Who do we believe Jesus Christ to be?

The Power of Faith in the Face of Fear

Bible Passage: Mark 5:21–43

Good morning, I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving week or day. It’s always an honor and a privilege to step into the pulpit and share the gospel with you. These last few months have been like a roller coaster ride with its ups and downs. We lost people of the faith(macaruthur, Bachaum, and Kirk) to unfortunate causes and downright evil. We’ve had some possibly scary election results. All these things already had me looking at this Christian life a little different. Then I read an article about 6 different volcanoes that have been dormant for years and they’ve all become active. And then of course our pastor preached the I am statements of Christ and that wrecked me… And man if that didn’t put you in the word…well anyway, all of these things brought me to today’s sermon. I’ve gone round and round with this one because I tried to find something else and this was what kept coming back to my mind. I’m slowly learning to move at the push of the father. I’d like to make a few disclaimers as we start today’s message.

Today is going to be aimed at professing believers. If you’ve been saved, then this one is for you. Matthew 5:13 says…Voddie Baucham said…May I never get over the fact that God saved a wretched sinner like me… If you haven’t been called, listen close and you’ll hear the gospel at some point today.

When I say you, keep in mind I’m really referring to me. I’ve had some amazing prayer times and realizations over the past several months and so you’ll probably hear some of my arguments with myself as we go. I struggle just like you….

This is not a case for Christ by Lee Strobel. It’s a, Do we believe what we say we believe? Charles Spurgeon says, “A person who is really saved by Grace does not need to be told that he is under solemn obligations to serve Christ. The new life within him tells him that. Instead of regarding it as a burden, he gladly surrenders himself, body, soul, and spirit, to the Lord.”

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true faith involves taking action, often in the face of fear and societal pressures. It highlights that Jesus is not only capable of physical healing but also of bringing restoration to our lives in profound ways when we place our trust in Him. Faith in Jesus can transform our fear into hope, leading to miraculous outcomes in our lives.

Psalm 118:17

miracles of Jesus pg 1327

1. Faith Overcomes Fear

Mark 5:21-24

Perhaps you can emphasize how Jairus, despite his role as a synagogue leader and facing societal pressure, approached Jesus in desperate faith. This suggests that faith often calls us to break through societal and cultural barriers to seek Jesus. This act sets the stage for understanding that faith in Jesus requires humility and action, even when fear of public opinion looms large.

Can you imagine this being your child? Think about being at work, school, around friends and having a question or a statement and being afraid to speak. Keeping in mind Jarius was a leader in the synagogue. And yet he had heard of Jesus and his miracles.

Matthew 15:21-28

I personally have experienced God’s miracles in our life.

James 1:2-3

Amber’s eyesight.

Job at TR

Do we look for Christ in the everyday hustle and bustle of life? Or do we only look for God in the big things? Or do we try to logically explain how things in life work out?

money before i became a teacher

Isaiah 41:10

Psalm 94:19

Psalm 121:1-2

1 Peter 5:7

Lamentations 3:22-23

Philippians 4:6-7

Proverbs 3:5-6

Matthew 6:34

Romans 8:38-39

“You worry too much for someone who God has never failed.”

2. Faith Reaches Out

Mark 5:25-34

You could highlight the story of the woman with the issue of blood, illustrating that her bold faith led her to reach out amidst her isolation and fear. By touching Jesus’ garment, she believed in His power to heal. This incident suggests that faith, regardless of how isolated or unworthy we feel, can lead us to Jesus’ restorative power and deep personal healing.

Mark 2:1-12

Here another example of amazing faith. These people in the Bible didn’t have the Bible to read and understand. They didn’t have all the commentaries or google, or all the books written about Christ. Or Logos..:) They did however have Jesus, God in the flesh. I throw no stones. I would hope that if I saw all those miracles I would believe. And yet, we do have the Bible to tell us these things.

John 2:1-11

Jesus does nothing half way. His way is always the best way.

“When God put a calling on your life, He already factored in your stupidity”

3. Faith Restores Life

Mark 5:35-43

Christ is in the restoration business.

Terri

My call to Charis.

Charles Spurgeon-If you would win souls, you must seek them. The sportsman knows that his game will not come to the window of his house to be shot. The fisherman knows that the fish will not come swimming up to his house. Do they not go abroad and seek them? And so must you and I.

John 11:38-44

Luke 7:11-17

Matthew 14:22-33

Jews, Pharisees, Saducees, Judas were all looking for a conquering hero, not a savior.

Who are you looking for?

Voddie Baucham-The Gospel is not about how special you are…It Is about How Sovereign God is!