Joel Osteen - You Have The Cure (Easter Message) (04/13/2020)
Joel Osteen explains in this sermon that just as medical science develops cures for physical viruses, Jesus Christ provided the ultimate antidote 2000 years ago through His sacrifice—the blood of the spotless Lamb of God—which overcomes invisible «poisons» like guilt, fear, depression, and addiction. Drawing from biblical stories and analogies like anti-venom from lambs and the bronze snake, he encourages believers to «take the medicine» by speaking God’s promises, looking up to the cross, and trusting that no venom from the enemy can ultimately stop God’s purpose for their lives.
The Invisible Viruses and the Need for a Cure
I want to talk to you today аbout: «You Have the Cure.» One of the challenges we faced with this coronavirus is there are no antibodies. We have never seen this strain of virus, so there is no remedy yet. Researchers are working tirelessly to develop a vaccine. Most reports say it is going to take about a year or more. Without a cure, we are at the mercy of the virus. A friend of mine is a physician that specializes in infectious disease. He said, «There are diseases that he treated 30 years ago that he does not see today,» because we found the antidote, because vaccines and antibodies were developed. What used to harm us does not harm us anymore. Once you have the cure, you do not have to be afraid of the disease.
But what about these viruses that you cannot see with a microscope: guilt, fear, depression, addictions? Some viruses you cannot treat with a physical vaccine. There are poisons that can infect our thinking, our self-esteem. If we only had an antidote to deal with the guilt from our past mistakes—the times we failed, did not make good decisions—now we go around in regrets, down on ourselves. If we only had the cure for the hurts, the disappointments, the unfair childhood—now we are tempted to live bitter, insecure, no passion. The good news is: 2,000 years ago the antidote was developed for everything that will come against you—not by leading scientists, not by a team of researchers, but by the Son of the living God.
When Jesus went to the cross, He took on our guilt, our shame, our failures. He not only bore our sins, but He took our sicknesses. Before He was crucified, He was beaten with 39 stripes on His back. Studies tell us there are 39 major categories of disease; He took one stripe for each one. That is why it says, «By His stripes you were healed.» We are not at the mercy of fear, depression, addictions—we have the cure. The Most High God is breathing in our direction. Him being for you is more than the world being against you. Do not let the fear, the guilt, the depression hold you down—take the antidote: «Father, thank You that I am forgiven, I am redeemed, I am free, I am healthy and whole.»
Taking Your Medicine Daily
When thoughts tell you, «You are just average; there is nothing special about you"—if you dwell on that poison, it will infect your thinking. You have to take your medicine: «I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am wearing a crown of favor; I have royal blood flowing through my veins.» Proverbs says God’s word is like medicine. When you meditate on it, it brings healing and wholeness. When thoughts whisper, «You will always struggle in your finances; this slowdown is going to ruin your business"—do not let that virus take root: «Father, thank You that the economy is not my source, but You are my source. You said You would prosper me even in the desert.» You have the cure; now make sure that you are taking your medicine.
One time the Israelites had turned against God; they started worshipping idols. They ended up exiled from their own land and brought into captivity in Babylon. It was their own fault; they had brought the trouble on themselves. The prophet Jeremiah was very discouraged. He asked, «Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician that can help us?» He was saying, «God, is there no cure? Is there no remedy from this virus that we have let infect us?» He likened it to being bitten by poisonous snakes. The truth is, we have all been bitten by something—bitten by guilt, bitten by fear, bitten by rejection. How do we deal with the venom? How do we get rid of the poison and not let it stop our destiny?
The Power of Lamb’s Blood Anti-Venom
I read about how they develop anti-venom for snake bites. Years ago, after much research, scientists took some of the poisonous venom from the snake and injected it into horses. The horse would naturally develop antibodies that they could then remove and use as serum for someone that was bitten by a snake. But over time they realized the anti-venom from the blood of horses was not working fast enough in people; many were losing their lives. They needed an anti-venom that was more powerful, more effective. They tested many animals and finally discovered that the blood of a lamb produced the most effective anti-venom. Unlike the blood of a horse, when the sheep was injected with the poisonous venom, the antibodies it created were much faster in people and produced a much stronger and more powerful anti-venom.
A few years ago they discovered that sheep in South Australia produced some of the most effective antibodies than anywhere in the world. It is because those sheep are in a pristine environment where they are free from diseases that typically affect other sheep. And the fact that these sheep are so healthy and have such pure blood—that is why they create the most powerful anti-venom.
Think back to the Garden of Eden; that is the first time we see a poisonous snake. The enemy is called a serpent; he bit Adam and Eve—not physically but in their thinking. He deceived them, and they became poisoned. They ate the forbidden fruit; they did wrong and opened the door to trouble. All of a sudden they were afraid; they realized they were naked; they ran and hid. Fear came in, guilt, shame, heartache. God had to come up with a plan to deal with the venom that had poisoned mankind. He needed to create an anti-venom, but it had to be something incredibly powerful. That meant it had to come from the purest blood, the most effective source. God did not choose the blood of a horse; He did not choose the blood of a goat; He did not choose the blood of another animal. This time He chose the blood of His only Son.
Behold the Lamb of God
The first time John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, «Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.» Jesus was not just any lamb; He was the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. That is why His anti-venom is more powerful than any poison that comes against you. The enemy will try to poison you with doubt: «It is never going to work out.» Poison you with fear: «What if you catch that virus?» Poison you with insecurity: «You are not good enough; nobody wants to be around you.» That poison cannot keep you from your destiny; it is no match for the anti-venom created by the Most High God.
Now quit telling yourself, «You have made too many mistakes,» living guilty, condemned—take your antibody: «Father, thank You that Your mercy is bigger than my mistakes. Thank You that what You started in my life You will finish.» You have to receive God’s mercy and move forward. You cannot reach your destiny if you are always looking back. Nothing you have done is a surprise to God. He knew every mistake you would make, every failure. You can still get to where you are supposed to be, but you have to shake off the guilt and move ahead.
When you are dealing with fear, depression, anxiety, do not just accept it thinking, «I will always struggle in this area"—take your medicine: «Father, thank You that I am free; I have the mind of Christ; I have peace that passes understanding.» Lies will tell you, «What you are dealing with is permanent. There is no solution. You will never get well, never break the addiction.» Just say, «No, thanks; I know the blood of the Lamb is more powerful than the venom of any snake.»
The Enemy Rendered Powerless
Yes, there are times that we get bitten—things happen we did not see coming. But you have to remind yourself: God is not up in heaven looking for a cure, hoping that virus does not defeat you, trying to figure out what He is going to do—He has already created the cure. 2,000 years ago He defeated the enemy once and for all. The Scripture says (Hebrews 2:14), «He rendered him powerless.» One version says, «He brought him to naught.» Naught means zero.
The enemy has no power over you; he cannot keep you from your purpose. The only way he can stop you is if you start believing his lies: «God is not going to bless you. Look at the mistakes you have made. You will never accomplish your dreams; you have had too many bad breaks.» Do not let that poison keep you from the awesome future God has in store. Start taking the anti-venom. God has not brought you this far to leave you. Just because you do not see a way does not mean God does not have a way. Right now He is working behind the scenes in your life. You would not be alive if He did not have something amazing in front of you.
Why do you think the enemy is trying to stop you? He does not bother people that are not a threat; he would not waste his time on you if he did not know you were a world changer, a history maker, that you have seeds of greatness. He knows God is about to open doors bigger than you have dreamed. You are about to step into new levels of your destiny. And do not be surprised if you get a few snake bites, so to speak—a friend walks away, the company does not need you anymore, an unexpected illness. That poison can cause you to get infected, live worried, give up on your dreams—or you can take that anti-venom: «God, I know You are still on the throne. I know no weapon formed against me is going to prosper. I am not going to just come out; I am going to come out better than I was before.»
Beauty from Ashes: A Young Lady’s Story
There was a young lady that lost her father to an illness. They were very close and spent a lot of time together. She was so devastated and so heartbroken; she had been bitten, so to speak, by something she never saw coming. She could have become bitter, sour, let that poison the rest of her life, but she believed God was still in control. It was not easy, but she kept moving forward. When you go through loss and things that kind of knock the wind out of you, it is tempting to give up on life, think you have seen your best days. That is when you have to dig down deep and say, «Father, thank You that You have beauty for these ashes. You said weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Lord, thank You that there are good days up ahead.»
Every day you make this choice to stay in faith, to have a good attitude when it is not fair, to believe when nothing is improving—you cannot see it, but God is working behind the scenes; He is making things happen that you could not make happen. As part of the healing process, every day this young lady texted her father’s number and told what went on that day and what she was feeling. It was her way of staying close to her father. She told him how she had overcome cancer, how she had finished college and graduated with honors—not just the good things; she texted about the boyfriend that broke her heart, some of the other challenges she had faced.
All the while, she thought she was doing this just to help her heal, to help her move forward. But on the fourth anniversary of her father’s death, the young lady received a response from the number she had been texting. She thought it was no longer working, but the text said, «My name is Brad. Three years ago I lost my daughter in a car accident. Your texts every day have been what is keeping me going.» He went on to tell her how proud he was of her, how proud her father would be.
The young lady said that was her sign that everything was okay, that she could let her father rest in peace. Today she is moving forward and doing great things. When life throws us a curve, it is easy to take the venom, go around poisoned, with a chip on our shoulder—if you will keep moving forward, God will give you beauty for those ashes. He did not bring you this far to leave you. That loss, the disappointment, the bad break did not stop His plan. He has you in the palm of His hand. There are great days up ahead. Do not let that poison stay in you; take the anti-venom, believe that God is in control and that your latter days will be better than your former days.
The Bronze Snake and Looking Up
In Numbers 21, the Israelites were in the desert, headed toward the Promised Land. God had given them victory over different armies, parted the Red Sea, freed them from slavery—but they got tired of traveling through the desert. They began to complain and be disgruntled. They said, «Moses, there is nothing good to eat out here. We cannot stand this manna anymore. Why did you bring us to the desert to die? Let us just go back to Egypt and be slaves again.» They started talking bad about Moses, stirring up trouble. The Scripture (Numbers 21:6) says, «Poisonous snakes came into their camp, and many of them were bitten and died.»
After all God has done for us, when we are tempted to complain, be discontent—that is shaky ground. Here God was giving them manna each morning, supernaturally providing food in the desert, but they were finding fault. The next verse says they came running back to Moses and said, «Moses, we have sinned.» It is funny how quickly their attitude changed. Trouble has a way of helping us have the right perspective. They went on to say, «Moses, please pray that God will take away these snakes.» One moment they were talking bad about Moses; the next moment they were asking him to pray for them.
If you are going to be a leader, if God is going to trust you with influence, sometimes you have to pray for people who were criticizing you the day before. You have to be good to someone that does not deserve your goodness. I am sure Moses was tempted to say, «Yeah, I would love to pray for you: 'God, send more snakes; God, get rid of the rest of them.'» If you are going to pass this test, you have to swallow your pride and do the right thing even though they do not deserve it.
It is interesting what God told Moses to do. He said, «Make a bronze snake, put it up on a pole, and everyone that looks up at that snake will be healed.» Why would He choose a snake? That is what they were trying to get rid of. You would think God would say, «Make a bronze Ark of the Covenant.» But God took the very thing that was the problem and turned it into the solution. That is what the Scripture says: what the enemy meant for harm, God turns to your advantage. The snakes did not stop biting them; they were not free from trouble. But from then on, anyone who looked up at that bronze snake was healed.
Jesus Lifted Up on the Cross
Years later Jesus was talking to Nicodemus. He said in John chapter 3:14–15, «Just as Moses lifted up the snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, will be lifted up on a pole. And everyone that looks up and believes in Me will have eternal life.» Moses having the bronze snake on a pole was foreshadowing Jesus dying on the cross. But the snake represents evil; Jesus represents good. How could that be? Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21, «Jesus became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God.» He became what He was not so we could become who we were created to be. On that cross Jesus took all of our failures, all of our shame, our guilt. Now whoever looks up to the Son and believes in Him will live.
My question is: what are you looking at? Your circumstances? How big the problem is? This virus has me so worried? You need to look up—there is healing when you look up, there is freedom when you look up, there is victory when you look up, there is salvation when you look up. Do not go through life looking down, thinking this problem is too big, it is never going to work out, I have been through too much. Get a new perspective: the forces that are for you are greater than the forces that are against you. You may have been bitten by mistakes, bitten by divorce, bitten by hurts—but that is not how your story ends. That poison does not have the final say. God is saying: look up. You have not seen your best days; healing is coming, promotion is coming, the right people are coming.
«Well, Joel, sounds good, but I have made a lot of mistakes.» Join the crowd; we all have. Look up—there is forgiveness. Look up—there is mercy. Look up—there is another chance. Look up—there is a God that does not give up on you. The Scripture says the calling on your life is irrevocable. «Well, I have gone through loss, I have had bad breaks, my relationship did not work out"—look up; there are new beginnings. Look up; there are divine connections. Look up; there is beauty for those ashes.
He Has Risen: Look Higher
After Jesus was crucified, two women went to the tomb early Easter morning to anoint His body. They noticed the huge stone to the entrance was rolled away. They were puzzled. They went in and saw a young man wearing a bright white robe sitting next to where the body should be. They did not realize he was an angel; they stood there in awe, knowing something special was happening. The angel said (Mark 16:6), «Do not be amazed. You are looking for Jesus; He is not here; He has risen.» The angel was saying in effect: you have good intentions, but you are looking too low; you are looking from a natural point of view; you need to look up.
What God is going to do in your life is not going to be ordinary; it is not going to happen like it happened for your relatives, those that you grew up with. You are going to stand out; you are going to break molds; you are going to set new standards. Where God has taken you, no one in your family has gone. Now do not have a small vision; do not go around looking low, thinking you have reached your limits. God is about to do a new thing, something that you have not seen. He is going to open doors you never dreamed would open, take you places that you could not go on your own.
Paul Shakes Off the Snake
In Acts chapter 28, the apostle Paul was a prisoner en route to Rome to stand before Caesar. The boat he was sailing on encountered a huge storm and broke apart. He and the crew grabbed pieces of the boat and swam to the shore. They were on a small island named Malta. When Paul went to gather wood to build a fire, a poisonous snake bit his arm. Here Paul had just survived a shipwreck, defied the odds—now the first thing that happened was this venomous viper latched to his arm and released the poison. Paul did not panic; he did not fall apart. He simply shook the snake off and went about his business.
Well, the local people knew exactly what was going to happen; they had seen this again and again—Paul was going to swell up, get sick, and suddenly die. They thought, «Too bad; he will be gone in a little while.» An hour went by; he was fine. Two hours—nothing wrong. Eight hours—still healthy. Verse six says, «When they waited a long time and saw that no harm came to him, they decided Paul was a god.» They were not far off; he was a son of God.
Yes, there will be times we get bitten in life: bitten by sickness, bitten by divorce, bitten by loss—things happen we did not see coming. But like with Paul, that poison is not going to have any effect on you. You have the anti-venom. What stops others is not going to stop you. The Most High God is pushing back forces of darkness; He is ordering your steps, making crooked places straight. What is His purpose for your life will come to pass. The Scripture (1 John 3:8) says, «God destroyed the works of the enemy.» That word «destroyed» in the original language means to not have its intended purpose.
The Enemy’s Sting Removed
When the snake bites and releases that venom, its purpose is to take you out—you should swell up, get sick, and die like everyone else. But because God destroyed the works of the enemy, it is not going to have its intended purpose. The sickness came to my mother in 1981; its purpose was to end her life, but it did not have its intended purpose. God has the final say. Nothing can snatch you out of His hands. When my father went to be with the Lord in 1999, the enemy intended for Lakewood to go down, fade away, have no more impact. But that loss did not have its intended purpose; God had another plan—that we would expand, reach more people, have greater influence.
Do not get discouraged when negative things come. We cannot pray away all the difficulties, but when you realize it is not going to have its intended purpose, then you can stay in faith. The divorce, that betrayal, that slowdown in the economy should sour your life—but it is not going to be what it looks like. People are going to look at you like they did Paul and think, «How are they thriving when they should be surviving? How is she so blessed after going through that rough childhood? How is he still so strong, happy, successful after that bad break in his business?» It is because what the enemy sent to stop you is not going to have its intended purpose. When that snake bites, do not panic; do not fall apart—just shake it off and keep moving forward. Keep thanking God that He is fighting your battles; keep thanking Him that what was meant for harm He is turning to your advantage.
I read something interesting about a honey bee. It is one of the few bees that when it stings, it leaves its stinger. It just has one sting, and then it is done. The next time it goes to sting, there is nothing there. It is like having a gun with one bullet, a boxer with one punch. You better make it count because that is your only chance.
2000 years ago the enemy came against Jesus. What he did not realize is, like that honey bee, he only had one chance. He did his best to defeat Jesus; He was crucified on the cross. Jesus breathed His last breath and died—it looked like the sting was successful. Satan was rejoicing, thinking he had won. But on the third day Jesus came out of the grave. He said, «I was dead, but I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and hell.» The good news is: the enemy does not have his stinger anymore. He tried his best, but his best was not enough. That is why Paul said (1 Corinthians 15:55), «O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?»
We can live from a place of faith, knowing that God has removed the stinger from the enemy; He has rendered him powerless. What he brings against you is not going to have its intended purpose. The blood of the Lamb is greater than any poison that is trying to stop you. Now put your shoulders back; hold your head up high. The most powerful force in the universe is breathing in your direction. Friends, you have the cure. Now get up every morning, take your medicine, dwell on what God says about you. If you will do this, I believe and declare: chains that have held you back are being broken; favor is coming, healing is coming, promotion is coming, the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus' name.