FACING PROBLEMS AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM!
Mark 5:21 - 43
I. PROBLEMS IN LIFE
1. THE PROBLEM OF DEMAND V. 21 – 24
The Lord was in great demand, but separated the needs according to priority. We can be overwhelmed by demands made on us, and need to stop and see which the priority need is.
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered round him while he was by the lake.
22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
Example Paul preaching the Gospel:
Acts 16:6 & 7 Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
The reason for this was that there was a greater need waiting to be met in Philippi. The needs had to be sorted into priority!
2. THE PROBLEM OF DELAYS V. 25 – 30
When interruptions come our way, we must learn to prioritise. There are times when even the urgent must be put on hold for the greater need. Remember that ‘delays are not denials’.
25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."
29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realised that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"
Example Paul preaching the Gospel:
3. THE PROBLEM OF DISTRACTION V. 31 – 34
We can be distracted by many things. The disciples were distracted by Jesus apparently giving His attention to un-necessary things; the many touches of the people. Jesus new the difference between the fickle touch and the faith touch.
31 “You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’" 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.
33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
Example Paul avoiding distractions:
Philippians 3:13b & 14 I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
II. PROBLEMS IN DEATH
1. THE PROBLEM OF DOUBT V. 35 – 37
There are some things that appear so final that we find it difficult to believe the Word of God. We would rather believe our eyes and our limited understanding than believe the eternal God, who has no limitations!
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don’t be afraid; just believe." 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.
Example Jesus at Lazarus’ grave:
John 11:39 & 40 “Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, said, "Lord, by now the smell will be terrible because he has been dead for four days." 40 Jesus responded, "Didn’t I tell you that you will see God’s glory if you believe?"
2. THE PROBLEM OF DEMONSTRATION V. 38 – 42a
38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old).
3. THE PROBLEM OF DISBELIEF V. 42b
At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
This sight sent the others nearly out of their minds with joy. [JBP]
they were astonished* with a great astonishment# [AV]..
* - existhmi existemi ex-is’-tay-mee
AV-be amazed 6, be astonished 5,
{to be out of one’s mind, besides one’s self, insane}
# - ekstasiv ekstasis ek’-stas-is
AV- be amazed + 3083 2, amazement 1, astonishment 1;
{amazement, the state of one who, either owing to the importance or the novelty of an event, is thrown into a state of blended fear and wonderment}
