Transformative Faith: Trusting Jesus in Desperation
Summary
When Jesus shows up, everything changes. This is the central theme of our reflection today, drawn from Luke chapter 8, where we witness the miraculous power of Jesus in the story of Jairus and his daughter. As we continue our 21 days of prayer and fasting, we are reminded that waiting on God is not a passive act but an active engagement with His promises. Jairus approached Jesus with a desperate need, much like we do in our own lives, seeking intervention in our situations. Yet, even when it seemed too late, Jesus demonstrated that His timing is perfect and His plans are greater than our understanding.
In the midst of our waiting, we often encounter contrasting experiences—some receive breakthroughs while others face heartbreak. This story teaches us to hold onto faith, even when circumstances seem dire. Jesus' words to Jairus, "Do not be afraid, only believe," challenge us to trust in God's word over our fears. Our faith is not in the absence of fear but in the presence of a God who is greater than our fears.
Moreover, we learn the importance of following Jesus rather than the crowd. The crowd may say it's too late, but Jesus invites us to believe in the impossible. In a world that often follows the path of least resistance, we are called to live counter-culturally, trusting in God's promises even when they defy human logic.
Finally, when Jesus performs a miracle, it is evident. Just as Jairus' daughter was given something to eat to prove her life, our lives should reflect the miracles God performs in us. Our private disciplines of prayer and fasting lead to public testimonies of God's faithfulness. As we continue to seek Him, let us remember that our miracles are not just for us but for others to see and believe in the power of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Believe God's Word Over Fear: In moments of desperation, like Jairus, we must choose to believe in God's promises rather than succumb to fear. Our faith is strengthened when we focus on His word, which assures us of His power and love. [10:34]
- Follow Jesus, Not the Crowd: The crowd may discourage us, but Jesus calls us to trust Him beyond human understanding. Living a life of faith often means going against the norm and choosing to listen to Jesus over the voices of doubt. [19:17]
- Miracles Will Show: When God performs a miracle, it becomes evident in our lives. Our testimonies of His faithfulness are not just for us but for others to witness and believe in His power. [35:29]
- God's Timing is Perfect: Even when it seems too late, God's timing is always right. We must trust that His plans are greater than our understanding and that He is working for our good. [27:27]
- Private Discipline, Public Reward: Our private acts of prayer and fasting lead to public demonstrations of God's faithfulness. As we seek Him in secret, He rewards us openly, allowing our lives to be a testament to His glory. [38:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Introduction to Luke 8
[01:37] - Jairus' Desperation
[02:31] - God's Bigger Plan
[03:26] - The Voice of Doubt
[04:37] - Jesus' Assurance
[07:33] - Contrasting News
[08:08] - Believing Over Fear
[10:34] - Faith in Action
[12:25] - Controlling Our Mind
[14:15] - Honest Prayer
[15:56] - Divine Appointments
[17:30] - Following Jesus
[20:19] - Living Counter-Culturally
[23:16] - Blocking Negativity
[25:27] - Expecting Miracles
[27:27] - Trusting God's Timing
[30:56] - Evidence of Miracles
[35:29] - Public Testimony
[38:49] - Private Discipline, Public Reward
[44:49] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 8:49-56
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the people at Jairus' house when they heard that his daughter had died? How did Jesus respond to this news? [04:37]
2. In the sermon, what contrasting experiences are highlighted between Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood? [07:33]
3. What specific instruction did Jesus give to Jairus when he was told his daughter was dead? [08:08]
4. How did Jesus demonstrate His authority over the situation at Jairus' house? What actions did He take? [23:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen to only allow certain people into the room where Jairus' daughter lay? What does this suggest about the importance of faith and environment? [04:37]
2. How does the story of Jairus and his daughter illustrate the concept of God's timing being perfect, even when it seems too late to us? [27:27]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of private disciplines, like prayer and fasting, in preparing us for public demonstrations of faith? [38:49]
4. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "Do not be afraid, only believe" in the context of facing seemingly impossible situations? [10:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Jairus, waiting for a miracle while others seemed to receive theirs. How did you handle that waiting period, and what might you do differently now? [11:19]
2. In what ways can you actively choose to believe God's word over your fears in your current life situation? Identify a specific fear and a corresponding promise from God’s word. [10:34]
3. Consider the influence of the "crowd" in your life. Are there voices or influences you need to distance yourself from to better follow Jesus? How can you practically do this? [19:17]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of prayer and fasting into your life to strengthen your faith and prepare for God’s miracles? What specific steps will you take this week? [38:49]
5. Think of a recent situation where you felt it was "too late" for God to intervene. How can you shift your perspective to trust in God's perfect timing? [27:27]
6. Identify a personal testimony of God's faithfulness in your life. How can you share this story with others to encourage their faith? [35:29]
7. What is one specific way you can live counter-culturally this week, choosing to follow Jesus rather than the crowd? How will you ensure you stay committed to this choice? [20:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Promises Over Fear
In moments of desperation, like Jairus, we are often faced with a choice: to succumb to fear or to trust in God's promises. Jairus approached Jesus with a desperate plea for his daughter's healing, and even when the situation seemed hopeless, Jesus encouraged him to "not be afraid, only believe." This story reminds us that our faith is not the absence of fear but the decision to trust in God's word over our fears. When we focus on His promises, we find strength and assurance in His power and love. [10:34]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific fear are you facing today, and how can you actively choose to trust in God's promises instead of letting fear control you?
Day 2: Following Jesus Beyond Human Understanding
The story of Jairus and his daughter teaches us the importance of following Jesus rather than the crowd. The crowd may have believed it was too late for Jairus' daughter, but Jesus called Jairus to trust Him beyond human understanding. In our lives, we are often surrounded by voices of doubt and discouragement, yet Jesus invites us to live counter-culturally, trusting in His promises even when they defy logic. This requires a willingness to go against the norm and to listen to Jesus over the voices of doubt. [19:17]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel pressured to follow the crowd? How can you choose to follow Jesus' guidance instead?
Day 3: Evident Miracles in Our Lives
When God performs a miracle, it becomes evident in our lives. Just as Jairus' daughter was given something to eat to prove her life, our lives should reflect the miracles God performs in us. These testimonies of His faithfulness are not just for us but for others to witness and believe in His power. Our lives become a testament to God's glory, showing the world the reality of His miraculous work. [35:29]
Psalm 40:3 (ESV): "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you experienced God's miraculous intervention? How can you share this testimony with someone who needs encouragement?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
Even when it seems too late, God's timing is always perfect. Jairus experienced this firsthand when Jesus arrived after his daughter had died, yet Jesus' intervention was right on time. We must trust that God's plans are greater than our understanding and that He is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. This trust requires patience and faith in His perfect timing. [27:27]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and perfect timing today?
Day 5: Private Discipline Leading to Public Reward
Our private acts of prayer and fasting lead to public demonstrations of God's faithfulness. As we seek Him in secret, He rewards us openly, allowing our lives to be a testament to His glory. This principle encourages us to cultivate a disciplined spiritual life, knowing that our private devotion will result in public testimonies of God's power and love. [38:49]
Matthew 6:6 (ESV): "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reflection: What is one private spiritual discipline you can commit to this week? How do you anticipate this will impact your public testimony of God's faithfulness?
Quotes
"When Jesus shows up, things change. Situations change. Situations change. Situations change. Situations change. We get breakthroughs. People are healed. People are set free. When Jesus shows up." [00:01:22]
"It's not because he doesn't care. It's because he has a much bigger plan. You know, God's timing is always the best timing. And so Jesus is going about this miracle of healing this woman with the issue of blood. And we talked all last week about the Bible says that the crowd thronged him." [00:02:50]
"But when Jesus heard it, he answered him saying, do not be afraid, only believe, and she will be made well. When he came into the house, he permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father, and mother of the girl." [00:04:41]
"If you need a miracle, believe God's word instead of your fear. So even though while he was waiting, he felt like he was in a point of no return, no breakthrough, no answer. My daughter has died. Jesus hadn't showed up in this situation yet. That's heartbreaking news." [00:09:09]
"Listen to Jesus and not the crowd. Oh, have you forgotten? Everybody in the house was saying, there's no need for Jesus to come now. It's too late. She's dead. The crowd was crying and weeping and listening. No, there's nothing. There's nothing wrong with crying." [00:18:02]
"So we, if we need a miracle, we're going to follow Jesus and we're going to listen to Jesus and not the crowd. Listen to me. Live in the kingdom way, being a Jesus follower, because I want to make sure I bring up some principles today." [00:19:30]
"Prayer and fasting is a private discipline that has public reward. Did you know the Bible states that many times Jesus, yes, it was ultimately for the person, but many times Jesus would perform a miracle just so that people would believe, so that people would know." [00:33:16]
"When you do not appear to men to be fasting, assuredly I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." [00:38:00]
"Instead of our fear we choose to believe what you have to say and your promises instead of any and all negativity we're choosing to follow you and not the crowd whether that be on a daily basis in our lifestyle or whether it be in the expectant of a miracle." [00:44:24]
"Jesus if there's someone here today who does not know you personally as Lord and Savior may today be the day let me encourage you if that's you, if you're not sure of your relationship with Christ just open your heart invite him in today invite him to be Lord of your life forgive you of your sins and give you a new kind of life today is the day of salvation." [00:45:33]
"Let God do the talking for you. Well, I'm going to brag on God. There's nothing wrong with bragging on God. Make sure you're giving God the glory and not yourself. Okay? Prayer and fasting is a private discipline with public reward." [00:38:35]
"Now, you need to backtrack to understand, even though the people begin to doubt because what they were seeing in the moment, she looked dead, it looked like the situation was over and done. No need to bother the teacher, right? It still started with a question. It still started with Jairus approaching Jesus and asking him for a miracle." [00:37:01]
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