Faith, Gratitude, and Strength in Challenging Times
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we gathered to celebrate the greatness of God and to express our gratitude for the gift of life. We acknowledged the daily miracles we experience, such as waking up each morning, and we thanked God for our families, our church community, and the peace we enjoy. We also prayed for peace in conflict-ridden areas around the world. As we focused on faith, we were reminded of the importance of holding firm to our faith, especially during challenging times. The book of Hebrews served as our guide, emphasizing that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.
We discussed how faith makes us difference-makers in the world, empowering us to hold firm even when faced with difficulties. The sermon highlighted the reality of religious trauma and the trend of people drifting away from their faith. However, we were encouraged to see a new season of revival and a return to faith. We were reminded that our faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, who is our high priest and understands our weaknesses.
The story of Horatio Spafford, who wrote "It Is Well with My Soul" after losing his daughters, served as a poignant example of maintaining faith amidst sorrow. We also looked at the life of Simone Biles, who turned her moment of weakness into a source of strength and advocacy for mental health. The message concluded with a call to hold on to our faith through individual and communal prayers, and to cherish the faith that sustains us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Gratitude for Daily Miracles: Every day we wake up is a miracle and a gift from God. Recognizing and thanking God for these daily blessings, including our families and church community, helps us cultivate a heart of gratitude. This gratitude strengthens our faith and keeps us grounded in God's goodness. [09:26]
2. Faith Amidst Challenges: Holding firm to our faith during difficult times is crucial. The book of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and that our faith is anchored in Him. Even when we face trials, our faith empowers us to push through and remain steadfast. [24:33]
3. Religious Trauma and Revival: Many people experience religious trauma, which can push them away from their faith. However, there is hope for revival and a return to faith. By focusing on the positive aspects of our faith and the promises of God, we can encourage others to come back to the fold. [22:49]
4. Empathy and Weakness: Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses because He experienced them Himself. This empathy allows Him to comfort and empower us during our weakest moments. Our weaknesses can become sources of strength and wisdom, enabling us to help others. [34:03]
5. Unshakable Faith: Our faith is grounded in the solid rock of Jesus Christ. No matter what happens in our lives, we can stand firm on this unmovable foundation. Holding on to our faith through prayer and community support helps us navigate life's storms and experience God's unwavering goodness. [41:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[09:26] - Gratitude for Life
[10:59] - Thanking God for the Church
[12:01] - Praying for Peace
[13:19] - The Lord's Prayer
[16:32] - Celebrating God's Faithfulness
[17:42] - Birthday Celebrations
[19:38] - The Challenge of Shaken Faith
[21:05] - Personal Testimony of Loss
[22:49] - Religious Trauma and Revival
[24:33] - Holding Firm to Faith
[25:40] - Jesus as Our High Priest
[27:57] - Encouragement to Hold On
[29:59] - The Story Behind "It Is Well with My Soul"
[34:03] - Empathy and Weakness
[35:49] - Simone Biles' Story
[38:40] - Jesus' Prayer for Peter
[41:59] - Unshakable Faith
[54:44] - Offering and Generosity
[56:27] - Closing Hymn and Blessing
[01:02:24] - Final Blessing and Fellowship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) - "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
2. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV) - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
3. Romans 4:18-21 (NIV) - "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
#### Observation Questions
1. What daily miracles did the pastor mention that we often take for granted? ([09:26])
2. How does the book of Hebrews describe Jesus in relation to our faith? ([24:33])
3. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the challenge of shaken faith? ([21:05])
4. How did Horatio Spafford's story exemplify maintaining faith amidst sorrow? ([29:59])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to recognize and thank God for daily miracles, according to the sermon? ([09:26])
2. How does understanding Jesus as our high priest who empathizes with our weaknesses help us in our faith journey? ([34:03])
3. What does the pastor mean by "religious trauma," and how can the church address it to encourage a revival of faith? ([22:49])
4. How can personal stories of faith, like those of Horatio Spafford and Simone Biles, inspire us to hold firm to our faith during difficult times? ([29:59] and [36:53])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for the daily miracles in your life? ([09:26])
2. Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith help you navigate through it? How can you strengthen your faith for future challenges? ([24:33])
3. Have you or someone you know experienced religious trauma? How can you or your small group support each other in healing and returning to faith? ([22:49])
4. Jesus understands our weaknesses because He experienced them Himself. How does this knowledge change the way you approach Him in prayer? ([34:03])
5. What steps can you take to ensure your faith remains unshakable, even in the face of life's storms? ([41:59])
6. How can you use your personal experiences of weakness to empower and support others in your community? ([36:53])
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel your faith is being tested. What practical steps can you take this week to hold firm to your faith in that area? ([27:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Daily Miracles
Every day we wake up is a miracle and a gift from God. Recognizing and thanking God for these daily blessings, including our families and church community, helps us cultivate a heart of gratitude. This gratitude strengthens our faith and keeps us grounded in God's goodness. By acknowledging the small miracles in our lives, we become more aware of God's constant presence and provision.
Gratitude is a powerful practice that can transform our perspective. When we start our day by thanking God for the simple yet profound gift of life, we set a positive tone for the rest of the day. This practice not only deepens our relationship with God but also enhances our overall well-being. As we express gratitude for our families, friends, and church community, we build stronger connections and foster a sense of belonging and support. [09:26]
Psalm 92:1-2 (ESV): "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night."
Reflection: What are three specific things you can thank God for today? How can you make gratitude a daily habit in your life?
Day 2: Holding Firm to Faith Amidst Challenges
Holding firm to our faith during difficult times is crucial. The book of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and that our faith is anchored in Him. Even when we face trials, our faith empowers us to push through and remain steadfast. By focusing on Jesus, we find the strength to endure and the hope to persevere.
Challenges are an inevitable part of life, but they also provide opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. When we encounter difficulties, we can choose to trust in God's promises and His faithfulness. Our faith becomes a source of resilience, enabling us to navigate through hardships with courage and grace. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we are reminded that we are not alone and that He is with us every step of the way. [24:33]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith help you navigate through it? What can you do to strengthen your faith in future trials?
Day 3: Healing from Religious Trauma and Embracing Revival
Many people experience religious trauma, which can push them away from their faith. However, there is hope for revival and a return to faith. By focusing on the positive aspects of our faith and the promises of God, we can encourage others to come back to the fold. Healing from religious trauma involves acknowledging the pain, seeking support, and rediscovering the beauty of a relationship with God.
Religious trauma can leave deep scars, but it is possible to find healing and restoration. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we can help those who have been hurt by religious experiences to reconnect with their faith. Emphasizing God's love, grace, and forgiveness can pave the way for a renewed sense of hope and belonging. As a community, we can play a vital role in fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement, where individuals feel valued and understood. [22:49]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who has experienced religious trauma? How can you support them in their journey towards healing and revival?
Day 4: Embracing Empathy and Finding Strength in Weakness
Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses because He experienced them Himself. This empathy allows Him to comfort and empower us during our weakest moments. Our weaknesses can become sources of strength and wisdom, enabling us to help others. By embracing our vulnerabilities, we open ourselves to God's transformative power and the ability to connect with others on a deeper level.
Empathy is a powerful tool that fosters compassion and understanding. When we acknowledge our own weaknesses and allow God to work through them, we become vessels of His grace and love. Our experiences of struggle and vulnerability can become testimonies of God's faithfulness and sources of encouragement for others. By sharing our stories and offering support, we create a community where people feel seen, heard, and valued. [34:03]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt weak or vulnerable. How did God use that experience to strengthen you or help others? How can you embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for growth and connection?
Day 5: Building Unshakable Faith on the Solid Rock of Jesus
Our faith is grounded in the solid rock of Jesus Christ. No matter what happens in our lives, we can stand firm on this unmovable foundation. Holding on to our faith through prayer and community support helps us navigate life's storms and experience God's unwavering goodness. By building our lives on the teachings and example of Jesus, we cultivate a faith that is resilient and enduring.
An unshakable faith is not immune to challenges, but it remains steadfast in the face of adversity. By prioritizing prayer and seeking support from our faith community, we strengthen our connection to God and to one another. This foundation of faith provides stability and assurance, allowing us to weather life's storms with confidence and hope. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we discover the depth of His love and the strength of His promises. [41:59]
Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your faith foundation? How can you support others in building their faith on the solid rock of Jesus?
Quotes
1. "Have you had your faith shaking before in your witness, have you been in a situation where you feel like you are losing the very faith, the very thing that grounds you? We all do. We all do. In fact, there are certain situations that come into your life and you feel terrified. You feel like you are losing the grip of the faith that you have. We all can testify of that. That when we go through difficult seasons of life, like the loss of loved ones, like the breakdown of family relationships. Like. My major, major financial difficulties. And the list goes on and on. Sometimes some people never get back to their faith." [19:38] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Throughout the month of September we are focused on faith everybody say faith we have to look at this the scriptures all through the book of Hebrews how we are reminded that faith is the substance of the things that is hoped for we are reminded that the cloud of witness all that they had was faith and they held on to their faith that they had but even in their stories when we read the fathers and the mothers the heroes of faith we still realize that there were times they had difficult times and difficult seasons but even in the midst of the difficult seasons they still did what they push through amen they push through." [21:05] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The research says my friends that one in every American have experienced some form of religious trauma one one person in every American has experienced some form of religious trauma and when we think about religious trauma it is something that is experience that people have sometimes in religious communities it's not only the church when we say religion religion is anything even those that say they believe themselves is part of religion but one out of every three people have experienced some kind of trauma that pushed them away from their faith and so we see more and more people going away from their faith rather than coming to the faith but I see a new season coming in our day and time amen I see a new revival I see God doing something new I see the train changing I see after discovered I say that God isver He's going to bring people that have lost their faith, bring them back into his house." [22:49] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our faith is anchored in Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews, a little bit of context, provides a solid understanding of the, of the nature of Christ, of who Jesus is to us. The book of Hebrews reminds us of the fundamentals of the Christian faith and reminds us that Jesus Christ is God revealed through man. Jesus is God revealed in man. Jesus is the Christ, is the creator of the universe. We are reminded in the book of Hebrews that Jesus is the finish, the finisher of our faith. In fact, he is the beginner and the completion of our faith. Christ is the beginning. Christ is the solid rock on which our faith stands. That means that we look up to Jesus, looking unto Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of our faith." [25:40] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Difference makers hold firm to their faith. In other words, we have unshakable faith. Somebody say, we have unshakable faith. Difference to make a difference in our world. One person at a time. It's not just about what we do, but it is also about what we believe. It's about in whom we have put our faith and our trust. We, when our faith is anchored in Jesus Christ, we are strongly empowered. We are strongly empowered because we have a high priest. The scripture describes Jesus as the high priest." [26:55] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Hold on even to the end when things are even difficult in your life you know in whom you are believed and the one that we are believed is faithful and just do i have witness at all this morning when paul was writing to the church in rome he says that therefore the promise comes by faith every promise god has given to you it comes by faith every promise you have received it comes by faith the bible says that uh he talks about abraham who is our father of of all nations or or father of all nations he said that god who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not against all hope against all hope abraham hope and believed in god he was not credited as righteousness because of the things that he did but because he put his entire faith faith in god and even when the promise god has given him was delaying he still hold on to the faith he says that without weakening in his faith." [27:57] (90 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When we have a weakness, God uses the same thing that is a weakness for you. When God takes you through your weakness seasons and moment, God gives you wisdom and understanding, and you are able to use that to empower others. Amen. You are able to use that to empower others. You know, the scripture reminds us in Matthew chapter 22, when Jesus was, you know, getting to Gethsemane, Jesus was preparing to be betrayed. And he had the supper with the disciples. And he said, who is going to betray me? And they began to think. Their mind were juggling. They were struggling. And then Jesus looked at Simon and told Simon, Simon, Simon, I have prayed for you. He said, Satan, Satan was asking for you to sift you as a wheat. But I have prayed for you. And listen to what Jesus said very carefully. He said that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." [38:40] (87 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Don't allow what happened to you the happenstance the circumstance distracts what God is doing inside of you there are weaknesses around us but when we hold firm to God it doesn't matter what happens in our lives we stand on a solid rock and that solid rock is unmovable that solid rock is unshakable that solid rock will never fail he will never fail you I came to remind somebody God will not fail you keep on holding on on the faith that you have in Jesus keep trusting God keep moving on never give up on your friend for in due season you shall see the manifestation of God goodness in your life do goodness at all this morning will your uncle hold even in the storms of life people of God we've been invited we have this faith that we have in God and it is up to us to cherish and to hold it like the the Hebrew writer said hold it family and the way we hold our faith family is through our individuals prayers through our communal prayers when we get together we are United as one body." [40:04] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "People of God I want to remind us this morning that even in our weaknesses don't allow what happens to you to determine what God is doing inside of you everybody hear this one did you hear what I just said don't allow what happened to you the happenstance the circumstance distracts what God is doing inside of you there are weaknesses around us but when we hold firm to God it doesn't matter what happens in our lives we stand on a solid rock and that solid rock is unmovable that solid rock is unshakable that solid rock will never fail he will never fail you I came to remind somebody God will not fail you keep on holding on on the faith that you have in Jesus keep trusting God keep moving on never give up on your friend for in due season you shall see the manifestation of God goodness in your life do goodness at all this morning will your uncle hold even in the storms of life people of God we've been invited we have this faith that we have in God and it is up to us to cherish and to hold it like the the Hebrew writer said hold it family and the way we hold our faith family is through our individuals prayers through our communal prayers when we get together we are United as one body." [41:59] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "As we go to the places god has called us into our families our homes our works let us remember that we have a solid faith we have unshakable faith and that faith is grounded in the fact that god is good is grounded he will never leave you nor forsake you god's goodness will keep you in the highway and the byways god's goodness will keep you in the airways and the seaways god goodness will keep you when you are alone and when you are surrounded god's goodness will keep you when you have no one and you don't even know where to turn in the journey of faith amen please lift up your hands let us receive blessings now may the lord go before us may the lord make his gracious face to shine upon us this week and the weeks are heard may the good lord grant you perfect peace in jesus name amen thank you so much for coming out today thank you so much for coming out amen uh please let's go down and enjoy our our fellowship together amen." [01:02:24] (90 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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