TITLE: God's Hospital

TEXT: Jeremiah 17:14

PROPOSITION: The church is like a hospital.

QUESTION: How?

KEY WORD: Ways

Introduction:

1. When we are injured – we go to a hospital to seek healing.

2. What should we do when our souls are sick?

3. How is the church like a hospital?

God's Hospital is a Place Where:

Find the Best Medicine

1. Revelation 22:2 – Tree in heaven with leaves “to heal the nations”

2. On earth the healing power is in the gospel. Romans 1:16, Acts 28:27

3. The church is the ONLY place to receive spiritual help.

4. There are many QUACKS – on TV, radio, in pseudo-churches

5. There are many “snake oil” salesmen, selling books

6. The doctor writes a prescription – TAKE THE MEDICINE, follow the instructions

The Patient must Initiate Treatment

1. Hospitals don't go door to door to drum up business

2. They don't have sales, rebates, “trial visits”

3. You must realize you are sick or hurt – and go to them for help.

4. Sinners must initiate treatment – Acts 2:40 – save yourselves

5. Like AA (12 step programs) – FIRST admit you have a problem.

6. Philippians 2:12 – Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

There are Rules about Admission

1. Hospitals are not homeless shelters – open to all who wander in off the street

2. There are rules for admission – make arrangements, sign papers, show ID, give personal information.

3. Man got fishing lure caught in hand. Had to fill out the papers – FIRST – then receive treatment to remove the lure.

4. The church has rules about admission.

   1. Faith – John 8:24

   2. Repent – Luke 13:3

   3. Confess – Matthew 10:32

   4. Baptism – Mark 16:16

5. Then the Lord adds you to the church – Acts 2:47

People Genuinely Care for You

1. Good hospitals have a caring staff – show concern, want to help

2. Doctors come in at all hours of the night to deal with the hurting.

3. 1 Corinthians 12:25 – have the same care for one another

4. Titus had “earnest care” for his brethren – 2 Corinthians 8:16

5. Each of us must make sure that we care for the patients the come.

When they're done, You get to Go Home

1. Hospitals are wonderful places when you are hurting.

2. When you are well – you want OUT OF THERE.

3. When the food tastes good – stay. When it tastes bad – time to go home.

4. 2 Corinthians 5:2-4 – in this body we groan, being burdened

Outline is from a tract by Allen Webster, “God's Hospital.”