First Good Samaritan Baptist Church
Weekly Word
The Caring Church, Preparing the world by Sharing the WORD!

Sermon Prepared By Minister Gloria Dunbar-Webb

Luke 13 v. 10-13
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Jesus Can Straighten It Out

Our text tells us of a woman who has been living with a condition for 18 years. This condition has caused her to not be able to stand up straight. Can you imagine not being able to look up at the sky for 18 years, not being able to look up to God in praise and worship, not being able to look up at the Sun.

For 18 years her body has been bent in a downward position. She has to look down on a daily basis. Looking down brings disappointment, looking down leads to discouragement, depression and discomfort. She could not, by her own power, overcome her condition.

Sometimes we can find ourselves spiritual state in which we cannot look up either! Like this woman who was tormented for 18 years by her condition, we too can become tormented by our circumstances. We must remember that as a child of God, even our afflictions are part of His plan for our lives, Jeremiah 29 v. 1111 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Bible says, verse 12, “He saw her”. Not only did Jesus see her, he called her to him and He gave her a compassionate word and that word was “Woman”. Jesus sees us all. He sees all that is going on within us as well as on the outside of us. When He called her “woman” he is saying I see you. Not only did he call her, he touched her and straightened out everything that was bent and crooked in her life.

When He touches us, He straightens out all that is bent and crooked in our lives. He straightens out what is wrong and gives us healing. Whenever He heals us we will never be the same again!

Blessings To You All
Written by
Minister Gloria Dunbar-Webb
Assistant to Pastor Simmons