Discovering Spiritual Proximity Mark 5.21-43 by Pastor Doug Brown pdf., power point, & audio available at karenvineyard.org

Proximity is . . . Nearness in  Place Time  Relationships

Spiritual Proximity in Place The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8.8

Whom are you permitting to be in close proximity to you? Is there someone you should not let near to you? Is there someone you should let near you?

Spiritual Proximity in time The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”  Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” John 4.49-53

Spiritual Proximity in time Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where is was two more days. John 11.5-6

Healing experienced Woman’s experience she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”v.28 immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. v.29

Healing experienced Jesus’ experience at once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. v.30 But Jesus kept looking around v.32 "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.“ Luke 8.46

What makes the difference? She is in the crowd, but not part of it Her illness besieged her but did not break her The failure of doctors to help did not defeat her Her destitution did not dissuade her Her courage defied religious rules Her desperation was reforged as faith in Jesus Her hearing of Jesus led to her pursuing Jesus Her focus on Jesus led to her touching Jesus

In what ways will you chose to draw near to God today? How can you initiate spiritual proximity today? In what ways will you chose to draw near to God today?

Spiritual Proximity in Relationship “All those the Father give me will come to me. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them . . . Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.” John 6.37 & 44-45

Jarius Woman wealthy poor center of society margins of the society well connected isolated public petition secret hope

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7.18-19

It is not what we do that determines who we are It is not what we do that determines who we are. It is who we are that determines what we do. No one can consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with what they believe about themselves.

12 Girl Woman two daughters Start of menstrual cycle Gynecological bleeding Pre-adolescent will die Woman can’t be cured Hopeless situation Hopeless situation Jesus touches the girl Woman touches Jesus “Just believe” “Your faith has saved you” Returned to her family Returned to the community

What adjustments do you need to make? How does you spiritual proximity to God impact your relationships with others? What adjustments do you need to make? Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1.3