Six Rds Church of Christ B'dos: Sermon Notes

Text: Luke 8:40-42,49-56;

-40- Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.
-41- Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house
-42- because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him
-49- While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."
-50- Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."
-51- When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.
-52- Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."
-53- They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
-54- But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!"
-55- Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.
-56- Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

INTRODUCTION:

(A) I believe that Christ can make a difference in a life
(B) Over the years many will attest to the difference that knowing Christ has made in their life

CENTRAL THESIS:

IF YOU WILL REACH OUT TO HIM, CHRIST CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I. When things are so bad that you have to swallow your pride

Many times pride stands in the way between us and Christ
However, there often come a time when things are so bad that you have to swallow pride
This man had status - he was a ruler of the Synagogue, but his daughter was dying, only child. Sorrow affects both rich and poor.
Is false pride stopping you from Christ or are you willing to swallow your pride?

II. When there seems no hope left

Delay can be fatal but God is in control - Jairus may have questioned Christ's delay - delay is God's opportunity -disappointments his appointments.
It seemed that it was now useless for the daughter had died
Sometimes our cries seem only a bother
We have a God who specializes in the impossible

III. When you see the crowd for what they really are

Certain things are best done only with a few of your closest friends - Crowd neither had faith or sympathy
The hypocrisy of the multitude is comical - Crowd mostly curious, some were not genuinely in grief
Jesus is able to do more than we can ask or desire

CONCLUSION:

Christ can make a difference when we see his message:

Fear not, believe only - If Jesus is real he ought to be trusted
Not dead but sleepeth - difference between physical and spiritual death
Maid arise - Not only rising to physical life but spiritual life
We need to have faith instead of fear for death is only sleep for the body but Christ is waiting to give us a new life in Him