Faith, Transparency, and Community: Pathways to Healing

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Activated by Hearing

Description: The story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 illustrates the power of faith activated by hearing. Despite her long-term suffering and numerous failed attempts to find a cure, she believed that touching Jesus' garment would heal her. Her faith was not passive; it was activated by what she heard about Jesus. This led her to push through the crowd, resulting in her immediate healing. This teaches us the importance of being people of the Word, allowing it to activate our faith and drive us to seek Jesus in our struggles. [35:54]

Romans 10:17 (ESV): "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Reflection: What specific promises or truths from God's Word have you heard recently that you need to actively believe and act upon today?

Day 2: The Power of Transparency

Description: The woman with the issue of blood risked everything to touch Jesus and was healed. Similarly, transparency about our struggles can lead to holistic healing and transformation. The speaker shared a personal journey through addiction and recovery, emphasizing the importance of coming clean and being transparent before God and others. This transparency can move us from a place of shame to a place of wholeness, as we experience God's grace and restoration. [47:11]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Is there a struggle or sin in your life that you need to bring into the light by confessing to a trusted friend or mentor today?

Day 3: Community and Support

Description: Navigating our issues often requires a supportive community. While Jesus is the ultimate answer, we also need a community that connects us to Him and His mission. The upcoming support group aims to provide this community, helping individuals cut through the crowd to get to Jesus. This underscores the importance of having a network of believers who can support and encourage us in our journey towards wholeness. [01:02:15]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for support and encouragement in your current struggles? How can you also be a source of support for someone else?

Day 4: God's Grace and Restoration

Description: Despite the shame and guilt that often accompany addiction or other struggles, God's grace offers a path to restoration. The speaker's journey from addiction to becoming a redeemed son of God highlights the transformative power of God's grace. No matter how far we have fallen, God's grace can restore us and redefine our identity in Him. This journey underscores the importance of embracing God's grace and allowing it to transform our lives. [56:20]

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace God's grace and allow Him to restore and redefine you?

Day 5: The Importance of Taking Action

Description: Taking action is crucial in our journey towards healing. Whether it's sending an email for support or joining a group, proactive steps are necessary. Jesus desires to make us whole, but we must be willing to push through our issues and seek Him actively. This proactive approach can lead to significant spiritual and emotional breakthroughs, as we take tangible steps towards our healing and wholeness. [01:08:01]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to move towards healing and wholeness in an area of your life where you are struggling?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we continue our sermon series, "Let's Talk About It," focusing on the issues we all face. Before diving into the topic, I want to commend our youth group for their incredible work in Kensington, Philadelphia, where they connected people to Jesus and helped individuals enter Teen Challenge, an addiction recovery center.

We all have issues—whether they are health, financial, relational, societal, or spiritual. Today, I want to explore two stories that deal with issues. The first story is from Mark 5, about a woman with an issue of blood for 12 years. Despite her suffering and failed attempts to find a cure, she heard about Jesus and believed that touching His garment would heal her. Her faith was activated by what she heard about Jesus, and she pushed through the crowd to touch Him, resulting in her immediate healing. Jesus acknowledged her faith and declared her whole, emphasizing the importance of being people of the Word and allowing it to activate our faith.

The second story is my own. After back surgery, I became addicted to Oxycontin, leading a double life filled with guilt and shame. My addiction led me to manipulate the medical system and even buy drugs from street dealers. Eventually, I confessed my addiction to my family and church, checked into a detox unit, and later entered the Teen Challenge program. Through this painful journey, I experienced God's grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Today, I stand before you as a redeemed son of God, no longer defined by my past but made whole by Jesus.

For those struggling with addiction or any other issues, I understand the fear and shame. But I also know the freedom that comes from bringing these struggles into the light of Christ. We need community and support to help us push through our issues and get to Jesus. I encourage you to take the risk to reveal, release, and experience redemption in Jesus Christ. We are launching a support group on September 16th to help those dealing with addiction, and I invite you to join us in this journey towards wholeness.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Activated by Hearing: The woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus and believed that touching His garment would heal her. Her faith was activated by what she heard, leading her to push through the crowd and receive her healing. This teaches us the importance of being people of the Word, allowing it to activate our faith and drive us to seek Jesus in our struggles. [35:54]
2. The Power of Transparency: The woman risked everything to touch Jesus and was healed. Similarly, my journey through addiction and recovery involved coming clean and being transparent about my struggles. Transparency before God and others can lead to holistic healing and transformation, moving us from shame to wholeness. [47:11]
3. Community and Support: We need a supportive community to help us navigate our issues. Jesus is the ultimate answer, but we also need a community that connects us to Him and His mission. Our upcoming support group aims to provide this community, helping individuals cut through the crowd to get to Jesus. [62:15]
4. God's Grace and Restoration: Despite my addiction and the shame it brought, God's grace led me to a place of restoration. I went from being a pastor who had fallen to a redeemed son of God. This journey underscores the transformative power of God's grace, which can restore us no matter how far we've fallen. [56:20]
5. The Importance of Taking Action: Whether it's sending an email for support or joining a group, taking action is crucial in our journey towards healing. Jesus desires to make us whole, but we must be willing to push through our issues and seek Him actively. This proactive approach can lead to significant spiritual and emotional breakthroughs. [01:08:01]
### [68:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:59] - Commendation of Youth Group
[32:19] - Introduction to Issues
[33:42] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[34:55] - Identified by Her Issue
[35:54] - Faith Activated by Hearing
[38:42] - Old Testament Prophecies
[40:13] - Healing in His Wings
[41:44] - Jesus Stops the Crowd
[43:40] - Pushing Through the Issues
[45:00] - Fear and Trembling
[47:11] - Holistic Transformation
[48:52] - Personal Confession
[50:37] - The Double Life of Addiction
[52:11] - The Lies Stop Here
[54:17] - Teen Challenge Experience
[56:20] - Restoration Process
[57:29] - Moving to Pockstown
[58:46] - Redeemed Son of God
[60:15] - Understanding the Struggle
[62:15] - Community of Support
[63:25] - Transparency and Compassion
[65:22] - The Cross is a Safe Place
[66:50] - Launching a Support Group
[68:01] - Taking Action
[70:05] - Jesus Declares Wholeness
[71:10] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[72:37] - Closing Prayer and Baptism

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did the woman with the issue of blood believe would happen if she touched Jesus' garment? ([35:54])
How did Jesus respond when He realized power had gone out from Him? ([41:44])
What was the woman's reaction after she was healed and Jesus asked who touched Him? ([45:00])
What did Jesus say to the woman after she confessed the truth? ([47:11])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that the woman with the issue of blood was healed by touching Jesus' garment rather than by Jesus touching her? ([38:42])
How does the pastor's personal story of addiction and recovery illustrate the power of transparency and community in overcoming issues? ([50:37])
What does the pastor mean when he says that Jesus desires to make us whole, and how does this relate to the concept of "sozo" in the original Greek? ([01:10:05])
How can the church community support individuals struggling with addiction or other issues, according to the sermon? ([01:02:15])

Application Questions

The woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus and her faith was activated. What are some ways you can immerse yourself in the Word to activate your faith in your current struggles? ([35:54])
The pastor shared his journey of addiction and the importance of transparency. Is there an area in your life where you need to be more transparent with God or others? What steps can you take to do this? ([50:37])
The sermon emphasized the need for community and support. How can you contribute to creating a supportive community within your small group or church? ([01:02:15])
Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace and restoration in your life. How can you share this testimony to encourage others who are struggling? ([56:20])
The pastor mentioned the importance of taking action, such as joining a support group. What is one specific action you can take this week to address an issue you are facing? ([01:08:01])
Jesus declared the woman whole after she was healed. What does being "whole" mean to you, and how can you seek holistic healing in your life? ([47:11])
The pastor invited those struggling with addiction to come clean and seek help. If you or someone you know is struggling, what resources or steps can you take to find support and healing? ([01:09:01])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You thought I was not going to talk about issues, huh? So here. I have issues. You got issues. We all got issues. Your issues may look different than my issues. My issues may look different than your issues. But we all have issues, health issues, financial issues, relationship issues, political issues, societal issues, just like injustice, racism, poverty, homelessness, which we saw a lot of this past week, not to mention addiction issues." [32:19] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When will you push through the issues in your life to get to Jesus? When will we get sick and tired of being sick and tired of dealing with the issues day in and day out? And we come Sunday, we look good on the outside, but inside we're tore up. We're busted, broke, disgusted. When will we push through the issues? When will we push through the issues of our lives to get to Jesus?" [43:40] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus is calling you out today. Who are you? Are you desperate enough today to push through the crowd? Are you desperate enough today to get to Jesus? To receive physical healing, mental healing, spiritual healing, mental healing, emotional healing? Healing from your anointing. Our issues. She takes a risk, puts herself out there, tells Jesus the truth, and the results are fascinating." [45:56] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I'm here to tell you that Jesus desires to save, heal, preserve, rescue, and protect you from whatever issue you are facing today. But Pastor Luis, you don't understand. Jesus. But Pastor Luis, you don't know my situation. Jesus. Jesus over my family. Jesus over my issue. Jesus over my struggles. Jesus over my addiction. I speak the name of Jesus." [01:10:32] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The truth is, Jesus Christ is the answer for the world today. Above Him, there's no other. Jesus is the way. Jesus Christ. But then we also need community. A community of support. Not just any community, but a community that will connect you to Jesus Christ, His people, and His mission. A community of support whereby grace is experienced and God's grace is experienced." [01:02:15] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "I believe that her holistic transformation was a direct result of her stepping out in faith to get to Jesus. And then telling him the truth. And then being transparent. And then being transparent about it all. And the ending, let me reword it by saying that she went from having no name, known only for her issue, to being identified as a daughter who has been made whole." [47:11] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It took time to accept God's love, to accept God's forgiveness. It took time to learn how to forgive myself for crying out loud. It was an uncomfortable, self-reflecting, deep-diving, peeling back the onions, self-inventory, difficult. Shameful, humiliating process. I went from an assembly of God, card-carrying, ordained minister, to a psych ward patient and a day one resident at Teen Challenge." [56:20] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "To those of you now specifically dealing with issues of addiction, this pastor understands the risk in telling it all. I also understand the freedom in doing so. This pastor understands the turmoil, guilt, and shame, as I also understand the freedom in coming out into the light of Christ. I get it. Oh, I get it. You would rather live a secret life than be transparent about your struggles. Being addicted to drugs, pornography, gambling, shopping, the list goes on and on. I get it." [01:00:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It's time to come clean, folks. It's time to be real. It's time to put away the lies. It's time to stop faking it. It's time to be real with Jesus and with others. Confess your faults one to another, James says, that we might be healed as the body of Christ. No limitations on what God could do through Connection Church when people start being." [01:09:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I do want to conclude by reminding us of what Jesus said to the lady at the end. Daughter, your faith has made you whole. Go in peace. It's important for you and I to know that the word whole in the original Greek means sozo, which means to save, heal, preserve, rescue, and protect." [01:10:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?