Finding Strength and Grace Through Faith and Prayer
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of holding on to the age-old truth of who Jesus is and was. The pastor reminds the congregation that Jesus is sufficient, fully God and fully Man, sinless, and committed to the salvation plan for humanity. The pastor then shifts to discussing prayer, encouraging the congregation to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, seeking mercy and grace in times of need. The pastor shares a personal example of their theology of healing, acknowledging that sometimes God doesn't heal, but that doesn't deter them from combating the evil nature of the world. The pastor emphasizes the importance of bringing all challenges, disappointments, and diagnoses to Jesus, reminding the congregation of God's promise to be their refuge and strength in times of trouble.
The pastor then reflects on a scripture passage where many of Jesus' disciples turned back and no longer followed him when things got challenging. The pastor compares this to the scene in the movie Forrest Gump where Forrest decides to end his journey and go home. However, the pastor highlights the response of Simon Peter, who remains faithful to Jesus. Peter acknowledges that although the journey may be difficult, there is nowhere else to go because Jesus has the words of eternal life. The pastor encourages the congregation to have the audacity to keep going with Jesus, to keep leaning in even when questions arise.
The pastor acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the world and the desire for control, but emphasizes the need to trust in God's sovereignty. The pastor introduces the book of Hebrews, highlighting its significance as a book that connects the Old Testament promises with the fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The pastor specifically focuses on Hebrews 4:14-16, emphasizing the comforting truth that Jesus, as our high priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations. The pastor encourages the congregation to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we can receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.
The pastor shares a personal experience of feeling hopeless and lonely while dealing with a rare disease called blyer teresia. They express the need for support and encouragement during difficult times, emphasizing that sometimes all one needs is someone to listen and offer a word of encouragement. The pastor acknowledges that feelings of loneliness are not uncommon and that many people may relate to waking up crying or feeling overwhelmed by the fragility of life. The main message of the sermon is that God cares, knows, and understands our struggles, and Jesus is fully capable of providing mercy and grace in times of need.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the power and significance of prayer. The pastor quotes Carl Bar, who describes prayer as an uprising against the disorder of the world. Prayer is not simply asking God for specific outcomes, but rather it is an opportunity to commune with God and actively participate in directing the course of His world. The pastor encourages the congregation to turn to prayer when they feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or faced with challenges and questions.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus is sufficient, fully God and fully Man, sinless, and committed to the salvation plan for humanity. He is our refuge and strength in times of trouble, and we are encouraged to bring all our challenges, disappointments, and diagnoses to Him. ([12:45])
- Even when the journey with Jesus becomes difficult, we are encouraged to keep going, to keep leaning in even when questions arise. There is nowhere else to go because Jesus has the words of eternal life. ([24:30])
- Jesus, as our high priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations. We can approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we can receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. ([36:15])
- God cares, knows, and understands our struggles. Even in times of loneliness and despair, Jesus is fully capable of providing mercy and grace. ([48:50])
- Prayer is an uprising against the disorder of the world. It is not simply asking God for specific outcomes, but rather it is an opportunity to commune with God and actively participate in directing the course of His world. ([59:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Hebrews 4:14-16: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 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."
2. John 16:23-33: "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. Then Jesus’s disciples said, 'Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.' 'Do you now believe?' Jesus replied. 'A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'"
3. Matthew 6:9-13: "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 4:14-16 tell us about the nature of Jesus and how we should approach God?
2. In John 16:23-33, what promises does Jesus make about prayer and what does He say about the Father's love for us?
3. How does Matthew 6:9-13 instruct us to pray and what does it reveal about God's kingdom and His will?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding that Jesus, our high priest, empathizes with our weaknesses influence our approach to God's throne of grace?
2. What does it mean to ask in Jesus' name as mentioned in John 16:23-33, and how does this relate to our understanding of prayer?
3. How does the prayer model in Matthew 6:9-13 reflect our trust in God's sovereignty and our active participation in His world?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a recent situation where you felt weak or tempted? How can you apply the truth of Hebrews 4:14-16 in such situations?
2. What is one specific thing you will start praying for in Jesus' name this week, as encouraged in John 16:23-33?
3. How can you incorporate the principles of the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 into your daily prayer routine?
4. Think of a current challenge or disappointment in your life. How can you bring it to Jesus, trusting in His sufficiency and commitment to your salvation?
5. Can you identify a situation in your life where you feel the need for control? How can you surrender it to God's sovereignty and trust in His plan?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Sufficiency of Jesus
Jesus, being fully God and fully Man, sinless, and committed to the salvation plan for humanity, is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. We are encouraged to bring all our challenges, disappointments, and diagnoses to Him. ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dekb9-8MMoI&t=750s))
Colossians 2:9-10 - "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."
Reflection: How can you actively bring your challenges and disappointments to Jesus today? Can you think of a specific situation where you need to trust in His sufficiency?
Day 2: Perseverance in Faith
Even when the journey with Jesus becomes difficult, we are encouraged to keep going, to keep leaning in even when questions arise. There is nowhere else to go because Jesus has the words of eternal life. ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dekb9-8MMoI&t=1455s))
John 6:68 - "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'"
Reflection: What challenges in your faith journey are you currently facing? How can you lean into Jesus and His words of eternal life in these situations?
Day 3: Confidence in God's Grace
Jesus, as our high priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations. We can approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we can receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dekb9-8MMoI&t=2160s))
Hebrews 4:15-16 - "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."
Reflection: How can you approach God's throne of grace with confidence today? What specific areas in your life do you need His mercy and grace?
Day 4: God's Understanding and Care
God cares, knows, and understands our struggles. Even in times of loneliness and despair, Jesus is fully capable of providing mercy and grace. ([48:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dekb9-8MMoI&t=2915s))
Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's care and understanding in your struggles? How can you lean on Jesus for mercy and grace during times of loneliness and despair?
Day 5: Prayer as an Uprising
Prayer is an uprising against the disorder of the world. It is not simply asking God for specific outcomes, but rather it is an opportunity to commune with God and actively participate in directing the course of His world. ([59:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dekb9-8MMoI&t=3545s))
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: How can you use prayer as an uprising against the disorder in your world today? Can you think of a specific situation where you can actively participate in directing the course of God's world through prayer?
Quotes
"Lord, where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life." - Simon Peter
"We don't 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...let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence."
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Carl Bar
"Prayer therefore is much more than asking God for this or that outcome; it is drawing into communion with him and taking up our privileged role as his people in prayer." - Sky Jaani
"In those moments I just remember like I needed a life raft... I just needed a little bit of encouragement... to somehow by the supernatural empowerment of God to feel courage on the inside that goes beyond my ability to check out and people's ability to counsel me."
"I imagine my feeling of loneliness is not an isolated occurrence... sometimes you wake up crying because it's the worst day of your life again... sometimes you turn on the news and you imagine how fragile life really is and how overwhelming that is on top of how fragile your life already was before all that stuff started happening."
"I want to make a just a really good case that God cares and God knows and that Jesus is entirely sufficient as our great high priest to give you his mercy and Grace in your time of need... Jesus fully knows and Jesus fully understands."
"Hold firmly to your faith...this isn't self-help talk, this isn't just your confessions in the mirror in the morning...this is holding fast to your confession."
"Andrew Murray says about prayer, 'Though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that the feeble child can pray, yet it is at the same time the highest and holiest work to which man can rise. It is fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy One, the channel of all blessings, the secret of power and life not only for ourselves but for others, for the church, for the world.'"
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