Sermon Outline April 13, 2008 Morning Service

Topic: The Faith Of An Unnamed Woman 

Text:      Luke 8:43-48                                                                        

Introduction

I.        Our attention is drawn to a woman who is characterized by her physical suffering.

II.       Why do we focus on her health when we think of her?

A.       To us she is “The Woman With An Issue Of Blood”.

B.       Why don’t we call her the “woman of faith” or the “woman of courage”?

C.      Let’s step back a moment and paint the whole picture today.

Text

I.        Background.

A.       Jesus was returning from the region of the Gadarenes.

B.       Jairus approached Jesus and begged Him to come heal his daughter.

1.       Jesus agreed and began the journey to Jairus’ house.

2.       As they traveled He noticed that power was taken from Him.

3.       He turned to see who it was that had touched Him.

a.       Certainly Jesus knew who it was and why she’d done it.

b.       But to draw the attention of the crowd He looked around.

C.      Fearfully, she admitted that it was her and that now she is healed.

II.       We don’t know why she didn’t attempt to speak to Jesus.

A.       Actually, we don’t know that she didn’t try.

B.       There are several possible reasons not to speak to Jesus about this.

1.       Embarrassment.

2.       Trivialization.

III.      We do know that this is a woman of profound faith.

A.       She had faith that if she touched His robe she would be healed.

B.       If we focus on her weakness rather than her strength we miss the point.

1.       The weakness was in what happened to her outside of her control and without her permission.

2.       The strength was the faith that she had complete control over.

C.      The lesson of this passage is faith.

1.       Mustard-seed faith.

2.       Mountain-moving faith.

Conclusion

I.        This is not a lesson about an issue of blood; it is a lesson on incredible faith.

II.       Very quickly, there are two sub-points here as well.

A.       People matter to Jesus.

1.       Jesus could have been upset for being touched.

2.       Likewise, we cannot allow people to become a burden to us.

B.       Be honest with God.

1.       She didn’t want to admit to what she’d done.

2.       When was the last time you had the integrity to be honest with God?