Faithful Promises: Jesus' Compassion and Our Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Fulfills the Sabbath—Rest, Restoration, and Hope

Jesus’ healing of the afflicted woman on the Sabbath reveals that God’s heart is for restoration, not just rule-keeping. The Sabbath was given as a gift for rest and renewal, pointing back to God’s deliverance and forward to His coming promise. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He demonstrated that He is the fulfillment of true rest and restoration, showing compassion that transcends human traditions and expectations. Even when others focus on the details or criticize, Jesus remains committed to bringing hope, healing, and the presence of God into our lives. No matter what stands in the way, Jesus will make a way for His people, offering peace and wholeness that soothes our souls. [43:50]

Luke 13:10-17 (ESV)
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to let Jesus bring true rest and restoration, even if it means letting go of traditions or expectations that have held you back?

Day 2: The Sabbath—A Pattern of Salvation and Promise

God established the Sabbath as a rhythm of rest, rooted in creation and the deliverance of His people from slavery. The Sabbath was not just about ceasing from work, but about remembering God’s saving power and looking forward to His unshakable kingdom. As the Israelites journeyed from bondage to promise, the Sabbath reminded them of God’s faithfulness in the past and His assurance for the future. Today, we are invited to enter this same pattern—resting in God’s work, remembering His salvation, and anticipating the fulfillment of His promises in Christ. [31:00]

Exodus 23:10-13 (ESV)
“For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed. Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to remember God’s faithfulness and rest in His promises?

Day 3: The Great Commission—Our Shared Mission

Jesus, after fulfilling the law and rising from the dead, gave His followers a clear mission: to go into all the world, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This calling is not just for a select few, but for every believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring hope, healing, and the good news to others. The methods may change, but the mission remains the same—love God, love people, and share the message of Jesus. As we step out in faith, Jesus promises to be with us always, equipping us to do what He has called us to do. [48:13]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally encourage or share your faith with this week as you live out the Great Commission?

Day 4: Responding to Change—Trusting God’s Unchanging Faithfulness

Transitions and changes, especially in leadership or community, can stir up a range of emotions—sadness, excitement, uncertainty. It’s important to acknowledge and process these feelings, but also to remember that God is never surprised by our circumstances. He remains faithful, and His promise to build His church stands firm. In times of change, we are invited to trust that God is making a way, to support one another, and to look forward with hope to the new things He will do in and through us. [54:40]

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: What feelings or fears about change do you need to bring honestly before God, trusting Him to make a way for you and your community?

Day 5: Worship and Generosity—Retelling God’s Story Together

Worship is more than singing or gathering; it is a way of retelling and reenacting God’s story through our lives, including our giving. When we offer our resources, time, and talents, we are participating in God’s sacrificial nature and expressing trust in His provision. Generosity is an act of worship that aligns our hearts with God’s mission, allowing us to accomplish together what we could never do alone. As we give, serve, and love, we reflect God’s heart to the world and help carry out the mission to love God and love people. [01:06:19]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can practice generosity this week—whether through giving, serving, or encouraging someone—in response to God’s goodness?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus was on the deep, soul-soothing truth that Jesus is always faithful to His promises, no matter the circumstances or the obstacles in our way. Looking at the story from Luke where Jesus heals a woman afflicted by an evil spirit, we see that Jesus’ compassion and authority transcend human rules and expectations. The religious leaders were so caught up in the details of Sabbath law that they missed the miracle and the fulfillment of God’s promise standing right in front of them. This is a powerful reminder not to miss the forest for the trees in our own lives—to not get so bogged down in methods, preferences, or anxieties that we lose sight of the bigger picture: Jesus is at work, bringing hope, healing, and restoration.

The Sabbath was given as a gift—a rhythm of rest, restoration, and a reminder of God’s salvation and promise. For Israel, it pointed back to their deliverance from Egypt and forward to the coming Messiah. Now, as followers of Jesus, we look back to the cross and resurrection, and forward to His return and the fulfillment of all things. Our worship, our gathering, and our mission are all rooted in this story: Jesus has come, He is coming again, and in the meantime, He calls us to join Him in His work.

In times of transition—like the pastoral changes we’re experiencing—there can be a swirl of emotions: sadness, excitement, uncertainty. It’s important to acknowledge and process these feelings, not ignore them. But even more, it’s vital to remember that Jesus is not surprised by any of this. He is building His church. Our mission remains unchanged: love God, love people, make disciples, and trust that He will empower us by His Spirit to do what He’s called us to do.

We are invited to respond with faith, generosity, and commitment. Whether it’s through giving, serving, or simply showing up for one another, we participate in God’s ongoing story. The future is bright, not because of our circumstances, but because Jesus is at the center. As we keep our eyes on Him, everything else falls into place.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t Miss the Forest for the Trees It’s easy to get caught up in details, preferences, or even religious traditions and miss the bigger picture of what God is doing. The religious leaders missed the miracle of healing because they were fixated on Sabbath rules. We must continually ask God to help us see His work and not let secondary issues distract us from His presence and purpose. [18:40]
2. Jesus Fulfills Every Promise, No Matter the Obstacle No cultural barrier, human opinion, or spiritual opposition can stop Jesus from bringing hope, healing, and restoration. The woman in Luke’s story had every reason to be overlooked, but Jesus saw her, had compassion, and acted. He is still the same today—faithful to His word and able to make a way where there seems to be none. [38:10]
3. Our Worship Points Back and Forward Just as the Sabbath pointed Israel back to their deliverance and forward to the Messiah, our worship points back to the cross and resurrection and forward to Christ’s return. This rhythm grounds us in hope and keeps our focus on Jesus, not on predictions or anxieties about the future. We are called to live each day as if Jesus could return tomorrow, faithfully loving God and people. [45:42]
4. Transitions Are Opportunities for Growth and Trust Change brings a mix of emotions, and it’s important to process them honestly. But transitions also remind us that the mission is bigger than any one person or method. God is not surprised by our circumstances; He is faithful to lead, provide, and build His church through every season. Our response should be to trust Him, support one another, and stay engaged in the mission. [54:40]
5. Generosity and Participation Are Acts of Worship Giving—whether of our finances, time, or energy—is a way of retelling God’s story and participating in His mission. When we give sacrificially, we declare our trust in God’s provision and join together to accomplish what none of us could do alone. This is how we love God and love people in practical, transformative ways.

** [65:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[03:00] - Introduction and Summer Playlist Series
[05:30] - The Healing in Luke: Jesus and the Afflicted Woman
[09:45] - Religious Leaders and the Sabbath Controversy
[13:20] - The Purpose and Pattern of the Sabbath
[17:00] - Israel’s Story: From Slavery to Promise
[21:30] - The Sabbath: Looking Back and Forward
[25:10] - Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Sabbath
[29:00] - Missing the Forest for the Trees
[33:40] - Jesus’ Compassion and Authority
[38:10] - The Unchanging Mission of the Church
[43:50] - Living in Light of Christ’s Return
[46:31] - The Great Commission: Our Shared Calling
[49:30] - Navigating Pastoral Transitions
[52:49] - Processing Change and Spiritual Responsibility
[55:43] - Celebrating God’s Faithfulness at CT
[57:10] - Invitation to Prayer, Service, and Generosity
[58:34] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[66:19] - Honoring Pastor Nikki: Love Offering
[68:11] - Announcements and Benediction
[70:40] - Dismissal and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 13:10-17 (ESV) — > Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

Exodus 20:8-11 (ESV) — > “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) — > And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

In the story from Luke, what was the woman’s condition, and how did Jesus respond to her? What was the reaction of the religious leaders?
According to Exodus, what was the original purpose of the Sabbath, and how did it connect to Israel’s story?
What did Jesus say about the Sabbath when challenged by the religious leaders after healing the woman?
What mission did Jesus give to his followers in Matthew 28, and how does it relate to the church’s purpose today?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the religious leaders were so focused on the Sabbath rules that they missed the miracle Jesus performed? What does this reveal about their priorities?
The Sabbath was meant to be a gift of rest and a reminder of God’s salvation. How did Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath fulfill and even expand this purpose?
The sermon mentioned that Jesus always keeps his promises, no matter the obstacles. What does the healing of the woman show us about Jesus’ compassion and authority?
In times of transition or change, the sermon said Jesus is not surprised and our mission remains the same. Why is it important to remember this when facing uncertainty?

Application Questions

The religious leaders missed the “forest for the trees” by focusing on rules instead of God’s work. Are there areas in your life where you might be missing what God is doing because you’re caught up in details, preferences, or anxieties? What would it look like to shift your focus?
The woman in Luke’s story had every reason to be overlooked, but Jesus saw her and acted. Is there someone in your life right now who needs to experience Jesus’ compassion through you? What is one practical way you can reach out to them this week?
The Sabbath pointed Israel back to God’s deliverance and forward to the Messiah. Our worship now points back to the cross and forward to Jesus’ return. How can you make your times of worship (alone or with others) more focused on Jesus and less on worries about the future?
The sermon talked about processing emotions during times of transition, not ignoring them. What feelings are you experiencing in this season of change (in church, work, or family)? Who can you talk to or pray with about these feelings?
Jesus calls us to respond with faith, generosity, and commitment. What is one way you can participate more fully in God’s mission—through giving, serving, or simply showing up for others?
The future is bright because Jesus is at the center, not because of our circumstances. What is one step you can take this week to keep Jesus at the center of your life, especially when things feel uncertain?
The sermon mentioned that generosity and participation are acts of worship. Is there a specific area where God is inviting you to be more generous—with your time, resources, or encouragement? What might be holding you back, and how can you take a step forward?

Sermon Clips

God didn't need to rest, but he was setting us up with a pattern. Because as he created us in his image, we are still human. We still have limitations. And so we need to rest. And so the Sabbath was given to the people. And we find it in Exodus 23. And what had happened was the Israelites had just been saved from slavery for about 400 years in Egypt. God liberated them, and they were on their way to the promised land, this promised piece of land that God had set apart for them as their inheritance. [00:35:20] (38 seconds) #SalvationAndPromise

The whole point of the Sabbath, as you see in how God told them to worship and to be in relationship with him, as you see all this imagery that is all broken out throughout the chapter of Exodus, did something very amazing, in which on the Sabbath as they would worship, everything pointed back to this salvation event from Egypt. This is where God saved them. And then it pointed forward to a coming promise, a Messiah, a coming kingdom, a kingdom of hope, a kingdom that would be unshakable, a kingdom that would fix everything. [00:37:40] (44 seconds) #RulesCanBlindUs

So on the Sabbath, as they would worship, as they would follow the guidelines that God had set out for them, they would point back to this salvation event, point forward to a coming promise. And here we are now, many years later, and Jesus is there on the Sabbath. And they had all of these rules that God had given them, but what they did over time is they actually started to add their own. And maybe it was with good intentions, because they would add these rules and interpret what God had said. [00:38:24] (31 seconds) #SelfReflectionOnDetails

I don't think I can very quickly start getting after those religious leaders, because I too at times get caught up in the details and I miss the forest for the trees. "Well, that's not the way I would do it," or "that's not my preferred way or method." Anyone had these conversations with yourself? Or maybe you don't talk to yourself. That's probably good. I don't know. I was always told as long as I don't respond, then it's okay. Right? But we can get easily caught up in the details and miss the big picture, miss the forest at play. [00:40:12] (40 seconds) #CompassionOverCulture

Jesus came and fulfilled the Sabbath, the rest and restoration. He fulfilled the law. He died. He rose again. He gave us all the same mission, to go and make disciples, to lay hands on the sick, to see them recover, to baptize, to teach people the same things that Jesus taught his disciples. Because this Great Commission didn't stop with them. It's all of our missions. Every church within Brandon and within the world, it's all our same mission. [00:48:16] (33 seconds) #FutureFilledWithHope

How we express it as a church is different. Church down the street worships maybe a little bit different. Maybe their service order is a little different. How they do it, that's what we call the method. The method changes over time. CT, it's been around here for over 50 years. How we minister to our city is different back then than it is now, right? It changes. But at the core of that, love God, love people, is how we express this Great Commission to go into all the world, to baptize, to make disciples, to lay hands on the sick. That sounds pretty amazing. [00:48:49] (42 seconds) #RenewedPrayerAndCommitment

And this is what Jesus has asked us to do. And if he asked us to do it, don't you think he's going to help us do it as well? And that's why he said it was better for him to go back to send us the Holy Spirit, to empower us, to lead us into all truth. [00:49:30] (16 seconds)

As things change, as there is this transition, we get to choose how we respond. We get to choose on what happens next in our lives as part of this church congregation. And sometimes it's easy to get caught up in all the details, all the change, all the little things happening. But then we sometimes miss the forest for the trees. Because there are still great things that God has for this church. [00:55:27] (31 seconds)

So I challenge you, dive in. Seek God. Continue to pray for the leadership of this church as they take in this past week and into this coming week, to fast and pray as to what the next step is for CT, for what God has in store. I'm excited to see there's like a renewal of prayer within this church. Not that you haven't been praying, but it's as though it's increasing, and that is exciting. Continue to pray, to respond to God, to say yes, to buy in, to volunteer, to commit here at CT. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to soothe your soul for the rest of this summer. What little we have left, let's not focus on the little part, right? Let's stretch this out as much as we can because the future is bright. Because as anytime we focus on Jesus, it's always going to be bright. [00:57:37] (62 seconds)

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