In this episode of The 5th Gospel Podcast, Anthony shares a testimony of his grandmother’s sudden heart attack, ICU admission, pneumonia from intubation, and multi-organ failure, where doctors gave her a 1% chance to survive to surgery and later only a 40% chance to make it through surgery.

His grandmother ultimately undergoes valve-replacement surgery with no complications, is extubated unusually quickly, and continues recovering beyond expectations.

The conversation explores testimony as faith-building evidence, imperfect faith and obedience, praying from covenant rather than fear, the mystery of why not everyone is healed, and spiritual gifts of healing

Do you want to be healed—and what does it mean to contend for healing and deliverance in Jesus’ name?

In this episode of The Fifth Gospel Podcast, the Sam Edwards and Anthony Serino explore how Christians should approach sickness, miracles, spiritual oppression and freedom through the authority of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Jesus’ question at the Pool of Bethesda—“Do you want to be healed?”—they examine how sickness can become connected to identity, belief systems and cycles of secondary gain.

Pastor Sam shares his ongoing experience with type 1 diabetes and explains how he continues contending for healing without turning faith into a formula. The conversation addresses why healing may not happen when or how we expect, the different ways God can heal, and how hardship can mature our faith and bring relational or internal restoration.

They explore biblical deliverance, demonic oppression and what it truly means to pray “in Jesus’ name.” They discuss consecration, repentance, forgiveness, spiritual authority and discipleship while warning against paywalled deliverance, demon-focused content and the tendency to over-spiritualize every emotional or mental struggle.

This episode offers a balanced, Jesus-centered conversation about physical healing, inner transformation and spiritual freedom—without fear, formulas or obsession with darkness.

If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe for more biblical discussions about healing, deliverance, discipleship, spiritual warfare and following Jesus in everyday life.

Timestamps

00:00 Do You Want to Be Healed?
04:06 Why Healing May Be Delayed
09:02 Three Ways God Heals
13:37 Sam’s Type 1 Diabetes Story
18:18 What It Means to Contend
20:45 Declarations Versus Deeper Roots
24:20 Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda
27:50 When Sickness Becomes Your Identity
34:40 Understanding Secondary Gain
37:19 Conducting an Internal Audit
41:42 The Truth About Deliverance
41:54 Should Deliverance Be Paywalled?
43:01 What “In Jesus’ Name” Means
46:45 Consecration and Spiritual Authority
52:02 Deliverance Must Lead to Discipleship
58:52 Identity Over Demon Hunting
01:09:47 Recognizing Demonic Oppression
01:14:18 When Therapy Isn’t Enough
01:20:41 Unforgiveness and Spiritual Agreement
01:28:18 A Framework for Self-Deliverance
01:31:25 Repentance and Closing Occult Doors
01:35:26 Casting Out Demons With Authority
01:39:43 Manifestations and Fear Tactics
01:43:46 Jesus Is Sufficient
01:46:32 Prayer for Healing and Freedom

Do you feel too far gone for God—or afraid of what will happen if you return?

In this episode, we unpack how we know with absolute faith that GOD WANTS YOU BACK.

We explore God’s original design for an intimate relationship with humanity, how sin created separation, and how Jesus made forgiveness, salvation and restoration possible through His finished work on the cross.

This conversation addresses some of the biggest barriers that keep people from returning to God: shame over past mistakes, fear of punishment, trauma, unforgiveness, distraction and painful experiences with Christians or church leaders. No matter how far you believe you’ve wandered, God’s invitation is still open. Restoration is not earned through perfection or penance—it is received through faith in Jesus Christ.

We also discuss why God can sometimes feel distant, how internal “blockages” may prevent us from recognizing His presence, and why Scripture, prayer and Christian community remain essential for knowing Jesus and growing in faith.

In this episode:

• Why the Gospel still matters
• God’s original design for humanity
• Whether you can sin too much to be forgiven
• Grace versus punishment and penance
• What the Gospel actually means
• Why Jesus pursues the lost
• Healing after church hurt
• Shame, condemnation and fear of punishment
• Why God may feel distant
• How trauma, unforgiveness and distraction affect faith
• Stewarding spiritual gifts
• How to repent and receive Jesus

You’re also invited to the God Wants You Back event at The Gathering, Poughkeepsie on September 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Join us for a powerful evening of worship, redemption and your invitation to come home to Jesus.

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe for more conversations about Jesus, salvation, biblical truth, spiritual growth and practical Christianity.

Timestamps

00:00 Why the Gospel Matters
02:13 God’s Original Design
04:09 Taking Jesus Seriously
07:15 Have You Sinned Too Much?
09:07 Grace, Not Penance
11:48 What Is the Gospel?
15:44 The Gospel Is Personal
19:40 Jesus Pursues the Lost
22:04 Is It Ever Too Late to Return?
25:18 Healing From Church Hurt
31:57 Why God Feels Distant
33:03 Condemnation and Accusation
35:06 What Is Blocking God’s Presence?
37:52 The Danger of Distraction
42:52 Stewarding Spiritual Gifts
46:05 God Wants You Back Event
50:15 Overcoming Fear of Punishment
53:30 Prayer and Next Steps