Embracing Childlike Faith in God's Unending Love
Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the unending, freeing love of God—a love that speaks hope into our pain and sets us truly free. We lifted our voices in worship, remembering that God’s love is not just a distant idea but a present reality that breaks chains and brings new life. In the midst of our struggles, illnesses, and the brokenness of the world, we are reminded to bless the Lord with all that is within us, trusting that He is near and attentive to our needs.
We took time to pray for those who are unwell, for our community, and for the world’s deep wounds—wars, poverty, and suffering. Our prayers followed the pattern of reaching outwards: for ourselves, our community, and the world, trusting that God’s compassion extends to every corner of creation. We remembered that even in the hardest times, God’s presence and the prayers of others can be tangibly felt, bringing comfort and hope.
Through a playful illustration with a lolly jar, we explored the nature of faith—how children trust that something good awaits them, just as we are called to trust in God’s promises. Turning to Hebrews 11, we reflected on the great cloud of witnesses—those who lived by faith, trusting in what they could not see. Their stories remind us that faith is not about having all the answers or proof, but about confidence in God’s character and promises.
We considered the bold claims of Jesus in the Gospel of John: that He is the gate, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life. These are not just comforting words, but radical truths that demand a response. Jesus is not merely a good teacher or example; He is the Son of God, the only way to eternal life. The faith of the ancients pointed forward to Him, and our faith is anchored in Him today.
As we closed, we prayed for a renewed, childlike faith—a trust that God is with us in every storm, guiding us, forgiving us, and preparing something wonderful for us. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Himself, our cornerstone, who makes the weak strong and holds us fast through every trial.
Key Takeaways
- Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. The heroes of Hebrews 11 did not receive the fullness of God’s promise in their lifetimes, yet they lived with unwavering trust. Their lives challenge us to anchor our hope in God’s unseen but certain promises, even when circumstances are unclear or difficult. [41:08]
- The journey of faith is not about having all the answers or proof, but about trusting in God’s character and His faithfulness throughout history. Like the sailors navigating unpredictable winds, we are called to trust God’s guidance and provision, even when life feels uncertain or risky. Our faith grows as we remember how God has led others and ourselves in the past. [34:19]
- Jesus’ identity is central to our faith. He does not leave room for us to see Him as merely a good man or teacher; He claims to be the Son of God, the gate, the good shepherd, and the resurrection and the life. Our response to these claims shapes everything—He alone is the foundation and fulfillment of our hope. [52:36]
- Faith is both personal and communal. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses”—those who have gone before us and those who walk alongside us now. Their testimonies encourage us to lay aside every weight and run our race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who perfects our faith. [47:09]
- Childlike faith is not naive, but deeply trusting. Just as children expect good things from a loving parent, we are invited to trust that God’s promises are true and that He delights to give good gifts to His children. This trust sustains us through storms, forgives our failures, and fills us with hope for what God has prepared for us. [55:52]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[05:17] - Opening Worship: God’s Love Sets Us Free
[06:52] - Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness
[09:59] - Finding Your Worship “Jam”
[11:43] - Gratitude and Healing
[14:43] - Community Announcements and Prayers
[17:27] - Praying for the World’s Brokenness
[18:53] - Outward-Focused Prayer
[20:48] - Praying for Our Community and the Poor
[22:12] - Praying for Global Conflicts
[24:28] - The Lord’s Prayer
[26:58] - Sailboat Illustration: Navigating Life by Faith
[35:52] - The Lolly Jar: Childlike Faith
[39:01] - Hebrews 11: The Great Cloud of Witnesses
[44:51] - Stories of Faith: Old Testament Heroes
[47:09] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[49:50] - Jesus’ Claims in the Gospel of John
[55:52] - What Are You Looking Forward to in Heaven?
[57:31] - Closing Prayer: Renewing Our Faith
[01:00:16] - Closing Worship: Christ Alone, Our Cornerstone
[01:07:05] - Offering and Benediction
[01:09:13] - Fellowship and Celebration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 11:1-3, 39-40; 12:1-2 (ESV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
...
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
- John 10:7-11 (ESV)
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
- John 11:25-26 (ESV)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 11, what is faith described as, and how did the people of old demonstrate it? ([41:08])
2. What are some of the bold claims Jesus makes about himself in the Gospel of John, as mentioned in the sermon? ([50:29])
3. In the sermon, what illustration was used to help us understand childlike faith? ([35:52])
4. What does Hebrews 12 say we should do because we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses”? ([47:09])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 did not receive the fullness of God’s promise in their lifetimes. What does this suggest about the nature of faith and hope for us today? ([46:24])
2. Jesus’ statements in John (“I am the gate,” “I am the good shepherd,” “I am the resurrection and the life”) are described as radical truths that demand a response. Why do these claims matter for how we see Jesus and our own faith? ([52:36])
3. The sermon compared faith to trusting there will be lollies in the jar, like a child trusts a loving parent. How does this picture help us understand what it means to trust God, especially when we can’t see the outcome? ([35:52])
4. The “great cloud of witnesses” is said to encourage us to “run our race with endurance.” What does it look like to be encouraged by the faith of others, both in the Bible and in our own community? ([47:09])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon encouraged us to pray for ourselves, our community, and the world’s brokenness. Is there a specific person or situation you feel led to pray for this week? How can you make outward-focused prayer a regular part of your life? ([18:53])
2. When life feels uncertain or risky, like a sailor facing unpredictable winds, what helps you keep trusting God’s guidance? Can you share a recent time when you had to trust God without having all the answers? ([34:19])
3. Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the only way to eternal life was emphasized as central. How do you personally respond to Jesus’ claims? Is there an area of your life where you need to trust him more fully? ([52:36])
4. The sermon talked about “childlike faith” and expecting good things from God. Is there something you are struggling to trust God with right now? What would it look like to approach this with childlike trust? ([35:52])
5. The “great cloud of witnesses” includes people in our church and those who have gone before us. Who in your life has encouraged your faith, and how can you encourage someone else this week? ([47:09])
6. The message reminded us to “bless the Lord with all that is within us” even in hard times. What is one way you can worship or thank God this week, even if things are difficult? ([06:02])
7. The sermon closed with a prayer for forgiveness and a reminder that God is with us in every storm. Is there something you need to ask God’s forgiveness for, or a storm you need to trust him in right now? How can the group support you in this? ([58:53])
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