Not Just Talk 4 “Power of Faith”

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

What is a gift from God that is unlimited?

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. Hebrews 11:1–10 NLT

Do you want to “come to God”?

Many people say they believe God exists—do you really act as though you believe God exists?

Do you act as though you believe God will reward you if you sincerely search for him? How?

Lord, thank you for not abandoning us sinful people to our own darkened hearts and minds but rewarding those who sincerely seek you. Help my faith in you to grow!

What do you want to “pass on” today?

This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace. We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 NLT

Sermon Insights:

The three marks of a contagious Christian are faithful works, loving deeds, and enduring hope.

“Faithful works” – what is something God wants to empower you to do today?

“Loving deeds” – who needs you to step up and serve them today?

“Enduring hope” – what is a promise of Jesus you need to remember today?

Lord, thank you for giving me the power and desire to do what pleases you!

When you were growing up, how did people get the “news”?

When Jesus raised a little girl from the dead and healed a woman who had been sick for 12 years: “News of this spread through all that region.” Matthew 9:26 NIV

When Jesus cast evil spirits out of a possessed man: “News about him spread quickly over all the region of Galilee.” Mark 1:28 NIV

When God does amazing things through his church: “The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly.” Acts 6:7 NIV

Sermon Insights:

Faith is going to the end of all the knowledge we have…and taking one more step!

You are a “carrier” – is what you are carrying worth catching?

What good has God accomplished in your life recently? Have you given thanks?

Who can you tell about the good God has accomplished in your life? When will you share the news?

How do you know what to believe?

At the edge of your knowledge is an opportunity to trust. What is God calling you to trust him in today?

Lord, thank you for working powerfully in my life. Thank you for the life you have given me…all you have done…all you have provided…all you have shielded me from…everything I am aware of and everything I have no concept of…I choose to trust!

If you could invite any one person to join your family, who would it be and why?

Jesus said to his followers, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Matthew 5:13–20 NLT

Sermon Insights:

The message of Jesus Christ is Good News! If you are a Christian, you don’t go to church…you are the church!

“Church” literally means “the called-out ones.” “Church” is not a location…it is a collection—of forgiven Holy-Spirit-filled people! Who needs to see Jesus’ light in you today? How?

What two things must you do with “God’s laws” to be called “great” in the Kingdom of Heaven?

How does Jesus create Heaven-worthy righteousness in people? Have you humbly invited him to do that for you?

Lord, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family on earth! Thank you that church is not a location but a collection of forgiven and empowered people. Help me shine bright as I take your love to the world around me!

What is one thing you love about Jesus? What is one thing that confuses you about Jesus?

During the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was crucified: As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 13:31–14:7 NLT

What impresses you most about how Jesus cared for his disciples?

Jesus modeled “speaking the truth in love” – who in YOUR life speaks the truth in love?

When someone asks you why you believe Jesus is the exclusive way to the Father, how do you respond?

Lord, thank you for being the way to the Father, teaching us the truth from the Father, and giving us new life through the Father. I pray your will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven!

Not Just Talk 4 “Power of Faith”

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