Trusting God and Cherishing Our Community

In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of trust and faith in God, especially during challenging times. I highlighted the faithfulness of the church community and the ways in which they serve and care for one another. I also expressed gratitude for being part of such a community and encouraged everyone not to take it for granted. I reminded everyone that God has called us to be part of His family through Jesus and His grace, and that we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. I also acknowledged that life can be hard and filled with doubt, but encouraged everyone to trust in God more deeply and to know that He is always with us.

Key Takeaways:
- The importance of trust and faith in God, especially during challenging times [ 16:37]
- The faithfulness of the church community and the ways in which they serve and care for one another [ 17:36]
- The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others as people who have been blessed by God [ 18:45]
- The importance of trusting in God more deeply and knowing that He is always with us [ 20:12]
- The importance of not taking the church community for granted and expressing gratitude for being part of it [ 21:18]

Small group discussion guide for "Trusting God in Difficult Times"

Bible Passages: Genesis 12:1-2, Genesis 22:1-2

1) Begin by reading Genesis 12:1-2 and Genesis 22:1-2.

Discussion Questions:

Observation Questions:
- What does God ask of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-2?
- How does the request in Genesis 22:1-2 compare to the promise God made in Genesis 12:1-2?

Interpretation Questions:
- What do these passages reveal about the nature of God's requests or commands?
- How do these passages challenge our understanding of God's promises?

Application Questions:
- How can we apply Abraham's response to God's difficult request in our own lives?
- What might it look like for us to trust God more deeply in our current circumstances?
- How can we encourage each other to trust God in the face of trials and challenges?

Day 1: Trusting God in the Midst of Trials

Life is full of trials and tribulations. It's during these times that our faith is tested the most. Trusting God in the midst of trials means believing that He is in control, even when our circumstances seem out of control. It means relying on His strength when we feel weak, and trusting His wisdom when we don't understand.

James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did you express your trust in God during this time? If you struggled with trust, what is one step you can take to trust God more in future trials?

Day 2: The Power of Christ in Us

The power of Christ in us is a transformative force. It gives us the strength to overcome obstacles, the courage to face our fears, and the wisdom to make right decisions. It's a power that is available to us at all times, if we only choose to tap into it.

Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt the power of Christ within you? How did it manifest in your actions or decisions? If you can't recall such a time, what can you do to cultivate a deeper awareness of Christ's power in your life?

Day 3: Trusting God with Our Lives

Trusting God with our lives means surrendering control and allowing Him to guide our steps. It means believing that He has a plan for us, even when we can't see it. It's a trust that brings peace and freedom.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God? Why do you think this is? What is one small step you can take to begin trusting God in this area?

Day 4: Responding to God's Call

God calls each of us to a unique purpose. Responding to God's call means stepping out in faith, even when we're unsure or afraid. It means trusting that He will equip us for the task He has given us.

Isaiah 6:8 - "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt God was calling you to do something, but you hesitated or resisted? What held you back? If a similar situation arises in the future, how might you respond differently?

Day 5: The Promise of God's Presence

God promises to be with us always. His presence is a source of comfort, strength, and peace. It's a promise we can rely on, no matter what we're going through.

Matthew 28:20 - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence strongly in your life. How did it impact you? If you struggle to feel God's presence, what is one practice you could incorporate into your daily routine to help you become more aware of God's presence?

Thank you so much for joining us for today's service.

We're right in the middle of our series, "The Rest of the Story," where we're talking about this concept of, if you don't grow up with your faith and ask questions, then you might grow out of it.

So we're revisiting some of the stories that we might have heard as kids, like Noah's Ark, and thinking about, yeah, there is this flood, but also what about all of the other questions that that brings?

So we hope that you are enjoying the series and having a great summer. Let us know where you're tuning in from, and I'll see you right after the service.

Well, good morning, everybody. So glad you're here. Why don't we stand?

We're gonna sing some songs to our God, for what He's done for us. Thank you, big thanks to God.

Give thanks to the Lord, His love endures forever.

Give praise to the Lord, beside Him there's no other.

Let's sing again, give thanks to the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, His love endures forever.

Give praise to the Lord, beside Him there's no other.

Let's sing to the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Sing again, give thanks to the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

He comes from glory to glory.

This is the day the Lord has made.

So what are we waiting for?

Come and praise the Lord, come and praise the Lord.

Hear the word of the Lord, He's freeing for the captives.

Give this to the Lord, and be ready for the ashes.

So what are we waiting for?

This is the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

He comes from glory to glory.

This is the day the Lord has made.

So what are we waiting for?

Come and praise the Lord, come and praise the Lord.

Come and praise the Lord, hear the word of the Lord.

I will rejoice and be glad in Him, indeed He knoweth.

He'll break my heart.

Jesus Christ, you ought to have been militarized.

Ever the road has done, I live to sing of my Savior's love.

I live because He is risen.

La la la la la, la la la la la, come on together now.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

He comes from morning to day, from glory to glory, from glory to dancing, from glory to glory, from morning to dancing, from glory to glory.

This is the day the Lord has made, what are we waiting for?

Come and praise the Lord, la la la la la, what are we waiting for?

Come and praise the Lord, oh, praise the Lord.

We're going to keep singing of God's grace and His goodness.

So sing along with us as we do.

The passion of our Savior, the

- "God wants all of you but He'll just take a little more today. What can you give to Him? He wants it all, the good, the bad, the ugly, He wants your heart, He wants your full devotion and He can do a lot with whatever trust you give to Him." [49:23]
- "In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid crowd, farmed through the fiercest drought and storm." [55:24]
- "But my prayer for all of us is that when we hit those moments that test our faith, that challenge our trust, that God would give us the ability to trust Him more deeply, to trust in His love, to trust in His grace, to trust in His power, to save us." [59:09]
- "And I see God's faithfulness. I see the faithfulness of people in this community. I see the ways that people are giving and serving and volunteering. You're love for Jesus, you're care for one another, you're concerned for the broader world." [16:37]
- "Lord, thank you that you call us to be a part of your family through Jesus and through His grace. If there's nothing we could do to earn a spot in your family tree, but that you have offered one to us, you have adopted us, you have grafted us, and you have called us beloved, and in your grace you forgive us and restore us, and renew us and make us whole and make us free." [17:36]