Sunday Morning IBC. 3/2/2014. Luke 9:12-22.

Who do people say I am? Luke 9:12-22.

Pastor Nam Park.

Luke 9:18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying,“Who do the people say that I am?” 19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 21 But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Two Simple Questions & a Strategic Warning.
1. Who do people say that I am?
2. Who do you say I am?
- Don't tell anyone.

Who Jesus Christ is, IS the ultimate question.
Physically: He's not someone blonde and thin. He wasn't easily pushed around. 

Luke 9:18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying,“Who do the people say that I am?” 
- Jesus went off to pray. Praying that the answer would be clear to the questions that He's about to ask them. After praying, He questions them.

Luke 9:19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 
- John the Baptist didn't perform miracles. So, relating Jesus to John deals with the message of repentance that Jesus also preached.
- Elijah, since Jesus also performs miracles.

Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

- Elijah was also prophesied to help "restore all things." The idea of this through Jesus' preaching ministry.

Luke 9:20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 
- But who do YOU say that I am?
- And it was Peter that answered (on behalf of the 12).
- "Christ" wasn't His last name. It meant: "the Anointed One of God." The one to sit on the throne of David forever. He'd conquer all enemies. Crush the Romans. Restore Eden to reality. There was much to this title of "Christ."
- "Christ of God": Sending and purpose was from God. God the Father had anointed Him.

Strategic Warning.
Luke 9:21 But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,

- The 12 had the wrong expectations. They were looking for a political savior. They wanted the "good life."

They wanted to make Jesus, king... even if by force.
John 6:15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
- They're not quite wrong, but off-center.

Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
- The fullness of His role was not completed yet.
- Jesus knows these things MUST happen. He MUST suffer many things and be rejected.
- Rejected by all of these groups (These groups usually fight against each other. Here it suggests that Jesus will be rejected by all of them, united against Him.)
- "Rejecting": like rejecting a candidate for office, after scrutiny.

Luke 22:66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe;
- In Jesus' trial, He was questioned about being the Christ.

Peter's greatest moment: Affirmation of a Revelation.
His lowest point: "Get behind me Satan."
Jesus isn't here to make your life comfortable. It's a path of suffering.

If He is the Christ, why does He die?
A: Because we should be killed. 
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

He knows that the Wrath of God will be poured out upon Him. 
He dies, the very death that we deserve to die.
The lamb, sacrificed on our behalf.

It's not about what others at church say. It's about what YOU say. He died to secure YOUR ETERNAL JOY.

What we get out of life, is not about the good things we want, BUT the PAIN we are willing to accept that will determine our choices.

Heavenly wisdom.
Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Come to the foot of the cross.
We are to act, not for the sake of our good pleasure, but for the sake of Him.
We are to find this life satisfying, because He did what we had no ability to do.

Sunday Morning IBC. 2/24/2014. Luke 9:10-17.

Feeding of the 5,000. Luke 9:10-17.
Pastor Nam Park. 

Luke 9:10 When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

Luke 9:12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did so, and had them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

Areas of struggle tend not to be theological.
There's a difference between creed and practice.

Praxis = Practice + Theory.

Praxis is the process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, practiced, embodied, or realized. "Praxis" may also refer to the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas.

We struggle with what we say and what we believe.

This teaching of the feeding of the 5,000 was addressed to the 12 disciples. (After just coming back from ministering to others.)

Luke 9:10 When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 

- Jesus withdrew with the disciples to a desolate place, NE shore of the sea of Galilee

Luke 9:11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

- The crowds followed. 

- How does Jesus react to this intrusion? A: He welcomed them. With Graciousness.

- Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach. It was ministry, "as normal" for Jesus.

Five Thousand Fed

Mark 6:33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. 

- In the midst of Jesus' fatigue, He was gracious to them. Compassion for them.

The reason why this story is here...

It seems a little less grandeur than raising a little girl from the dead. Here Jesus attempts to feed about 5,000 men (~7,000 total people) in this desolate place, outside of Bethsaida. This miracle deals with an overwhelming amount of need. 

Time: Near 6pm or 6:30pm in the evening.

Luke 9:12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 

- The disciples use the command form to say "send the crowd away"

Luke 9:13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

- Christ emphasizes the "YOU"... give them something to eat.

John 6:5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”

- 200 denarii was about 8 months' wages.

- Andrew finds a meal of bread and fish from a boy.

The remedy: The Power of the master.

Jesus gives thanks for the meal. 

Blessed the meal, Broke, and KEPT ON giving the pieces out.

(Past-tense), (Past-tense), (Imperfect tense). The miracle happens in His hands.

Jesus creates, gives power & life. 
The Disciples' job is then to distribute (the pieces).
All the sufficiency comes from the master. The power is not that of the disciples.

It is God who cares about the mundane details (for us). This is the nature of our God.

Luke 9:17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

- "satisfied" a word used in the "fattening of animals"
- They stuffed themselves. 

- Significance of the 12 baskets: 12 full baskets is one for each disciple. A life lesson for them that they could accomplish things they could never have contemplated of doing before.

His all surpassing sufficiency to provide what we need for this moment. A lesson the disciples must learn; we must learn.

// You're not a Super Hero.

http://paultripp.com/articles/posts/youre-not-a-superhero

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014. Paul Tripp.

You're Not A Superhero

Human beings were built with limits. God didn't design you to be a superhero.

You and I were created to live dependent lives, never surviving on the basis of our own strength, wisdom and control. From the moment of our first breath, we were limited, weak, and fragile beings.

If you're a parent, or an older brother or sister, you know this to be true. Think about how long your newborn child or sibling would have lasted if you left them alone. I was shocked when we had our first child - there was never a moment when we could leave him alone, except during sleep, and even then we were only a few feet away.

As we grow older, we think that we become more independent. We get married, have children of our own, buy our first house, and make significant life decisions. Sure, a 40-year married adult can feed and dress himself much better than a 4-month old infant, but I'm afraid that we don't fully accept our limitations.

I want to reinforce the point that you're not a superhero. "Sure, Paul, I obviously can't fly or make myself invisible," you might say. But I want you to consider eight limits of your humanity:

1. Time: Think about the benefits of controlling time. I could pause time in a moment of difficulty, thinking about my next word or decision before speaking or acting. Or, I could rewind time and right the wrongs of my own life, or stop crimes against humanity before they happen.

2. Space: I don't know about you, but I would love to be in more than one place at a time. Imagine how productive I could be! I could write my next book while speaking at a conference while shopping for dinner.

3. Knowledge: I wish that I knew everything about anything. I would be a walking encyclopedia, able to solve any problem that might complicate my day. I wouldn't ever have to worry about being stumped.

4. Wisdom: If I was filled with wisdom, I could give people the proper advice, sifting through the clutter of information and directing them on the path to success. I would be the world's best counselor.

5. Control: I would love to be able to control the weather- the Tripp family would never have a rainy beach day! Or think about the time I could save if I controlled the traffic lights!

6. Power: I wish I could get people to do things my way. Right now, Philadelphia roads are riddled with potholes because of the winter storms. If I was all-powerful, the city government would be out there immediately until every hole was filled! Or maybe if I'm feeling an extra zeal for justice, I could combine my wisdom with power and solve world hunger while fighting political corruption.

7. Ability: I not only wish that I knew everything - I wish I could do anything. There would never be a physical task that I would be unable to accomplish. I could cook the best meal, repair any car, and paint the best art, all while doing it better than anyone else on the planet.

8. Gift: Sometimes I wish that God had given me every spiritual gift available. I could be the most creative writer, the most sophisticated thinker, the most efficient administrator, and the most gifted preacher - all at the same time!

I ALREADY KNEW THAT...

So what's the point? This Article is a bit nonsensical, because you already know that you can't control the weather, pause time, or solve any dilemma that pops up. But let me ask you to be honest for a moment - if I were to poll the people you live with, would they tell me that you live like you're a superhero?

What happens when someone violates your schedule? Do you act as if know everything, stepping in to comment when someone makes a verbal mistake? Are you a controlling person? And are you, at times, arrogant enough to think that there is no one out there that can give you advice and counsel?

You see, when you admit your limits, you're a humble and restful person. You're humble enough to admit weakness, always open to learning. And you're restful, because you know that control is in the hands of God - and not yours.

Let me encourage you here - there's only one Superhero in the Bible. His name is Jesus Christ. Every other man and woman documented in Scripture was a failure. Rest and peace is found when you abandon control and admit your limits.

Sunday Morning IBC. 2/16/2014. Ephesians 3:20-21.

Are You a Doxological Christian? Ephesians 3:20-21.

Dr. Paul Felix.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Doxological: Give glory with our voices and our lives.

Do we fulfill the command in 1 Corinthians 10:31? This is a Doxological Christian/Church.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

God is Worthy of Glory: Why?

A: Paul points to the power & might. God can do all things when not out of alignment with His constant character. Power & Works.

Dr. Felix takes joy that God is ABLE.

IE. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

God can show His power or His purpose (if He chose not to save them from the furnace).

IE. Daniel in the Lion's Den.

Psalms 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

But to Your name give glory

Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.

2 Why should the nations say,

“Where, now, is their God?”

3 But our God is in the heavens;

He does whatever He pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of man’s hands.

5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak;

They have eyes, but they cannot see;

6 They have ears, but they cannot hear;

They have noses, but they cannot smell;

7 They have hands, but they cannot feel;

They have feet, but they cannot walk;

They cannot make a sound with their throat.

8 Those who make them will become like them,

Everyone who trusts in them.

- Our God is able to hear and answer our prayers (unlike these idols).

"BEYOND all that we ask or think"

- Sometimes we don't formulate our bold hopes into prayer requests. But God can even see our thoughts and bring these things to pass. 

Apostle Paul believes it. Do you? That God is ALL POWERFUL.

Is there evidence to show that we believe this?

Paul prays great spiritual things for the believers in Ephesus:

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

God is worthy of worship because He is POWERFUL.

Power that is evident in the lives of believers.

Point 2: God be given the glory.

Ephesians 3:21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

- We are to praise Him. Give Him glory due to His name. Ascribed to His name.

- God's glory is displayed in 1) the Church. 2) in Jesus Christ.

Ask yourselves: "Who gets the glory when IBC gathers?"

Hymn: "to God be the glory, great things He has done..."

//Crucifying Defensiveness.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/gospeldrivenchurch/2014/02/11/crucifying-defensiveness/

JARED C. WILSON

Crucifying Defensiveness

. . . Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
– 1 Corinthians 6:7

The biggest problem in my life and ministry is me. And the biggest problem among my many idiosyncratic problems is the impulse toward self-defense and self-justification. The Lord has been working well on me over the last several years in this area, and I do think, by his grace, I have gotten better at suppressing this impulse, denying it, even going into situations I know will include much criticism directed at myself having proactively crucified it for the moment. But my inner defense attorney (a voting partner in the ambulance-chasing firm of Flesh & Associates) is always there, crouching at my door, seeking to rule over everybody by arguing in my quote-unquote “favor.”

Crucifying the defensive impulse is so difficult because it essentially means choosing to allow others to misunderstand you, misjudge you, and even malign you. (Of course, many times the painful things said are accurate, and so it’s another difficult necessity to listen well and to “test all things [and] hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).) But many times, especially for those in ministry or in other leadership positions, the criticisms and complaints are inaccurate, sometimes whole-cloth falsehoods, frequently petty, and these little injustices just pile up. The need to cry out in one’s defense rises up. But wisdom knows when to claim one’s rights and when to submit to being defrauded. For me, as I get older, and the longer I minister, the more I find myself being steered toward the latter.

Why would you and I do that? Why would we turn the cheek this way, go two miles with the guy demanding one? It’s certainly not very street-smart. It’s obviously not comfortable. But wisdom directs us this way, ultimately, because we believe that the consolation of Christ now and the compensation from Christ in the age to come will far surpass any “justice” we could gin up with our own self-interested rebuttals . . . even if we’re in the right. If Christ is our treasure, if Christ is our justification, why not rather be defrauded?

In many cases related to personal offenses, if not most, the best defense is neither a good offense nor a good defense, but simply sitting on the bench and, in love, refusing to play the game.

Sunday Morning IBC. 2/9/2014. Luke 9:1-9.

The Training of the Twelve. Luke 9:1-9.
aka "A Preview of the Gospel Ministry to Come..."
Pastor Nam Park.

We're about the midpoint in Jesus' earthly ministry.
The Lord is not strategically trying to train them to minister. 
Training them to understand what they were all about:
v.1-2 The Authority
v.3-6 The Instructions
v.7-9 The Lord's Identity. 

Luke 9:1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 3 And He said to them,“Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. 5 And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again. 9 Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

The Lord's Authority.

Having mastery over storms, demons, diseases... Now He's giving this authority to the disciples.

Luke 9:1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 
- "power," the capacity to do.
- "authority," as they saw fit; the means to cast out demons.
- It wasn't that they were great, but that Jesus was great. It was a derivative ministry.

Luke 9:2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 
- Their mission: 1) Proclaim the Kingdom of God. 2) Perform healing.
- A herald derives his power from the King. He proclaims the King's coming.
- This message is about who will reign. And the people would choose whether to submit or to rebel. The message is about sin, repentance. Calling people to faith in God.
- Performing healing would authenticate the message.
- Their ministry was an extension of Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus also wanted to heal them; an element of meeting the physical needs of the people.
- Proclaim the Truth. Ministry of Mercy.

Luke 9:3 And He said to them,“Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 
- This was an intentional step of faith.
- Silver was the smallest denomination and a liken to spare change.
- Staff (not an additional staff). Tunic (not an extra tunic).
- Not a bag: A beggar's bag a liken to collecting change for street performers.
- Take nothing that would be a means for self-sustaining living. 

[But the disciples are not always to live without preparation.]

Luke 22:35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.

Luke 9:4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. 
- Jesus wanted them to learn DEPENDENCE.
- Jesus wanted them to learn CONTENTMENT.
- Don't inquire for a better life. The houses of the wealthy live towards the center of the town. Thus, if farmer Brown who lived in the outskirts of town gave a free offer to stay at his home, you take that invitation first.
- They came with almost nothing. They asked for nothing. And they proclaimed the gospel.
- Be thankful for even the small things. Turn down the good things and focus on the mission. This was part of the training of the 12.

Luke 9:5 And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
- Jesus trained them in rejection.
- Entire communities might not receive you (like the other community rejected Jesus in fear.)
- Testimony of condemnation.

Luke 9:6 Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
- Parallel statement here of "Preaching the Kingdom of God" and "Preaching the gospel." 
- Gospel = Kingdom of God.
- Suggests good news, God's rescue was close at hand.

Luke 9:7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 
- Herod was in charge except for the earliest moments of Jesus' birth. 4AD to 39AD.
- He was the son of the Herod that killed off the babies when Christ was born.
- "perplexed" was the same as being in despair... He had psychological issues.
- He had beheaded John the Baptist. He was nervous of the message of the Kingdom of God spreading (because he was king at the moment).

Luke 9:8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again. 9 Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.
- Herod did finally get to meet & question Jesus. He doesn't see much in Jesus. He mocked Him.
- Then Pilate and Herod become good friends after tackling a common enemy.

Luke 23:8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

We must understand that the message we proclaim is with the authority of Jesus. The effect of this message is bewildering. It's more than a mundane existence. 

We should pray to be that fork in the road of men's lives. When people are confronted with who Jesus Christ is, they should only have one of two options: Either bow the knee to Christ, or they will have no interest in hearing the message. This should be acceptable to us, either they accept or reject. Yet the greater thing is to be considered a herald of the message of Christ.

John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
- Jesus did great works, how will those that follow do greater works?
- The truth is that the works may be the same but it's the ordinary, flawed, broken human beings like you and me that display's God's glory.

Donald Grey Barnhouse's Sermon Story.
Sailor stricken with acute appendicitis and was close to death. The nearest surgeon was thousands of miles away. The sailor's friend was a Pharmacist.
"I've watched doctors doing this operation. I think I could do it. What do you say?"
They used a flood light. Reverse Pajama tops. The cook boiled water for sterilizing. Alcohol from the torpedo for anesthetic. Spoons hold the muscles open.
- What makes this story great is the instruments used. Outrageous and miraculous because of the unworthy vessels involved. That is our part in the gospel So many times we are concerned from being unworthy vessels. Yet God has chosen foolish ones like us to display His glory. It's not about our consistencies, but about whether this gospel message is true. Jesus was perfect and worthy to proclaim the message, but for the 12, they were not perfect. But they were transformed by something that was miraculous and true.

The Lord doesn't call us because of our perfections but have called us in spite of them. Your concern for us is not so much our ability but our availability. May we be messengers of grace, not because we are great, but because the message we proclaim is great. May we declare Him everywhere we go. Amen.

Sunday Morning IBC. 2/2/2014. Luke 8:40-56.

Master over Sickness and Death. Luke 8:40-56.
Pastor Nam Park.

Culmination: Jesus demonstrates His mastery over fallen issues. Storms. Demon Possession. Here we have two desperate individuals; Jesus' mastery over sickness and death. 

Miracles of Healing

Luke 8:40 And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.

43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason 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.”

49 While He was still speaking, someone *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” 50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. 52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” 53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. 54 He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

Prayer Segment: These things point towards something greater. Give thanks to the Lord who saves us in the temporary and the eternal as well. Amen.

A Desperate Father.
Jairus was responsible for arranging the services at the synagogue.
He was here to beg. Why? Because there are somethings more important: He was going to beg for the life of his little girl.

Luke 8:42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.
- The focus on the "only begotten" is on the "only." One.
- She was 12 which is significant since it's just before the marriage age. Since she was Jairus' daughter, she was probably on the verge of entering a betrothal.
- Jairus comes to Jesus (not because he is concerned that Jesus is Messiah). Jairus' primary motive is that his baby is dying. Grasping for straws. His faith is an imperfect faith at best, because he is just there for healing, like the masses. 
- The reality is that most of us came to faith in quite the same way, when we came to the end of hope, the end of ourselves.

A Desperate Woman.
Luke 8:43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,
- She had a discharge that didn't stop. Socially she was unclean.

Mark 5:26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse—

- She spent all she had on physicians. 12 years. No community. No family. Lengthy suffering.

Matthew 9:21 for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.”

Luke 8:45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”
- Inappropriate of her, since all the people she bumped into are now unclean.
- The miraculous is always volitional of God. Miracles aren't random.
- Questioning: "why bother?" Peter was thinking, "why stop?" Jairus was thinking, "why stop?" This woman, whose intention was secrecy was drawn out.

Luke 8:47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. 
- Suggestive that she had left the premise but came back. Complete disclosure.

Luke 8:48 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
- Jesus calls her "daughter;" a personal term, as if He had his own daughter.
- Scripture suggests this woman is older than Jesus. But what if she was younger; she still had hope for this life. What word could be more personal than "daughter"?
- An instantaneous relationship with her.
- "your faith has made you well." It's not the power floating in the universe. It's Jesus confirming that it's her faith (in Him) that made her well.
- "go in peace." Shalom. It's a return to fullness.

Return to the Desperate Father.
Luke 8:49 While He was still speaking, someone *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” 50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” 
- Jairus had put his reputation on the line, to gather this hope for his daughter.
- Jesus then answers Jairus: "she will be made well.” The same term "daughter" is used here as well. Future tense is used here.
- Jesus is not limited in power. His power is volitional and limitless.
- Hang onto your faith, because something can still be done.
Mark 5:41 (Term in Aramaic) Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).
- She comes back normal, to a temporal state. She needs to eat. She will later die.

Luke 8:56 Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
- "It blew their minds." Astounded.
- It's not about the supernatural taking place.
- These people want the loaves/the "show" and not the person. But these stories are about the person [Jesus].

Nam's Skeptical question: Why bother with ANY of it?
We will all die one day. Why bother healing anyone in these temporal moments? 
- It's not to demonstrate His Ability & Power over all these things we can't control, but about HIS WILLINGNESS to do so. All these things aim towards the cross. He will claim that He will take our sins, die, and raise 3 days later. Victory over death for all eternity. What prelude will convince us that He is powerful enough to do this all? A: These temporary fixes are proof. Yet in the end, this is all to point us to the evidence that He will heal once and for all. God is WILLING and able. Not just a temporary life, but an eternal life.