Facing Brokenness with Hope: Jesus’ Promise of Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Presence and Faithfulness in the Midst of Brokenness

Even as the world around us seems to fall apart—whether through personal loss, global turmoil, or the collapse of things we once held dear—God promises to be with us. Jesus assures us that our suffering is not the end of the story; He walks with us through every trial, using even our pain and loss for a greater purpose. When we face moments where everything we’ve built seems to crumble, we are invited to trust that God is still at work, redeeming and restoring in ways we may not yet see. [52:20]

Luke 21:16-19 (ESV)
"You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels broken or uncertain right now? How can you invite Jesus to walk with you in that place today, trusting that He is present and working for your good?

Day 2: Redemption Is Drawing Near—Hope in the Return of Christ

When we see chaos, wars, and suffering in the world, Jesus calls us not to cower in fear but to lift our heads in hope. These signs are reminders that our redemption is drawing near, and that Jesus will return to make all things new. Rather than being overwhelmed by despair, we are encouraged to live with anticipation, knowing that the end of the story is one of victory, restoration, and eternal life with Christ. [59:16]

Luke 21:28 (ESV)
"Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Reflection: When you hear troubling news or experience hardship, what would it look like for you to “straighten up and raise your head” in hope today?

Day 3: God Brings New Life Out of What Falls Apart

Sometimes God allows things we love—even things we’ve poured our lives into—to be torn down. Yet, in His wisdom, He often uses these endings to bring about new beginnings, growth, and blessings we could not have imagined. When we grieve what is lost, we can also look for the new life God is bringing forth, trusting that He is always working for the good of those who love Him. [56:14]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: Is there something in your life that has ended or changed unexpectedly? How might God be inviting you to see the new thing He is doing through it?

Day 4: Forgiveness and Freedom at the Cross

No matter what mistakes, sins, or failures weigh on your heart, Jesus has already carried them to the cross. There is nothing too big for His love and forgiveness. You are invited to bring your burdens, regrets, and shame to Him, trusting that He has overcome them all. In Christ, you are forgiven, set free, and given a new start—today and every day. [56:55]

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: What is one sin or regret you have been holding onto? Take a moment to bring it honestly to Jesus in prayer, and receive His forgiveness and freedom.

Day 5: Sharing the Good News in a Broken World

As followers of Jesus, we are not only recipients of His grace but also called to share His love and hope with others. Even as the world groans and people search for meaning, we are sent to proclaim that Jesus has overcome the brokenness and offers redemption to all. The harvest is plentiful, and God has placed people in your path who need to hear and experience His love through you. [01:00:19]

Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to hear or experience the hope of Jesus? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week with Christ’s love?

Sermon Summary

As we approach the end of the church year, our hearts are drawn to the words of Jesus as He prepares His disciples for the coming trials and the ultimate hope that lies ahead. The disciples, marveling at the grandeur of the temple, are met with Jesus’ sobering prophecy: not one stone will be left upon another. This is not just a prediction of the temple’s destruction, but a reminder that even the most impressive works of our hands are temporary. Jesus’ words point us to a deeper reality—one where suffering, loss, and upheaval are not the end, but the context in which God’s redemptive work unfolds.

Throughout history, and in our own lives, we witness things fall apart—relationships, dreams, even ministries we have poured ourselves into. Yet, Jesus assures us that in the midst of chaos, He is present. The end times, marked by wars, disasters, and suffering, are not a call to fear or frantic speculation, but an invitation to readiness and trust. Jesus tells us to “straighten up and lift your heads,” for these signs mean our redemption is drawing near. Death, loss, and brokenness are not the final word for those who belong to Christ.

Even as we grieve what is lost, God is at work, bringing new life from what seems dead. The story of our church plant in Texas, which ended despite years of faithful labor, is a testimony to this truth. Its ending led to the birth and strengthening of other communities of faith—evidence that God’s purposes are not thwarted by our disappointments. In the same way, the destruction of the temple scattered the early Christians, spreading the gospel far beyond Jerusalem.

Jesus’ promise is that not a hair on our heads will perish—not because we are spared from suffering, but because our lives are secure in Him. He has overcome sin, death, and every power that would separate us from God. We are called to bring our brokenness, our failures, and our pain to the cross, trusting that Jesus has already borne it all. And as we receive His forgiveness, we are sent out to share this hope with a world in need, knowing that every sign of brokenness is also a sign that our redemption is near.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Presence in Our Brokenness God does not promise to spare us from suffering, but He promises to be with us in the midst of it. The destruction, loss, and pain we experience are not signs of His absence, but opportunities for His presence to be revealed in new ways. Even when things fall apart, God is working for our good and His glory. [46:34]
2. Redemption Emerges from What Falls Apart When cherished things in our lives crumble, it can feel like the end. Yet, God often uses these endings to bring about new beginnings that we could not have imagined. The scattering of the early church and the death of a beloved ministry both led to greater growth and blessing, reminding us that God’s plans are bigger than our own. [55:53]
3. Live Ready, Not Fearful Jesus calls us to live in a posture of readiness, not anxiety. The signs of the times—wars, disasters, and suffering—are not meant to drive us to despair or frantic speculation, but to a deeper trust in God’s timing and faithfulness. We are to “straighten up and lift our heads,” confident that our redemption is near and that death is not the end. [59:16]
4. Bring Your Brokenness to the Cross We are invited to bring all our failures, sins, and wounds to Jesus, who has already overcome them on the cross. There is nothing too broken or shameful for His forgiveness. In community, we support one another in confession and restoration, living as people marked by grace and hope. [56:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:15] - Opening Prayer
[40:46] - The Church Year and End Times
[41:14] - Setting: Jesus and the Disciples at the Temple
[42:15] - Jesus’ Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction
[42:53] - Roller Coasters and Facing Fear
[45:45] - Jesus Prepares Disciples for Suffering
[46:34] - Prophecy: Destruction and Double Meaning
[48:30] - Signs of the End Times
[50:24] - Persecution and God’s Protection
[51:35] - Death Is Not the End
[53:38] - When Things Fall Apart
[55:53] - God’s New Work Through Loss
[56:55] - Bringing Brokenness to the Cross
[58:55] - Straighten Up: Redemption Is Near
[59:43] - Sharing the Good News
[61:03] - Confession and Forgiveness
[63:55] - Forgiving One Another
[64:56] - Prayer Ministry and Worship
[81:25] - Welcoming Pastoral Candidates
[82:39] - Prayer for Discernment
[83:26] - One Family: Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 21:5-19 (ESV) — 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Observation Questions

What did Jesus say would happen to the temple that amazed the disciples? ([42:15])
According to Jesus, what kinds of events will mark the “end times”? ([48:30])
How does Jesus describe the experience of his followers during these times of trouble? ([50:24])
What promise does Jesus give about the ultimate outcome for those who endure? ([50:38])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to warn his disciples about the destruction of the temple and coming troubles, instead of just comforting them? ([46:34])
The sermon mentioned that even when things fall apart—like the temple or a beloved ministry—God can use that loss for something new. How does this change the way we view disappointments or endings in our own lives? ([55:53])
Jesus says, “not a hair on your head will perish,” even though he also says some will be put to death. What does this tell us about the kind of security Jesus promises? ([50:38])
The pastor shared about bringing our brokenness and failures to the cross. Why is it important to do this in community, not just privately? ([56:55])

Application Questions

The disciples were impressed by the temple, but Jesus reminded them it was temporary. Are there things in your life—possessions, achievements, even ministries—that you tend to put your hope in? How might God be inviting you to hold these more loosely? ([42:15])
When have you experienced something important in your life “falling apart”? Looking back, can you see any ways God brought new life or growth out of that loss? ([55:53])
Jesus calls us to “straighten up and lift your heads” when we see signs of brokenness or trouble. What would it look like for you to live with this kind of hope and readiness, instead of fear or anxiety, in your current circumstances? ([58:55])
The sermon talked about not being driven to frantic speculation or despair by the troubles in the world, but instead trusting God’s timing. Are there specific news stories or personal worries that tend to make you anxious? How can you practice trust in those moments? ([49:43])
The pastor shared about bringing failures, sins, and wounds to Jesus at the cross. Is there something in your life right now that feels “too broken” or shameful to bring to God? What would it look like to take a step toward bringing that to Jesus this week? ([56:55])
In the sermon, the church was encouraged to support one another in confession and restoration. Is there someone in your life you could reach out to for support, or someone you could encourage who is struggling? ([56:55])
Jesus says our redemption is near, and we are sent out to share this hope with others. Who in your life needs to hear about the hope you have in Christ? What is one practical way you could share that hope this week? ([59:43])

Sermon Clips

It's a double prophecy. I don't know if you notice when you're reading through the text, it seems to talk about that temple being destroyed, but then it also talks about the end of all things. That Jesus will eventually come back and he is going to destroy it all and judge and make all things new. And so that is something weighing over us. [00:47:36] (21 seconds) #EndTimesAwareness

Is He telling us, I want you to always be paying attention to try to figure out when I'm coming back. No. He's telling us when the end times start, this stuff's going to be happening. And so here's the deal. The end times started right after Jesus ascended into heaven. It's been happening ever since then. And the message to me and you in the midst of all this is be ready just, you know, kind of all the time. Be ready. It's going to happen. [00:49:43] (32 seconds) #AlwaysBeReady

You, as a child of God, you, as one saved by grace, even though you have made mistake after mistake after mistake, even though you have caused a lot of the problems in your life, and even though oftentimes you're not sinning and problems come your way anyway, Jesus tells you, but I will be with you in the midst of it. That's what He means when He says, but not a hair on your head. And you're going to go beyond this. Your death is not the end. [00:51:11] (30 seconds) #GraceInTheStruggle

This world's going to be a mess. It's going to be broken. But you are so close to me. I will be with you in the midst of that mess. But when you die, you get to be with me for eternity. I'm going to make it all right. And one day, I'm going to come back. I'm going to destroy all this. And I'm going to make it right. I'm going to make it new. And at that point, I'm going to give you new bodies and new creation. It's going to be perfect. And there will never be tears again. [00:52:19] (25 seconds) #NewCreationPromise

Some of you are experiencing brokenness right now. Some of you are watching things in your life that are really important fall apart. Those disciples watched that temple fall apart. They saw it be torn down. And they would have thought that's the end of all things. Well, we have things get torn down for us. [00:53:32] (22 seconds) #LetGoAndTrust

But I'll be with you every step of the way. I'm going to use all of it for incredible things. Matter of fact, I'm going to let that temple be destroyed because that's going to spread you Christians all over the world and the kingdom of God's going to grow well beyond what it could have been if we had all stayed in one place. [00:58:12] (16 seconds) #HopeInTheChaos

Those things are telling you, Jesus is saying, I'm about to give you the biggest hug you've ever had in your life. It is so close. When you're laying on your deathbed and gasping for air, Jesus is saying, straighten up, look up. That means you're just about to get a hug from me. And when you see the wars and rumors of wars and terrible things of this world, he says, straighten up and look up because that means I'm coming back soon. [00:59:16] (25 seconds) #ComingBackSoon

Yes, there's going to be tough things and yes, you're probably going to have to face death unless Jesus comes back first, but Jesus has overcome it. Your redemption is drawing near, so shepherd of the valley, straighten up. Lift up your heads. When you see brokenness in this world, it's good news for us because it means Jesus is coming back soon. Really, really soon. And death is not the end of the story for us. [01:00:11] (28 seconds) #OvercomeByGrace

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