Faith, Fatherhood, and the Power of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Praying for Spiritual Growth in Our Children

As parents and as a church family, we are called to continually pray for our children, asking God to fill them with the knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding. When we do this, we trust that their lives will honor and please the Lord, bearing good fruit as they grow in their relationship with Him. Our prayers are not just wishes but powerful petitions that invite God to shape the hearts and futures of the next generation, helping them to know Him better and better each day. [02:38]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: Who is one child—your own or another in your church family—you can commit to pray for by name this week, asking God to fill them with spiritual wisdom and understanding?

Day 2: Teaching and Living Out Faith in the Home

God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and might, and to diligently teach His ways to our children in every moment of daily life. This is not just a task for parents but a calling for the whole faith community to model and reinforce, ensuring that faith is woven into the fabric of our homes and relationships. When we intentionally talk about God’s truth as we sit, walk, lie down, and rise, we create a legacy of faith that shapes hearts for generations. [04:30]

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (ESV)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can talk about or demonstrate God’s love and truth in your home today—perhaps during a meal, a drive, or bedtime?

Day 3: Trusting God to Build and Bless Our Families

Our efforts to build strong families and homes are in vain unless the Lord is at the center, guiding and sustaining us. Children are a precious heritage and reward from God, and we are called to recognize His hand in every aspect of family life. By entrusting our families to God’s care and seeking His blessing, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite His presence to shape our homes into places of joy, security, and purpose. [05:26]

Psalm 127:1-5 (ESV)
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

Reflection: In what area of your family life do you need to surrender control and trust God to build and bless, rather than relying on your own strength?

Day 4: Bringing Our Fears and Needs to Jesus

When life brings us to the end of our own strength and control, we are invited to come to Jesus with our deepest fears and needs. Like Jairus, who fell at Jesus’ feet for the sake of his dying daughter, we discover that true strength is found in humble dependence on Christ. No matter how desperate or impossible our circumstances may seem, Jesus welcomes us to bring our burdens to Him, trusting in His power and compassion to meet us where we are. [46:46]

Luke 8:41-42, 49-56 (ESV)
"And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying... While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, 'Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.' But Jesus on hearing this answered him, 'Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.' And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, 'Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, 'Child, arise.' And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened."

Reflection: What is one fear or burden you are carrying for your family or loved ones that you need to bring honestly to Jesus in prayer today?

Day 5: God’s Power Overcomes Every Obstacle

No matter the obstacles—whether social, spiritual, financial, or physical—God’s power is greater, and He is able to bring hope and healing where there seems to be none. The woman who suffered for twelve years did not let her obstacles keep her from reaching out to Jesus, and in a moment, His power made her whole. We are reminded that it is not our strength or what we bring to the table that matters, but God working in us and through us for His glory. He delights in using our weakness and brokenness to display His love and power to the world. [57:52]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Where do you feel weak, overlooked, or hopeless today, and how can you take a step of faith to reach out to Jesus, trusting His power to work in your situation?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a church family to celebrate the dedication of children, the beauty of family, and the unique calling of fathers rooted in Christ. We witnessed parents publicly committing their children to the Lord, supported by the prayers and presence of the congregation. The words of Colossians 1:9-10 and Psalm 127 reminded us that children are a heritage from the Lord, and that unless the Lord builds the house, our labor is in vain. As a church, we are called to come alongside these families, helping to raise the next generation in faith.

Turning to Luke 8, we explored what it means to be a father—and a disciple—anchored in Christ. Fatherhood is often associated with control and protection, but life inevitably brings us to places where our control ends and our need for Jesus becomes undeniable. The story of Jairus, a synagogue ruler whose daughter was dying, illustrates this truth. Jairus, despite his position and resources, found himself desperate and powerless, driven to the feet of Jesus. His vulnerability and humility are a model for all of us, especially fathers, to rest not in our own strength but in the presence and power of Christ.

The narrative is interrupted by the story of a woman who had suffered for twelve years, facing social, spiritual, and economic isolation. Her persistence in reaching out to Jesus, despite every obstacle, demonstrates the kind of faith that moves the heart of God. Jesus’ power is not diminished by the crowd or by the seeming hopelessness of our situations. He is able to heal, restore, and bring life where there is none.

When news comes that Jairus’ daughter has died, Jesus challenges the voices of fear and despair: “Do not fear, only believe.” He enters the house, takes the girl by the hand, and restores her to life. This is a powerful reminder that Jesus is not limited by death, loss, or our deepest fears. He calls us to trust Him, even when we do not understand, and to believe that He can bring hope out of hopelessness.

As we shared in the Lord’s Supper, we remembered that our worth is not in what we bring, but in what Christ has done for us. God delights in using the weak and the broken for His glory. We are sent out, equipped by the God of peace, to deny ourselves, serve others, and proclaim the gospel—trusting that He is not finished with us yet.

Key Takeaways

1. True Fatherhood Reflects the Heavenly Father: Earthly fatherhood, with all its imperfections and limitations, is only a dim reflection of the perfect fatherhood of God. Our failures and weaknesses as fathers do not define God’s character; rather, His love and strength are projected onto our lives, inviting us to rest in His sufficiency rather than our own efforts. [41:13]
2. Desperation Drives Us to Jesus: Often, we do not realize how much we need Jesus until we reach the end of our own resources and control. Like Jairus, when we are confronted with situations beyond our ability to fix, we are invited to humble ourselves and seek Christ, who alone has the power to intervene in our deepest needs. [46:46]
3. Faith Perseveres Through Obstacles: The woman with the issue of blood faced social, spiritual, and economic barriers, yet her faith compelled her to reach out to Jesus. Obstacles in our lives—whether isolation, shame, or financial hardship—are not barriers to God’s grace. Persistent faith, even when hope seems lost, is honored by Christ’s healing presence. [53:27]
4. Jesus Redefines Hopelessness: When the world says, “Don’t bother the teacher anymore,” Jesus steps in and speaks life into dead situations. He calls us to reject fear and to believe, even when circumstances seem final. The resurrection power of Christ is not just for the past; it is available to us in our present fears and losses. [61:14]
5. God Uses Our Weakness for His Glory: Our value in God’s eyes is not based on our abilities or what we bring to the table, but on His work in and through us. God delights in using the weak, the overlooked, and the broken to display His power and love. Our stories, no matter how humble, become testimonies of His grace as we follow Him and serve others. [01:19:05]
** [79:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:38] - Child Dedications and Family Blessing
[05:26] - Congregational Charge and Prayer
[35:30] - Praying for Students and Global Workers
[36:42] - Reflections on Fatherhood
[37:37] - The “Hungry Bear” Story and Parental Control
[39:31] - The Challenge of Letting Go
[40:35] - Redefining “Manning Up” as Resting in Christ
[41:13] - Fatherhood as a Reflection of God
[44:16] - Jesus’ Power Over Nature, Demons, and Death
[45:26] - Jairus’ Desperation and Faith
[46:46] - Falling at Jesus’ Feet
[52:06] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[53:27] - Overcoming Social, Spiritual, and Economic Obstacles
[56:49] - The Power of Persistent Faith
[59:51] - Jesus Restores Jairus’ Daughter
[79:05] - God Uses Our Weakness for His Glory
[80:09] - Sent Out in the Power of Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Luke 8:40-56, what are the two main miracles that Jesus performs, and how are their stories connected?
According to Psalm 127, what does it mean for the Lord to “build the house,” and what is said about children?
What specific obstacles did the woman with the issue of blood face, and how did she respond to them? ([53:27])
In Colossians 1:9-10, what does Paul pray for the believers to receive and to do?

Interpretation Questions

Why might Luke have chosen to interrupt the story of Jairus with the story of the woman who suffered for twelve years? What does this say about Jesus’ priorities and compassion? ([50:49])
How does the story of Jairus challenge common ideas about control and self-sufficiency, especially for fathers or leaders? ([46:46])
What does Jesus’ response to the news of the girl’s death (“Do not fear, only believe”) reveal about how He wants us to face hopeless situations? ([01:01:14])
The sermon said that “true fatherhood reflects the Heavenly Father.” In what ways does God’s fatherhood differ from our earthly experience of fathers? ([41:13])

Application Questions

The sermon described how desperation can drive us to Jesus, especially when we reach the end of our own resources. Can you share a time when you felt powerless and had to rely on Jesus? What did you learn from that experience? ([46:46])
The woman with the issue of blood pushed through social, spiritual, and economic barriers to reach Jesus. Are there any obstacles in your life right now that are keeping you from seeking Jesus wholeheartedly? What would it look like to push through them? ([53:27])
Jesus told Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe,” even when the situation seemed hopeless. What is one area of your life where you are tempted to give in to fear or despair? How can you choose faith instead this week? ([01:01:14])
The sermon reminded us that our value is not in what we bring, but in what Christ has done for us. Are there ways you have been measuring your worth by your performance, abilities, or success? How can you rest in God’s sufficiency instead? ([01:19:05])
As a church, we are called to come alongside families and help raise the next generation in faith. What is one practical way you can support a family, parent, or child in our church community this month? ([05:26])
The pastor shared about letting go of control as children grow up. Is there an area—parenting, relationships, work—where you need to trust God more and let go of your need to control the outcome? What step could you take this week? ([39:31])
The sermon ended with a call to deny ourselves, serve others, and proclaim the gospel. What is one specific way you can serve someone in need or share your faith this week? ([01:20:09])

Sermon Clips

But I will tell you, there is no rest like the rest that you find in the Savior. You see, a picture of fatherhood just comes from the Heavenly Father we serve. And I don't know what your father was like. I don't know what you've gone through. [00:41:13] (15 seconds)

We do not project our ideas of fatherhood upon the big screen of the heavens. No, what he's saying there is, we don't take of what we've experienced in fatherhood and say that's how God is. No, no, no. No, God's ultimate ideal fatherhood is projected down on the little screens that each of us carries around. [00:42:01] (16 seconds)

But none of these obstacles hindered her. She didn't give up. This resolve is amazing. She goes and she just touches the hem of a walking rabbi's garment and it says immediately, immediately, immediately she is healed. [00:57:25] (18 seconds)

That's how powerful Jesus is. You get close to his clothes and he's healed. That's how powerful he is. Have you forgotten the power of Jesus today? The power over lives, sin, death, and the grave. This is no ordinary rabbi walking through Capernaum. This is Jesus, the Son of God. [00:57:57] (20 seconds)

``My friend, if Jesus can heal a woman who was socially, spiritually, financially ruined, he can do power in your life. He can do power in your life. He can do power in your life. [00:58:50] (20 seconds)

So let this stand as a reminder today of what he has done are you fearful of your financial situation are you fearful for your kids spirituality are you fearful that all your friends may leave one day they're real fears come to the one who says peace be still. [01:03:45] (26 seconds)

My dear friends, don't you ever think that it's what you bring to the table that makes you special in God's eyes. But it's God working in us, right? So Westover, he's not done with us because he's a good God that takes the most dire situations and in the end he uses them for his glory. [01:19:20] (29 seconds)

Now may the God of peace who brought our Lord Jesus from the dead equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. [01:20:51] (15 seconds)

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