Press In

INTRO: 1. For most Christians faith is a passive exercise.

a. If faced with the circumstances this woman was faced with they’d conclude, well it must not be God’s will for me to receive today. (Sometimes exactly what we need)

b. When faced with any opposition, they just back off and back down.

c. Indifference is the norm – forfeiting much of what God wants from us.

c. Many are no longer pursuing God’s best for their lives. Get back in the Press!

d. Jesus isn't a spiritual delivery man that brings our blessings to us.

e. But the gospel let’s us know that at times we need a faith that “Presses In.”

1) Faith that won’t let us wait.

2) Faith that willing to fight for what we need.

3) Faith that God honors.

2. I believe this was a supernatural faith.

a. A faith that wasn’t natural or normal – but supernatural

b. A faith that didn’t come from her strength, she had none left.

c. A faith that didn’t come from her religious practices, she had none.

d. A faith imparted to her from above. (All faith is from God)

e. Faith with an Anointing. – Where’d she get the strength to do this?

f. Faith with an Attitude – I will not be denied!

g. Faith with a Promise – “If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.”

h. If you don’t have the faith to believe like she believed, ask God and He’ll give you His faith.

3. This kind of Faith Has No Barriers.

a. Her life only knew barriers – where she could go, what she could do.

b. It's no longer confined to what is possible or impossible.

c. It’s not confined by who has it.

d. Are you willing to surrender your circumstance to such a faith?

4. This Miracle was A Wayside miracle.

a. Jesus was on His way to Jarius’ house and would have passed her by if she didn’t get in the press.

b. Time to get off the sidelines of spirituality and get in the press!

c. Time to get where Jesus is moving.

d. Time to be counted among those who is reaching for Him.

5. If you want Healing, Revival, Salvation for your family, deliverance, Restoration – Get In The Press!

I. SHE PRESSED THROUGH

a. There are thieves in our lives that steal from us the blessings of God, just by blocking us from receiving His blessings.

b. Satan can build these walls, we can build these walls, circumstances can build these walls, even sincere friends and family can build these walls.

c. No matter where these walls of hindrance came from – they must come down!

d. We must learn to press through no matter the obstacle or the distractions.

ILL. In one scene of the popular movie Robin Hood, The Prince of Thieves, Kevin Costner as Robin comes to a young man taking aim at an archery target. Robin asks, "Can you shoot amid distractions?" Just before the boy releases the string, Robin pokes his ear with the feathers of an arrow. The boy's shot flies high by several feet. After the laughter of those watching dies down, Maid Marian, standing behind the boy, asks Robin, "Can you?" Robin Hood raises his bow and takes aim. Just as he releases the arrow, Maid Marian leans beside him and flirtatiously blows into his face. The arrow misses the target, glances off the tree behind it, and scarcely misses a bystander. Distractions come in all types, and whether they are painful or pleasant, the result is the same: we miss God's mark

e. But some distractions are constant in our lives and must be pressed through, while keeping our eyes fixed on the target.

A. SHE HAD TO PRESS THROUGH THE SICKNESS

1. If anyone had an excuse to stay home and stay in bed it was this woman.

2. Her illness was fatal – she was dyeing slowly.

3. Her illness was debilitating – she was weak and vulnerable to catch other illnesses or hurting herself.

4. But she wouldn’t let sickness keep her from healing waters.

B. SHE HAD TO PRESS THROUGH THE DISAPPOINTMENT

1. The bible says she “had suffered many things of many physicians.”

2. No doubt many had made her grand promises that the next treatment would be the last.

3. No doubt many took advantage of her vulnerability, overcharging her.

4. Every physician offered her new hope, but every physician had ended their treatment with the same words – “We’ve done all that can be done, there’s nothing more that anyone else can do.”

5. Yes, she’d been disappointed many times – but she wouldn’t let disappointment get between her and Jesus.

6. She may have had many religious people pray for her, but their unanswered prayers wouldn’t get between her and Jesus. (Many angry with God)