Sermon Central
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But A Touch Of Faith
Contributed by Ronnie Thrower on Apr 5, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Imagine her great faith! By the way, Faith does not always face the facts; but I find that it never gives up. Anybody else would have let the circumstances stop them but not this lady.
A TOUCH OF FAITH
TEXT: Matthew 9:20-21 “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: [21] For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.”
Here is the secret hope for health by a woman. She had been hemorrhaging for twelve years She was desperately hopeless, feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and unworthy. The Physicians of the world could not heal her so she came to the Great Physician.
This lady was taking a great risk to do this because according to the law she was not to be in the crowd surrounding Jesus at all.
She was supposed to be isolated, but her desperation drove her to Jesus. She felt that Jesus would never touch her because she was unclean, but she had heard so many wonderful things about Him: if she could only touch His garment, He would never know, and she would be healed.
Imagine her great faith! By the way, Faith does not always face the facts; but I find that it never gives up. Anybody else would have let the circumstances stop them but not this lady.
I. What is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
A. Faith is taking God at his word and asking no questions.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
She sought Him out and He rewarded her.
B. Faith is knowing that: Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
You are not born with this faith. But it comes through hearing God’s Word Romans 10:17. This is why we are commanded to preach the word, so that people may hear and believe.
II. What Does Faith Bring Into Our Lives?
The following points explain the value of faith and enumerate some of the things that it brings to believers:
A. Faith Brings Freedom To Soul "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
We must recognize that which is false and then accept our freedom in Christ through faith. We are forgiven, cleansed, and promised heaven (Rom. 3:24).
B. Faith Brings Action Into Our Lives "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only ..." (James I :22).
To be effective, faith must be active. Our faith works for us only as we work our faith. Active faith requires doing, being, speaking, living, and loving God and others.
C. Faith Brings Insight "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God ...and it shall be given him" (James 1 :5).
God wants to help His people make right choices and decisions. Wisdom is given to those who "ask in faith" (James 1 :6).
D. Faith Brings Trust " And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them. ..because they trust in him" (Ps.37:40).
Faith brings trust. Trust causes one to rely or depend on, to commit to, or to have confidence in. We must trust in the Lord. He never fails (I John 5:14-15).
III. What Was Jesus’ Response To This Woman’s Faith.
1. Jesus turned to the woman.
There was no way Jesus could have felt the touch to His robe. He was being pressed and thronged by the crowd, yet when she stepped up behind Him and touched His robe, He knew. How?
a. Her faith touched Him. It is faith that touches Jesus. Faith will never go unnoticed nor be ignored by Jesus.
True Faith reaches upward into the heavens, beyond the highest star, the moon, and sun.
When it reaches up to God it transforms lives here on the earth. Real faith reaches after it reaches God turns downward to the lowest of low, no matter where it is located. It will lift the drunkard, prostitute, etc. - all those who are willing to seek after Him and turn from there sin.
Then it reaches inward, into the heart and soul to stabilize and establish. It revives
b. Virtue (power and life) went out from Jesus into her.
When a person places his faith in Jesus and His power, it touches Jesus, and Jesus infuses His virtue (His power and life) into that person. That is what life and salvation are all about: the infusion of God’s virtue, power, and life into the spirit of man.
“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?” (Mark 5:30).
