Trusting God's Faithfulness: The Power of Prayer

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s enduring faithfulness and the unshakable promises He has made to His people. We witnessed the joy of baptism, a visible sign of God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, both young and old. As we reflected on Colossians 1:15-20, we were reminded of the supremacy of Christ—He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the One through whom and for whom all things exist. In Him, all things hold together, and through Him, God has reconciled all things to Himself, making peace by the blood of the cross.

Drawing a parallel to the structure of the Lord’s Prayer and even to the rhythm of parent-teacher conferences, we see how our prayers begin and end with praise—acknowledging God’s holiness, authority, and power. In the middle, we bring our needs, confessions, and requests, trusting that our loving Father hears and responds according to His perfect will. The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer—“For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever”—is a doxology, a declaration of praise rooted in Scripture (1 Chronicles 29:11), affirming God’s eternal reign and our confidence in His promises.

The story of the Bavarian orchard illustrated how God’s kingdom and power are not dependent on our efforts or circumstances. Even when all seems lost, God’s promises endure. Like the little boy who believed in the orchard’s renewal, we are called to trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that His kingdom is never ours to lose or keep. In seasons of brokenness, vulnerability, or doubt, we remember that God is the great “I Am”—unchanging, ever-present, and always faithful. Jesus, who walked this earth and knows our struggles, has reconciled us to God and sustains us by His grace.

Finally, the word “Amen” at the end of our prayers is not just a formality but a bold affirmation of faith. It means “so be it,” expressing our trust that God hears, answers, and keeps His promises. As we pray, we are invited to approach God with confidence, to bring our needs before Him, and to rest in the assurance that His kingdom, power, and glory are everlasting.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Christ’s Supremacy and Sufficiency Jesus is not just a part of creation; He is the One through whom all things were made and for whom all things exist. In Him, the fullness of God dwells, and He holds all things together—even when our lives feel chaotic or uncertain. This truth anchors our faith, reminding us that our hope is not in ourselves but in the One who reigns over all. [34:59]
• 2. The Rhythm of Prayer: Praise, Petition, and Praise Again The structure of the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to begin and end with adoration, sandwiching our needs and confessions between declarations of God’s holiness and power. This rhythm shapes our hearts, reminding us that our requests are made to a God who is both sovereign and loving, and that our ultimate purpose is to glorify Him. [33:20]
• 3. God’s Promises Endure Beyond Our Circumstances The story of the orchard shows that God’s faithfulness is not limited by our failures or the brokenness of our world. Even when we feel forgotten or when fruitfulness seems impossible, God’s promises remain. Our role is to trust, to pray, and to participate in the renewal He brings, knowing that the kingdom is His, not ours. [43:41]
• 4. The Unchanging “I Am” Is With Us God revealed Himself to Moses as “I Am”—the One who is eternally present, unchanging, and faithful across all generations. In Christ, this same God walks with us, understands our struggles, and promises to be with us wherever we go. Our confidence is not in our ability to hold on to God, but in His unwavering grip on us. [36:58]
• 5. Amen: A Declaration of Trust and Certainty Ending our prayers with “Amen” is more than tradition; it is a statement of faith that God hears, acts, and fulfills His promises. Jesus Himself used “Amen” to emphasize the truth and authority of His words. When we say “Amen,” we join with generations of believers in affirming that God’s blessings are trustworthy and true.
  
  ** [46:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Announcements and Small Groups
• [03:45] - Baptism of Madeline
• [08:30] - Apostles’ Creed and Meaning of Baptism
• [13:24] - Prayer and Presentation of Baptismal Gifts
• [15:10] - Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
• [29:13] - Introduction: The Lord’s Prayer Series Conclusion
• [31:11] - Parent-Teacher Conferences and Prayer Structure
• [33:20] - The Pattern of Praise and Petition
• [34:59] - Christ’s Supremacy in Colossians
• [36:58] - God’s Name: The Great “I Am”
• [38:30] - The Doxology: History and Meaning
• [41:00] - The Bavarian Orchard Story
• [43:41] - God’s Promises in Brokenness
• [45:01] - Jesus, the “I Am,” and Our Struggles
• [46:56] - The Power of “Amen”
• [48:30] - Closing Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) — He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some of the ways Jesus is described? What does it mean that He is “the image of the invisible God” and “the firstborn of all creation”?
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned that “in him all things hold together.” What examples did he give about how this truth applies to our lives? [34:59]
3. The sermon talked about the structure of the Lord’s Prayer, starting and ending with praise. What are the different parts of the Lord’s Prayer as described in the sermon? [33:20]
4. What is the meaning of the word “Amen” as explained in the sermon? How did Jesus use this word differently than we do? [46:56]

Interpretation Questions

1. The passage says that “all things were created through him and for him.” What does this say about Jesus’ role in creation and in our lives? How might this change the way we see our own purpose?
2. The pastor shared the story of the Bavarian orchard to illustrate God’s faithfulness. What does this story teach about God’s promises, especially in times when things seem hopeless? [43:41]
3. The sermon draws a parallel between the Lord’s Prayer and parent-teacher conferences, highlighting a rhythm of praise, petition, and praise again. Why might it be important to begin and end our prayers with praise? [31:11]
4. God revealed Himself to Moses as “I Am.” What does it mean that God is unchanging and always present? How does this truth affect our confidence in Him? [36:58]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that Jesus “holds all things together—even when our lives feel chaotic or uncertain.” Is there an area of your life right now that feels out of control? How can you trust Jesus to hold it together this week? [34:59]
2. The Lord’s Prayer begins and ends with praise. When you pray, do you usually start and end with praise, or do you focus more on your needs? What is one way you could change your prayer habits to reflect this rhythm? [33:20]
3. The story of the orchard showed that God’s promises endure even when we feel forgotten or fruitless. Can you think of a time when you felt like giving up, but God was still at work? How did you see His faithfulness in the end? [43:41]
4. The pastor said, “Our confidence is not in our ability to hold on to God, but in His unwavering grip on us.” Are there times when you feel like your faith is weak? How can remembering God’s faithfulness help you in those moments? [36:58]
5. The word “Amen” is a declaration of trust. The next time you say “Amen” at the end of a prayer, what specific promise of God do you want to trust Him for? [46:56]
6. The sermon encouraged us to bring our needs, confessions, and requests to God, trusting that He hears and responds. Is there something you’ve been hesitant to pray about? What’s holding you back, and how can you bring it to God this week? [33:20]
7. The pastor reminded us that God’s kingdom, power, and glory are everlasting and not dependent on our efforts. How does this truth free you from feeling like you have to “hold it all together” on your own? [43:41]