Faith in Action: The Transformative Power of Jesus
Summary
In this sermon, we explore the profound story of the woman with the issue of blood, as recounted in Luke 8:43-48. This narrative is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith, prayer, and divine exchange. The woman, who had suffered for twelve long years, found herself at the end of her resources and hope. Yet, in her desperation, she reached out to Jesus, believing that even touching the hem of His garment would bring healing. Her faith was not passive; it was active and determined, pushing through the crowd to reach the Savior. This act of faith resulted in an immediate healing, illustrating the power of belief coupled with action.
The story emphasizes that faith is the starting point for any divine encounter. It is not enough to merely believe; one must act on that belief. The woman’s healing was not just physical but also spiritual and social, as she was restored to her community and could enter the temple again. This narrative teaches us that Jesus’ power, or virtue, is not just about physical healing but encompasses moral and spiritual transformation. When we come to Jesus with our needs, there is an exchange—our weakness for His strength, our shame for His purity, our sorrow for His joy.
Moreover, the sermon highlights the importance of coming boldly before God, without shame or fear, trusting in His love and grace. It challenges us to push past our doubts and the shame that may accompany our struggles, to approach God with confidence, knowing that He understands our infirmities and is willing to meet us in our need. The story of the woman with the issue of blood is a reminder that God’s power is available to us, and through faith, prayer, and an exchange with Jesus, we can experience His transformative power in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Requires Action: Faith is not merely a belief but requires action. The woman with the issue of blood demonstrated this by pushing through the crowd to touch Jesus. Her healing was a result of her active faith, showing us that we must put our faith into action to experience God's power in our lives. [04:32]
2. Divine Exchange: When we come to Jesus, there is a divine exchange. Our weaknesses, shame, and pain are exchanged for His strength, purity, and healing. This exchange is not just physical but also spiritual, as seen in the woman's restoration to her community and spiritual life. [25:41]
3. Boldness in Prayer: We are encouraged to come boldly before God, without fear or shame. Jesus understands our struggles and invites us to approach Him with confidence, trusting in His grace and mercy to meet our needs. [16:57]
4. Persistent Faith: The woman's story teaches us the importance of persistent faith. Despite her long struggle, she believed that one encounter with Jesus would change everything. We are reminded to hold onto our faith, even when circumstances seem bleak. [08:07]
5. Promise of Ultimate Healing: While healing may not always come in this life, we have the promise of ultimate healing in eternity. This hope sustains us through trials, reminding us that one day, all pain and sorrow will be gone when we are with Jesus. [31:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:44] - Introduction to Virtue
- [01:54] - The Woman's Desperation
- [03:10] - Failed Remedies and New Hope
- [04:32] - Faith in Action
- [05:49] - Immediate Healing
- [06:36] - Jesus' Response
- [08:07] - The Power of Faith
- [08:59] - Certainty in Faith
- [11:55] - Faith and Action in Salvation
- [14:38] - Boldly Approaching God
- [16:57] - Relationship with Jesus
- [19:11] - Overcoming Shame
- [21:31] - Understanding Virtue
- [25:41] - The Divine Exchange
- [31:54] - Promise of Ultimate Healing
- [35:25] - Maintaining Faith
- [36:31] - Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 8:43-48: The story of the woman with the issue of blood.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the woman's condition, and how long had she been suffering from it? ([01:54])
2. How did the woman demonstrate her faith when she approached Jesus? ([04:32])
3. What was Jesus' response when the woman touched His garment, and what did He say to her? ([06:36])
4. How did the crowd react when Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" and why was this significant? ([06:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the woman's healing tell us about the relationship between faith and action? ([08:59])
2. How does the concept of a "divine exchange" manifest in the story of the woman with the issue of blood? ([25:41])
3. In what ways does the story encourage believers to approach God with boldness and confidence? ([16:57])
4. How does the promise of ultimate healing in eternity provide hope for believers facing ongoing struggles? ([31:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt at the end of your resources and hope. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your situation? ([03:10])
2. The woman with the issue of blood acted on her faith by reaching out to Jesus. What is one area in your life where you need to put your faith into action? ([04:32])
3. Consider the concept of a "divine exchange" in your life. What weaknesses or struggles do you need to bring to Jesus for His strength and healing? ([25:41])
4. How can you cultivate a bold and confident approach to God in your prayer life, especially when facing shame or fear? ([19:11])
5. Persistent faith was key to the woman's healing. What are some practical ways you can hold onto your faith during challenging times? ([08:07])
6. The sermon mentioned the promise of ultimate healing in eternity. How does this promise impact your perspective on current trials and suffering? ([31:54])
7. Identify a specific need or struggle in your life. How can you bring this need boldly before God, trusting in His grace and mercy? ([16:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action: A Catalyst for Divine Power
Faith is not merely a belief but requires action. The woman with the issue of blood demonstrated this by pushing through the crowd to touch Jesus. Her healing was a result of her active faith, showing us that we must put our faith into action to experience God's power in our lives. [04:32]
In the story of the woman with the issue of blood, we see a profound example of faith that is not passive but active and determined. For twelve years, she had suffered, exhausted all her resources, and found herself at the end of her hope. Yet, in her desperation, she reached out to Jesus, believing that even touching the hem of His garment would bring healing. Her faith was not just a mental assent but a physical act of reaching out, pushing through the crowd to touch the Savior. This act of faith resulted in an immediate healing, illustrating the power of belief coupled with action.
This narrative teaches us that faith is the starting point for any divine encounter. It is not enough to merely believe; one must act on that belief. The woman's healing was not just physical but also spiritual and social, as she was restored to her community and could enter the temple again. Her story challenges us to examine our own faith and consider how we can put it into action in our lives.
Mark 11:22-24 (ESV): "And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to take a step of faith? How can you actively demonstrate your faith in this area today?
Day 2: Divine Exchange: Trading Weakness for Strength
When we come to Jesus, there is a divine exchange. Our weaknesses, shame, and pain are exchanged for His strength, purity, and healing. This exchange is not just physical but also spiritual, as seen in the woman's restoration to her community and spiritual life. [25:41]
The story of the woman with the issue of blood is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith, prayer, and divine exchange. When she reached out to Jesus, there was an exchange—her weakness for His strength, her shame for His purity, her sorrow for His joy. This exchange was not just about physical healing but encompassed moral and spiritual transformation.
The woman's healing was not just physical but also spiritual and social, as she was restored to her community and could enter the temple again. This narrative teaches us that Jesus’ power, or virtue, is not just about physical healing but encompasses moral and spiritual transformation. When we come to Jesus with our needs, there is an exchange—our weakness for His strength, our shame for His purity, our sorrow for His joy.
Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."
Reflection: What weakness or burden are you carrying today that you need to exchange for Jesus' strength and healing? How can you invite Him into this area of your life?
Day 3: Boldness in Prayer: Approaching God with Confidence
We are encouraged to come boldly before God, without fear or shame. Jesus understands our struggles and invites us to approach Him with confidence, trusting in His grace and mercy to meet our needs. [16:57]
The story of the woman with the issue of blood highlights the importance of coming boldly before God, without shame or fear. Despite her long struggle and the shame that may have accompanied her condition, she approached Jesus with confidence, trusting in His love and grace. Her boldness in reaching out to Jesus resulted in her healing and restoration.
This narrative challenges us to push past our doubts and the shame that may accompany our struggles, to approach God with confidence, knowing that He understands our infirmities and is willing to meet us in our need. We are reminded that God’s power is available to us, and through faith, prayer, and an exchange with Jesus, we can experience His transformative power in our lives.
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What fears or doubts are holding you back from approaching God with confidence? How can you overcome these barriers and come boldly before Him in prayer today?
Day 4: Persistent Faith: Holding On Through Trials
The woman's story teaches us the importance of persistent faith. Despite her long struggle, she believed that one encounter with Jesus would change everything. We are reminded to hold onto our faith, even when circumstances seem bleak. [08:07]
The narrative of the woman with the issue of blood is a testament to the power of persistent faith. For twelve long years, she had suffered and sought healing, yet she did not give up hope. Her faith was persistent, and she believed that one encounter with Jesus would change everything. Her determination to reach out to Jesus, despite the crowd and her own doubts, resulted in her healing and restoration.
This story reminds us of the importance of holding onto our faith, even when circumstances seem bleak. It challenges us to persevere in our faith journey, trusting that God is faithful and will meet us in our need. We are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus, knowing that He is the author and perfecter of our faith.
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to exercise persistent faith? How can you hold onto your faith and trust God, even when circumstances seem challenging?
Day 5: Promise of Ultimate Healing: Hope Beyond This Life
While healing may not always come in this life, we have the promise of ultimate healing in eternity. This hope sustains us through trials, reminding us that one day, all pain and sorrow will be gone when we are with Jesus. [31:54]
The story of the woman with the issue of blood reminds us of the promise of ultimate healing. While she experienced physical healing in her encounter with Jesus, we are reminded that healing may not always come in this life. However, we have the promise of ultimate healing in eternity, where all pain and sorrow will be gone.
This hope sustains us through trials, reminding us that one day, we will be with Jesus, and all things will be made new. We are encouraged to hold onto this hope, knowing that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises. This perspective helps us to endure the challenges of this life, trusting that God is working all things for our good and His glory.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Reflection: How does the promise of ultimate healing in eternity impact your perspective on current struggles? How can you hold onto this hope and allow it to sustain you through trials?
Quotes
1. "In just one encounter with Jesus, it was all over. In just one moment, her whole life was turned around. And that uncleanness was lifted. She could enter into the temple again. She could have friends again. She could walk into town not to tell people I'm unclean. She didn't have to separate from society anymore. In just one moment, all that shame that probably came with that, all the loneliness and the pain, the disease itself was gone." [05:49] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The woman with the issue of blood was healed because of her faith. Jesus said, thy faith has made you whole. In Matthew and in Mark, when they tell this story, they tell us that the woman says, if I can just touch the hem of his clothes, I shall be made whole. She's declaring that. She said, I shall be made whole. There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. She was getting healed. She knew with all certainty that Jesus was the answer to her problem." [06:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So you have to put action behind the faith, and that way God can add his virtue to it, his power to it. It's not by our power and our ability. It's nothing about us, but it's all about him. It's not done by us. I can't heal myself. I can't speak my name over myself and heal myself. It's done by him. The woman didn't heal herself. Jesus did." [09:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We put faith into action when we come before him with our needs and we say, God, I don't understand why I'm going through what I'm going through. I don't understand why I'm going through tragedy in my life. I don't understand why I'm going through death and maybe sickness I don't know why I'm going through anxiety and fear and depression I don't know why I'm going through it but then when you say God I believe this and your words says love cast out all fear that you have given us not a spirit of fear but a spirit of love and of sound mind and when you put faith into action you begin to walk in that and even if you don't feel it in here yet even if you don't feel it in here yet you know that he is going to work it out you say i shall in your life you make those declarations i shall be healed i shall make it i shall be made whole we do that all throughout our lives so there's no it's no surprise that this is how healing takes place so you first have faith then you come to god faith in action" [14:38] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We don't have to hide what we think is shameful. God already knows it. You just need to tell him about it. You just need to talk to him about it. So when it comes to needs, and healing, sometimes I feel, and I'm speaking from experience, sometimes I feel like we get nervous. It's like, what if God doesn't heal me and I look stupid? Because I'm praying for healing and it doesn't happen. I feel that often when I'm praying for my own body. I feel that very often just being fully transparent here. But we don't have to be shy because God, he is sovereign. He's going to heal you or he's going to not heal you. But one day you're going to be healed when we go to heaven." [17:59] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We must come boldly. We must come boldly. We must come boldly. In any situation, we must believe and we must bring our needs to him. So, a little bit of a Bible study. The word virtue here, it actually, in the Greek, it's the Greek word dynamin, which usually translates as power. In Acts 8 .1 .8, you shall receive power. It's dynamin. After that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you. We often talk about the word dunamos, and this word is connected to it. They're very similar." [21:31] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "It was sickness for healing, shame for purity, strength for weakness, community for loneliness, sorrow for joy, ashes for beauty. It was an exchange. It was an exchange from Jesus, her master, to her unclean, to her pain. full life. He took all of that away in just one fell swoop. When she touched that hem of his garment, an exchange happened. And he said, this is gone now. Here you can have this. You've paid the price. Here you go is my healing. Here's my purity. Here's my character." [25:41] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Our own strides for positive thoughts and good vibes will not be enough we must be imbued with his goodness and his virtue we need his morals and his consciousness and his spirit and this applies to healing healing of the body healing of the mind healing of our emotions we start with faith we come to God with our needs and then there is an exchange it's as simple as that things get transferred in that moment with God when you get alone with God and you begin to ask him for healing when you get alone with God and you begin to ask him to touch your mind things start to transfer peace of mind starts to transfer and he takes away that inner turmoil" [31:54] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "But I wonder if there could be an attitude shift in your life. Where you say, God, it may not be today. But I shall be made whole. I shall be made whole. It may be tomorrow. It may be next Sunday. It may be Wednesday night. It may be sometime in my car when I'm driving to work. It may happen to me while I'm in my living room crying out to you. It may be one day when you come back for your brother. pride, but I shall be made whole. All it takes, all it A faith, a prayer, and exchange." [36:31] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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