Introduction

Good morning, beloved. I want to welcome you all to this blessed gathering, this sacred assembly of hearts aflame with love for the Lord.

I am reminded of the words of Kenneth M. Copeland, who once said, "Don't fool yourself by thinking you can talk ugly about somebody and then act lovingly toward them. You can't. Your actions are going to fall right in line with your words. That's a biblical principle." Today, we are going to take a close look at a story of faith that is both challenging and inspiring, a story that calls us to be more than mere spectators in our walk with God.

Our text for today's sermon is from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, verses 27 through 29. I invite you to listen as I read these powerful verses:

"When she had heard of Jesus, she came in the crowd behind Him and touched His garment. For she said, 'If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be made well.' Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction."

Delving into Deliberate Actions

In the heart of this story, we find a woman who made a conscious decision to reach out and touch Jesus' garment. This wasn't a random act. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was a deliberate action, born out of desperation and faith. This woman had been suffering for twelve long years. She had spent all she had on doctors, yet her condition only worsened. But when she heard about Jesus, she made a conscious decision to seek Him out, believing that if she could just touch His clothes, she would be healed.

Her faith: She didn't just hope for healing; she expected it. She didn't just wish for a miracle; she believed for it. And her faith was not passive; it was active. She didn't just sit back and wait for Jesus to come to her; she went to Him. She pushed through the crowd, reached out, and touched His garment. And in that moment, her faith was rewarded. She was healed.

Her courage: In her society, a woman with her condition was considered unclean. She was not supposed to touch anyone, let alone a rabbi. But she didn't let societal norms or fear of rejection stop her. She was willing to risk it all for the chance to be healed. Her courage is a testament to the power of faith and the lengths one is willing to go when they truly believe.

The power of expectation: The woman didn't just hope to be healed; she expected it. She believed so strongly in Jesus' power to heal that she was willing to risk public humiliation and rejection. Her expectation was not based on wishful thinking, but on a deep-seated belief in Jesus' power and compassion. And her expectation was not disappointed. The moment she touched Jesus' garment, she was healed.

The importance of action: Faith is not just about believing; it's about acting on that belief. The woman didn't just believe in Jesus' power to heal; she acted on that belief by reaching out and touching His garment. Her action was a tangible expression of her faith. And it was her action, combined with her faith, that led to her healing.

Daring to be Expectant

As we continue to draw from the well of this rich text, we find ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder with a woman whose audacious expectancy is both startling and inspiring ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO