WEEK 4 – BRYAN BARLEY
HEALING THE SICK AND RAISING THE DEAD: Mark 5:21-43
Below is an outline of the sermon, along with some additional comments.
If Jesus has the power to transform the definition of death, what should be our expectancy of what he can do through his church in this city?
1. Jesus, the Compassionate
- “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
- Read: Mark 5: 21-24
Jesus loves, specializes, and exclusively operates in the space of giving his goodness to those who don’t deserve it. Which is really good news for all of us. What is it that invites the resurrection power of Jesus into his man’s life? That he was good enough? That he was powerful enough? That he was obedient enough? No – he wasn’t any of those things! What is it?
2. Jesus, the Unpredictable
- “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” – Charles Spurgeon
- Read: Mark 5:25-34
What do these verses tell you about the timing of Jesus and the heart of Jesus?
3. Jesus, the Victorious
- Read: Mark 5:35-43
- Jesus sends the crowd away, and just calmly says two words in Aramaic: “Talitha cumi”
Talitha – means “little girl,” but that doesn’t really capture the meaning. It’s a pet name that a parent calls a child. It’s like honey or sweetie. Koum – means “it’s time to get up.” Put it together and how does Jesus raise this 12-year-old little girl from the dead? Not some huge exhibition, but the gentle, affectionate, quiet way that a parent wakes up a child from a nap.
How does Jesus transform the very essence of what death is for the believer?
Final Reflections
Bryan shared the story of his friends Vince and Kirsten Black, who were also church planters in Colorado. Their son, Ezra, died of leukemia almost a year ago. Ezra’s mom read this journal entry which during his memorial service:
“I guess I assumed I would be healed eventually no matter what, but I was praying for immediate healing, but my assumption of being healed no matter what may not be the case. A scary, yet real thought that I have had to wrestle with the last couple of days. I’m not scared to die if it goes there, and I say that with full confidence. I know where I’ll be, and to be honest it’s a lot better than being trapped in a hospital room.” — Ezra Black
Here is a young man who knew what Jesus is saying here – If I have you by the hand, then even death itself is like nothing more than a good night’s sleep.
If Jesus has this kind of compassion, and this kind of power – to transform the very definition of death, what is your expectancy of what he can do through this church in the city? Have you dreamt hugely enough, have you prayed deeply enough, from a place of great expectancy of what God can do in and through a community like this one in the heart of this city? If God is this kind and this powerful, what could he do in this season to come?