Faith, Prayer, and Surrender: Trusting God's Promises

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to honor and worship our faithful God, who never changes and is always with us. We were reminded of the importance of prayer and how Jesus emphasized that His house should be called a house of prayer. Prayer is our way of communicating with God, and without it, we have nothing. Even though prayer can be challenging, it is essential for our spiritual growth and connection with God. We were encouraged to prioritize our weekly prayer meetings and to make prayer a consistent part of our lives.

We also discussed the significance of giving and tithing. Giving is not just about supporting the church; it is about experiencing God's blessings in our lives. Tithing, which is giving 10% of our income, is a biblical principle that predates the law of Moses. It is a way to show our obedience and trust in God. We were challenged to test God in this area and see how He will provide and bless us.

The sermon then shifted to the story of Abraham and Isaac, highlighting the faith required to surrender the promises of God back to Him. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrated his trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises, even in the face of great personal loss. This story teaches us that sometimes God will test our faith by asking us to give back what He has blessed us with, to ensure that we love Him more than His gifts.

We also looked at the story of Job, who worshiped God even in the midst of immense suffering and loss. Job's faith empowered him to worship in the middle of the mystery, trusting that God is good even when life is hard. We were encouraged to keep an open hand before the Lord, surrendering everything to Him and trusting in His goodness, even when we don't understand His ways.

Finally, we took communion together, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of His blood to cleanse us from sin and protect us. We were reminded to examine ourselves and ensure our hearts are right with God before partaking in communion.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Prayer: Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God. Jesus emphasized that His house should be a house of prayer because it is through prayer that we communicate with God and align ourselves with His will. Without prayer, all other church activities lose their significance. [25:06]

2. The Principle of Tithing: Tithing is a biblical principle that predates the law of Moses. It is an act of obedience and trust in God, acknowledging that everything we have belongs to Him. By giving 10% of our income, we open ourselves to God's blessings and provision. [31:45]

3. Faith to Surrender the Promise: Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac teaches us that true faith often requires us to surrender the very blessings God has given us. This act of surrender demonstrates our trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when it seems impossible. [51:53]

4. Worship in the Middle of Mystery: Job's story shows us that faith empowers us to worship God even when we don't understand His ways. In the midst of suffering and loss, Job continued to worship and trust in God's goodness. This teaches us to keep an open hand before the Lord and trust Him in the mysteries of life. [56:03]

5. The Power of Communion: Communion is a time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of His blood to cleanse us from sin. It is also a time to examine ourselves and ensure our hearts are right with God. By partaking in communion, we declare the Lord's death and His coming again. [01:07:21]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[18:09] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[19:08] - Greeting and Announcements
[22:38] - Importance of Community and Prayer Meetings
[23:52] - Jesus' Righteous Anger and the House of Prayer
[25:06] - The Priority of Prayer in the Church
[26:28] - The Challenge of Consistent Prayer
[27:51] - Encouragement to Attend Prayer Meetings
[29:18] - Introduction to Giving and Tithing
[30:28] - Addressing Theological Errors on Tithing
[31:45] - The Biblical Basis for Tithing
[33:05] - Salvation and Giving in the Old Testament
[34:29] - The Example of Melchizedek
[35:51] - The Principle of Testing God in Giving
[37:08] - Encouragement to Test God in Tithing
[38:18] - Prayer for Financial Blessings
[39:27] - Transition to the Sermon on Faith
[40:41] - Introduction to the Series on Unshakeable Faith
[42:12] - Life After Receiving God's Promises
[43:30] - The Deceptiveness of the Heart
[44:55] - Loving the Blesser More Than the Blessings
[46:28] - The Testing of Abraham's Faith
[49:02] - The Story of Abraham and Isaac
[50:29] - The Provision of God
[51:53] - Surrendering the Promise Back to God
[53:25] - Keeping an Open Hand Before the Lord
[54:48] - The Example of Job
[56:03] - Worship in the Middle of Mystery
[57:16] - The Attack of the Enemy and God's Protection
[59:00] - Job's Response to Suffering
[01:00:47] - Trusting God in the Mysteries of Life
[01:02:17] - Abraham's Reasoning and Faith
[01:04:18] - Prayer for Comfort in the Midst of Mystery
[01:05:48] - Communion Preparation
[01:07:21] - Reading the Communion Scripture
[01:09:58] - Examination and Confession
[01:12:36] - Taking the Bread
[01:14:30] - Taking the Cup
[01:16:04] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)
> By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

2. Genesis 22:1-14 (NIV)
> Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."

3. Job 1:20-22 (NIV)
> At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

### Observation Questions
1. What did God ask Abraham to do with his son Isaac, and how did Abraham respond? (Genesis 22:1-3)
2. How did Job react to his immense suffering and loss? (Job 1:20-22)
3. According to Hebrews 11:17-19, what reasoning did Abraham use to justify his willingness to sacrifice Isaac?
4. What was the significance of the ram provided by God in the story of Abraham and Isaac? (Genesis 22:13-14)

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is prayer considered the foundation of our relationship with God, and how does it align us with His will? ([25:06])
2. How does the principle of tithing demonstrate obedience and trust in God, and what are the promised outcomes of this practice? ([31:45])
3. What does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac teach us about surrendering God's blessings back to Him? ([51:53])
4. How does Job's response to suffering illustrate the concept of worshiping God in the midst of mystery and hardship? ([56:03])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you make prayer a more consistent and prioritized part of your daily routine? ([27:51])
2. Have you ever tested God in the area of tithing? What steps can you take to begin or continue this practice, and what are you expecting to see as a result? ([37:08])
3. Think of a time when you had to surrender something precious back to God. How did that experience impact your faith and trust in Him? ([51:53])
4. How can you cultivate a heart of worship like Job, even when facing difficult and confusing circumstances? ([56:03])
5. Before taking communion, we are encouraged to examine ourselves. What steps can you take to ensure your heart is right with God before partaking in this sacrament? ([01:07:21])
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is testing your faith. How can you respond in a way that demonstrates trust and obedience to Him? ([46:28])
7. How can you keep an open hand before the Lord, surrendering everything to Him and trusting in His goodness, even when you don't understand His ways? ([53:25])

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Prayer
Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God. Jesus emphasized that His house should be a house of prayer because it is through prayer that we communicate with God and align ourselves with His will. Without prayer, all other church activities lose their significance. Prayer can be challenging, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and connection with God. We are encouraged to prioritize our weekly prayer meetings and to make prayer a consistent part of our lives. [25:06]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you make prayer a more consistent part of your daily routine? What specific time and place can you set aside each day to meet with God in prayer?

Day 2: The Principle of Tithing
Tithing is a biblical principle that predates the law of Moses. It is an act of obedience and trust in God, acknowledging that everything we have belongs to Him. By giving 10% of our income, we open ourselves to God's blessings and provision. Tithing is not just about supporting the church; it is about experiencing God's blessings in our lives. We are challenged to test God in this area and see how He will provide and bless us. [31:45]

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." (Malachi 3:10, ESV)

Reflection: Are you willing to trust God with your finances by tithing? What steps can you take this week to begin or continue practicing tithing faithfully?

Day 3: Faith to Surrender the Promise
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac teaches us that true faith often requires us to surrender the very blessings God has given us. This act of surrender demonstrates our trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when it seems impossible. Sometimes God will test our faith by asking us to give back what He has blessed us with, to ensure that we love Him more than His gifts. [51:53]

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back." (Hebrews 11:17-19, ESV)

Reflection: Is there something in your life that God is asking you to surrender back to Him? How can you demonstrate your trust in God’s promises by letting go of this blessing?

Day 4: Worship in the Middle of Mystery
Job's story shows us that faith empowers us to worship God even when we don't understand His ways. In the midst of suffering and loss, Job continued to worship and trust in God's goodness. This teaches us to keep an open hand before the Lord and trust Him in the mysteries of life. Job's faith empowered him to worship in the middle of the mystery, trusting that God is good even when life is hard. [56:03]

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face." (Job 13:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you worship God in the midst of your current challenges and uncertainties? What steps can you take to trust in His goodness even when you don’t understand His ways?

Day 5: The Power of Communion
Communion is a time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of His blood to cleanse us from sin. It is also a time to examine ourselves and ensure our hearts are right with God. By partaking in communion, we declare the Lord's death and His coming again. We are reminded to examine ourselves and ensure our hearts are right with God before partaking in communion. [01:07:21]

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (1 Corinthians 11:26-28, ESV)

Reflection: Before you take communion next time, how can you prepare your heart to ensure it is right with God? What steps can you take to examine yourself and confess any sins?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "How do you know that no matter how difficult it gets out there, when we gather together as the people of God, that the joy of the Lord is with us. Amen. That's the beauty of it, right? The joy of the Lord is our strength. And you know, life is passing and quick and what have you, but when we gather together, this is our time as a church family to celebrate Jesus, celebrate each other." [22:38]( | | )

2. "How many are thankful you don't have to follow Jesus by yourself? Amen. We are all able to do this together as God's people. And that's what the body of Christ is all about, is doing it together." [22:38]( | | )

3. "You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning. You can tell how popular the people of the church are by who goes to the small groups. You can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting. Why? Because when we come to pray, we're not there for anything else but for him." [27:51]( | | )

4. "Faith will often require us to surrender the promise back to the promise keeper. This is where God told Abraham. He said, I know I promised you. I know I promised you. I know I promised you this, your son. I know I promised you this, but guess what? I'm asking for you to give it back to me." [51:53]( | | )

5. "If God gave it, he could take it away. He can give it right back regardless of where it is. So that's what fueled Abraham." [01:02:17]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Prayer is connecting with the Lord. It's not just talking to him. It's listening. We do that in our prayer meetings. We sit, we listen with the Lord. The Holy Spirit leads us in a very particular fashion. And we hear. And what happens is, is we become strong in the Lord." [27:51]( | | )

2. "Faith empowers us to worship in the middle of the mystery. I believe what allowed Abraham to get up the next day and to go to the mountain and to walk through this, he was obeying the Lord. He was going to worship the Lord. He was going to obey the Lord." [56:03]( | | )

3. "If you're trying to figure things out, maybe you've spent months, weeks, maybe years. You've spent months, weeks, years asking God a question that he will not answer. Can I encourage you to surrender that mystery back to him and just recognize and trusting him that he's a good father. He's a loving father. He's a wonderful king. This is the faith he wants us to have." [01:02:17]( | | )

4. "Abraham, God's asking him to give back the thing that was most precious to him. And he goes three days and he doesn't accuse the Lord. He doesn't accuse God. He walks through it. God does a miracle. Job, we have another story. Everything's taken. It's craziness. But in all of these things, Job began, he continued to walk. He began to worship in the middle of the mystery." [59:00]( | | )

5. "May we be a people who know how to walk the life of faith in a way that we do well in the middle of mystery. There's a lot of stuff in this life we can't figure out. There's a lot of stuff that's like, God, I don't get it. What gives? Why did this horrible thing happen to me? Why did this horrible thing happen to my children? The life is full of difficulty, yet God is good." [01:00:47]( | | )

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Transcript

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