Jangan Takut, Percaya Saja - Pdt. Emelda Pau Pau (GMS Church)

Sermon Overview

Pastor Emelda Pau Pau’s sermon centers on Jesus’ words to Jairus: “Do not be afraid; just believe.” She presents this not merely as encouragement, but as a command to trust God rather than be ruled by fear, circumstances, feelings, or other people’s opinions.

Biblical faith, she says, does not mean pretending to be unafraid. It means facing fear with confidence in God and holding on to what Scripture says.

Lessons from Jairus and the Woman Who Had Been Bleeding

The sermon follows the account in Mark 5:21–43:

• Jairus humbled himself and asked Jesus for help. Although he was a respected synagogue leader, he set aside his status and pleaded for his critically ill daughter. His example shows that social position, knowledge, and connections cannot meet every need; sometimes God is the only answer.
• Jesus responded with compassion. Jesus went with Jairus without treating him according to his title or past disagreements. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus cares about people’s real circumstances and understands human suffering.
• Jesus stopped for the woman in the crowd. She had been bleeding for 12 years, had spent her resources seeking treatment, and was socially and religiously isolated. Believing that touching Jesus’ cloak would make her well, she reached out. Jesus stopped, gave her attention, and affirmed her faith, calling her “daughter.” His care restored not only her body but also her sense of belonging and worth.
• Jairus waited while Jesus helped someone else. Though his own situation was urgent, he did not interrupt or complain. The sermon challenges listeners not to assume their problems are more important than everyone else’s, and to care about others even while facing hardship themselves.
• The situation worsened, but Jesus told Jairus not to fear. Jairus was told that his daughter had died. Jesus told him to keep believing and then raised the girl. The preacher presents this as a lesson in trusting Jesus when delays and bad news make circumstances appear hopeless.

Practical Lessons and Applications

• Hold on to Scripture when fear or bad news comes.
  • Identify God’s promises for different areas of life, including family, work, health, relationships, ministry, and the future.
  • Write them down and revisit them so God’s Word is familiar when difficulties arise.
  • Do not make faith depend on whether a promise immediately matches what you can see or logically understand.
  • Let God’s Word speak more loudly than discouraging circumstances, accusations, or fearful thoughts.
• Do not assume God’s silence means indifference. Not seeing God work does not mean he has stopped caring.
• Make room to care for others. Jairus’ patience is an example of how personal hardship does not make other people’s pain unimportant.
• Seek a supportive Christian community. Jesus allowed a smaller group of disciples to accompany him into the home while removing the crowd that mocked him. The sermon applies this to church fellowship and small groups, called CG at the church. Believers can encourage one another’s faith, especially during difficult seasons, by both receiving and offering support.
• Choose influences that strengthen faith. The preacher warns against surrounding oneself with persistent negativity about God, church, or fellowship, and refers to the biblical teaching that unbelief can hinder the experience of miracles.
• Serve God and others. Service is presented not merely as a response to a church’s staffing needs, but as part of spiritual growth. Listeners are encouraged to make room in their lives to help, disciple, and strengthen others rather than living only for themselves.
• Include children and young people in worship, fellowship, and service. Parents are encouraged to help children build spiritual foundations early, involve them in age-appropriate small groups and ministry, and support their participation while also keeping an eye on their schooling.

Other Themes

The preacher notes that Jesus’ care includes practical and physical needs, not only spiritual matters. After raising the girl, Jesus tells the family to feed her.

She also says that the resurrections Jesus performed during his ministry were not permanent physical life, and identifies salvation as the greatest miracle.

The sermon closes by asking listeners to consider whether they see themselves not only through roles such as parent, employee, or leader, but also as servants of God. Isaiah 61 is used to connect service with God’s blessing upon future generations.

Speakers and Sources

• Speaker: Pastor Emelda Pau Pau, preaching the sermon.
• Biblical sources cited or discussed: Mark 5:21–43; Psalm 112:7; Matthew 13:58; Isaiah 61:6 and 9. The sermon also refers to the biblical statement, “When I am afraid, I trust in you,” without giving its reference in the subtitles.
• Other voices: The congregation is prompted to respond at the opening, but no other individual speaker is clearly identifiable.