HEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY

ideally and providentially poised to deliver
not only physical relief, but mental health in a
time when it is projected that between 2015 to
2020, mental health issues are about to become
the single greatest cause of disability in the
world (WHO, 2014). What an opportunity;
what a responsibility! Every church a center
of health education, and every member a health
(medical) missionary—comprehensively—body,
mind, spirit, emotionally and socially.
Jesus is our “Pattern Man,” the Great
Physician, the Great Healer, the Source of Hope.
When addressing the imperative and potential
of Comprehensive Health Ministry, Ellen White
wrote prophetically and instructively:
“I can see that the medical
missionary work is to be a great
entering wedge, whereby the
diseased soul may be reached.”
White, 1923, p. 535
“The union of Christlike work for
the body and Christlike work for
the soul is the true interpretation
of the gospel.”
White, 1902, pp. 14, 15
The secular world is using the following
language:
“Prevention can also be
strengthened by encouraging
protective factors such as strong
personal relationships, a personal
belief system and positive coping
strategies.”
WHO Report, 2014,
Preventing Suicide, p. 8
I heard the importance of destigmatization
of mental health and all that pertains to
emotional well-being; we must be free to
talk about these matters in an embracing and
non-judgmental way. I heard the words care,
compassion, and hope; words that describe
our mission and the indispensable ingredients
missing from so many initiatives addressing
human needs. God forbid that these would
ever be absent from the mission endeavor(s)
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, because
without these, our mission is incomplete and
will fail.
Jesus, our Pattern Man, demonstrated holistic
and comprehensive ministry by embracing the
whole person. I am fascinated by the wonderful
encounters Jesus had with the different people
of His day. Whenever He engaged individuals
(or they, Him), the conversation and emphasis
focused on the spiritual even, and often especially,
when the miracles of healing took place. We so
often recount the miracles relating to physical
health. Jesus also addressed the emotional and
mental—specifically and intentionally. The
granting of forgiveness and the removal of guilt
are often central to Christ’s ministry of healing.
Comprehensive Health Ministry and the message
of salvation are inextricably linked.
The mission of Christ was to heal the sick,
encourage the hopeless, bind up the brokenhearted.
This work of restoration is to be carried on among
the needy, suffering ones of humanity. God calls
not only for your benevolence, but your cheerful
countenance, your hopeful words, the grasp of
your hand. Relieve some of God’s afflicted ones.
Some are sick, and hope has departed. Bring back
the sunlight to them. There are souls who have
lost their courage; speak to them, pray for them.
There are those who need the bread of life. Read
to them from the Word of God. There is a soul
sickness no balm can reach, no medicine heal.
Pray for these, and bring them to Jesus Christ.
And in all your work, Christ will be present to
make impressions upon human hearts.
This is the kind of medical
missionary work to be done.
Bring the sunshine of the Sun of
Righteousness into the room of the
sick and suffering. Teach the inmates
of the poor homes how to cook. “He
shall feed his flock like a shepherd,”
with temporal and spiritual food.
White, 1898, p. 105
Jesus was tired. Do any of you (us) identify
with this? Have your busy eyes ever rested
on the following words as recorded in John,
chapter 4?
SERMON
25
MISSION, HOPE, AND HEALING