ISSUES - Mark 5:25-29

INTRO: Continuing our series on FAITH.

No heat/No air/ SUFFERED But FAITH.

Many times the term FAITHFUL is confused with FAITH.

Faith is not about being faithful; it’s about trusting in God’s faithfulness.

FAITHFUL is who God is.

2 Tim 2:13 “13 If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.”

1 Cor 10:13 “13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Freeway exit.

Faith is loving and believing in Him even though you can’t see Him. (QUESTION)

John 20:29-Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me.” YOU’RE BLESSED!

Faith is the choice to trust God even IN the most difficult circumstances of life.

These difficult circumstances are often called ISSUES.

ISSUES - An ISSUE is an important matter, something that affects your peace; it is something important. to you. Jamal and Barney.

For the believer, ISSUES regardless to how big or small, always require FAITH.

In Mark 5 Jesus is met with 2 separate ISSUES. One involving the life of a 12 year old girl and another involving an unnamed woman who had suffered for 12 years.

FAITH CONQUERS ISSUES OF SUFFERING - 25-26

She SUFFERED for a long time. 12 years of illness; isolation.

Lev 15:25 “25 “If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is unrelated to her menstrual period, or if the blood continues beyond the normal period, she is ceremonially unclean. As during her menstrual period, the woman will be unclean as long as the discharge continues.”

She SUFFERED a great deal (from doctors -supposed to stop the suffering.)

When you are SUFFERING you seek HELP from those you trust (doctors). You lean on their expert advice; follow it; sometimes it work, sometimes it doesn’t. KICK THE FRIG FOR TV RECEPTION.

Instead of getting better she got worse.

What does the Bible say about SUFFERING?

PS 34:19 The righteous person faces many troubles (SUFFERINGS), but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN HIM.

1 Pet 5:10 After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN HIM.

BECAUSE FAITH CONQUERS ISSUES OF SUFFERING.

FAITH CONQUERS ISSUES OF SHAME - 27-28

Shame of her ISSUE wouldn’t allow her to go out in the public.

Shame of her ISSUE wouldn’t allow her family, friends, or anyone to fellowship.

Shame wouldn’t allow her to boldly approach Jesus.

That is how the enemy works. Once we face an ISSUE of SUFFERING and SHAME we’re avoid JESUS.

But her FAITH CONQUERED THE SHAME.

She heard about Jesus…

What did she HEAR? “There’s a Stranger in the city and He’s healing.”

FAITH comes by hearing. 28-29

Surely If I can touch the hem of His garment…I’m unclean; I’m not allowed to touch anyone; but BY FAITH I WILL PRESS ON...

Surely I will be healed - not maybe. I WILL BE!

Sometimes you have to talk to yourself!

She snuck up behind Him; bended down in humility; crawling through the crowd; could’ve been stepped on, BUT FAITH COMPELLED HER... could’ve been laughed at BUT FAITH MOTIVATED HER... could’ve been talked about BUT FAITH PERSUADED HER...

RO 8:38-39 - I am PERSUADED that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

She got closer; close enough to reach out...and she when touched Him…Immediately the ISSUE stopped...

ISSUE=Life (blood) was leaving her

FAITH= (New) Life was restored to her (by HIM)

ISSUE=Not allowed in the presence of others

FAITH=I can be in His presence

ISSUE=I have SUFFERED so long

FAITH=IMMEDIATELY I Am HEALED!

CLOSE -Nobody needs to know your condition like Jesus.

He’s the Savior. The Almighty One. The FAITHFUL One.

FAITH is the proper response to the ISSUES you face.

Believe in Him; Trust Him;

And He will heal you of the ISSUES you are facing.