Faith, Community, and God's Transformative Peace
Summary
In today's gathering, we came together to lift up the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, recognizing His worthiness of all honor and praise. We reflected on the goodness of God in our lives, encouraging each other to be a source of support and prayer for our neighbors, acknowledging that we all face unseen struggles. We sought God's peace and presence, asking Him to clear our minds and fill us with His Holy Spirit, so that our worship would glorify Him and bless us in return.
We delved into the story of Jesus' resurrection, focusing on the blessing found in believing. We revisited the events of that early Sunday morning when Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb and encountered the risen Christ. Her testimony and the subsequent appearances of Jesus to His disciples highlighted the transformative power of faith. Jesus' greeting of peace to His fearful disciples reminded us that God provides peace in the midst of our trials, not necessarily by changing our circumstances, but by changing us within them.
We explored the story of Thomas, who doubted the resurrection until he saw Jesus for himself. This narrative teaches us that our lack of personal faith experiences should not hinder our belief in God's power. We often rely on the testimonies of others, and we should apply the same confidence in spiritual matters. Our encounter with God's word should eliminate our doubts, as His promises are true and His character is unchanging.
We were reminded that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Our faith journey requires us to trust in God's providence and authority, believing that He will take care of us. As a church, we celebrated the acquisition of land for our future home, recognizing it as a testament to God's faithfulness and provision. We were encouraged to continue believing and trusting in God's plans, knowing that He will bring them to fruition in His perfect timing.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Community and Prayer: We are called to be a source of encouragement and prayer for one another, recognizing that everyone faces unseen struggles. By lifting each other up in prayer, we create a supportive community that reflects God's love and care. [00:47]
- The Blessing in Believing: Faith is not always about seeing but believing in the promises of God. Like Thomas, we may struggle with doubt, but our faith should be grounded in the truth of God's word and the testimonies of others. [59:20]
- God's Peace in Trials: God's peace surpasses all understanding and is available to us even when our circumstances remain unchanged. This peace is a testament to God's power and presence in our lives, providing stability and hope. [01:07:12]
- The Transformative Power of Faith: Our faith journey is marked by experiences that reveal God's character and power. Through trials, we learn of God's provision, healing, and sustaining grace, deepening our trust in Him. [01:10:38]
- Trusting in God's Providence: We are encouraged to trust in God's plans and timing, knowing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Our faith should be rooted in His promises and His ability to fulfill them. [01:15:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:47] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [12:46] - Communion Reflection
- [47:36] - Scripture Reading: John 20
- [59:20] - The Blessing in Believing
- [01:07:12] - God's Peace in Trials
- [01:10:38] - The Transformative Power of Faith
- [01:13:39] - Thomas' Encounter with Jesus
- [01:15:56] - Trusting in God's Providence
- [01:19:13] - Story of the Firefighter
- [01:22:54] - Encouragement to Believe
- [01:30:23] - Church Announcements
- [01:32:07] - Land Acquisition Celebration
- [01:35:04] - Future Plans and Capital Campaign
- [01:44:07] - Closing Worship and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 20:24-29
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of Mary Magdalene upon discovering the empty tomb, and how did her encounter with Jesus change her perspective? [47:36]
2. How did Jesus greet His disciples when He appeared to them, and what significance does this greeting hold in the context of their fear? [01:07:12]
3. What was Thomas's response to the other disciples' testimony about Jesus' resurrection, and what did he require to believe? [01:13:39]
4. How did Jesus respond to Thomas's doubt, and what was Thomas's declaration upon seeing Jesus? [01:13:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Thomas illustrate the struggle between doubt and faith, and what does it teach about the nature of belief in things unseen? [01:13:39]
2. In what ways does Jesus' greeting of peace to His disciples serve as a model for how believers can find peace in their own trials? [01:07:12]
3. How does the sermon suggest that personal faith experiences, or the lack thereof, should influence our belief in God's power and promises? [59:20]
4. What does the acquisition of land for the church symbolize in terms of trusting in God's providence and timing? [01:32:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubt like Thomas. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's promises, even when you cannot see the outcome? [01:13:39]
2. How can you be a source of encouragement and prayer for someone in your community who may be facing unseen struggles? Identify one person you can support this week. [47:36]
3. In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's peace amidst unchanged circumstances? How can you invite God's presence into those situations? [01:07:12]
4. Consider a testimony or story from someone else that has strengthened your faith. How can you share your own experiences to encourage others in their faith journey? [59:20]
5. What specific steps can you take to trust in God's providence and timing in your personal life or in the life of your church community? [01:32:07]
6. How can you apply the lesson of believing without seeing in your daily walk with God? Identify one promise of God that you will choose to believe in this week, despite not seeing immediate evidence. [01:13:39]
7. Reflect on the transformative power of faith in your life. What is one area where you have seen God's provision or healing, and how can you use that experience to deepen your trust in Him? [01:10:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Community as a Reflection of God's Love
In our journey of faith, we are called to be a source of encouragement and prayer for one another, recognizing that everyone faces unseen struggles. By lifting each other up in prayer, we create a supportive community that reflects God's love and care. This community is not just a gathering of individuals but a living testament to the love and grace of God. As we support each other, we embody the love of Christ, becoming His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs hope and healing. [00:47]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community is in need of encouragement or prayer today? How can you reach out to them and offer support in a tangible way?
Day 2: Faith Beyond Sight
Faith is not always about seeing but believing in the promises of God. Like Thomas, we may struggle with doubt, but our faith should be grounded in the truth of God's word and the testimonies of others. The story of Thomas reminds us that our lack of personal faith experiences should not hinder our belief in God's power. We often rely on the testimonies of others, and we should apply the same confidence in spiritual matters. Our encounter with God's word should eliminate our doubts, as His promises are true and His character is unchanging. [59:20]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God's word that you struggle to believe? How can you remind yourself of its truth today?
Day 3: Peace in the Midst of Trials
God's peace surpasses all understanding and is available to us even when our circumstances remain unchanged. This peace is a testament to God's power and presence in our lives, providing stability and hope. Jesus' greeting of peace to His fearful disciples reminded us that God provides peace in the midst of our trials, not necessarily by changing our circumstances, but by changing us within them. This peace is a gift that sustains us, allowing us to face life's challenges with confidence and hope. [01:07:12]
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's peace today? How can you invite His peace to rule in your heart?
Day 4: The Transformative Journey of Faith
Our faith journey is marked by experiences that reveal God's character and power. Through trials, we learn of God's provision, healing, and sustaining grace, deepening our trust in Him. The story of Jesus' resurrection and His appearances to His disciples highlighted the transformative power of faith. As we encounter challenges, we are reminded that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, and our faith should be rooted in His promises and His ability to fulfill them. [01:10:38]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How has a recent trial in your life deepened your faith? What did you learn about God's character through it?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
We are encouraged to trust in God's plans and timing, knowing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Our faith journey requires us to trust in God's providence and authority, believing that He will take care of us. As a church, we celebrated the acquisition of land for our future home, recognizing it as a testament to God's faithfulness and provision. We are encouraged to continue believing and trusting in God's plans, knowing that He will bring them to fruition in His perfect timing. [01:15:56]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you surrender this to Him today and rest in His perfect plan?
Quotes
"The song says, oh, Lord, we praise you. Is there anybody in the house that come to lift up the name of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ? Is he worthy of all the honor? Is he worthy of all the praise from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same? My Bible, your Bible says he is worthy be praised. Now, I don't want that testimony just coming from the Bible. That ought to be two or three of y 'all that can look back over your life. Matter of fact, you ain't got to go that far. You just can look back last week and recognize how good God has been. Today, you are determined to bring him worship, to give him glory, to lift up the name of Jesus Christ. You ought to lift up your voice this morning. He's just been too good." [00:33:38]
"Grab your navel on your right and your left Squeeze that hand tight It provides you an evidence That you are touching a miracle come through the trials all week long And yet they're here. And today I don't want you to pray for yourself Pray for your navel on your right and your left Thank God for them being here this morning Be a source of encouragement for your neighbor Because you never know we can be dressed up But going through hell And need somebody to be praying for us Father in the name of Jesus God I pray that you would touch our navel on our right and on our left Everyone in front of us and behind us God whatever they stand in need of on today Would you provide it for them Would you give them peace that surpasses all understanding Would you renew their mind and their spirit Oh God to know that they're in the right place For the right reason Because Father we need to hear a right word from you Now God as we go higher in your service." [00:36:19]
"Church it was and will forever be the greatest human event in history I'm talking about that early Sunday morning when the only reflection of light was the moon that was shining in the sky when a woman by the name of Mary Magdalene discovered that the tomb of her Lord was empty her emotions which actually was seen in her panic and her actions that led her to run fast as she could to go tell Peter that somebody had taken away the body of Jesus Christ Peter after hearing that communication broke out into an Olympic sprint but then he was passed up by John which suggests that Peter got tired because John passed him up and when John gets to the tomb he has his forensic analysis his forensic observations he noticed that the linen wrappings were folded nice and neat he noticed that the faith face cloth which was around Jesus head was rolled up and placed at a distance from the linen wrappings in other words it looked like there was no sign that these grave clothes had ever been used the Bible says that after John's observation that he had faith to believe you must understand that the disciples did not have this complete faith cognitions of understanding the scriptures regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ and therefore instead of spreading the news they went back home to their house in the meantime Mary standing outside of the tomb weeping and wondering what has happened to her Lord the scripture reveals that she had an encounter with her with the resurrected Jesus Christ and church once she recognized his voice when he calls out her name she ran and began clinging to Jesus her excitement was to hug him and Jesus in his deity helps us to understand that that that he had not cling or gone to his father yet so she needed to stop clinging to his father yet so she needed to stop clinging to her to him the experience the experience lets us know that this was not a hollywood hoax this was not a figment of her imagination this was not a magic trick we're talking about the physical resurrected body of Jesus Christ that was glorified he instructed her to go and share her testimony to his followers and this is and then later on that evening the disciples are in a room because they are fearing the persecution from the Jews as they are hanging out something supernatural happened Jesus disappeared and he opened up his mouth and says peace be unto you that phrase that he gives his disciples disciples because he already knew of their fear but let me pause here parenthetically because Jesus spoke to them and provided them what they need because of their." [00:50:02]
"Is that not what he does for us today if you're listening closely and if you're reading God's word God will give you peace that surpasses even your own understanding because it is God's purpose to calm your fears that supernatural calmness despite our experiences of life because God will provide peace and not change your situation but you would have peace in the midst of your situation and church maybe that's something that you and I need to look for today because when things are out of our control what God wants you and I to have is peace God provides a supernatural power a supernatural peace that surpasses all our understanding I'm talking about when God bless you and I'm talking about when God bless you and I'm talking about when." [00:54:20]
"You are catching hell your world is turned upside down but god provides you his peace god provides you the internal stability within your heart and your situation may not change but you will find yourself changing even in the midst of your situation the reason you and i could have this piece is demonstrated in the evidence of jesus resurrection which really shows his power over death and power over sin and power over everything we think that has power it helps us to understand that when they look at this jesus and they notice something about his body the bible lets us know that they he shows them his hands he shows them his side he shows them the sacrifice that he makes on their and you and i behalf i'm talking about the scars in a world where we try to cover our scars god was showing his scars because he got those scars because of you and i he died in our place so that you and i can live he died because of our sin and because of our miscues and because of our brokenness he died for your gossip he died for your lying he died for your drunkenness he died for you having sex outside of marriage he died because you got insecurities that you're listening to the world and he's told you through his word that you are uniquely and wonderfully made why would you allow yourself to be defined by the standards of the world baby god took his time to make you and to shape you and to bring you into the fullness of who he is i am somebody because he has made me somebody and my mind ought to be the glory be the god in the midst of the pain that i may be experiencing the bible says that he shows them his scars and he does this to help us to understand the cost of redemption the cost of here it is forgiveness can i hang out there just for a moment because there's some stuff that we have thought about that we need forgiveness i'm not even talking about the stuff that came out of our mouth not even talking about the stuff that we have actually done but jesus has the power and the ability to forgive the very thoughts that are unlike him and i'm so grateful that there are moments in time that jesus forgives me and catches my thoughts before it comes out of my mouth." [00:55:20]
"Thomas miss the party don't know where he was text doesn't say but he we do know he missed the party and because he missed the party he missed all of the spiritual activities he missed all of the supernatural encounter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ he missed all of the peace he missed all of the Commission to go and preach the message of the resurrection of Jesus and to make disciples and when they told him he refused to believe it which leads to our first point that there's the blessing and believing but here's what we have to understand our lack of personal faith experience should not keep us from believing our lack of personal faith experiences should not keep us from believing Church can I tell the truth and shame the devil many of us in our own human experiences are often initiated or prompted by the experiences of others oftentimes we repeat things that we may not have experienced ourselves but we tell it as if we had experience." [01:01:14]
"Because doubt comes in our lives when things are out of our control and we don't see no way out when they diagnose you and you don't see your way out when the marriage is over and you don't see it coming back together when that child has left and there's no reins to pull him or her back in you and I begin to doubt we doubt ourselves we doubt the power of God we doubt the promises of God but what the Holy Spirit want you and I to understand today is don't allow your subjective experience or the lack thereof keep you from believing that God is able." [01:06:04]
"Don't let because they're throwing around their God, I'm talking about M -O -N -E -Y, that you think that our God ain't able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think. You got to remind yourself that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof and all that dwell within. You got to remind yourself that it's God that holds up the sun just in the right place so you and I don't burn up and then allow the moon to come just in the right place so that we also don't freeze all at the same time. It is God that's holding the oceans back because you know the last time he told lightning and rain to show up, this whole place flooded. But thank God for his promises. Thank God for his presence. Thank God for his power. You and I got to believe that God is able to take care of every one of your needs." [01:07:16]
"God's word says that he is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. God's word says that he is our light and our salvation. Whom shall we fear? And so therefore, don't allow your lack of experience with God to cause you to do something in a specific area of your life that you do not believe that God will show up. God will show up if you trust him. He'll do what he's going to do. So that you and I can't get the credit. He will get all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise." [01:10:38]
"God has given us peace when our world was chaotic. He's given us joy. He's given us comfort. He's given us the ability to forgive. Some of us still need to be shouting on the grace that God has given us. But it wasn't until you went through that you got to experience elements of who God is. And out of that experience, we learned that if God don't do it, it just won't get done. Out of that experience. Out of that experience. Out of that experience. We learn that God creates an atmosphere of intimacy and church. Our lack of personal faith experience should not keep us from believing. You can look at somebody else's life and know that if he did it for them, he can do it for us as well." [01:12:18]
"Church, that's a word for us today. You don't have to see the manifestation of the promises of God in your life for you to start to believe. If you go ahead, believe it's going to come to pass. Then when they showed up, you'll have to say, as the psalmist says, If it had not been for the Lord on my side. God will honor his word. God will honor his actions. And his word and his actions should eliminate our doubting to believe that God is able to do exactly what he's going to do. Because God will always keep his promises to us." [01:14:09]
"And once you and I believe, once we believe individually and collectively, then the scripture is true that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, all that has entered into the heart of the Lord, that the Lord wants to provide for us. As a church, we got to believe. And when we believe, there's nothing that's going to stop us. Because we've seen too many times in this church of what God is able to do when we believe. So yes, things may be out of our control. But we serve a God that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think. The blessing in believing. Father, we say thank you for the encouragement to remind us that even like doubting Thomas, that we may have doubted before, but God, from this day forward, we're going to believe you're going to bring things to pass." [01:22:08]
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