Unwavering Faith: Bridging Suffering to Miracles
Summary
### Summary
Today marks a significant milestone for our church as we celebrate our 24th anniversary. Reflecting on our journey, we acknowledge the countless contributions from members, leaders, volunteers, and staff, some of whom are no longer with us. Their dedication has shaped us into the community we are today. I also want to express my gratitude for the support I received during my knee surgeries. Your prayers, calls, and messages were invaluable.
We are embarking on a new sermon series titled "Miracles: When God Does the Impossible," focusing on Mark chapter 5. This chapter recounts three miracles, and today we delve into the story of a woman who suffered from constant bleeding for 12 years. Despite her prolonged suffering and failed attempts to find a cure, her faith remained unshaken. She believed that merely touching Jesus' robe would heal her, and it did. Jesus affirmed that her faith had made her well and declared that her suffering was over.
This story teaches us the power of unwavering faith. The woman’s faith bridged the gap between her suffering and her miracle. She persisted despite obstacles, societal norms, and her deteriorating condition. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the importance of seeking Jesus, even when all other avenues have failed.
As we move forward, let us strive to increase our faith, creating an environment ripe for God's miraculous works. Let us not settle for mere management of our struggles but believe in radical transformation. Our faith can activate God's power in our lives, leading to complete and immediate healing and restoration.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith as a Bridge to Miracles: The woman's faith was the key to her healing. Despite 12 years of suffering and failed treatments, she believed that touching Jesus' robe would heal her. This faith bridged the gap between her suffering and her miracle. We must strive to have such unwavering faith, believing that God can do the impossible in our lives. [01:06:24]
2. Persistence in the Face of Obstacles: The woman faced numerous obstacles, including societal norms that deemed her unclean and a crowd that made it difficult to reach Jesus. Yet, she persisted. This teaches us that sometimes we must fight through obstacles to receive our miracles. Persistence in faith is crucial. [01:18:35]
3. The Power of Testimony: The woman heard about Jesus from someone, which stirred her faith. Our testimonies can strengthen others' faith and lead them to seek God. Sharing what God has done in our lives is not bragging; it is testifying and can be a powerful tool to encourage others. [01:13:28]
4. God's Complete Healing: Jesus didn't just stop the woman's bleeding; He made her whole, restoring her completely. This signifies that God's healing is not partial but complete. He can restore every aspect of our lives, making us whole. We should believe in and seek this complete restoration. [01:34:15]
5. Activating God's Power Through Faith: The woman's touch was a manifestation of her faith, which activated Jesus' power. Similarly, our faith can activate God's power in our lives. We must speak and believe in God's promises, putting His capacity on the line. This kind of faith can lead to miraculous changes in our circumstances. [01:24:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:43] - Anniversary Celebration
[53:56] - Gratitude for Support
[54:58] - Church's Journey and Contributions
[55:55] - Personal Recovery and Support
[56:29] - Acknowledging Leadership
[58:15] - Introduction to New Series: Miracles
[58:56] - Honoring Elder T.L. Rogers
[59:38] - Focus on Mark Chapter 5
[01:00:37] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[01:02:11] - Jesus Declares: Your Suffering is Over
[01:03:56] - The Challenge of Hope
[01:05:35] - The Woman's Persistent Faith
[01:07:09] - The Condition of Menorrhagia
[01:08:56] - The Physical and Psychological Toll
[01:10:18] - The Financial and Social Hardships
[01:11:05] - The Woman's Medical Journey
[01:12:47] - The Turning Point: Hearing About Jesus
[01:13:28] - The Importance of Testimony
[01:14:22] - Faith Comes by Hearing
[01:15:02] - The Power of What We Listen To
[01:16:30] - The Woman's Determination
[01:17:12] - The Power of Self-Talk
[01:18:35] - Overcoming Obstacles for a Miracle
[01:19:39] - Immediate Healing
[01:21:13] - Jesus Recognizes the Touch of Faith
[01:23:19] - The Cost of Ministry
[01:24:00] - Touching God with Our Faith
[01:25:11] - Activating the Father's Power
[01:27:29] - The Power of a Father's Intervention
[01:29:50] - Jesus Seeks the One Who Touched Him
[01:31:10] - The Woman Comes Clean
[01:32:26] - Faith Pleases God
[01:33:01] - Jesus Declares: Your Faith Has Made You Well
[01:34:15] - Complete Healing and Restoration
[01:35:22] - God's Ability to Cancel Suffering
[01:36:17] - The Faith of the Blind Men
[01:37:43] - The Boldness of Faith
[01:38:17] - Jesus Responds to Faith
[01:39:41] - The Power of Believing in Miracles
[01:40:23] - The Eternal Perspective on Healing
[01:41:31] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 5:25-34 (NLT)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the woman's condition, and how long had she been suffering from it?
2. What actions did the woman take to seek healing, and what was her reasoning behind them?
3. How did Jesus respond to the woman's touch, and what did He say to her?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the woman's persistence in seeking Jesus despite societal norms and obstacles teach us about faith?
2. How does the story illustrate the concept of faith as a bridge to miracles?
3. In what ways does the woman's story highlight the importance of personal testimony in strengthening others' faith?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a prolonged struggle. How did your faith play a role in that situation?
2. The woman believed that merely touching Jesus' robe would heal her. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate such unwavering faith in your daily life?
3. The woman had to overcome significant obstacles to reach Jesus. What are some obstacles in your life that you need to persist through to experience God's miracles?
4. How can you share your personal testimonies to encourage others in their faith journey? Identify one person you can share your story with this week.
5. Jesus provided complete healing to the woman, not just stopping her bleeding but making her whole. Are there areas in your life where you need to seek God's complete restoration rather than just managing the struggle?
6. The woman's touch activated Jesus' power. What steps can you take to activate God's power in your life through faith?
7. How can you create an environment in your life that is ripe for God's miraculous works? What changes do you need to make in your mindset or daily practices to increase your faith?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as a Bridge to Miracles
Faith is the key that unlocks the door to miracles. The woman in Mark 5 had been suffering for 12 years, yet her faith remained unshaken. She believed that merely touching Jesus' robe would heal her, and it did. This faith bridged the gap between her suffering and her miracle. We must strive to have such unwavering faith, believing that God can do the impossible in our lives. This kind of faith is not passive but active, requiring us to reach out and touch Jesus, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. [01:06:24]
Mark 5:34 (ESV): "And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need a miracle? How can you actively demonstrate your faith in God's ability to intervene?
Day 2: Persistence in the Face of Obstacles
The woman faced numerous obstacles, including societal norms that deemed her unclean and a crowd that made it difficult to reach Jesus. Yet, she persisted. This teaches us that sometimes we must fight through obstacles to receive our miracles. Persistence in faith is crucial. The woman’s determination to touch Jesus despite her condition and societal barriers is a powerful example of how we should persist in our faith journey, no matter the challenges we face. [01:18:35]
James 1:12 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: What obstacles are currently hindering your faith journey? How can you persist in faith despite these challenges?
Day 3: The Power of Testimony
The woman heard about Jesus from someone, which stirred her faith. Our testimonies can strengthen others' faith and lead them to seek God. Sharing what God has done in our lives is not bragging; it is testifying and can be a powerful tool to encourage others. When we share our experiences of God's faithfulness, we provide hope and encouragement to those who may be struggling in their faith. [01:13:28]
Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work. How can you share this testimony to encourage someone else today?
Day 4: God's Complete Healing
Jesus didn't just stop the woman's bleeding; He made her whole, restoring her completely. This signifies that God's healing is not partial but complete. He can restore every aspect of our lives, making us whole. We should believe in and seek this complete restoration. God's desire is not just to alleviate our immediate pain but to bring about holistic healing in every area of our lives. [01:34:15]
Jeremiah 30:17 (ESV): "For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's complete healing? How can you seek His restoration today?
Day 5: Activating God's Power Through Faith
The woman's touch was a manifestation of her faith, which activated Jesus' power. Similarly, our faith can activate God's power in our lives. We must speak and believe in God's promises, putting His capacity on the line. This kind of faith can lead to miraculous changes in our circumstances. When we act in faith, we invite God's power to work in and through us, transforming our situations in ways we could never imagine. [01:24:35]
Matthew 17:20 (ESV): "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to actively believe and speak over your life today? How can you put your faith into action to activate God's power?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "The goal in this series is to create an environment and a context where we are ripe and ready for the powerful, undeniable, unstoppable move of God that God will have the space to do and the opportunity to do what only he could do. Supernatural things, miracles from God. So somebody say, Lord, get my faith up, get my faith up." [59:38] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If the gap between my suffering and my miracle is my faith, then I got to get my faith up because I may be suffering something that I could get a miracle form from, but I don't have the faith to walk the bridge. Does that make sense to you?" [01:06:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Your miracle is at the end of all of your extras, all of your efforts. When you run out of resources, when you come to the end of all of your hookups, all of your networks, all of your contacts. All of your help, all of your help has run out. Then comes Jesus." [01:12:05] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You touch God with your faith. Don't get stuck on what she did to his clothes. Get stuck on the fact that what was driving her behavior was his faith. Jesus didn't say you got healed. Because you touched me. He says your faith healed you." [01:24:00] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Go get your father. You tried this person, you tried that person, you tried this situation, and you tried that opportunity. You tried this specialist and you tried this doctor. Go get your father. Go. you got next God is able to do everything he said he will do tell your father I tried everything else I can't fix it on my own I need you I dare you to go get your father you didn't try everything else go get your father you're his child you're special to him God likes it when we put up on the line like that I'm standing on God's promises." [01:28:43] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "When you've suffered a long time, suffering becomes your norm. So if anybody says your suffering is over, that is a disturbance of what you are used to. And some of us have, would be more comfortable just accepting the suffering. It is easier to just say, you know, this is the pain I'm going to have to live with. This is my lot in life." [01:03:56] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "She never lost her faith because Jesus says what got her healed, what got her miracle was her faith. And I think that's very important. We got to get our faith up. Somebody say, Lord, get my faith up." [01:06:24] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "She is sick and broke. She is sick and destitute. She is sick and without resources. And to top it off, she also has social challenges because she's still a part of the Levitical law period, which means if you have a menstrual period as a woman, you're considered unclean and you're not allowed to be around people. So for 12 years, she is also bereft of relationships." [01:09:40] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "She heard about Jesus and it fed her faith. Yeah. Does that make sense? Because faith comes by. So what you listen to when you need a miracle is very important. When you need a miracle, blazing 18 jams in a row ain't going to help you. When you need a miracle, you may have to wake up and not cut your radio on, you have to wake up and cut on some worship music and say, God, you're the God of miracles, signs and wonders." [01:14:22] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "She said, I won't have to do this anymore. If I can just touch him as he scurried out the house and crept up to where Jesus is. If I can just touch his robe, I'm going to be healed as she moved her way through the crowd. Ooh. Watch this. There was a crowd there. There's a crowd in verse 27. There's a crowd in verse 27 and it's a huge crowd. According to verse 24, it is so many people that according to verse 24. Jesus is being pressed like grapes are pressed in the wine." [01:17:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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