"Faith and Healing"

Call to Worship  (inspired by Psalm 95)

Our God is above ALL the gods,  so let us worship and bow down! We are the people of God’s pasture – the sheep of God’s hand.

So come together, listen to God’s voice! Come into God’s presence with thanksgiving.

Let’s make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Opening Prayer

Mighty God, we’re gathered to lift our voices, praising you. Receive our songs, our prayers, our meditation,       as our offering to you, Lord of all Life. In the midst of this season of Lent, we offer our thanksgiving to you,      grateful for your gift of Jesus. Help us tune out all distractions, and turn our hearts and minds to you. Accept each of us, and all of us, as we cling to you, Rock of our salvation.

Moment for Stewardship

John 4 includes the re-telling of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, when Jesus says: “give me a drink”.

When we come to our time of offering each week, some folks wish we had a specific request from Jesus.   “Give me 10% of your wealth”, and/or  “bring food to share each time you come to the church”, and/or “clear out your closets and share everything extra with those in need”

But we’re different from that woman: we don’t have specific requests from Jesus.

Instead, week by week, we have an opportunity to act out our identity as followers of Jesus.   If Jesus was invited to stay with the Samaritans (and stayed for 2 days), with whom might we stay in order to share our identity as Christians?   Remembering all we know of Jesus, what will you bring to share in this offering time today?  Will you share a portion of your finances, your time, and your talents?

Prayer (Exodus 17, Romans 5, John 4)

Loving and caring God, we come this morning in hope— hope that will sustain us in our trying times, our lonely times, our doubting times. Refresh us this morning with the living water of your presence and love. Open us to the possibilities of friendship— the possibilities of encountering you in unexpected ways, the possibilities of seeing the miraculous in everyday life. Amen.

Luke 8:43-48 New International Version 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[a] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Introduction The story of the woman with the issue of blood is one of the most well-known and beloved stories in the New Testament. This woman, who had been suffering for 12 years with a bleeding disorder, risked everything to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Her faith and determination are an inspiration to us all, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope. In this passage, we will explore the power of faith and the incredible healing that comes from trusting in the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.

I. The Woman's Condition Luke 8:43 reads: "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her." This verse introduces us to a woman who has been experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding for 12 years. This condition is commonly referred to as chronic menstrual bleeding or hemorrhage. In Jewish culture, such bleeding was considered unclean and therefore made a person ceremonially impure, which would limit their participation in religious and social life. This would have made the woman an outcast in her community, isolated and marginalized due to her condition.

The fact that the woman had been suffering for 12 years indicates the severity of her condition, and also suggests that she had likely sought various treatments and remedies, but had not found any relief. It is also worth noting that the text does not provide her name, which may indicate her low social status and lack of recognition in her community. Nonetheless, she is an important figure in the story as she serves as the catalyst for the healing that Jesus brings.

Illustration for Luke 8:43 is the story of a woman who had been struggling with a chronic illness for years. Despite seeking medical help and trying various treatments, nothing seemed to work, and she was left feeling hopeless and exhausted. One day, she heard about a doctor who had a reputation for performing miracles, and she decided to seek him out. When she arrived at the doctor's office, she was met with a large crowd of people. She struggled to make her way through the throngs of people, but she was determined to reach the doctor. As she drew closer, she felt a surge of hope and faith rising within her. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of the doctor's garment, she would be healed. Finally, she managed to reach out and touch the hem of the doctor's garment. Instantly, she felt a rush of energy and healing power flowing through her body. She knew that she had been healed. This story illustrates the power of faith and determination. Despite facing obstacles and challenges, the woman refused to give up hope. She believed that there was a solution to her problem, and she was willing to do whatever it took to find it. And in the end, her faith was rewarded with a miraculous healing.

I. The Woman's Condition

II. The Woman's Faith-Luke 8:46 says, "But Jesus said, 'Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.'"

In this verse, Jesus recognizes that someone has touched him, and he knows that power has gone out from him. This is significant because it shows that Jesus was aware of the healing that had taken place. It also demonstrates his divine power, as only someone with divine power could heal someone simply by being touched.

Additionally, this verse emphasizes the importance of faith in receiving healing. The woman who had touched Jesus had faith that she would be healed, and it was this faith that enabled her to receive the healing power that went out from Jesus.

Illustration for Luke 8:46: “46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.””

Imagine you're standing in a crowded room, trying to make your way to the other side. People are pressing in from all sides, and it seems like you're making no progress. Suddenly, you feel a tug on your shirt. You turn around to see a small child, who looks up at you with a worried expression. "I lost my mom," the child says. "Can you help me find her?"

You immediately stop your own journey and begin to search for the child's mother. You scan the faces around you, calling out the woman's name. Finally, you spot her, and the child runs to her with a relieved smile.

Just as the woman in Luke 8:46 reached out and touched Jesus' cloak, this child reached out and touched your shirt. In both cases, the touch brought about a transformation: for the woman, it was physical healing; for the child, it was a reunion with her mother. It shows the power of connection and how a small action can lead to a profound outcome.

I. The Woman's Condition

II. The Woman's Faith

III. The Woman's Testimony-Luke 8:47 reads, "Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed."

In this verse, we see the woman's response to Jesus' question in the previous verse. She realizes that she cannot go unnoticed and must confess what she has done. She comes to Jesus trembling, likely out of fear or awe, and falls at his feet. This physical posture demonstrates her humility and submission to Jesus.

The woman tells Jesus and everyone present why she touched him and how she was instantly healed. Her confession is important because it reveals her faith in Jesus and his power to heal. It also testifies to the crowd of Jesus' ability to heal and perform miracles, which would have strengthened their belief in him.

Overall, this verse emphasizes the importance of confession and faith in Jesus. The woman's example shows us that we must humbly come before Jesus and confess our sins, believing in his power to forgive and heal us.

The story of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48 is a powerful reminder of the healing power of Jesus and the faith of those who seek Him. Despite the many obstacles she faced, this woman persevered and believed that if she could just touch Jesus' garment, she would be healed. Her faith was rewarded, and she experienced a miraculous healing that not only cured her physical ailment but also gave her peace and restored her dignity.

I. The Woman's Condition

II. The Woman's Faith

III. The Woman's Testimony

In conclusion

This story challenges us to have faith in Jesus, even when it seems like there is no hope. It reminds us that Jesus is always ready and willing to heal us, and all we need to do is reach out to Him in faith. It also encourages us to be persistent in our pursuit of God's healing and to never give up hope.

As we reflect on this story, let us remember the power of Jesus' love and the healing that He brings to all who believe in Him. May we have faith like the woman in this story and reach out to Jesus with all our hearts, knowing that He is faithful to heal us and restore us to wholeness.

Benediction (Exodus 17, Romans 5, John 4)

We have encountered the living God through the love of the living Christ. We have been refreshed by living water. Go now to live in the hope this encounter inspires. Be water bearers to a dry and parched world, knowing that the God of love and hope goes before you and with you always.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.