Active Faith: Responding with Compassion and Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Faith That Acts: Trusting and Moving in Christ’s Authority

The centurion in Luke 7 demonstrates a faith that not only believes in Jesus’ authority but also acts upon it, sending others to seek healing for his servant. His humility and confidence in Christ’s power are remarkable, but what sets his faith apart is that it leads to action—he does not remain passive or simply hope for the best. Instead, he steps out, trusting that even a word from Jesus is enough to bring about a miracle. This kind of faith is not content with mere agreement or belief; it compels us to pray, to step forward, and to do what we can, trusting that Jesus will meet us in our obedience. [41:44]

Luke 7:1-10 (NIV)
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to act in faith this week, rather than just believe? What practical step can you take today to move forward in obedience?

Day 2: Compassion That Interrupts: Jesus Moves Toward the Broken

In the story of the widow at Nain, Jesus is moved by compassion when he sees her grief, even though she does not ask him for anything. He interrupts the funeral procession, touches the bier, and speaks life into a hopeless situation. This is a powerful reminder that Jesus sees our pain, even when we cannot voice it, and that his heart is moved to act on our behalf. His compassion is not passive; it is active, interrupting sorrow and bringing restoration where there was only loss. [42:34]

Luke 7:11-17 (NIV)
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing grief or loss right now? How can you move toward them with Christlike compassion and offer tangible support or encouragement this week?

Day 3: Entering God’s Rest: Confidence in Christ Our High Priest

Hebrews 4 invites us to enter God’s Sabbath rest, not as an escape from the world’s troubles, but as a place of trust and confidence in Christ’s finished work. We are reminded that Jesus, our great high priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations, and because of this, we can approach God’s throne with boldness to receive mercy and grace. This rest is not about inactivity, but about ceasing from striving in our own strength and relying on the grace and advocacy of Jesus, who knows our struggles and stands ready to help us in every need. [55:00]

Hebrews 4:9-16 (NIV)
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Reflection: Where are you striving in your own strength instead of resting in Christ’s finished work? What would it look like for you to approach God’s throne with confidence and ask for the help you need today?

Day 4: Rejecting the Enemy’s Lies: Standing Firm in Truth and Love

The enemy whispers lies to silence, discourage, and paralyze God’s people—telling us to be quiet, that we are irrelevant, too compromised, or that our battle is merely political. But Scripture calls us to let our light shine, to remember that even small acts of faith matter, and to refuse self-condemnation or the temptation to fight as the world fights. Instead, we are to measure every thought against God’s Word, replace fear with His promises, and respond to hostility with love, truth, and steadfastness, knowing that our true battle is spiritual and our victory is in Christ. [49:14]

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Reflection: Which of the enemy’s lies do you most often struggle with—silence, irrelevance, self-condemnation, or misplaced battle? What truth from God’s Word can you declare over that lie today?

Day 5: From Hearing to Doing: Practicing Faith Through Obedience and Forgiveness

It is not enough to be hearers of the Word; we are called to be doers, taking practical steps of obedience, loving even those who wound us, and forgiving those who have wronged us. Faith is exercised and strengthened through action—whether it’s sharing your faith, serving others, or choosing to forgive an offender. In a world marked by violence and division, our witness is measured not by volume but by faithfulness, by our willingness to act in love, to intercede, and to stand firm in Christ, even when it is difficult. [01:03:32]

James 1:22-25 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Reflection: Who is one person you need to forgive or one act of obedience you sense God calling you to this week? What specific step will you take today to move from hearing to doing?

Sermon Summary

After a time away, it’s a joy to gather again and set aside the noise and worries of the world to focus on God’s presence, worship, and the fellowship of believers. In a world marked by division, violence, and uncertainty, we are reminded that our greatest need is not for solutions or answers, but for God Himself—to sit at His feet, to rest in His presence, and to let Him minister to us at the point of our deepest need.

The stories from Luke 7—of the centurion’s faith and the widow’s grief—show us that Jesus meets people in both authority and vulnerability. The centurion’s faith was not passive; it moved him to act, to reach out, to trust Jesus’ authority even from a distance. The widow, in her utter loss, did not even ask, but Jesus saw her, was moved with compassion, and intervened with resurrection power. These encounters reveal that real faith is never just agreement or belief—it is trust that moves, prays, and steps forward, even when the world is hostile or circumstances are dire.

We live in a time when hatred and violence are on display, and it’s tempting to respond either by hiding in fear or lashing out in anger. But Jesus calls us to a different pattern: to stand in compassion, to act in His authority, and to let our faith be both trusting and obedient. The enemy whispers lies—telling us to be silent, that we are irrelevant, too compromised, or that our battle is merely political. But these are deceptions meant to paralyze and divide us. The true battle is spiritual, and our response must be rooted in the gospel, not in the tactics of the world.

Hebrews 4 offers us three anchor truths: there remains a Sabbath rest for God’s people, Jesus is our great high priest who understands our weakness, and we are invited to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence. In the face of hostility, our first move is not to fight in our own strength, but to draw near to God, to pray, to rest in His promises, and to act in obedience—however small the step may seem.

The call is clear: reclaim prayer as our first response, recognize and reject the enemy’s lies, move from hearing to doing through concrete acts of faith, love even those who wound us, and prepare ourselves spiritually for opposition—not with fear, but with readiness. Our witness is measured not by volume, but by faithfulness. When the world hates, we are to stand firm, mourn loss, resist retaliation, and remember that the gospel sends us to heal, intercede, and stand in the love and truth of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is Active, Not Passive The centurion’s example shows that genuine faith is not just believing in Jesus’ authority, but acting on it. Faith that honors Christ moves us to take steps—whether that’s reaching out for help, interceding for others, or obeying God’s promptings even when we feel unworthy or distant. Faith that acts, even in small ways, invites the miracle-working power of God into our lives. [41:44]
2. Compassion Interrupts Despair Jesus’ response to the widow at Nain demonstrates that God sees us in our deepest grief, even when we cannot voice our need. He is moved by compassion to intervene, bringing life where there is only loss. Our calling is to embody this same compassion, stepping into the pain of others and allowing God’s love to flow through us, even when the world is hostile or indifferent. [42:34]
3. The Enemy’s Lies Must Be Named and Rejected The enemy seeks to silence, paralyze, and divide us through subtle lies—telling us to be quiet, that we don’t matter, that we’re too compromised, or that our struggle is merely political. These lies are often dressed as wisdom or prudence, but they are rooted in fear and deception. We must measure every whisper against Scripture, replace fear with God’s promises, and refuse to let these lies dictate our actions or identity. [49:14]
4. Rest and Confidence Come from Christ, Our High Priest Hebrews 4 reminds us that our rest is not escape, but trust in God’s finished work. Jesus, our great high priest, understands our weakness and invites us to approach God’s throne with confidence. In times of fear, temptation, or opposition, our first move is to draw near to God, receive His mercy, and be equipped for faithful witness—not to strive in our own strength. [55:00]
5. Faithfulness is Measured by Obedience, Not Outcome We are called to move from hearing to doing, taking concrete steps of obedience each week—no matter how small. This includes praying for victims and perpetrators, loving those who wound us, forgiving offenders, and serving where God has placed us. Our witness is not about grand gestures, but about consistent, faithful acts that reflect Christ’s love and truth in a broken world. [58:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Road Trip Reflections and Family Updates
[22:08] - Entering God’s Presence in Worship and Prayer
[23:47] - Announcements and Community Life
[25:38] - Men’s Fellowship and Upcoming Events
[30:10] - Children’s Church and Family Moments
[32:10] - Scripture Reading: Luke 7 and Hebrews 4
[33:27] - Jesus Meets Authority and Grief
[34:42] - The Invitation to Draw Near
[36:18] - Responding to Violence and Hatred
[39:29] - Naming the Enemy’s Lies
[41:44] - Faith that Acts: The Centurion and the Widow
[45:10] - Four Lies That Silence God’s People
[52:09] - Anchor Truths from Hebrews 4
[56:01] - Practical Steps for Faithful Living
[61:58] - Responding to Hatred: Repentance, Obedience, Forgiveness
[66:58] - Standing Firm in a Hostile World
[68:45] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 7:1–17 (ESV) — - Hebrews 4:9–16 (ESV)
- John 15:18 (ESV)
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”

Observation Questions

In Luke 7, what actions did the centurion take to demonstrate his faith in Jesus’ authority?
How did Jesus respond differently to the centurion and to the widow at Nain?
According to Hebrews 4:14–16, what does it mean that Jesus is our “great high priest”?
The sermon mentioned four specific lies the enemy uses to silence God’s people. What are they? ([45:10])

Interpretation Questions

Why is the centurion’s faith described as “active” rather than just belief? What does this show us about the nature of real faith? ([41:44])
How does Jesus’ compassion for the widow at Nain challenge our understanding of how God responds to unspoken pain and grief? ([42:34])
The sermon says the true battle is spiritual, not political. What are the dangers of confusing these two, according to the message? ([48:16])
Hebrews 4 invites us to “draw near to the throne of grace with confidence.” What does this look like in the middle of fear, temptation, or opposition? ([55:00])

Application Questions

The centurion’s faith moved him to act, even though he felt unworthy. Is there an area in your life where you feel unworthy to approach God or ask for His help? What small step of faith could you take this week? ([41:44])
Jesus noticed the widow’s pain without her asking. Who in your life might be suffering silently, and how could you show them compassion this week? ([42:34])
The sermon named four lies the enemy uses: be silent, you’re irrelevant, you’re too compromised, and this is just a political fight. Which of these lies do you most often hear in your own mind? How can you replace it with God’s truth? ([45:10])
When you see hatred or violence in the world, is your first response to hide, lash out, or something else? What would it look like to make prayer your first response instead? ([56:01])
Hebrews 4 says our rest comes from trusting in Christ, not escaping problems. What is one way you can practice “resting” in God this week, even if your circumstances don’t change? ([52:09])
The sermon challenged us to do one concrete act of obedience this week—praying for someone, forgiving an offender, or serving where God has placed us. What specific act will you commit to, and how can the group support you in it? ([58:31])
Is there someone who has wounded you or someone you find hard to forgive? What would it look like to take a step toward forgiveness this week, even if it’s just praying for them? ([01:03:32])

Sermon Clips

Jesus did not simply teach us about love. He embodied it. And both of these scenes teach us that real faith is not merely passive. Real faith does something. Not just passive agreement. It trusts, and then it moves. It prays. It prays, and then it steps. Where the centurion had confidence to ask, Jesus answered. Where a mother had no one to step in for her, to support her, to intercede. Jesus moved in mercy. [00:42:34] (46 seconds) #LoveEmbodiedFaithActive

Lie number one, be silent. Speak softly. Keep your head down. My dad told me that when I went into the basic training. And that was good advice then. It's not so good advice now. See, when the culture grows loud and hostile, the accuser whispers, it's safer to be quiet. You'll avoid trouble if you blend in. That is fear dressed as wisdom. It's still fear. What does the Bible say? What does the Word say? The Word says, let your light shine. Fear is not the voice of God. [00:44:42] (46 seconds) #FearNotSilence

I want to make sure you understand, God, Jesus doesn't wait for your perfection. He invites your obedience. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to obey and do what He's called you to do. Even those small, little, insignificant things. [00:48:07] (17 seconds) #MournAndDeliver

So, beloved, when the world hates, don't be surprised. When the enemy lies, you know what? Call him a liar. When violence comes, mourn the loss, resist the temptation to return evil for evil and remember that the gospel sends us to heal, to intercede and to stand firm on our faith. [01:06:47] (31 seconds)

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