In Spite Of My Issues - Part 1

MARK 5:25-34 (v.25) “IN SPITE OF MY ISSUES” – PART 1

A) “A certain woman, which had an issue.”

* She was separated and alone, day after day, month after month, year after

year, with no physical contact from another human being.

* Her very presence caused some who knew her condition to shun her in order

to avoid their own contamination.

B) PICTURE: For twelve years, life hemorrhaged from her body, leaving

her weak and unclean in the eyes of her family and community.

* She was alone and cut off, hearing not only the whispers of her neighbors,

but also, the screams of her own self-condemnation.

C) She had invested the little money she had in one false hope after another

to rid herself of her plague, to no avail.

* There was not a counselor or doctor who didn’t know her and try to sell her

on their remedy for her situation ... She still got worse ... And poorer.

D) With the walls of her condition closing in on her .......

* She finally realized that she could no longer live with this issue in her life.

* She had to act, alone if necessary.

SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING – DRASTIC IF NEED BE

A) PICTURE: When we first see her in the Bible, she is weakly walking .......

* Sometimes crawling, pushing in desperation through the suffocating crowd

to get to her one last, best hope ... Jesus.

B) Look closely at this woman as she presses through the mob.

* Take a good look at the suffering face she is trying so desperately to conceal

from those around who would reject her and her pursuit of healing.

* And when you get close enough to discern her features, you’ll find that she

looks just like YOU.

C) All of us have secret issues that hinder us, secret struggles that keep us

barren and hidden.

* These issues like fear, guilt, shame, hurt, failure, marital, financial ... Drain the

abundant life from us.

* Regardless of the specific issue, all of us experience limitations in our walk

with God.

D) And just like it was with this woman’s issue, there is only one answer .......

* Only one way to deal with our issues ... We must reach out to Jesus.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ISSUE?

A) An issue is a condition, an attitude, or a circumstance that robs us of

the abundant life that Jesus has secured for us.

* Issues are those private, secret things of our past and present that show up .......

* To hinder, block, trouble, hold hostage, abort, and even destroy our dreams,

hopes and desires.

B) Issues are the challenges, problems, and crises .......

* That attach themselves to us to block our success, victory, and effectiveness

in the kingdom of God.

C) Issues show up without invitation.

* They are like a flat tire on a car ... Frustrating, time-consuming, and costly.

* The word “issue” has become a popular term in modern psychology.

D) Before, we may have talked about “besetting sins” but now we say that

someone has “unresolved issues.”

* But while we point accusing fingers at someone else, we overlook the fact

that we are lugging around the heavy baggage of our own issues.

* What do issues look like and how do they affect my life?

(1) ISSUES ARE SECRET

A) Issues are those uniquely personal things that we try to push out of

our way.

* But on our own, we don’t have the strength or intellect to do this .......

* So, we hide these problems from everyone, and pray that no one will discover

the secret wounds and imperfections that make us vulnerable.

* Luke 12:2 “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither

hid, that shall not be known.”

B) In other words, you can’t hide behind a religious mask forever.

* Sooner or later the mask will slip, and your true face will be known.

(2) ISSUES CAUSE SEPARATION

A) Just like this woman, our issues keep us separated from God and

from people.

* We try to keep them to ourselves and may even try to hide them under

a facade.

* Issues make us fear relationships, ministry, and intimacy with God

and others.

B) We are frightened that we may appear vulnerable.

* Isa. 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,

and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

* LET ME TRANSLATE: “Your sins are the roadblock between you and your

God. That’s why He doesn’t answer your prayers or let you see His face.”

(3) ISSUES ALWAYS FLOW FROM A SOURCE

A) The Greek word for “issues” is “rhusis” (hroo’-sis) which means