Only Jesus can make us Whole

By Rev. Garland W. Reed

Opening Illustration: Song and Thematic Video: One Touch, by Nichole C. Mullin

Call to Worship: Rom 10:17, Heb 11:1, Jas 2:17-20, 1 Jn 5:4

Text: Matthew 9:18-33, Mark 5:21-34, Exodus 28:31–35, Numbers 38, Deut 12, Leviticus 15:25-30, Isaiah 29:18-19, 35:5

CIT: Only Jesus can make us whole.

Topic: Faith, Obedience, and Divine Recognition are essential in the Christian walk

Proposition: Faith and Obedience, without Recognition of Jesus as The Son of God who died for your sins will lead to a life of (meaningless) uselessness and unrewarded service.

INTRODUCTION

1.) This morning we are going to look at a woman, very much like many of the women here today. She had dreams, doubts, and fears. She was restored both physically (her health and spiritually), but why? Why Jesus do such a thing as this? Why would he take away the hurt?

2.) We are going to look at a group of people that have various needs. Jesus was the only one who could only meet the needs of these people. These people were without hope. We are going to look at a group of individuals who look a lot like us.

3.) I am going to invite the heart of every individual today to join us today on journey that will tie the real-life spiritual and physical needs of the people mentioned in the story, to the people in this sanctuary.

BODY

I. The element of faith was present in each encounter.

            A. Five Demonstrations of Faith and Authority                      

            1. The demonstration of faith of the ruler in Jarius, he believed Jesus would                              restore his daughter’s life. (Most likely in Capernaum.)

                        a. Jesus proved his Authority over death.

            2. The demonstration faith of the bleeding women, she believed that Jesus could                                  restore her body from hemorrhaging.

                        a. Jesus proved his Authority over bleeding.

            3. The demonstration of faith of the blind men, they believed that Jesus would                          restore their sight. (This account is the first occasion where Jesus is called                          Messiah.)

            Inadequate though their understanding may have been, it was the highest            designation in their minds and they respected Jesus as the anointed of God.

                        a. Jesus proved his Authority over blindness.

            4. The demonstration of faith by “those” who brought the demon-possessed man,                   they believed that Jesus would restore the man’s speech and hearing by                            removing the demon from him.

                        a. Jesus proved his Authority over the demon possession.

            5. The demonstration of faithfulness of the Son to carry out the prophecy set forth                               by the Father in prophet Isaiah 29:18-19, 35:5.

                        a. Jesus proved his Authority (From the Father) over the dominions and                                           principalities of this world by carrying out the prophecy that was                                                generated from the Father.

            B. Four Ways People Encounter Jesus

            1.  Those who are seeking the hand of Jesus to make someone else whole.

            2.  Those who are seeking the hand of Jesus to make themselves whole.

            3.  Those who are seeking the hand of Jesus to say they have experienced him.

            4.  Those who are not seeking the hand of Jesus, but have an encounter him                             through obedient people. (As it was for those who helped this man)

II. The element of obedience and servanthood was present in each encounter.

            A. Truths from Passage of

            1. With each encounter, Jesus reacted instantaneously to the request.

                        a. The Faith and Obedience of those petitioning Jesus prompted his                                           instantaneous response.

            2. With each encounter, Jesus made time for everyone he encountered

                        a. The Faith and Obedience of those petitioning Jesus prompted to                                                        demonstrate what servanthood is about, making time for those in                                               need.

            3. With each encounter, Jesus made known to them that their change in situation                                  was instantaneous. (Salvation is instantaneous)

                        a. The Faith and Obedience of those petitioning Jesus prompted his                                           compassion, which led to him healing the faithful.

            4. With each encounter, Jesus declared that they were made whole.

                        a. The Faith and Obedience of those petitioning Jesus prompted his                                           mercy that invoked grace.

            5. With each encounter, Jesus had compassion on each individual regardless the                                 individual or the situation.

                        a. The Faith and Obedience of those petitioning Jesus prompted his                                           unconditional agape love.

III. The Element of a Salvation and Restoration was present at each encounter

            A. Four Kinds of People Represented

            1. The person who is deaf without the Gospel

            2. The person who is blind to without Gospel

            3. The person who is hurting without the Gospel

            4. The person who is dead without the Gospel

IV. The Element of recognition was present in each encounter, but particularly with       the woman.

            A. What Did She See?

            1. The hem of the High Priests garment announced his arrival.

            2. The hem of the High Priests garment announced his rank.

            3. The hem of the High Priests garment announced his authority

            4. The hem of the High Priests garment announced his power.

B. The Women’s Story

            1. She first heard of Jesus (God Always calls First) (Need To Share your faith)

            2. She knew that she could help herself. (See our self as a sinner)

            3. She was unclean because of flow of blood. (Explain Hebrew Culture Lev.                             15:15) (He created us to worship him; we have built in need to worship)

            4. She sought doctors, but they could not heal her. (Only Divine Touch could                             restore her)

            5. She saw the madness that surrounded Jesus as an obstacle to get to him. (She                                   faced opposition in coming to Jesus)

            6. She knew that Jesus was her only chance to be made whole. (Sense of urgency)

            7. She saw the Savior and responded. (She heard and responded to the Truth)

            8. She reached out and touch him. (Her response was turn to Jesus)

            9. She saw his response was immediate. His power was cast from him to her. He                                  looked for her immediately. 

            10. She feared and trembled when Jesus turned to her. (Recognized Jesus as God)

            11. She knew what was done in her, she fell down before him. (She being restored                                confessed her wholeness)

            12. She admitted the truth and she was broken. (Repentance)

            13. She was then able to hear the voice of God (She heard his voice with her                             heart) only after repentance was she able to hear with her heart)

            14. She was then made whole. (He restored her through his Love) The same way                                  he restores us.

            15. She was then Called by Jesus Daughter. (We all become Children of The                            Father upon excepting Jesus as Our Savior)

            16. She was then able to go in peace. (Peace that can only come from the Father                                   through his Son Jesus)

            17. She was restored both physically and spiritually. (She was able to live a life with the fullness of the grantee of eternity, and she had a true relationship with                              Christ.)

Objective: Each person must come to the realization that the Christian walk is more than just faith or obedience; it is faith and obedience plus the recognition of Jesus as Lord overall things.

CONCLUSION

If you heart is bleeding, or your eyes have been blinded by sin, or the words of the Gospel have been falling on deaf ears, or you have just been spiritually dead, then this time is for you.

1.) He met her needs with compassion because of her faith, obedience, and recognition of Jesus as the true healer of the body and soul.

2.) He gave her the peace that only Jesus can give. It was Jesus who restored her sin sick soul, and It was Jesus who restored her badly bleeding body, and it was only Jesus who gave her everlasting eternal existence though his compassion and his mercy.

3.) Do you know that kind of Healing? Have you ever touched the hem of His garment? Do you know him as the only reason for you hope in this life?

4. Do you know him as the only way after this life? As leave this church today, are you going to be going in peace that only Jesus can send? If you stood before the Father today, have you ever confessed as these people did your love for him publicly? Would you be welcome in the Fathers arms this morning?