In Wayne Boyd's sermon titled "Just a Touch," the central theological topic is the grace of God manifested through faith in Christ, illustrated by the healing of the woman with an issue of blood in Mark 5:24-34. Boyd emphasizes that the woman's suffering and eventual healing were orchestrated by God's providence, leading her to the only source of true healing: Jesus Christ, the Great Physician. He supports his arguments with references to Scripture, particularly Mark 5, Leviticus 15, and 1 Peter 1:23-25, to highlight the contrast between the failures of earthly physicians (representing futile religious efforts) and the healing power of Christ, which is immediate and transformative. The doctrinal significance lies in the affirmation that salvation is entirely the work of grace, granted by God through faith in Christ, and that genuine faith expresses itself through personal humility and a recognition of one's desperate need for divine mercy.
Key Quotes
“But God's given her hope. The higher views we have of the Lord in His grace and His mercy, the lower views we will have of our own understanding.”
“This woman had heard of Jesus. He had been revealed to her. How did she have the faith to reach out and touch the hem of the garment? Because God had granted her faith to believe.”
“One touch of real faith can do more for the soul than hundreds of self-imposed works.”
“She came trembling and left triumphant. Not in anything she did, but in what the Master's done for her.”
The Bible illustrates faith as the key to healing, as seen in Mark 5:34 where Jesus says, 'Thy faith hath made thee whole.'
In the account of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, we see that her faith played a crucial role in her healing. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus' garments, she would be healed. Mark 5:34 highlights this when Jesus says to her, 'Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace and be whole of thy plague.' This interaction shows how faith must be directed towards Christ, the Great Physician, who alone has the power to heal both physically and spiritually. It reflects the sovereign grace of God as it is faith granted by Him that leads the sinner to seek out Christ for healing and wholeness.
Mark 5:34
Jesus is called the Great Physician because He heals the sick and provides spiritual restoration to sinners, as demonstrated in Mark 5.
The term 'Great Physician' refers to Jesus' ability to heal not just physical ailments but also spiritual sickness. In Mark 5, the woman with the issue of blood had sought healing from many physicians but found no relief until she encountered Jesus. His response to her faith exemplifies His role as the healer of both body and soul. He is portrayed as full of compassion, gentle, and as the Savior who seeks out the broken and distressed. This underscores His divine authority and willingness to heal, demonstrating that true healing comes only through Him, the one who is without sin. He does not become unclean by the touch of the sinner but instead imparts His cleansing grace.
Mark 5:24-34
Salvation is by grace through faith as the Bible teaches that faith is a gift from God, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9.
The doctrine of salvation by grace through faith is firmly rooted in Scripture. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.' This emphasizes that faith itself is not a result of human effort but rather a divine gift from God that enables the sinner to believe in Christ for salvation. In the Sermon, it is pointed out that like the woman with the issue of blood, individuals come to faith not through their own merits or works, but by God's sovereign grace drawing them to the Savior. When a person recognizes their unworthiness and comes humbly before Christ, it is indicative of genuine faith—faith that is granted by God Himself.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Mark 5:27-28
Humility is crucial in coming to Christ because it reflects a recognition of our need for His grace and mercy.
Humility is foundational to the Christian faith, as it recognizes the believer's lowly state before a holy God. The account of the woman with the issue of blood exemplifies this humility; she approached Jesus with reverence and desperation, believing that she could be healed by merely touching His garment. This illustrates that true faith is always accompanied by humility. In the sermon, it is emphasized that we must come before God as 'mercy beggars,' acknowledging our inability to save ourselves or heal our spiritual ailments. The proud will not seek the Lord, but the humble will cry out for mercy, as seen in the example of this woman. This attitude aligns with biblical teachings that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, revealing the necessity of humility in the believer's journey of faith.
Mark 5:33; James 4:6
Divine providence signifies God's sovereign control and purpose in bringing healing, as illustrated in the woman's encounter with Jesus.
Divine providence is a central theme in the narrative of the healing of the woman with the issue of blood. The sermon highlights that her affliction lasted twelve long years, but it was part of God's sovereign purpose to lead her to Christ. Her desire to be healed and her actions in seeking Jesus were orchestrated by God's providence, demonstrating that there is no chance or luck in the believer's life. Instead, everything occurs under God's purposeful plan. This providence assures believers that their afflictions and struggles are used by God to draw them closer to Him and ultimately lead them to mercy and healing. This perspective encourages Christians to trust in God's greater plan through their trials and to seek Him as the source of true healing and restoration.
Mark 5:24-34
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