I completed the series on the miracles of Mark 4-5 this past Sunday. I preached the miracle Jesus performed for Jairus and his sick, dying daughter. This was a interesting, challenging passage to preach – along with the woman with the issue of blood. As an theologian and expositor, I am absolutely convinced that the miracles of Mark 5 are historically true. And I firmly believe that these miracles rightly affirm the divine power and sovereign authority of Jesus over sickness and death. But as a pastor I am aware that, if Jesus tarries, my people will have to face sickness and death. This is the challenge of the pulpit. If you don’t have a pastor’s heart, it’s easy to preach texts like this with triumphalistic claims. You must boldly preach with pastoral sensitivity. I took my best shot at it this Sunday. My goal was that the congregation would leave the worship service believing that Jesus has the last word in every situation. Here is the sermon skeleton.

TITLE: “Trust Jesus at a Dead-End”

TEXT: Mark 5:21-24, 34-43

THEME: The sovereign authority of Jesus over death

POINT: Jesus has the last word in every situation.

TRANSITION SENTENCE: Jesus last the last word when disappointment speaks, when doubt speaks, and even when death speaks.

OUTLINE:

I. Jesus has the last word disappointment speaks (5:35-36).

A. Jairus’ heart is broken by the words of the messengers (v. 35).

B. Jairus’ heart is comforted by the words of the Master (v. 36).

II. Jesus has the last word doubt speaks (5:37-39).

A. The world says that death is the end (v. 38).

B. Jesus says that death is not the end (v. 39).

III. Jesus has the last word death speaks (5:40-43).

A. Jesus has the last word over physical death (v. 40-42).

B. Jesus has the last word over spiritual death (v. 43).