Truth is not determined by a show of hands.
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11 (The New International Version)
1 ¶ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Text: Mark 5 KJV
21 ¶ And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
35 ¶ While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Each bible story is written for our benefit and filled with keys to the
Lets look and see what God is speaking to us today from this amazing bible event which took place on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in and around the city of
We first note that Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue; a very important public figure. However, his importance did not make him immune to the common struggles of life. Jairus’ daughter was sick and near death. He had done all he could do and now He needed someone else to do what he could not do … He needed Jesus!
Jairus came publicly to ask in earnest and humble himself as befitted his need, no other course would he risk than full surrender.
Jairus placed his faith in Jesus hearing his earnest plea, seeing his public humility and responding favorably to his dire request.
On the way to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus encountered someone else who had a need only He could remedy. It was a woman who had suffered long and hard. She too was earnestly seeking Jesus.
But unlike Jairus who came publicly, she came secretly, from behind, hiding in the crowd, in efforts to steal a cure without being noticed.
She did not wish to disclose her problem, modesty forbade it be discussed. And so she said in herself that her faith must be in His touch and in His touch alone.
Like Jairus, her faith suited her case and her cause. In both cases faith demanded action that was earnest and sincere.
Some place faith in their continual public cry to God while others only reach out to touch Him in secret, hiding in crowds, alone in their cry.
Which one does Jesus respond to favorably? Both!
Jesus responds to the sincerity of the person’s faith, more than their avenue of approach.
One revealed their request while another concealed their request.
One cried aloud to Jesus while the other cried quietly to themselves.
One made public confession, another had private thoughts.
One spoke about their faith, one acted out their faith.
Both believed in Jesus’ ability to help them.
Praying loud, long, strong and continually in faith will move the hand of God no more than one quiet, sincere whisper, ‘Save me Lord’.
It’s the word, the thought, the deed done in faith that moves the hand of God and brings about the cure.
Jesus responds to our faith, not our formula.
Where is your faith.
* In the cry or in the Christ?
* In the touch or in the Truth?
The cry and the touch are but man made bridges of faith. And faith is the key we use to access the virtues of Christ.
This morning I want to share:
The Seven Virtues of Christ
1. Salvation
* Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (NKJV)
* Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (NKJV)
2. Restoration
* Psalms 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. (NKJV)
* Galatians 6:1 ¶ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (NKJV)
3. Revelation
* 1 Corinthians 2 (NKJV)
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
* Ephesians 1:17 … the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him … (NKJV)
4. Healing
* 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (NKJV)
* James 5 (NKJV)
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
5. Provision
* Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the
6. Empowerment
* Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (KJV)
* Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in
7. Regeneration
* Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (NKJV)
Faith is the key we use to access the virtues, (powers), of Christ.
Faith is simple trust in the God of the here and now.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)
Only Jesus can eternally satisfy. Earnestly seek Him, publicly or privately, with a loud voice or a quiet inner whisper, but seek Him in faith.
It is not so much about how you approach God but rather the fact that you do approach Him, honestly and earnestly.
God is more about faith and less about formula. Call upon Him out of a sincere heart and He will hear and He will answer your prayer.
What have you need of today? Come to Christ, He is the answer!
