God’s Desire to Heal: A Call to Trust in Divine Healing

Avondale Church of God Winter Revival,

January 16, 2025

Speaker: Brother Dwayne Platt

In a moving message at the Avondale Church of God Winter Revival, Brother Dwayne Platt delivered a powerful sermon emphasizing God’s will to heal His people. Speaking with conviction and deep sincerity, he exhorted the congregation to embrace divine healing as a benefit of salvation and to trust God completely for both physical and spiritual restoration.

Throughout the message, Brother Platt highlighted scriptural foundations for divine healing, wove in personal testimonies of God’s miraculous interventions, and challenged the saints to strengthen their faith in God’s ability to heal. The message served as a stirring reminder that Jesus Christ remains “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), still moving in power to restore those who call upon Him in faith.

“I Would That Thou Be in Health”: A Scriptural Foundation for Healing

Brother Platt began by reading from 3 John 1:2, where the Apostle John expresses his desire that the believers “prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” He underscored that God not only desires our spiritual well-being but also our physical health. “God does not intend for His children to suffer needlessly,” Platt declared. “He wants us to be well. He is a loving Father who cares for every aspect of our lives.”

Turning to 1 Peter 3:12, he emphasized that “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.” Platt pointed out that divine healing is not a relic of the past but a present reality for those who put their trust in God. “Some would have us believe that God stopped healing after the apostles, but the Word says otherwise. Jesus never changes, and His power to heal has not diminished.”

A Testimony of Healing: Trusting God in Affliction

Brother Platt shared a personal testimony about his wife’s battle with a severe illness that left her weak, fever-ridden, and nearly bedridden. Despite the severity of her condition, she chose to trust God entirely for healing.

“There were nights when I held her hand, praying, ‘God, you’ve got to move. She’s yours,’” he recounted. “We waited, we prayed, and we held on. The devil whispered fear, but God’s Word whispered faith.”

Eventually, the healing came—gradual but complete. “The doctors said she had lupus, something they claimed was incurable,” Platt said. “But God had the final say. He healed her, restored her strength, and gave us children we weren’t sure we’d ever have.”

The testimony resonated deeply with the congregation, serving as a faith-builder for those struggling with afflictions of their own.

The Price of Our Healing: Christ’s Sacrifice

To drive home the certainty of divine healing, Brother Platt read from Isaiah 53:4-5:

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.”

“Jesus suffered not only for our sins but for our sicknesses,” Platt explained. “Every lash He endured was for your healing. He paid the price in full.”

He urged the congregation not to let doubt rob them of what Christ had already purchased. “It’s already been paid for—why would you leave a gift unclaimed? The same blood that saved you is the blood that heals you.”

Divine Healing and the Church Today

Brother Platt encouraged the congregation to take advantage of the “benefits of salvation” as described in Psalm 103:2-3, which declares that God “forgiveth all thine iniquities” and “healeth all thy diseases.”

He stressed the importance of faith, citing James 5:14-15, which instructs believers to call for the elders of the church to anoint the sick with oil and pray the prayer of faith. “We must stand on these promises,” he urged. “This is not an outdated doctrine. This is not something reserved for another time or another people. This is for the Church of God today.”

Overcoming Hindrances to Healing

Brother Platt acknowledged that sometimes healing is delayed or hindered. He outlined several possible reasons, including:

1.     Unbelief – “Faith is the key. Strong faith needs no outside assurance.”

2.     Disobedience – “If God has spoken to you about making changes, but you resist, it can hinder your healing.”

3.     Selfishness – “Do you want healing just to enjoy life, or are you willing to consecrate your health to God’s service?”

He encouraged the saints to examine their hearts and remove any barriers to receiving God’s touch.

Exhortation: Standing Firm in Faith

Following the sermon, Brother Jack exhorted the congregation to apply the message to their own lives.

“Faith isn’t passive—it’s active,” he declared. “You can’t just hear a message like this and go on as if nothing has changed. You have to put it into practice.”

He challenged the younger generation to start trusting God in small things—praying for headaches instead of immediately turning to medicine, seeking God first in times of sickness. “Faith is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, it weakens. But if you exercise it, it grows stronger.”

Bro Jack reminded the congregation of past victories, testifying of healings that had taken place within their own assembly. “God has not changed. The same God who healed Brother Ben as a child, who healed Sister Kaitlin’s fever instantly, who healed Tanner’s arm—He’s still here. He’s still answering prayer.”

He left the congregation with a solemn question: “What will your faith do for you?”

Reflection Questions for Personal Application

1.     Do you believe that divine healing is still available today? If not, what doubts need to be addressed?

2.     Are you bringing your afflictions to God first, or do you look elsewhere for relief?

3.     Have you examined your heart for any hindrances that might be blocking your healing?

4.     Are you willing to consecrate your health and life to God’s service if He heals you?

Scriptures for Further Study

3 John 1:2 – God’s desire for our health. Mark 6:54-56 – Jesus’ healing power.

Isaiah 53:4-5 – Christ’s sacrifice for our healing.

James 5:14-15 – The biblical practice of divine healing.

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Conclusion

Brother Platt’s message was a resounding call to trust God fully for divine healing. As the revival continues, the congregation is encouraged to claim the promises of God, strengthen their faith, and live in the expectation that God still moves in power today