Faith, Interruptions, and God's Perfect Timing

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Desperation

In moments of desperation, our faith can either draw us closer to God or push us away. Jairus, a synagogue leader, approached Jesus with a desperate plea to heal his dying daughter. His approach was not just a request but a profound act of faith, believing that Jesus' touch would heal his daughter. This teaches us that in our moments of desperation, we must choose to let our faith strengthen and draw us closer to God. Jairus' faith was tested when Jesus was interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood, but he held onto his belief despite the delay and the subsequent news of his daughter's death. Jesus' encouragement to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe," serves as a powerful reminder to maintain our faith even when circumstances seem dire. [57:56]

Mark 5:22-23 (ESV): "Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.'"

Reflection: Think of a recent moment of desperation in your life. How did you respond in faith, and how can you choose to let your faith draw you closer to God in future moments of desperation?

Day 2: Divine Interruptions

Jesus' willingness to be interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood shows His deep compassion and attentiveness. Often, we see interruptions as obstacles, but Jesus demonstrates that they can be divine appointments. The woman’s faith in touching Jesus' garment led to her healing, and this interruption was used by Jesus to demonstrate His compassion and the power of faith. We should remain open to God's work in unexpected moments and trust that He is in control, even when our plans are disrupted. This teaches us to view interruptions not as hindrances but as opportunities for God to work in our lives. [59:58]

Mark 5:30-32 (ESV): "And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my garments?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, "Who touched me?"' And he looked around to see who had done it."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interruption in your life. How can you reframe it as a divine appointment and seek to see God's hand at work in that situation?

Day 3: Overcoming Disbelief

The messenger's words to Jairus, "Don't bother the teacher anymore," reflect a common struggle with disbelief. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, it's easy to downgrade our faith. Jesus' response to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe," encourages us to hold onto our faith and not let disbelief steal God's promises from us. This moment underscores the importance of maintaining faith even when others express doubt or when circumstances seem hopeless. We are called to trust in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them, regardless of the obstacles we encounter. [01:03:09]

Mark 5:35-36 (ESV): "While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with disbelief. How can you actively choose to hold onto faith and trust in God's promises despite the challenges you face?

Day 4: Practical Compassion

After raising Jairus' daughter, Jesus instructed them to give her something to eat. This practical act of care shows that Jesus is concerned with both our spiritual and physical needs. It reminds us that God's miracles are not just grand displays of power but also acts of intimate care and provision for our daily lives. Jesus' attention to the girl's immediate physical need after her miraculous healing highlights the importance of addressing practical needs alongside spiritual ones. This teaches us to be attentive to the holistic well-being of those around us, following Jesus' example of practical compassion. [01:05:25]

Mark 5:42-43 (ESV): "And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may need practical help. How can you show them Jesus' love through a simple act of compassion today?

Day 5: Encouraging One Another

In the closing moments, we were encouraged to support each other by simply saying, "Don't be afraid; just believe." This act of mutual encouragement is vital in our faith journey. It helps us to combat distractions and disbelief by reminding each other of God's faithfulness and the power of collective faith. Encouraging one another strengthens our community and helps us to stay focused on God's promises. This teaches us the importance of being a source of support and encouragement to those around us, helping each other to hold onto faith in challenging times. [01:07:13]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement today? Reach out to them with a message of faith and support, reminding them of God's faithfulness and love.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the powerful story from Mark 5, where Jesus heals a woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead. Through a creative and interactive retelling, we delved into the significance of faith, the impact of interruptions, and the dangers of disbelief. Jairus, a synagogue leader, approached Jesus with a desperate plea to heal his dying daughter. Despite the urgency, Jesus allowed Himself to be interrupted by a woman who touched His garment in faith, seeking healing. This interruption could have been seen as a hindrance, but Jesus used it to demonstrate His compassion and the power of faith.

The story highlights two main obstacles to receiving God's promises: distractions and disbelief. Jairus' faith was initially strong, but the delay caused by the woman's healing and the subsequent news of his daughter's death tested his belief. Jesus, however, encouraged Jairus to hold onto his faith, saying, "Don't be afraid; just believe." This moment underscores the importance of maintaining faith even when circumstances seem dire or when others express doubt.

We are reminded that Jesus is always present and willing to be interrupted by our needs. His response to the woman's faith and His reassurance to Jairus teach us that God's timing and methods are perfect, even when they don't align with our expectations. As we face our own challenges and distractions, we are called to remember God's promises and to trust in His ability to fulfill them, regardless of the obstacles we encounter.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Amidst Desperation: Jairus' approach to Jesus was driven by desperation, but it was also a profound act of faith. He didn't just ask if Jesus could help; he believed that Jesus' touch would heal his daughter. This teaches us that in our moments of desperation, our faith can either draw us closer to God or push us away. We must choose to let our desperation strengthen our faith. [57:56]
2. The Power of Interruptions: Jesus' willingness to be interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood shows His deep compassion and attentiveness. Often, we see interruptions as obstacles, but Jesus demonstrates that they can be divine appointments. We should remain open to God's work in unexpected moments and trust that He is in control, even when our plans are disrupted. [59:58]
3. Overcoming Disbelief: The messenger's words to Jairus, "Don't bother the teacher anymore," reflect a common struggle with disbelief. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, it's easy to downgrade our faith. Jesus' response to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe," encourages us to hold onto our faith and not let disbelief steal God's promises from us. [63:09]
4. Jesus' Practical Compassion: After raising Jairus' daughter, Jesus instructed them to give her something to eat. This practical act of care shows that Jesus is concerned with both our spiritual and physical needs. It reminds us that God's miracles are not just grand displays of power but also acts of intimate care and provision for our daily lives. [65:25]
5. Encouraging One Another: In the closing moments, we were encouraged to support each other by simply saying, "Don't be afraid; just believe." This act of mutual encouragement is vital in our faith journey. It helps us to combat distractions and disbelief by reminding each other of God's faithfulness and the power of collective faith. [01:07:13]
### [67:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[48:16] - Introduction and Role Assignments
[48:57] - Gathering Participants
[49:17] - Setting the Scene
[49:49] - The Story Begins
[50:10] - Jesus and Jairus
[50:56] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[52:15] - The Woman's Faith
[52:53] - Jesus' Power and Compassion
[53:37] - The Woman's Healing
[54:22] - Jairus' Daughter Dies
[54:59] - Jesus' Encouragement to Jairus
[55:42] - Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter
[56:32] - Conclusion of the Story
[56:56] - Reflections and Encouragement
[57:56] - Faith Amidst Desperation
[59:22] - The Power of Interruptions
[60:32] - Overcoming Disbelief
[63:09] - Jesus' Practical Compassion
[65:25] - Encouraging One Another
[67:13] - Final Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Jairus' initial request to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? ([50:56])
Describe the condition of the woman who touched Jesus' garment. How long had she been suffering, and what was her experience with doctors? ([52:15])
How did Jesus react when He realized power had gone out from Him? What did He say to the woman? ([53:37])
What was the reaction of the people when Jesus said the child was not dead but asleep? How did Jesus handle the situation? ([55:42])

Interpretation Questions

What does Jairus' approach to Jesus reveal about his faith and desperation? How does this compare to the woman's faith? ([57:56])
How does Jesus' willingness to be interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood demonstrate His compassion and attentiveness? ([59:58])
What can we learn from Jesus' encouragement to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe," in the face of bad news? ([01:04:49])
Why do you think Jesus instructed the people to give Jairus' daughter something to eat after raising her from the dead? What does this tell us about His concern for our practical needs? ([01:05:25])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you were desperate for God's intervention. How did your faith influence your actions and attitude during that period? ([57:56])
Think about a recent interruption in your life. How did you handle it? How can you be more open to seeing interruptions as divine appointments in the future? ([59:58])
Have you ever faced a situation where disbelief from others made you doubt God's promises? How did you overcome it, or how can you overcome it in the future? ([01:03:09])
Jesus showed practical compassion by ensuring Jairus' daughter was fed after her resurrection. What are some practical ways you can show compassion to those around you this week? ([01:05:25])
In what ways can you encourage someone in your life who is struggling with faith right now? How can you remind them of God's faithfulness and promises? ([01:07:13])
Identify a specific distraction that has been hindering your faith journey. What steps can you take this week to minimize or eliminate this distraction? ([01:01:46])
How can you apply Jesus' words, "Don't be afraid; just believe," to a current challenge you are facing? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith in this situation? ([01:04:49])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "I tell you what, your theology gets rocked when you're desperate. And it goes one way or the other. And people tip towards God, or they tip away from him. Did you hear in Lisa's story? Lisa's here somewhere today. Did you notice in Lisa's story, she said, I've had a terrible few months, and instead of rocking my faith, it shored it up. It made it stronger." [57:56] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is so interruptible. It's one of the most beautiful things about Jesus, is how interruptible he is. And he deals with this lady. He feels the power go out. He doesn't. He doesn't just leave it at that. He wants relational connection. So he says, who did that? All the crowd are like, what do you mean, who did that? Look, everyone's pressing around you. There's loads of people touching you. No, no, no, no. This was a different touch. This had faith attached to it." [01:00:32] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What I love that Jesus does is he overhears that. He's still talking to the woman. Of course he is, because he's so compassionate and kind and he's really interested in her. And he overhears this and he says, his alarm bell has just gone off. His alarm bell has just gone off and says, oh, no, no, no, no, no. We're not chucking away that faith that you had. Don't chuck that faith away." [01:04:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I love the fact that Jesus is so practical. He just raises her from the dead and then says two things. Don't tell anyone. By the way, get her something to eat. She's probably really hungry. Really practical. I love that." [01:05:25] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "There are two things that happen in this story that are true. Trying to steal away the daughter being healed. The first one is interruptions. And I wonder how many words, how many promises that we may have over our lives have been stolen by interruptions. Not because the interruptions are necessarily wrong, but we've let them steal the thing that God's put in us." [01:01:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And the second one is this. It's really interesting that Jairus' statement, his faith was, come and lay your hands on her so she will live. So he knew Jesus did miracles. Right? Agreed? Yeah, that would be a fair assumption from that. He doesn't ever actually say those words, but come and place your hands on her so she will live. He knows he does miracles." [01:02:28] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And if we let the influence of unbelief and disbelief come into our life, it will steal words away. It will steal promises away. It will steal promises away that God has made to us. So we have distraction and we have disbelief. And those two are both shown in this story." [01:03:09] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "What I love is Jairus has been distracted, has seen this distraction, distraction going on and like, oh, I just want to get to my house. That's one thing. And then the second thing, the messengers come and say, they don't quite say this. He's only a teacher. It's too late. She's gone. And what I love that Jesus does is he overhears that." [01:04:15] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So what we're going to do to finish is we are just going to pray for each other very quickly. So all stand, please, if you can and are able. And I want you to think. For a minute, what is it right now that you are struggling to believe about something that God has said to you? You don't have to say this out loud. Something that God has said to you? What is it you're struggling to believe even about God?" [01:06:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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