StoneBridge Community Church
Senior Pastor Jon Saur
"Truly Natural"
The title for this sermon series comes from a quote by theologian Jurgen Moltmann:
"Jesus’ healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world. They are the only truly ‘natural’ thing in a world that is unnatural, demonized and wounded.”
We often think of Jesus' healings as "defying nature," but the truth is that they show us how the world was intended to be. God created the world to be free of illness, disease and injury. In the fall, humans made creation unnatural, corrupting it with sin. In his healings, Jesus gives a glimpse of what the natural order, as God intended it, was made to look like.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is presented primarily as a healer. In this sermon series, we will be looking at Jesus' healings in Mark, seeing how these healings show us what God intends for creation and for our lives.
Mark 1:40-45 NRSV
Leviticus 13:45-46 NRSV
SERMON OUTLINE:
I. "A Leper"
A. What is a Leper?
B. Skin diseases in the ancient world (Lev. 13 & 14)
C. Social stigma
D. Isolation
II. Isolation
A. Statistics
B. Causes?
C. Unnatural
D. Jesus
III. Jesus Touched Him
A. Did Jesus need to touch him?
B. Examples of Jesus' touch healing
C. Examples of distance healing
D. Significance
IV. Relational Health
V. "Unclean" Today
A. Who might qualify?
B. Trick Question
VI. Jesus on the cross.
A. Jesus' blood
B. Cleansing of the whole world
NEXT STEPS:
1) If you are experiencing severe loneliness or depression, please seek the help of medical professionals. Pastor Jon or Pastor Jonathan can help guide you to someone, if wanted. Email them at Pastorjon@StoneBridgeSimi.com or Jonathan@StoneBridgeSimi.com
2) Think of someone who is isolated. Bring that person to Jesus in prayer.
3) If appropriate, reach out to that person. (If you're not sure if its appropriate, seek the counsel of friends and family.)
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1) Since he didn't need to touch the leper to heal him, why do you think Jesus touched him?
2) How do you respond when you feel isolated or lonely?
3) How have you responded to others who feel isolated or lonely?
4) How would you define "relational health?"
5) In what ways have you seen Jesus heal relationships?
We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events.