Sermons

Reformed sermons preached at our church.

Daughter, Your Faith Has Made You Well

Last week we looked at this same passage, but focused on the story of Jairus and his daughter.  This week we will focus on the woman with the flow of blood in verses 25-34.  We consider her faith as she came to Jesus.  And as we look at the faith of this woman with the flow of blood, I want us to think about our own faith as well.  Last week we talked about responding in faith amidst trials.  This week I want us to think about what that faith looks like.  Do we go to Jesus first, or somewhere else?  And do we go to Jesus in the ways that he tells us to, or with our own made up approach?  So let’s dig into this passage and we’ll flush out these questions as we consider this woman and her faith, and more importantly, as we consider Jesus’ ministry to her.

Passage: Mark 5:21-43
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/25/2008 in Novato, CA.

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Do Not Be Afraid — Only Believe

Are you too proud to ask for help? Sometimes success and prestige can make us so prideful, that when we need help, we are often reluctant to ask for it. If you are use to being a leader or a person of influence, it can be hard to admit that you need help. And yet, sometimes, no matter how hard we try to act tough, no matter how strong we might try to stand in the face of adversity, sometimes the trial is too much. Sometimes we find ourselves broken and hurting, unable to do anything about it.

This morning we’ll look at this account of Jairus and the miraculous resurrection of his daughter. We’ll see how Jairus in this difficult trial in the life of his family, had to cast away his fears and find help and hope in Jesus. As a leader, he was not immune to the trials that go on in life, but when the trial came, he had the wisdom to get help. He placed his faith and trust in Jesus. And as we look at this faith of Jairus, we’ll see how we too need to fix our faith on Jesus, finding hope in him, even when things seem hopeless.

Passage: Mark 5:21-43
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/18/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: 2 Samuel 12:13-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

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They Came to the Other Side of the Sea

In our passage for today, Jesus seems to be trying to get away and get some well deserved R&R.  Remember from last chapter, that he had been preaching from a boat along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.  In chapter 4, we saw that Jesus was exhausted and had his disciples take him across to the other side of the sea — into Gentile territory.  And yet, according to verse 2, immediately upon arrival at the other side of the sea, Jesus is confronted with a demon-possessed man.  And so Jesus’ break is short lived.  He wasn’t able to get much sleep on the boat ride over because he was busy silencing storms, and now he finds himself confronted with a demon-possessed man who desperately needs help that only he can provide.  And though we sinful people might have been frustrated if we were in Jesus’ shoes, that’s not how our Lord responds.  As we might expect, he responds out of a true compassion and love and frees the man from these unclean spirits.  And so as we look at this event, we’ll see that the gospel message of freedom and reconciliation in Christ comes even to the Gentiles.

Passage: Mark 5:1-20
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/11/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: Leviticus 11:1-8; Revelation 20:7-15

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Do You Still Not Have Faith?

I want us to consider today in this passage the importance of Jesus being able to control the wind and sea by the very word of his power.  I want us to consider what it means for Jesus to have this power and authority.  What does this tell us about who he is?  Well, certainly, it points to his divinity.  We’ll see how this event shows forth that Jesus is indeed who Scripture presents: the eternal Son of God who has come in the flesh.  But I also want us to consider the significance of this fact.  If Jesus is God in the flesh, able to control wind and water, and every aspect of creation, what should that do to our faith?  How should that affect our faith and how we respond to the trials that come in our lives?

Passage: Mark 4:1-34
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/05/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: Proverbs 30:4; Romans 8:28-39

Click here for the manuscript.

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