What can Faith do for You?

Introduction

What are some things you hope for/expect?

Every time a swipe my debit card, I hope it says transaction approved.

Every time I click submit for an exam or turn in for a paper, I expect/hope for a good grade.

In this passage we are going to read about what faith can do for you by looking at what faith did for others.

READ Luke 8:40-42

Luke 8:40–42 “40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.”

Here is a research question: “Where did Jesus return to?” Maybe we can find where He was. A great tool in your Bible is to look at the headers. These are added by men to help. Use it to find where Jesus was coming from and returning to.

Notice the emotions of the father. At the peak of his pain and hurt, he put his faith in the One that could heal the girl. Keep an eye on his faith through the passage.

READ LUKE 8:43-44

Luke 8:43–44 “43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.”

Verses 43-48 describe a story within a story. A woman with a twelve year hemorrhage, made her way to Jesus in the crowd. She touched His garment and told Jesus she had done so. She reached out to Jesus in faith and fell at His feet then confessed she had been healed. Jesus commended her and specified it was her faith that made her “whole” or saved meaning physical and spiritual completeness. He called her “daughter” a name she longed to hear from her Father, and is no longer alone. She has been washed “clean” because of Jesus’ supernatural power. She would be able to return to the community, go to the Temple and worship without the fear of making others “unclean" according to Leviticus 5.

The condition of the woman would have placed her as unclean which means she would never be able to enter the temple.

Her faith made her desperate to get to Jesus. How much do you need Jesus and what are you doing to get to Him?

Action led to an answered prayer. Often times our faith is not just a mindset but a heart of action.

READ LUKE 8:45-48

READ Luke 8:45–48 “45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.””

READ LUKE 8:49-56

READ Luke 8:49–56 “49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.”

Touching the cloak of Jesus is not enough

What good is it to have faith in a power if you do now have faith in the Person?