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The Work of Visiting the

Sick

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Introduction

• One important work of the church is “visiting and attending the sick”

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Gal. 6:10

• [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

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• Visiting and attending = to show interest, to comfort, to strengthen, to encourage, to assist and give attention to

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• May our sick and shut-ins never feel that, “nobody cares, nobody comes, nobody prays, or nobody helps.”• The medical field now tries to

treat the whole person

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• Who are the sick? = those in the hospital, the sick at home, the afflicted and crippled, shut-ins, and the elderly who are feeble or weak

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•I. Jesus attended the sick

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1 Pet. 2:21

• [21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

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Mt. 4:24

• His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

10Mt. 8:14-15, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law

[14] And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.[15] And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

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Mt. 8:16, He healed all that were sick

• [16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

12Mt. 10:8, He gave power to his disciples to heal

• [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

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•II. It is important to attend to the

sick

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Mt. 5:14-16, By this we let our light shine

• 14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.• [15] Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house…

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• [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

16Mt. 25:38-40 41-46, Neglect of those in need has serious consequences

• [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?• [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or

in prison, and came unto thee?

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• [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

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• [41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:• [42] For I was an hungred, and ye

gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

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• [43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not• [44] Then shall they also answer him,

saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

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• [45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.• [46] And these shall go away into

everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

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• Visits to the sick may lead to their spiritual growth • It may also lead to the restoration

of the unfaithful child of God

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• Our help may contribute to the patient’s recovery• “Attention and prayer go a long

way in helping the ill to recover.”

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•III. Attending the sick helps the one doing the visiting

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• It helps our feelings of sympathy and compassion to grow• It makes us appreciate our good

health and the health of our families

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• It makes us want to go to heaven all the more – where there will be no suffering and misery

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Rev. 21:4

• [4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away

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• Seeing others suffer will make us more patient when we must suffer• Visiting and helping strengthens

the tie that binds us together

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•IV. How we can assist the sick and

afflicted

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• 1. By speaking works of encouragement• 2. Your very presence states,

“They thought of me and cared enough to come.”

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• 3. Send cards and letters• 4. Read the Bible to them –

especially if they are unable to read it themselves at this time• 5. Gifts of flowers, fruit, books,

etc. will cheer the ill

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• 6. Go by and take them for a short walk• 7. Assist them when they are

having financial difficulties• 8. Take them good religious

literature – tracts, DVD’s, etc.

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• 9. Help them with practical duties such as cutting the lawn, cleaning the house, running errands, etc.• 10. Provide food for them• 11. Go in a group and sing for

them

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• 12. Provide worship for the ill on the Lord’s Day• 13. Don’t forget to pray for them

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• Visits from Christians will do wonders for the ill• “Assisting the sick should never

be considered a chore to be dreaded, but a joyous service to be rendered.”

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• The attached list of THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN VISITING IN THE HOSPITAL are intended as suggestions only - each situation may be different when visiting in the hospital