When Faith Comes Home

Background

Back in 2017, during the expansion at Wofford Chapel, I noticed something that caught my attention.

The contractor made the building wider—but before anything went up, they spent days digging. They were putting anchors deep into the ground, working on the foundation.

And I remember thinking, “Why are they spending so much time on something nobody will ever see?” pause

I’m not a carpenter, but it became clear: they spent more time on the foundation than on the structure itself.

Because if the foundation isn’t secure, what you build on top of it won’t last.

Over time, the walls will crack, the floors will shift, and eventually, the building won’t be able to stand.

And that’s when it hit me—

Just like they spent time securing the foundation of this building. The family is the foundation of the church and the community.

If the foundation is unstable, everything built on it becomes vulnerable.

From the very beginning, God established this foundation. After creating the heavens, the earth, and every living thing, He created man in His own image.

He placed man in the garden to work and to keep it. But then God said, “It is not good that man should be alone.”

So God formed woman from the man— bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh.

And He established the first family.

A man would leave his father and mother, cleave to his wife, and the two would become one.

In today’s passage from Mark 5:35–43, we see a loving father named Jairus.

He comes to the shore as Jesus steps off the boat. In front of a large crowd, he falls at Jesus’ feet. With urgency and emotion, he pleads, “Come to my house—my only daughter is at the point of death.”

Now on the surface, that sounds like a reasonable request. Any parent would do the same.

But when you look closer at the context and culture, this moment carries even greater weight.

Jairus is not just any father—he is a ruler of the synagogue. He holds an honored, appointed position. He is responsible for the order of worship, for inviting teachers, and for maintaining the spiritual life of the community.

And yet, many within that same religious system were already resisting Jesus.

So the question becomes— why would a man in his position publicly fall at the feet of Jesus?

Why risk his reputation? Why step outside expectations?

Because before he was a ruler…pause he was a father.

And when it comes to your family, titles don’t matter… positions don’t matter… pride doesn’t matter.

His daughter was dying, and he refused to stand by and watch it happen.

He understood something critical:

If his family was going to continue, if his legacy was going to move forward, then his daughter had to live.

So he pushed past pressure, ignored opinions, and brought his situation to Jesus.

Transition Line

“Because when it comes to your family, you’ll do whatever it takes to get Jesus to your house.”

Mark 5:35–36 ESV

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Access - Be careful who has access to your home

Mark 5:37–38 ESV

37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

Objective:

“When the wrong people have access to your home, they can alter the atmosphere and hinder what God wants to accomplish.”

Before the father arrives home, a Facebook post has went out that the child was dead, and the funeral home beat the father home.

Interpretation:

Jesus takes His inner circle (his close friends) inside the home with Him. The same three that would be with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration and also in the garden of Gethsemane.

Peter - was outspoken and naturally aggressive

John - was greatly loved by Jesus

James - his mother Salome, was likely the sister of Jesus’s mother, Mary. Making James, John, and Jesus Cousins. Jesus nicknamed James and John as the Sons of Thunder.

The atmosphere was negative. There was weeping and wailing illustrating the sins of unbelief. The Greek word for unbelief is apistia. It means failure to respond to God with trust. How can Jesus perform a miracle in the presence of people who don’t believe? The purpose of Jesus performing miracles was to show the truth of God and lead people to a saving faith.

Application:

Be careful who has access to your family because what surrounds your family may determine if they will be blessed or cursed. Story: Even though Solomon was wise, he had a weakness for women. And the marriages to foreign women turned his heart away from God.

Check your kids phones, go back to having family night at home

Because once access has controlled, then the Authority can be established

Authority - Allow the Authority of the Lord to Rule

Mark 5:39–41 ESV

39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

Observation:

Now that access has control, Jesus establishes His Authority in the home. He questions the people creating the negative atmosphere.

“They laughed at Jesus—not because they were happy, but because they didn’t believe. It was the laughter of doubt, the sound of people who had already given up.”

Jesus takes the little girl by the hand.

Interpretation:

“If we expect success in our families, we can’t run the house our way—we have to put Jesus back in charge.”

Psalm 112:1–2 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Joshua 24:15 KJV 1900

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Interpretation:

“Now look at the house—Jesus is there, the mother is there, the father is there, Peter, James, and John are there… and yes, the situation looks lifeless. But something is different now. The doubters are gone, and faith is in the room. And when faith comes into agreement—when two or three begin to believe God together—something has to happen.”

Application:

Instead of you trying to have the last word, why don’t you allow Jesus to speak over your family and friend situation.

Give Him Authority

“And when His authority is released… His ability will be revealed.”

Ability - Trust what happens when Jesus moves

Mark 5:42–43 ESV

42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Observation

Without delay, she arises

“Without delay, the atmosphere shifts—negativity gives way to faith, and unbelief is replaced by amazement.” “That’s what happens when Jesus has access and authority—He changes the atmosphere.”

Interpretation:

“Notice, the little girl got up and began walking—not only because Jesus touched her, but because He spoke to her. The power was in His Word.”

Notice how effortlessly Jesus changes the atmosphere of the home.

In verse 35, they asked the question, “Why trouble the Master any further?” In verse 38, Jesus asked them the question, “Why make all of this commotion?”

“Now, She got up by His Word—and now she eats as proof. Because when Jesus moves, He doesn’t leave questions—He leaves evidence.”

Jude 24–25 KJV 1900

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Application:

“When Jesus has access and authority, His ability leaves undeniable evidence.”

Whenever we see young people converted and being restored, like this little girl, we should feed them with the truth of God’s Word. Let them know that God is Able.

Closing

“What looks dead in your home isn’t beyond hope—Jesus can restore it when you surrender to His authority.”

Illustration Option 1: The Light Switch

A house can be fully wired for power—but still sit in darkness if no one flips the switch.

Everything needed is already there… the electricity, the connection, the capability. But until someone activates it, nothing changes.

When faith comes home, it’s like flipping the switch. What was already available becomes visible.

Whooping Close (Tailored Flow)

When faith comes home… you start being careful who has access.

When faith comes home… you stop running things your way… and you let Jesus take authority.

And when faith comes home… you don’t have to wonder what God can do— you begin to see what He’s able to do.

Because in that house in Mark 5… Jesus walked in… and everything started changing.

He put some people out… took control of the room… spoke a word… and life showed up where death had been.

Now here’s where you lean in and slow it down:

And I don’t know who I’m talking to today… but there’s something in your house… that feels lifeless right now.

Something that used to have joy… something that used to have peace… something that used to be strong…

…but it doesn’t feel that way anymore.

Begin the Lift

But hear me today—

If you can get Jesus in your house… If you can let Him take control… If you can trust Him enough to speak over it…

Something is about to change.

Rhythmic Build (Repeatable and Natural)

Let Him in… Let Him lead… Watch Him work…

Say it again—

Let Him in… Let Him lead… Watch Him work…

Climax (Strong but Controlled)

Because when Jesus gets access— He’ll shut out what doesn’t belong.

When Jesus takes authority— He’ll speak over what looks final.

And when Jesus begins to move— He’ll show you He’s still able!

Final Rise

Dead things don’t stay dead… Broken things don’t stay broken… And what looked like the end… won’t be the end!

Landing Line (Pause and Deliver)

When faith comes home… everything changes.

Delivery Tip (Important)

Start calm and conversational

Add repetition gradually

Let your pauses carry weight

Don’t rush the final line—let it sit