet à Teacher/God of Truth
Communion
children’s sermon by Regina Goode
about Johnny Appleseed
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Rabbouni/El Emet”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 23, 2014
&
Second Sunday in Lent
Sermon 10 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Psalm 121
John 3:1-17 (not read)
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Yahweh/Yahweh Yireh (ya-WEH yir-EH)à The Lord will supply
Prayers of the People by Ray Foss
children’s sermon by Kelly Curtis
-          Mark 1:12-13 – story about Lent and waiting
and sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Yahweh”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 16, 2014
&
First Sunday in Lent
Sermon 9 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Job 19:25-27 New International Version (NIV)
Romans 5:12-19 New International Version (NIV)
Isaiah 49:7
Leviticus 25:48-49
Numbers 35:9-30
Jeremiah 50:33-34
Mark 10:54
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Go’el (go’EL)à Redeemer
Opening Prayer
children’s sermon
-          Why are You Sad?
and sermon “Our Redeemer Lives”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is …Go’el”)
by Raymond A. Foss
filling in for Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 9, 2014
&
Transfiguration Sunday
Sermon 8 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Psalm 46
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El Olam (EL o-LAM)à Everlasting/Eternal God
and sermon “Hello My Name El Olam”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is …El Olam”)
by Ellen Alward Dickinson
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 2, 2014
&
Sermon 7 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Daniel 4:19, 24-35 (The Names of God Bible)
1 Kings 19 (The Names of God Bible)
Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El Elyon (EL el-YOHN)à God Most High
children’s sermon, “God Rocks!”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon ““Hello My Name El Elyon”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is …El Elyon”)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 23, 2014
&
Sermon 6 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Ishà Bridegroom
Hosea 2:16, 19-20
Revelations 19:6-9
 (All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
Worship Songs:
-          Bless His Holy Name
children’s sermon, Scouting Sunday,
by Jean Howes
-          God’s promise
and sermon “Hello My Name Is… Ish/ Bridegroom”
 (in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is …Ish”)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 9, 2014
&
Sermon 5 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Adonay (Adonai)à Lord
Daniel 9:9-16
Daniel 9:17-19
Daniel 9:9-19
 (All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
children’s sermon
-          a servant is someone who serves the Lord,
using all of their talents to bring His kingdom on earth,
serving our Master in everything they say and do.
by Pastor Ruth
and sermon “Hello My Name Adonay”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is …Adonay”)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 2, 2014
&
Sermon 4 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El Chayà Living God
Joshua 3:7-13
2 Kings 19:14-16
Jeremiah 10:3-5
2 Corinthians 6:15-16
(All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
children’s sermon
“We have a living and breathing God who is always there for us.
He answers us when we call. Our God is not dead…He surely alive…“
by Pastor Ruth
and sermon “Hello My Name is …El Chay”
 (in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is …El Chay / Living God”)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 26, 2014
&
Sermon 3 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          El à God
-          Elohimà God
-          EloahàGod
Genesis 1:2-2:3
Deuteronomy 28:2-6
(All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
children’s sermon
-          “and God Created. . . “
by Pastor Ruth
Closing Song – “Friend of God”
and sermon “Hello My Name is …El, Elohim, and Eloah”
 (in the bulletin as “Hello My Name Is. . . God“)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 19, 2014
&
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
(and a time to celebrate and remember our own baptism)
Sermon 2 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Yeshua --> Jesus
-          Mashiach --> Christ, Messiah
Matthew 1:18-21
Psalm 2
Mark 1:14-20
Matthew 3:13-17
 (All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
children’s sermon
-          There is only One who can save us, Jesus, the one Savior
and sermon “Hello My Name is …Yeshua/Mashiach”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name Is. . . Jesus, Christ, Messiah“)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 12, 2014
&
Epiphany Sunday
Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
Sermon Series on “The Names of God”
Sermon 1 of “What’s In A Name…”
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-          Ha-Shem -> the Name
-          Ehyeh -> I Am
Exodus 3:13-14
Leviticus 24:10-16
 (All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
children’s sermon
-          different names, different meaning – one person
-          many names for God, all one God
and sermon “Our Many Faceted God”
(saved as “Hello My Name Is. . . “)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 5, 2014

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