Anchored in God’s Word: Devotion, Healing, and Revival

This morning, we gathered on Remembrance Sunday, honouring those who have fallen, and also turning our hearts to the call of revival—a renewal both in our community and within the church itself. Revival is not just about numbers or excitement; it is about a deep hunger for God, a return to prayer, and a renewed devotion to His Word. Over the past months, we have seen this hunger grow as we have gathered daily for prayer, and now we are being called to deepen our roots in Scripture.

Acts 2:42 reminds us that the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. While we have the privilege of holding the written Word of God today, it is vital to remember why Scripture is so essential. In a world where feelings often guide decisions, we need an unchanging anchor—truth that is not swayed by emotion or circumstance. Our feelings, though real, are shaped by our past and can distort reality. The Word of God, however, stands as a stable foundation, offering us teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness.

We can trust the reliability of Scripture. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, for example, confirmed the accuracy of biblical transmission over thousands of years. Yet, as we read, we must discern between passages meant for a specific time and those that hold timeless truths. This is why community is so important; together, we study, discuss, and apply God’s Word, allowing it to shape our lives and keep us anchored in truth.

I encourage everyone to bring a physical Bible to church. While digital versions are convenient, they can be distracting. There is something powerful about holding the Word in your hands, making notes, and engaging with it free from interruptions. We offer Bibles to anyone who needs one, and we have various groups and studies to help you dig deeper.

Finally, we turn to the promise of healing. Scripture teaches that God heals in different ways: sometimes miraculously, sometimes through medical means, and ultimately, for those who follow Jesus, in eternity where there is no more pain. If you desire healing or want to know the assurance of eternal life, you are invited to come forward for prayer. Let us be a people rooted in prayer, anchored in the Word, and open to the Spirit’s work among us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Anchor Your Life in God’s Word In a world driven by shifting feelings and opinions, the Word of God provides a stable foundation. It is not just a book of rules, but a living anchor that shapes our decisions, corrects our course, and keeps us grounded in truth. When we let Scripture guide us, we are less likely to be tossed about by the storms of emotion or cultural trends. [05:53]
• 2. Discernment Between Timeless Truths and Context Not every passage in the Bible is meant to be applied in the same way today as it was in its original context. Some instructions were for a specific time and place, while others—like the teachings of Jesus—are timeless. Spiritual maturity involves learning, in community, how to discern and apply these truths wisely, so that our faith is both rooted and relevant. [10:23]
• 3. The Power of Physical Engagement with Scripture Bringing a physical Bible and making notes can deepen our engagement with God’s Word. Unlike digital devices, which can distract us, a physical Bible invites us to slow down, reflect, and interact more intentionally. This practice helps the Word take root in our hearts and minds, shaping us over time. [16:23]
• 4. God Heals in Multiple Ways God’s healing is not limited to the miraculous; it can come through medicine, skilled practitioners, or ultimately in eternity for those who trust in Christ. This perspective frees us from disappointment when healing doesn’t look as we expect, and it reminds us that God’s ultimate promise is wholeness in His presence. [24:10]
• 5. Revival Flows from Prayer, Word, and Spirit True revival is not just emotional fervour but a deep movement of God’s Spirit, rooted in prayer and the Word. These three—prayer, Scripture, and the Spirit—work together and never contradict. When we pursue all three, we are equipped to discern truth, resist deception, and experience genuine renewal. [13:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:13] - The Call to Revival
• [01:58] - Devotion to the Apostles’ Teaching
• [02:33] - Fellowship and Communion
• [02:58] - The Importance of God’s Word
• [03:41] - Truth Versus Feelings
• [05:08] - The Need for an Anchor
• [06:37] - Scripture: God-Breathed and Profitable
• [08:13] - The Reliability of the Bible
• [09:47] - Context and Timeless Truths
• [11:05] - The Four Purposes of Scripture
• [13:19] - Righteousness and Transformation
• [16:23] - The Value of a Physical Bible
• [18:56] - Life Groups and Bible Study
• [20:20] - Prayer and the Word in Daily Life
• [21:52] - The Promise of Healing
• [23:33] - Three Ways God Heals
• [25:27] - Invitation to Salvation and Prayer
• [26:50] - Worship and Ministry Time

Bible Reading

Acts 2:42 (ESV) — > And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) — > All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

James 5:14-15 (ESV) — > Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 2:42, what four things did the early church devote themselves to?
2. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the four purposes of Scripture listed by Paul? [06:37]
3. What are the three ways the sermon described that God brings healing? [23:33]
4. Why did the pastor encourage everyone to bring a physical Bible to church, rather than just using a phone or tablet? [16:23]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon said that revival is not just about excitement or numbers, but about a deep hunger for God and His Word. What does it look like for a church or a person to have this kind of hunger? [01:13]
2. The pastor mentioned that not every passage in the Bible is meant to be applied in the same way today as it was in its original context. How can believers discern which teachings are timeless and which were for a specific time? [10:23]
3. The message talked about feelings versus truth, and how our feelings can sometimes distort reality. Why is it important to have Scripture as an “anchor” in a world driven by feelings? [05:53]
4. The sermon described three ways God heals: miraculously, through medicine, and ultimately in eternity. How does this understanding affect the way we pray for healing and respond when healing doesn’t happen as we expect? [24:10]

Application Questions

1. The early church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Which of these do you find easiest to devote yourself to, and which is most challenging? What is one step you could take this week to grow in the area that’s hardest for you? [01:58]
2. The pastor encouraged everyone to bring a physical Bible to church and make notes. Do you usually use a physical Bible, a digital one, or both? What difference, if any, have you noticed in your engagement with God’s Word? Would you be willing to try bringing a physical Bible next Sunday? Why or why not? [16:23]
3. When was the last time you made a decision based mainly on your feelings? Looking back, do you think it lined up with God’s truth? How can you use Scripture as an “anchor” the next time you face a big decision? [05:53]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of studying the Bible in community to help us discern and apply its truths. Are you part of a group or relationship where you can discuss Scripture honestly? If not, what’s holding you back? If yes, how has it helped you? [11:05]
5. The message said that God’s healing can come in different ways, and sometimes not in the way we hope. Have you ever experienced or witnessed God’s healing—whether miraculous, medical, or ultimate? How did it affect your faith? [24:10]
6. The pastor invited anyone who wants prayer for healing or assurance of eternal life to come forward. Is there an area in your life—physical, emotional, or spiritual—where you need healing or assurance? Would you be willing to ask for prayer from the group tonight? [25:27]
7. Revival flows from prayer, the Word, and the Spirit working together. Which of these three do you feel most connected to right now, and which do you want to grow in? What is one practical thing you can do this week to pursue that growth? [13:58]