Faith, Healing, and the Pursuit of God's Presence
Summary
In the message delivered by Aled Griffiths on January 21st, 2024, he shares personal anecdotes and biblical narratives to emphasize the importance of faith and the pursuit of encountering God's presence. Griffiths begins by reflecting on his own life experiences, including the loss of his first wife to cancer, his remarriage, and the blended family that followed. He uses these personal stories to illustrate the journey of faith and the challenges that often accompany it, encouraging his listeners to persevere through hardships with the assurance that a day will come when Jesus will alleviate all suffering.
Griffiths then delves into the biblical account from Mark chapter 5, which recounts two intertwined miracles performed by Jesus: the healing of a woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage and the resurrection of Jairus's daughter. He highlights the desperation of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, who falls at Jesus' feet pleading for the healing of his dying daughter. This act of humility and faith sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow.
The narrative continues with the story of the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Despite her condition, which rendered her ceremonially unclean and socially marginalized, she exhibits remarkable faith by believing that merely touching Jesus' clothes would heal her. Her faith is rewarded when she experiences immediate healing upon touching Jesus' garment. Griffiths points out that Jesus, aware of the power that had gone out from him, seeks out the woman. When she comes forward, Jesus acknowledges her faith and declares her healed.
Griffiths uses these stories to draw parallels between the biblical characters' experiences and the lives of believers today. He emphasizes that Christians, though they may appear ordinary, are set apart by their faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He encourages his listeners to engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, reading Scripture, and participating in a worshiping community as means to prepare for and encounter God.
Sharing his own conversion experience, Griffiths recounts how he came to faith in a moment of personal crisis, highlighting that God can encounter individuals in unexpected ways. He also shares a testimony of casting out an evil spirit from a new believer, illustrating the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of Christians.
Griffiths concludes by urging his listeners to persist in seeking God, even when faced with challenges or delays in answered prayers. He calls for a commitment to prayer and faith in God's ability to work miracles, transform lives, and bring about his kingdom on earth.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith often requires a posture of humility and desperation, as demonstrated by Jairus, who despite his status, recognized his need for Jesus' intervention. This act of surrender is a powerful catalyst for experiencing God's miraculous power. [04:39]
- The story of the woman with the issue of blood teaches that faith can break through societal barriers and personal limitations. Her belief in Jesus' healing power, despite her condition, serves as a testament to the transformative potential of faith. [06:17]
- Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and engagement with Scripture are not just religious obligations but avenues through which believers can prepare for and facilitate encounters with God. These practices help to cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's presence and work. [22:25]
- The power of the Holy Spirit within believers is not meant to be dormant; it is intended to flow out and impact the world around them. Christians are called to be conduits of God's power, bringing healing and hope to those in need. [18:35]
- Persistence in prayer and faith is crucial, even when immediate results are not evident. The stories shared by Griffiths remind believers that God's timing and ways are perfect, and that continued trust in Him can lead to profound experiences of His presence and action. [27:36]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 5:21-43: The healing of the woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage and the resurrection of Jairus's daughter.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jairus take to seek Jesus' help for his daughter? (Mark 5:22-23)
2. How did the woman with the issue of blood demonstrate her faith in Jesus? (Mark 5:27-28)
3. What was Jesus' reaction when he realized power had gone out from him? (Mark 5:30-32)
4. How did Jesus respond to the news of Jairus's daughter's death? (Mark 5:36-41)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jairus's act of falling at Jesus' feet signify about his faith and desperation? (Mark 5:22-23) [03:51]
2. How does the woman's healing illustrate the power of faith to overcome societal and personal barriers? (Mark 5:27-34) [05:35]
3. Why do you think Jesus insisted on identifying the woman who touched his clothes, even though she was already healed? (Mark 5:30-34) [05:35]
4. How does the story of Jairus's daughter and the woman with the issue of blood encourage believers to persist in their faith despite delays or challenges? (Mark 5:36-43) [06:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt desperate for God's intervention. How did you approach God in that situation? (Mark 5:22-23) [03:51]
2. The woman with the issue of blood believed that merely touching Jesus' clothes would heal her. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's power to work in your life? (Mark 5:27-28) [05:35]
3. Jesus acknowledged the woman's faith publicly. How can you share your faith experiences with others to encourage them? (Mark 5:30-34) [05:35]
4. In what ways can you practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and reading Scripture to prepare for encounters with God? (Mark 5:36-43) [22:48]
5. How can you remain persistent in prayer and faith when you don't see immediate results? Share a personal experience where persistence in prayer made a difference. (Mark 5:36-43) [27:36]
6. Griffiths shared a testimony of casting out an evil spirit from a new believer. How can you be open to the Holy Spirit's power working through you in unexpected ways? (Mark 5:36-43) [25:55]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to be a conduit of God's power, bringing healing and hope to those around you? (Mark 5:36-43) [18:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility Unlocks Divine Power
True strength is found in recognizing our own weakness and surrendering to God's might. Just as Jairus laid aside his status to seek Jesus' intervention, we too must humble ourselves to experience the fullness of God's power in our lives. [04:39]
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to practice humility and seek God's strength rather than relying on your own?
Day 2: Faith Transcends Boundaries
Belief in Christ's power can overcome any societal or personal barrier, just as the woman with the issue of blood reached out in faith despite her condition. Our faith can bring about healing and restoration, no matter the obstacles we face. [06:17]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: What personal limitations or societal barriers are you allowing to hinder your faith, and how can you overcome them through belief in Christ?
Day 3: Spiritual Disciplines Foster Divine Encounters
Engaging in spiritual practices is not a mere obligation but a journey towards encountering God. Prayer, fasting, and scripture study are tools that prepare our hearts to be receptive to His presence and guidance. [22:25]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 - "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
Reflection: Which spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to deepen your receptivity to God's presence?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit Empowers Believers
The Holy Spirit within us is a source of power meant to flow outward, impacting the world with healing and hope. As conduits of God's power, we are called to actively participate in His transformative work. [18:35]
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Reflection: How can you be a vessel for the Holy Spirit's power today, bringing hope and healing to those around you?
Day 5: Perseverance in Prayer Shapes Faith
Continued trust in God's perfect timing is essential, even when answers to prayers are delayed. Persistent prayer shapes our faith and prepares us for profound experiences of God's presence and action. [27:36]
Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Reflection: Can you identify an area of prayer where you have become discouraged? How can you renew your commitment to persist in prayer with watchfulness and thankfulness?
Quotes
1) "You are born again, you are alive in Christ, and there is nothing and no one who can steal that away from you. You are saving, you have an eternity to look forward to." [22:25] (Download)
2) "By God's grace, when you are wanting to encounter Jesus, you can do that by praying, fasting, by a discipline of reading the scriptures, and being part of a worshipping community." [22:25] (Download)
3) "God can turn your family on its head, wherever the prodigals are, wherever your friends are, whatever whoever has been seated in these seats who are no longer here because they've fallen away, they were in Sunday school with you or they were at school with you and now they're not, God can do it to anyone, I believe." [25:26] (Download)
4) "Don't give up, keep at it, keep praying for God to move, keep seeking Him because He's better than us." [27:36] (Download)
5) "Jesus gives you the same Holy Spirit, and we quake a little bit in the face of illness or in the face of people different philosophies that are hollow in the way that they counter Christianity. They mean nothing in reality, but they grip the minds of people, and you and I have the living Holy Spirit inside us." [18:35] (Download)
6) "How do I get prepared for an encounter with God? Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Are you desperate for God? When was the last time you had that sense, God if it's not you I'm done?" [20:30] (Download)
7) "We are bringing the future into the present, we're dragging hold of the kingdom of heaven and saying 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth today as it is in heaven.'" [11:39] (Download)
8) "Desperate people find a powerful God. So what happens when you get desperate is that you turn to God or you turn against Him. You go one way or the other, but I don't think you hang around in the middle very much." [13:37] (Download)
9) "We just love Jesus and we've got stories to tell about how God delivered us and saved us and set us free." [20:30] (Download)
10) "Miracles are the most normal thing in the world because that's the way the world's going to be one day. There's no more pain, there's no more suffering, there's no more sickness." [11:39] (Download)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?