Celebrating God's Faithfulness: Stories of Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Remembrance

Reflecting on God's faithfulness is a powerful practice that strengthens our faith and encourages others. Just as Moses urged the Israelites to remember the Lord their God as they entered the Promised Land, we too are called to recall and share the ways God has worked in our lives. This act of remembrance not only fortifies our own faith but also serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement to those around us. By sharing our stories of God's faithfulness, we create a tapestry of testimonies that highlight His unwavering love and provision.

Throughout the summer, many have experienced God's active presence in their lives, whether through answered prayers, new opportunities, or spiritual growth. These stories are not just personal victories but collective affirmations of God's ongoing work in our community. As we move forward, let us continue to remember and share these stories, allowing them to inspire and uplift others. [33:57]

Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Reflection: Think of a specific instance where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can you share this story with someone this week to encourage them?

Day 2: Living Stones

We are called to be living stones, much like the stones Joshua and Samuel set up as physical reminders of God's faithfulness. Our lives should reflect God's work, serving as a testament to His power and love. These biblical stones of remembrance were not just historical markers but symbols of God's enduring presence and provision. Today, we are those living stones, bearing witness to God's transformative work in our lives.

Each of us has a unique story of how God has moved in our lives, and these stories are powerful testimonies that can inspire and encourage others. By living out our faith authentically and boldly, we become living stones that point others to God's goodness and faithfulness. Let us embrace this calling and allow our lives to be a testament to His love and power. [38:23]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can your life serve as a living testimony to God's faithfulness? Identify one specific action you can take this week to reflect God's love and power to those around you.

Day 3: God's Active Presence

This summer, we witnessed God's active presence in our lives through answered prayers, provision for needs, and peace in troubled hearts. These stories remind us that God is not distant but actively involved in our daily lives, guiding and supporting us through every season. Whether we are facing challenges or celebrating victories, God's presence is a constant source of strength and comfort.

As we reflect on these experiences, let us be mindful of the ways God has shown up in our lives. By acknowledging His active presence, we cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and trust in His guidance. Let us continue to seek His presence in all aspects of our lives, knowing that He is always with us, working for our good. [17:32]

Psalm 46:1 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Reflection: Recall a recent moment when you felt God's presence in your life. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of His active presence in your daily routine?

Day 4: Community and Support

The stories shared today highlight the importance of community and support. Whether it's through a smile, a helping hand, or a shared testimony, our actions can have a profound impact on others, drawing them closer to God. In a world that often feels disconnected, the power of community cannot be overstated. We are called to be a source of support and encouragement to one another, reflecting God's love through our interactions.

By fostering a sense of community, we create an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and connected. This sense of belonging is crucial for spiritual growth and emotional well-being. Let us be intentional in building and nurturing our community, offering support and encouragement to those around us. [35:33]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who may need support or encouragement. How can you reach out to them this week to offer a helping hand or a listening ear?

Day 5: Faith in Action

The baptisms we witnessed today are powerful examples of faith in action. Each individual's journey to baptism reflects a personal encounter with God and a commitment to follow Him. These acts of faith are not just symbolic but transformative, inspiring us to live out our beliefs boldly and authentically. Baptism is a public declaration of faith, a testament to the transformative power of God's love and grace.

As we reflect on these baptisms, let us be inspired to put our faith into action in our own lives. Whether through small acts of kindness, bold steps of faith, or daily commitments to follow God's guidance, our actions can have a profound impact on those around us. Let us strive to live out our faith in tangible ways, allowing our lives to be a testament to God's transformative power. [12:34]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Identify one specific way you can put your faith into action this week. What steps can you take to live out your beliefs more boldly and authentically?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate and reflect on the incredible work God has done in our lives and our community over the summer. We began with a powerful worship session, singing "I Can Sing of Your Love Forever," which set the tone for a day of gratitude and remembrance. We then witnessed the beautiful act of baptism, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three individuals—Molly, Victor, and Cordell—publicly declared their faith, each with a unique story of how God has transformed their lives.

The focus of our gathering was to remember and share the stories of God's faithfulness. Drawing from Deuteronomy, we were reminded of Moses' call to the Israelites to remember the Lord their God as they entered the Promised Land. Similarly, we spent the summer in the Psalms, praying and seeking God's guidance. We saw God answer prayers, provide for needs, and bring peace to troubled hearts. Stories of new jobs, successful ventures, and spiritual growth were shared, illustrating God's active presence in our lives.

We also looked at biblical examples of remembrance, such as the stones Joshua set up after crossing the Jordan River and the Ebenezer stone Samuel erected after a victorious battle. These stones served as physical reminders of God's faithfulness and provision. Today, we are called to be living stones, testifying to God's work in our lives.

As we move into the fall, we are encouraged to continue sharing our stories and being open to God's work. Whether facing challenges or celebrating victories, we are reminded that God is always at work, and our testimonies can inspire and encourage others.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Remembrance: Just as Moses urged the Israelites to remember God's faithfulness, we are called to recall and share the ways God has worked in our lives. This act of remembrance strengthens our faith and encourages others. [33:57]
2. Living Stones: We are like the stones Joshua and Samuel set up—living testimonies of God's faithfulness. Our lives should reflect God's work, serving as a testament to His power and love. [38:23]
3. God's Active Presence: This summer, we saw God answer prayers, provide for needs, and bring peace to troubled hearts. These stories remind us that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding and supporting us through every season. [17:32]
4. Community and Support: The stories shared today highlight the importance of community. Whether it's through a smile, a helping hand, or a shared testimony, our actions can have a profound impact on others, drawing them closer to God. [35:33]
5. Faith in Action: The baptisms we witnessed today are powerful examples of faith in action. Each individual's journey to baptism reflects a personal encounter with God and a commitment to follow Him. These acts of faith inspire us to live out our beliefs boldly. [12:34]
### [12:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:12] - Worship: "I Can Sing of Your Love Forever"
[12:09] - Baptism Introduction
[12:34] - Molly's Baptism
[13:29] - Victor's Baptism
[14:17] - Cordell's Baptism
[15:00] - Introduction to Summer of Prayer
[17:05] - Stories of God's Work
[17:32] - God's Active Presence
[32:59] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
[33:57] - The Power of Remembrance
[34:45] - Summer in the Psalms
[35:33] - Community and Support
[36:51] - Biblical Stones of Remembrance
[38:23] - Living Stones
[39:42] - Sharing Personal Testimonies
[58:36] - More Stories of God's Work
[69:09] - Final Stones of Remembrance
[71:42] - The Empty Tomb
[72:18] - You Are the Living Stone
[72:53] - Encouragement for the Fall
[73:26] - Closing Prayer and Song
[78:49] - Benediction and Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of the stones Joshua set up after crossing the Jordan River? ([36:51])
How did the act of baptism symbolize the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? ([12:09])
What were some of the specific ways God answered prayers and provided for needs over the summer? ([17:32])
How did the community at Colton Community Church support each other during the summer? ([35:33])

Interpretation Questions

Why did Moses emphasize the importance of remembering the Lord in Deuteronomy 8:18? How does this apply to our lives today? ([33:57])
In what ways are we called to be "living stones" according to 1 Peter 2:5? How can our lives reflect God's work? ([38:23])
How does the story of the Ebenezer stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 illustrate God's faithfulness? What modern-day "stones" can we set up to remember God's work in our lives? ([38:23])
How do the testimonies shared during the sermon serve as examples of God's active presence in our lives? ([17:32])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness. How can you share this story to encourage others in your community? ([33:57])
What are some practical ways you can be a "living stone" in your daily life, testifying to God's work? ([38:23])
Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's active presence during that time? How can this experience strengthen your faith moving forward? ([17:32])
How can you contribute to building a supportive community within your church? What specific actions can you take to help others feel God's love and support? ([35:33])
The baptisms witnessed during the sermon were powerful examples of faith in action. What steps can you take to live out your faith more boldly? ([12:34])
Identify a "stone of remembrance" in your life—something that reminds you of God's faithfulness. How can you use this reminder to inspire others? ([38:23])
As we move into the fall, what are some ways you can continue to share your stories of God's work and be open to His guidance? ([01:13:26])

Sermon Clips

1. "Welcome to the family. You know, baptism is also, as I wait for the next, it's also a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. You go in, if you will, when we accept and we're forgiven, washed clean, we come out, new life." [12:09] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What a great day it is to remember and reflect and recall what God is doing. Hey, before we do that, I just want to take a moment and thank you. Thank you, the online viewer. Thank you, the person. Thank you, the person who took the time out of your day to watch and to see what God is doing. Today is a special day in which you really get to hear not just me. You don't just get to hear a great sermon from me, but you get to hear the illustrations of people praying to God and then God answering." [15:00] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You know, as always, one of the things I want to challenge you who are at home to do is make sure you get rid of all the clutter. Make sure you get rid of all of the distractions. Because today you're going to hear stories. You might hear a story of a man who was stuck in a job when he had a long commute and God answered his prayer to get a new job. You might hear the story of a couple of guys who just felt God leading them to start a business and they started a new restaurant. You might hear the story of a man who gave his life to Jesus." [16:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "This summer he moved mightily. This summer he changed some hearts. This summer he answered some prayers. This summer he delayed the answer even to prayers. And people see that and they step out in faith. Oh, you've got some great illustrations of the Lord working. And so I want you to stay tuned. I want you to hang out. I want you to watch and listen. Because God is at work. Not just here. Colton, he's at work in your life." [17:32] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Remember the Lord your God. He was concerned, Moses was concerned that the people, when they would go into the land and they would start harvesting from fruits and plants that they didn't plant, and they would start living in houses that they didn't build, and they would start walking on streets and in cities that they didn't establish, that as soon as they got comfortable, as soon as they got settled in and all of their bills were paid and things were fine, that they would forget the Lord their God. And so Moses challenges them to be people who always remember what God is doing." [33:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "This summer, in my notes, we remember it. God gave answers to prayer. There was a family that was in transition that God gave peace to. The young adult ministry. God is thriving, and that is going well. We've been praying about that. The Lord has given us. opened up a faith adventure for multiple families this summer in the church the lord provided tremendously for some people the lord encouraged the church you know at the fireworks booth we had 34 members of the church come out and help this summer and a hot parking lot of the summer we we met over 460 people we had sales with that that means that you members of the church." [35:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You know it is always good to remember what god is doing the bible has a theme throughout it that remembering is the most important thing and it's always good to remember what god is doing is good and one of the images that they use are stones a couple of quick stories and then i'm going to let you share yours joshua when he's about ready to lead the people across the river jordan what he does is they get across he says hey we need 12 stones they go into the river." [36:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And when they put him in a tomb, they rolled a stone in front of it and they sealed it and they guard it and said, this guy is going to stay here. And a lot of times that's what the world wants to do. The world is okay with Jesus. Just lock him up and hide him and never meet him. But that stone could not hold our Lord and Savior. That stone rolled away and the ladies, they came up early on that Sunday morning and they saw that the tomb was empty." [01:11:42] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You are a monument. And today was a day in which you showed is God at work? Is God at work? Absolutely. All you got to do is listen to the story. Talk to the people. And like living stone, you get to testify. You get to be the monuments. You get to be the show, the hands, the feet, the arms, the voice of God in other people's lives. Whether you get to lead other people to Jesus or whether you get to encourage them as you have already done all summer long." [01:12:18] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Thank you for being open and available to God using you this summer. Thank you for being willing tools for God to use you to connect to others, for you to be open to seeing God at work. Whether it's having a cancer diagnosis and trusting him or whether it is a job situation that comes and all of a sudden you go, I'm praying, I'm just going to wait. God, you're in control. I'm going to do it. So church, I pray that this fall, this fall, as we look, as we begin to look at, not the light, we begin to look at the darkness of life and some of the challenges that we're going to face with the darkness, I pray that we would bind together and continue to share God's love to one another." [01:13:26] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?