SIGNS OF LIFE
Luke 8:40-56
40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house,
42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ’Who touched Me?’"
46 But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me."
47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher."
50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well."
51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.
52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping."
53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise."
55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.
(NKJ)
Do you sometimes feel like a "dead man walking"? Sure you are walking and breathing, but more often than not you are left feeling victimized by circumstances. Can there be any delivierance?
As we survey the community we have been asking the question, "If you were looking for a church to attend, what would you be looking for?" This question has been asked with many different specifics. but the overwhelming general request has been the same. People are looking for signs of life! This is exciting! God has called us as believers to expose the life of Christ that is in us! In other words, God has enabled us to do what the community is expecting to see.
The next question is how to look alive. Does lots of activitry constitute life? Not necassarily. Funeral homes at times are very busy, but they do not represent life! In these verse we see life given to a little girl. Her father was made an instrument in that life. Isn’t that what we want to be? If so there must be proof of life in us! I pray that today’s message will help you evaluate whether your walk has the signs of life.
I. ANTICIPATION IS A SIGN OF LIFE
40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house,
42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
A. Looking for Jesus.
1. Anticipation comes from looking in the right direction. As we read the Gospels we find people waiting on every shore of the known world for Jesus to show up.
2. They anticipated the power of the Lord’s arrival! Whether it is a regular worship service, a FAITH visit, servant evangelism project, or an ordinary day we should anticipate the power of His arrival!
3. Many have lost the sense of anticipation because they look to themselves rather than the Lord.
B. Anticipation in desperation
1. An only daughter was dying. Can you imagine a more desperate situation? Where there is no escape you can still expect the Lord to show up!
2. An uncurable disease had bankrupted a lady. She was considered unclean. Where sin has bankrupted you, you can expect the Lord to show up in power.
3. We should anticipate in desperation, the Power of the Lord on behalf of those dying in sin.
Application: Has life conditioned you to not expect too much? Anticipate the Power of Jesus!
II. HINDRANCES ARE A SIGN OF LIFE
42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
A. Jairus faced great hindrances in getting to Jesus and seeing His power.
1. There was a crowd around Jesus. How would he get Jesus" attention?
2. He felt the pull of the daughter at home who might die without him there.
3. He had friends who ridiculed his faith in the Jesus.
B. Pressures that we face daily can hinder us from exposing the Power of Jesus.
1. Time
2. disappointment
49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher."
3. ridicule
52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping."
53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
4. Fear
C. How we handle hindrances determine the presence of power.
1. Patience - Jairus’ need was urgent but was patient while the Lord healed a sick woman.
2. Determination - He was determined to get Jesus to his daughter. Whe we know that Jesus is the only hope we are more determined to get Him on the scene!
3. Trust
50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well."
III. PRIVATE EXPERIENCE IS A SIGN OF LIFE
51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.
A. The power of Christ is born out of spending time alone with Him.
B. Everybody there had a personal concern for the girl and the power of God.
C. Spending time one on one with people in need is a sign of life.
Application: We can come to corporate worship in anticipation of the Lord’s Power when our daily lives are filled day by day with His power and presence.
IV. DELIVERANCE IS A SIGN OF LIFE
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise."
55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
A. Her spirit returned. She was ready to live!
B. She arose. She began the act of living!
C. They gave her something to eat. She was strengthened!
D. No sign of sickness was present. Totally delivered!
