The Reporter - 8/29/08

Mark chapter five provides several examples of the Divine power of Jesus. He (1) Cast out a "legion" of demons, (2) He healed a woman that touched His garment, and (3) He raised a girl from the dead. Jesus had power over nature, the spirit world and all kinds of sickness and disease. There is no doubt that Jesus is the Son of the Living God.

When Jesus allowed the demons to go into the swine the herd ran into the sea and was drown. We observe that people are often more concerned about property than they are about people. Some were more concerned about the hogs than they were that the demon possessed men had been healed. (Matthew 8:28-34)

A man named Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue, came to Jesus asking Him to help his daughter. Jairus was an important person in his community. The girl was about twelve years old. She died and Jesus raised her from the dead. While Jesus was on his way to Jairus' house a woman with an issue of blood touched His garment and was healed. Both accounts show Jesus' power to heal the sick.

Jesus healed a demon-possessed man – Mark 5:1-9: Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee and came to the area of the Gerasenes. This was on the eastern shore of Galilee. As Jesus got out of the boat he was met by a man with an evil spirit. He came out of the tombs. The evil sprits had caused the man to live in tombs and had given him extra ordinary strength. "No one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain."

He was just a mad man. Attempts had been made to bind him with shackles and chains, but he twisted the chains apart, and broke the shackles. He was constantly in the tombs or on the hills, yelling and cutting himself with stones, both night and day. When the man saw Jesus he ran to Him and fell down before Him. The tormented man asked Jesus to promise that He would not torture him. The demos realized that if they came out of the man that they would likely have to return to punishment in Hades. "Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many."

Jesus sent the demons into the swine – Mark 5:10-20: The demons begged Jesus not to send them out of the country. There was a herd of about 2,000 swine feeding on the hillside. The evil spirits begged Jesus, "Send us into those pigs!" Jesus gave them permission to go into the pigs. The entire herd of about two thousand pigs rushed into the sea and was drowned. We are not told whether the men taking care of the pigs knew why this had happened. We do know that they ran to the town and the farms to spread the news. When the word was spread the people came out to see what had happened.

When the people came they saw the man that had been demon-possessed sitting, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. It is now that they seem to decide that what had happened with the demon-possessed man had something to do with the pigs. Instead of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, accepting Him as Lord and obeying Him they started begging Him to leave their country. It would be natural that the man that was healed would want to go on the boat with Jesus. Instead Jesus told him to "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you."

Jesus healed a woman that touched His garment – Mark 5:21-34: Jesus once again returned to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and as usual a large crowd followed him. A man named Jairus came to Jesus and fell at His feet. He was one of the rulers of the synagogue. This would have been an important role to fulfill. But troubles are no respecter of persons. In this case the man's daughter was at the point of death. He said, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live."

As Jesus journeyed with Jairus a great crowd followed Him. One person was a poor woman that had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. Mark said, she “had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse." (Mark 5:26) Doctor Luke said it a little milder, "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any." (Luke 8:43) This woman felt that she could be healed if she could only touch Jesus' cloths. She came up behind Him in the crowd and barely touched His garments. As soon as she touched the garment of Jesus, her bleeding stopped. She knew right away that she had been healed. Jesus knew that power had gone out from Him so He asked "Who touched my garments?" She came trembling with fear and knelt down before Jesus and told her story. How her heart must have rejoiced when Jesus said, "You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain." Truly, this man is the Son of God!

Jesus healed Jairus’ daughter – Mark 5:35-43: Jairus must had been very sad about his delay. Especially when word came from his house that his daughter had died and that he should not bother Jesus any more. Jesus heard what was said and He reassured that man saying, "Do not fear, only believe." Apparently these events took place very near Jairus' house. Jesus stopped the multitude and He took only three of the Apostles into Jairus' house. They were Peter, James and John. When they arrived they saw a commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly.

How bewildered they must have been when Jesus asked them why they were crying and they heard Him say that the child was not dead but sleeping. In fact they laughed Him to scorn. However Jesus is the Son of God and He knew the child would live. Jesus put everyone out except the child's parents and His three apostles. He took the child by the hand, I think in respect to the request of Jairus for Him to touch her, and said, "Talitha cumi" which means "Little girl, get up!" The little girl was about twelve years old so she got up and began walking about. Jesus told them to give the child some food and not make know what had happened. Obviously is not wrong to tell what had happen because Mark wrote it down. Jesus was humble. He was the Son of God. He wanted people drawn to Him because of who He was not because of what He did!

Will you have enough reverence for Jesus and respect for Him as Lord that you will become a Christian now? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized to wash away your sins. (Acts 22:16) After baptism, continue to follow Jesus and He will lead you home to heaven. (Revelation 2:10)

1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Anderson Bagents, Jerry Barr, Ellis Bender, Shirley Boutwell, Dannie Box, Ida “Jean” Brazell (mother-in-law of Felice Kendrick), Dorothy Buck, Wayne & Viola Corley, Shirley Curry (mother of Sue Hunt), Bobby Fullington, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Robert & Zeola Hamilton, Cage Harrell, Billy Heartsill, Mary Lawrence, Abigail Matthews, Renny McNaughton (brother of Patricia Gafford), Reba Miller (mother of Pam Till), Edith Mosley, Pat Newton, Mary Powell, Zachary Reynolds, Don Shirley, Sarah Stidham, Rebecca Stinson, Leroy Tindal (surgery), Ted Tindal, Juanita Turner, Richard Watts, Mary Williams, and Kim Willett (sister of Randy Fullington). Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gene Buck (following a stroke), Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

2. Please Pray For: Pray for Paul Findley, Ben Newton and Jason Godwin as they serve in Iraq. Also pray for Dennis Phillips Jr. as he will be going to Iraq soon.

3. Pray For Permission To Build: Pray that we can obtain permission to build a building in Annai, Guyana, South America. A congregation is needed there. You have to be granted land to build on. You cannot just purchase it.

4. Fifth Sunday Meal: Everyone is invited to enjoy a meal together following morning services on August 31^st.

5. New Bible Class: Jeff Thomas is teaching a Bible class on Sunday morning on “Overcoming Addiction Through Christ.” See Jeff or Charles Box for information.

6. Church Directory Information: The address and birthdays for: (a) the Holladay family is Jason 2-12, Ashley, 7-22, John Robert 11-4. Anna Kathryn 7-15 and Jeremiah 1-14. (b) Donald Loveless address is 760 Old Central Road, Greenville, Alabama – Phone 382-6430.

7. Birthday: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 3^rd William Pierce and September 6^th Michael Copley.

8. Write To Jason Godwin: His address is: Jason E. Godwin, C Company 1-244^th ASLT BN, APO AE 09391. If you are a member of the young Adult Bible Class be sure to help fill the box to be sent to Jason soon.

9. Ladies Day: You are cordially invited to attend a Ladies Day seminar at Walnut Street Church of Christ with Sheila Butt Saturday, September 13^th. Theme: “Seeking Spiritual Beauty” Our goal is to strengthen and enlighten women that are trying to be “women after God’s own heart”. Registration begins at 9:15. Seminar concludes with a luncheon at 12:00. Please call 334-382-3001 if you plan to attend. For more information on Sheila Butt visit her website at www.sheilabutt.com.

10. Christine Lucas Moved: Christine and her family left for Virginia on Thursday. Her address there is: 25996 Old Valley Pike, Toms Brook, VA 22660. Please pray for this family.

11. A Wonderful Opportunity: We are receiving a bundle of “Think” magazines each month. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and read these good articles.

12. Web-Site: Check out our website: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. New material is added each week and you can also access many teaching articles and past issues of The Reporter.

13. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) September 5^th – Area Wide Singing – University Church of Christ – Time 7:00–8:30 p.m. (b) September 6^th – Youth Day – Fairhope Church of Christ – Speaker Caleb Campbell – Time 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (c) September 13^th – Ladies Day – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker Sheila Butt – Theme Seeking Spiritual Beauty – Time 9:15-12:00. (d) September 20^th – Youth Rally – Sylacauga Church of Christ – Theme the Gospel Is for All: Overcoming Prejudice & Hypocrisy – Speakers Mike Whisenant and James Jones – Time 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

In the book of Philippians Paul offered several keys to happiness. Some people are happy; others actually work at making themselves and those around them miserable. Let us use these keys and learn to be happy.

Receive grace and peace from Jesus: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:2) Always focus on the good things of life, especially on forgiveness of sins and eternal hope.

Remember to be thankful: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." (Philippians 1:3-5) Be thankful for other people and for the good they do. Be thankful for salvation, the church, and the opportunity to serve others.

Remain humble and have the spirit of Christ: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) If you think too highly of self you may get to feeling sorry for yourself. Both of those attitudes will make you miserable. Those with a humble, Christ-like spirit find happiness regardless of circumstance.

Renounce complaining and murmuring: "Do all things without complaining and disputing." (Philippians 2:14) Those that complain about every slight will always be miserable. You also guarantee yourself and others misery if you think you are entitled to special privileges.

Rejoice in your relationship with the Lord: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4) True happiness belongs to those that are "in Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Christians have much to rejoice about; especially the forgiveness of sins.

Recognize God's care for your life: "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Money is not the answer. God is the answer to man's needs.

Do not feel sorry for yourself. Lift up your head and heart. Be thankful and enjoy the peace of God. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Ladies Day

September 13^th

Walnut Street Church of Christ

Sheila Butt

Seeking Spiritual Beauty

9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.