Help! I’m scared of dying Luke 8:40-‐56
Sunday 8th May 2011
Theme: Life flows from Jesus. Instead of fearing death, trust him.
Key text: “Don't be afraid; just believe”
Introduction: Scared of death How much are you scared of disease and death? To what lengths do you go to avoid them? e.g.s from vitamin tablets to cryogenic freezing. Death the taboo. Hide death away in hospitals and nursing homes. We fear disease and ultimately death for lots of reasons: - loss of control - fear of pain and suffering - fear of not being able to cope - loss of independence - loss of relationships - loss of all we have lived for - the unknown - other? [Could provide e.g.s for some of the above] We live in a world in which death flows through (affects) everything. We live in fear of death.
Two desperate daughters vv. 40-‐43 The Dad whose only daughter is dying. Nothing can be done (v. 42). All options exhausted. No hope other than Jesus. Undignified pleading. Jesus goes. This is urgent [e.g. ambulance], but, on the way we meet… The desperate Lady: blood associated with life (e.g. Gen 9:4; Lev 17:14). Flow of blood associated with death. Continual flow the walking dead. Unclean, cut off from God’s people. Nothing can be done (v. 43). No hope other than Jesus.
Life flows from Jesus vv. 44-‐56 Life just flows out of Jesus [this is the big point] – lady just touches the cloak. But the woman cannot remain secret. Fear. Public testimony. Not just physical healing, completely reinstated in God’s people: “Daughter” “Go in peace.” This is all through the woman’s faith – putting her confidence in Jesus.
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