Skip to content
logo horizontal
logo tree only
logo tree only
  • about
      • About us
        • Vision Generic_YEG Feature art
      • Times & Directions
        • Watch us online 2023 169hd web
      • Staff & Leadership
        • Team Web Rotator
      • Worship
        • Worship-arts-169HD-sm2
      • Membership
        • Fall 2025 Class NO QR
      • Baptism
        • Interested in Baptism 169HD
      • Communion
        • Communion 169HD
      • Baby Dedication
        • Baby dedication2 169HD
      • New Believers
        • Care,Of,New,Life,-,Watering,Young,Plant,-,Vintage
      • Meet With A Pastor
        • Living,Room,With,Two,Yellow,Armchair,mockup,Concrete,Wall.3d,Rendering
      • Sermon Series
        • Site
        • Up Next:
  • ministries
      • Family
        • Happy,Family,In,The,Park,Evening,Light.,The,Lights,Of
      • Kids
        • MBC KIDS Postcard 169HD
      • Teens
        • admin-ajax-rgb
        • Fresh wave Podcast Logo Full
        • Mission Trip Blog copy
      • Adults
        • small groups 2017 HD16
        • Adult-Sunday-School 2018 169HD
        • Womens min winter 2024
        • Mens Ministries 2018 169HD
        • Young Adult 2020 16.9HD generic no dates
        • Master_senior 3rd_Fri_ lunch slide 16.9HD
        • Men,Supporting,Men,,Introduction,To,A,Men’s,Therapy,Group
      • Missions
        • Missions Logo new page2 169HD
        • Senegal Missions banner 169HD 2021
        • 1st Choice 169HD
        • city relief 169HD-MBC-COMMS-LAPTOP2020
        • market Street Mission 169HD
        • Feedng Hands
      • Care
        • Care team 2015 169hd
      • Internships
        • Internships
      • Underground Sessions
        • Underground Sess. Signage
      • Stephen Ministry
        • Stephen Ministry 2017 169HD
      • Little Footprints Learning Center
        • LFLC Postcard 2017 V2
  • media
      • Digital Ministry
        • Podcasts Feature GRaphic2
        • Move to YT Livestream MBC UNHINDERED noDate-169 copy
      • Pastor’s Table Blog
        • Pastor’s Table 169hd
      • Behind the Pulpit
        • Behind the Pulpit weekly YouTube 169 V2 Rach. no text
      • Fresh Wave
        • Fresh wave Podcast Logo Full
      • Wednesdays in the Word
        • Weds in the Word v1
      • Sermon Archive
        • Sermon Archive Banner
      • Right Now Media
        • church_slide_1
      • Merch Store
        • MBC Merch store 169 reg copy
  • events
  • prayer
      • Praise & Prayer Weekly Update
        • Prayer Web 169hd
      • Men and Women’s Prayer Room
        • ladies and mens prayer graphic copy
  • give
      • Year-End Giving for 2025
        • 2025 Giving
      • MBC Giving
        • MBC Giving Slides_template 10 digit 2021b
      • Serving
        • Ministry Page feature graphic 169
  • connect
      • Getting Connected
        • Newsletter,Email,Icon,Isolated,On,Special,Blue,Banner,Background,Abstract
      • The Bridge – September 28th, 2025
        • v2
      • Shared Interest Groups
        • Shared Interest Groups 169
      • Share your Gifts
        • Serving page alt With Webpage URL 169
      • Finance Team
        • Finance Team 169
      • Safety & Security Team
        • Safety&Security 16×9 V1
      • Buildings & Grounds Team
        • Buildings & Grounds Team 16×9 V3
      • Hospitality Team
        • Hospitality Team 16×9 FINAL
      • Summer Connections
        • Summer Connection 2025 16×9 V2
  • log in
PrevPrevious EntryCourageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 2
Next EntryCourageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 3Next

BACK TO THE PASTOR’S TABLE

Where Do We Turn When We’re Desperate?

Listen to this article

 

Pastor Dave Hentschel

Sermon Summary: Luke 8:40-56

Sometimes we find ourselves facing desperate situations that leave us feeling helpless and alone. In times of despair, where do we turn? The answer lies in turning to Jesus and holding onto the unwavering belief that He is with us in our most challenging moments. This sermon reflection delves into Luke 8:40-56, unveiling the transformative journey from despair to hope.

Part 1: The Situation

The passage begins with Jairus, a synagogue leader, desperate and pleading for Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. It’s a moment of raw vulnerability as a father watches his beloved child slip away. We can all relate to Jairus in our own desperate situations, whether it be health crises, financial struggles, or broken relationships. Desperation often propels us to seek help beyond our own abilities, leading us to the feet of Jesus.

Part 2: The Interruption

As Jesus is en route to Jairus’ house, a woman who has suffered from a debilitating ailment for twelve years interrupts the journey. In her desperation, she reaches out and touches the fringe of Jesus’ cloak, hoping for healing. This interruption, though seemingly deterring, becomes a powerful illustration of faith. Jesus acknowledges her faith and heals her, showcasing that even in the midst of one person’s desperate situation, another can find unexpected redemption. This interruption teaches us that God’s plans are higher than ours, and sometimes, in the midst of our trials, He brings about unforeseen blessings.

Part 3: The Resurrection

While Jesus is still speaking with the woman, messengers arrive to inform Jairus that his daughter has died. In the face of death itself, Jesus encourages Jairus with the words, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” What follows is nothing short of a miraculous resurrection as Jesus raises the dead girl back to life. This event demonstrates the power of unwavering faith in the midst of the most dire circumstances. Even when all hope seems lost, Jesus is the resurrection and the life, capable of bringing forth new life from the ashes of despair.

No matter what we face in life, we can all remember the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid, only believe.”

There are three Possible Outcomes of God’s Intervention in our times of Desperation:

A) Sometimes God keeps us FROM the trial:

In His mercy, God may shield us from certain trials altogether. Through His divine protection, we experience His grace in avoiding situations that could potentially overwhelm us.

B) Sometimes God keeps us THROUGH the trial:

God’s promise is not always to remove us from difficulties, but to be with us in the midst of them. As we navigate trials, His presence sustains us, providing strength, comfort, and an enduring hope that transcends our circumstances.

C) Sometimes God uses the trial to deliver us unto Himself:

In the grand tapestry of our lives, God weaves even the most challenging trials into a masterpiece. These hardships can serve as a pathway that leads us closer to God, fostering a deeper relationship with Him and ultimately delivering us into His eternal presence. In some ways the resurrection of this little girl was a foretaste of the great resurrection one day, when God will say to all who have died, “Child Arise,” and for those who are in Christ, they will!

When faced with desperate situations, we turn to Jesus, remembering His words, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Through the lens of Luke 8:40-56, we see that in our desperation, God invites us into a transformative journey – from the depths of our situation, through unexpected interruptions, to the resurrection of hope. Regardless of the outcome, we find solace in turning to Jesus, who is the source of our strength and the anchor of our faith.

Recommended Resource:

Little Girl Get Up by Rick Malwitz

Picture of Dave Hentschel

Dave Hentschel

David Hentschel serves as Lead Pastor: Preaching, Spiritual Formation and Care at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. He is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Juli enjoy three children.
PrevPrevious EntryCourageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 2
Next EntryCourageous Resilience in 2024 Pt 3Next

BACK TO THE PASTOR’S TABLE

Like what you see? Sign up to receive notifications from The Pastor's Table!
Loading
Like what you see? Sign up to receive notifications from The Pastor's Table!
Loading

Recent Entries

Loading...

Fight The Good Fight (1 Timothy 6:11-16)

July 14, 2025
/
Bob Erbig
The Spiritual Battle for a Healthy Church This was an important series for our church as we approach our 175th Anniversary next year. For a church to last 175 years, the principals in 1 Timothy must be present. We’ve learned how to combat false teaching, how to make the Gospel...
Read More

Why We’re Baptists: Convictions That Shape Our Church

July 7, 2025
/
Dave Hentschel
Sermon Summary July 6, 2025 In the early 1500s, a German farmer named Fritz Erbe was imprisoned in a dungeon for refusing to baptize his infant son. He believed baptism should follow personal faith, and for that conviction, he spent 16 years in isolation—never once wavering. His courage reminds us...
Read More

How To Avoid Money Love (1 Timothy 6:3-10)

July 1, 2025
/
Bob Erbig
The F.I.R.E. Movement In the financial world, there is a growing movement known as F.I.R.E. Have you heard of the FIRE movement? It stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. F.I.R.E is “A movement of people devoted to a program of extreme savings and investment that aims to allow them to...
Read More

Leadership Integrity

June 16, 2025
/
Dave Hentschel
By Pastor Dave Hentschel | June 15, 2025 1 Tim 5.17-6.2 This week, a familiar name in Christian music made headlines—Michael Tait, lead singer of the Newsboys and former member of DC Talk, publicly admitted to recent allegations of sexual misconduct and substance abuse. His confession brought a flood of...
Read More

Guidelines for God’s Family (1 Timothy 5:1-16)

June 10, 2025
/
Bob Erbig
The Loneliness Epidemic Have you ever felt … alone? Maybe you are lonely right now … longing for deeper relationships. You long for the roots of the other trees in your life. Well, you are not the only one. Loneliness is more than a feeling; it’s a public health crisis....
Read More

The Shepherd’s Charge

June 2, 2025
/
Dave Hentschel
By Pastor Dave Hentschel | June 1, 2025 Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 What does it mean to be a faithful pastor? It’s a question that has shaped my own heart for ministry—and one that Paul addresses so powerfully in 1 Timothy 4. In this chapter, he reminds Timothy—and all of...
Read More
1 2 … 31 Next »

Leadership Integrity

By Pastor Dave Hentschel | June 15, 2025 1 Tim 5.17-6.2 This week, a familiar name in Christian music made headlines—Michael Tait, lead singer of the Newsboys and former member of DC Talk, publicly admitted to recent allegations of sexual misconduct and substance abuse. His confession brought a flood of emotions, not least because of

Read More
Dave Hentschel June 16, 2025

Guidelines for God’s Family (1 Timothy 5:1-16)

The Loneliness Epidemic Have you ever felt … alone? Maybe you are lonely right now … longing for deeper relationships. You long for the roots of the other trees in your life. Well, you are not the only one. Loneliness is more than a feeling; it’s a public health crisis. Several years ago, then U.S.

Read More
Bob Erbig June 10, 2025

The Shepherd’s Charge

By Pastor Dave Hentschel | June 1, 2025 Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 What does it mean to be a faithful pastor? It’s a question that has shaped my own heart for ministry—and one that Paul addresses so powerfully in 1 Timothy 4. In this chapter, he reminds Timothy—and all of us—what matters most for spiritual

Read More
Dave Hentschel June 2, 2025
Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5
  • www.millingtonbaptist.org
  • mbc@millingtonbaptist.org
  • /millingtonchurch
  • /MBCNewJersey
  • www.millingtonbaptist.org
  • mbc@millingtonbaptist.org
  • facebook.com/millingtonchurch
  • twitter.com/MBCNewJersey
  • 520 King George Road | Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 | 908-647-0594
  • about
    • Back
    • About us
      • Back
      • Back
    • Times & Directions
      • Back
      • Back
    • Staff & Leadership
      • Back
      • Back
    • Worship
      • Back
      • Back
    • Membership
      • Back
      • Back
    • Baptism
      • Back
      • Back
    • Communion
      • Back
      • Communion
      • Back
    • Baby Dedication
      • Back
      • Baby Dedications
      • Back
    • New Believers
      • Back
      • New Believers
      • Back
    • Meet With A Pastor
      • Back
      • Meet With A Pastor
      • Back
    • Sermon Series
      • Back
      • Back
    • Back
  • ministries
    • Back
    • Family
      • Back
      • Family Ministries
      • Back
    • Kids
      • Back
      • MBC Kids
      • Back
    • Teens
      • Back
      • Teens
      • The Fresh Wave Podcast
      • Teens Missions Blog
      • Back
    • Adults
      • Back
      • Small Groups
      • Adult Education
      • Women
      • Men
      • Young Adults
      • Senior Luncheon
      • Radical Mentoring
      • Back
    • Missions
      • Back
      • MBC Missions
      • Senegal
      • First Choice
      • City Relief
      • Market Street Mission
      • Feeding Hands
      • Back
    • Care
      • Back
      • Back
    • Internships
      • Back
      • Internships
      • Back
    • Underground Sessions
      • Back
      • Underground Sessions
      • Back
    • Stephen Ministry
      • Back
      • Back
    • Little Footprints Learning Center
      • Back
      • Back
    • Back
  • media
    • Back
    • Digital Ministry
      • Back
      • Digital Ministry
      • Livestream
      • Back
    • Pastor’s Table Blog
      • Back
      • Pastor’s Table Blog
      • Back
    • Behind the Pulpit
      • Back
      • Updates & Connection Opportunities
      • Back
    • Fresh Wave
      • Back
      • The Fresh Wave Podcast
      • Back
    • Wednesdays in the Word
      • Back
      • Wednesdays in the Word
      • Back
    • Sermon Archive
      • Back
      • Sermon Archive
      • Back
    • Right Now Media
      • Back
      • Right Now Media
      • Back
    • Merch Store
      • Back
      • Merch Store
      • Back
    • Back
  • events
  • prayer
    • Back
    • Praise & Prayer Weekly Update
      • Back
      • Praise & Prayer Weekly Update
      • Back
    • Men and Women’s Prayer Room
      • Back
      • Men and Women’s Prayer Room
      • Back
    • Back
  • give
    • Back
    • Year-End Giving for 2025
      • Back
      • Year-End Giving for 2025
      • Back
    • MBC Giving
      • Back
      • give
      • Back
    • Serving
      • Back
      • Share your Gifts
      • Back
    • Back
  • connect
    • Back
    • Getting Connected
      • Back
      • getting connected
      • Back
    • The Bridge – September 28th, 2025
      • Back
      • The Bridge – September 28th, 2025
      • Back
    • Shared Interest Groups
      • Back
      • Shared Interest Groups
      • Back
    • Share your Gifts
      • Back
      • Share your Gifts
      • Back
    • Finance Team
      • Back
      • MBC Finance Team
      • Back
    • Safety & Security Team
      • Back
      • MBC Safety & Security Team
      • Back
    • Buildings & Grounds Team
      • Back
      • MBC Buildings & Grounds Team
      • Back
    • Hospitality Team
      • Back
      • MBC Hospitality Team
      • Back
    • Summer Connections
      • Back
      • Summer Connections 2025
      • Back
    • Back
  • log in