Faith, Courage, and Divine Comebacks in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone! Today, we delve into the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, where we encounter two powerful stories of faith and divine intervention. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, risks everything to seek Jesus' help for his dying daughter. Simultaneously, a woman suffering from a 12-year-long ailment reaches out to Jesus in a crowded street, believing that touching His garment will heal her. Both stories highlight the necessity of taking bold steps of faith to experience God's miraculous power.
Jairus' act of faith, despite the risk to his social and religious standing, and the woman's determination to push through the crowd, teach us that faith often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Faith is not safe; it demands courage and action. The woman’s healing upon touching Jesus' garment and Jesus' assurance to Jairus to "only believe" even after hearing of his daughter's death, emphasize that faith in Jesus can bring about miraculous comebacks.
We also explored the concept of divine timing and Christ-induced coincidences. The woman’s encounter with Jesus was not a mere coincidence but a divine setup. Similarly, our struggles can lead us to divine appointments where we meet Jesus in our lowest moments.
Moreover, we discussed the importance of our words in shaping our reality. The woman kept declaring her faith, saying, "If I may only touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Our words have the power to steer our lives towards God's promises. Lastly, we must remember that Jesus is the central figure in our comebacks. Without Him, our efforts are in vain. He is the King of comebacks, and through Him, we have the power to rise again.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Requires Risk and Action: Jairus risked his social and religious standing to seek Jesus' help for his daughter. Similarly, the woman with the issue of blood pushed through a crowd, risking public humiliation, to touch Jesus' garment. Faith often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and take bold actions. [02:38]
2. Divine Timing and Christ-Induced Coincidences: The woman’s encounter with Jesus was not a mere coincidence but a divine setup. God orchestrates our paths to cross with His at the precise moments we need Him most. Our struggles can lead us to divine appointments where we meet Jesus in our lowest moments. [24:01]
3. The Power of Words: The woman kept declaring her faith, saying, "If I may only touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Our words have the power to steer our lives towards God's promises. What we confess with our mouths can either align us with God's will or lead us astray. [35:23]
4. Jesus is the Central Figure in Our Comebacks: Without Jesus, our efforts are in vain. He is the King of comebacks, and through Him, we have the power to rise again. Our comebacks are not just about our actions but about Jesus' intervention in our lives. [46:32]
5. Now is the Time for Your Comeback: The message emphasizes the urgency of deciding that today is the day for your comeback. We live in an age of God's favor, and His grace is available to us now. We must seize the moment and believe that now is the time for our breakthrough. [15:42]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Introduction and Gratitude
[01:01] - Declaration of Faith
[01:37] - Setting the Scene: Mark 5
[02:38] - Jairus' Risk and Faith
[03:23] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[05:21] - It's Time for Your Comeback
[06:46] - The Power of Comeback Stories
[08:01] - Historical Comebacks
[11:46] - Biblical Comebacks
[14:01] - Jesus: The King of Comebacks
[15:42] - Now is the Time of God's Favor
[17:51] - The Year of Jubilee
[21:16] - The Woman's Determination
[24:01] - Divine Timing and Christ-Induced Coincidences
[28:57] - Courage to Fight Through the Crowd
[35:23] - The Power of Words
[46:32] - Jesus: The Central Figure in Our Comebacks
[50:49] - Prayer for Breakthrough
[53:30] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 5:22-34 (NIV)
> "Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, 'My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.' So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' 'You see the people crowding against you,' his disciples answered, 'and yet you can ask, "Who touched me?"' But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What risks did Jairus take by seeking Jesus' help for his daughter? ([02:38])
2. How did the woman with the issue of blood demonstrate her faith in Jesus? ([03:59])
3. What was Jesus' response to the woman after she touched His garment? ([04:46])
4. How did Jesus reassure Jairus after hearing about his daughter's death? ([05:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jairus' willingness to risk his social and religious standing tell us about the nature of faith? ([02:38])
2. How does the woman's declaration, "If I may only touch His clothes, I shall be made well," illustrate the power of words in shaping our reality? ([35:23])
3. In what ways do the stories of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood highlight the importance of divine timing and Christ-induced coincidences? ([24:01])
4. How does the concept of Jesus being the "King of comebacks" provide hope and assurance in our personal struggles? ([14:01])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to take a bold step of faith. What were the risks involved, and how did you see God's hand at work? ([02:38])
2. The woman with the issue of blood kept declaring her faith. What are some positive declarations you can make in your life to align with God's promises? ([35:23])
3. Have you experienced a "divine appointment" where a struggle led you to a significant encounter with Jesus? Share your experience and how it impacted your faith. ([24:01])
4. Jesus told Jairus to "only believe" even after hearing of his daughter's death. How can you apply this principle of unwavering faith in a current challenge you are facing? ([05:21])
5. The sermon emphasized that "now is the time for your comeback." What steps can you take today to initiate a comeback in an area of your life where you feel defeated? ([15:42])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of speaking God's promises over your life daily? Identify a specific promise from Scripture that you will declare this week. ([35:23])
7. Jesus is central to our comebacks. How can you ensure that your efforts and actions are centered around Him, especially in times of struggle? ([46:32])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Demands Bold Action
Faith often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and take bold actions. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, risked his social and religious standing to seek Jesus' help for his daughter. Similarly, the woman with the issue of blood pushed through a crowd, risking public humiliation, to touch Jesus' garment. These acts of faith were not safe; they demanded courage and action. Their stories teach us that faith is not passive but active, requiring us to take risks and make sacrifices to experience God's miraculous power. [02:38]
Mark 5:22-23 (ESV): "Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to take a bold step of faith? How can you step out of your comfort zone today to trust God more fully?
Day 2: Divine Timing and Christ-Induced Coincidences
The woman’s encounter with Jesus was not a mere coincidence but a divine setup. God orchestrates our paths to cross with His at the precise moments we need Him most. Our struggles can lead us to divine appointments where we meet Jesus in our lowest moments. This concept of divine timing reminds us that God is always at work behind the scenes, arranging circumstances for our good and His glory. Trusting in His timing can bring peace and assurance, even in the midst of our struggles. [24:01]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when a difficult situation led to a divine encounter or breakthrough? How can you trust God's timing in your current circumstances?
Day 3: The Power of Words
The woman kept declaring her faith, saying, "If I may only touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Our words have the power to steer our lives towards God's promises. What we confess with our mouths can either align us with God's will or lead us astray. This principle emphasizes the importance of speaking life and faith into our situations. By declaring God's promises and truths, we can align our hearts and minds with His will, paving the way for His miraculous intervention. [35:23]
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: What are you currently speaking over your life and circumstances? How can you begin to declare God's promises and truths more intentionally today?
Day 4: Jesus is the Central Figure in Our Comebacks
Without Jesus, our efforts are in vain. He is the King of comebacks, and through Him, we have the power to rise again. Our comebacks are not just about our actions but about Jesus' intervention in our lives. This truth reminds us that our strength and hope come from Jesus alone. By focusing on Him and inviting Him into our struggles, we can experience the power of His resurrection and the hope of new beginnings. [46:32]
John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite Jesus to take control? How can you make Him the central figure in your comeback story?
Day 5: Now is the Time for Your Comeback
The message emphasizes the urgency of deciding that today is the day for your comeback. We live in an age of God's favor, and His grace is available to us now. We must seize the moment and believe that now is the time for our breakthrough. This call to action encourages us to take hold of God's promises and step into the new season He has prepared for us. By embracing His grace and favor, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and the power of a transformed life. [15:42]
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a breakthrough? How can you take a step of faith today to embrace God's favor and grace for your comeback?
Quotes
1. "How many of you know, sometimes you got to put it on the line for Jesus. A lot of times, the reason why we don't see miracle after miracle, after miracle is because miracles require a step of faith where we put it on the line for Jesus. And there's too many people who want to live a safe faith existence. Can I tell you that faith is not safe? Faith requires you to step out and take a risk." [02:38] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How many of you know, sometimes you just have to decide today is my day. Some people say, well, isn't it all up to God? You notice this woman decided today was her day. Jesus was walking away from her. He wasn't even walking toward her. Jesus, with the exception of the fact that he is omniscient and knows everything, didn't even know she was coming, but she decided today is the day. Today for my comeback." [05:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Oftentimes, they come into your life at the lowest points and you think, it can't get any worse than this and I can't go down any further than this. But with God's help, it can be a defining moment in your life that propels you into the rest of what God has for you. We love comeback stories and the Bible is full of them. You can trace them right back to the beginning in the book of Genesis." [11:46] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you are a God loyal person, when you have decided that you will follow Jesus no matter what happens in your life, you become like a spiritual weeble wobble. You might get knocked over, but you always get back up again, right? You have this resurrection power on the inside of you. And because Jesus is committed to your comeback, you have to make a decision sometimes in life. Not later, not longer, but now. Now is the day." [14:54] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You walked into a time where the favor of God ought to be all over your life. Not some of the time, but all of the time. You walked into a day and age where the goodness of God and the mercy of God are hunting you down and are chasing you. You ought to be expecting miracle after miracle after miracle in your life because you're living in an age of grace." [17:00] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Sometimes life has got to push you to the place where you decide, right now I've got to act. Right now I've got to move. I can't wait any longer. I can't sit around on my hands. I've got to press into the things of God. I've got to believe God for a breakthrough. Today is my day. Not later, not longer, but now." [19:46] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If we go to the God of the universe in that condition, by all rights, we ought to die because sin cannot stand in the presence of God. But because of what Jesus did on that cross, because of the price that Jesus paid, because of the resurrection, the scripture says that we can come not just anyhow, but we can come boldly to the throne of grace and we can find grace and mercy to help in time of need." [21:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Sometimes, in order for you to get your breakthrough, in order to come back, you need to be able to fight through the crowd. There will always be things between you and Jesus. There will always be things standing in your way. But you got to sometimes be courageous enough to get bumped a little bit, to endure the crowd of opinions, to endure the crowd of circumstances, to endure the crowd of being kicked and being talked about." [30:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If you are going to get your breakthrough, your mouth needs to be involved. How many of you know your mouth is usually involved in your mess? Come on, somebody. How many of you know your mouth is usually involved in your mess? If your mouth is involved in your mess, can I tell you, your mouth needs to be involved in your miracle." [35:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The miracle that happens in your mouth is not when you just declare anything over your life. The miracle. The miracle. The miracle. What happens in your mouth is when you say what God says about your situation over your life, because Jesus always operates in accordance with his word. And so she said and kept on saying the promise of God. He's got healing in his wings. He's got healing in his wings." [44:58] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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