Faith doesn't take fear away, it helps conquer it

Here are the discussion questions for this week's sermon (May 31st).

Passage: Judges 6-8

God saw who Gideon was and what he was capable of in Christ before Gideon knew any of this was true. God made Gideon into a man of godly valor as he walked with God by faith. Faith means becoming who God created us and saved us to be in Christ as we depend fully on Him.

1. If fear and doubt did not stop you, how would you step out to make a difference for God?

2. What weaknesses, fears or doubts sometims make you hesitate to serve God?

3. What specific truths about your identity in Christ give you hope to rise above your weaknesses through God's power?

Examples: Philippians 1:6; John 15:4-7; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 John 1:1-10.

Speak Up!

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How far out on the branch have you ventured?

A short summary and follow up questions to Pastor John’s sermon “Faith Means Step” from the Invading Faith series.

In this portion of the series Pastor John shared with us the story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan.  This story is a great depiction what it means to step out in faith.  I can’t even begin to imagine the incredible amount of faith the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and the nation of Israel had while crossing the Jordan.

Pastor John’s sermon helps explain to us that faith “…calls us to go to places we would never go and could never go without Him.  He calls us to do things we would never and could never do apart from Him…”

My favorite description of making that step in faith is “…stepping out of our comfort, beyond the so called security provided by this world and placing our confidence in God in order to experience the fullness of His kingdom (life with Jesus Christ).”

Follow up questions:

What are some comforts you find a false sense of security in? Why? Can you let them go?

Has there been a time when you felt God calling you to do something but do to feeling uncomfortable or not in control you ignored His request?

Share with us an example of when you trusted God, stepped out in faith and accomplished something that you could have never done apart from Him.

What can you do with a $100

Prayer is an interesting think.  I’d encourage you to practice it everyday but be careful; you might just get what you ask for.

Last week I participated in a drawing in which I won an iPod Nano.  Now, I didn’t need the Nano but I was excited to have it.  A gentleman at the raffle offered me one hundred dollars for the MP3 player but I selfishly turned it down.  I’m not sure what hit me but latter that night I was thinking about prospect of having an extra hundred dollars and what I would do with it.

So I tried a funny thing.  I prayed that if someone was willing to purchase the iPod for a hundred dollars, I would in turn use that money in someway to serve others.  God must have been listening and willing to put me to the test because the next morning I was offered the desired amount.

Here’s the problem and the assistance I need.  I made an agreement with God right; I can’t go back on that.  And I truly have a desire to use this small amount of money to serve others.  But how?  I’d prefer if it just didn’t end with this hundred-dollar bill. While there’s nothing wrong with buying “x” amount of meals for some homeless people or giving the total amount to someone in need; I’d really like to see it grow into something more than that. 

Here’s what I mean... I would like to see this “idea” grow into a self-sustaining charity/service/investment. I wont even begin to pretend to know what that will look like in the future or how it will grow.  I fact, I don’t even know where to start.  But what I do know is that God can see beyond our puny dreams.  In fact He desires for us to live out the God size dreams that He has planned for us.  I think that together, with His help, we can turn this into something that when later reflected back on we will have no other choice but to admit that Gods work was at hand.

So please comment with any ideas, let us know if you have a desire to help,  and as always keep us and others in your prayers.

 

Remembering Who and What You Represent

A couple of days ago I was helping a coworker (Marty) tile his house.  Why he thought I would be of any help I don’t know but there I was.  On one of our many breaks that morning I was talking with another coworker (Tony), who was doing yard work for Marty that day, about an upcoming deep sea fishing trip we’re going on in about a month.  Tony, a three-year veteran of this annual trip, was informing me of all the important details about our approaching voyage like the daily gambling pool, the alcohol involved and the typical crude “male humor”.  Within a few minuets of our conversation Tony must have remembered that I was a Christian because he began to act as though I would have a problem with the events that were to take place.  I assured him that I would not spoil the fun but that’s not the point for this entry. 

My first point is, Tony and I haven’t ever had a conversation about my faith so I can only assume that he knew of my relationship with Christ through word of mouth or by my actions.  Either way it made me feel good.  I either made a good impression on someone or said something in passing that made him think I was a Christian.  And I’m proud of that.

As Paul Harvey would say, “Here’s the rest of the story”.  A couple days latter at the fire station I said something in a conversation with Marty that disturbed him.  What I said isn’t important but the effect it had on him was.  Marty stopped mid conversation and called me out. Something to the effect of, I’m not allowed to say stuff like that... I thought you were a Christian...  Marty was right.  I apologized to him and made a commitment to work on that.

And for my other point.  That conversation made me think.  It’s not fair to those that know of my faith to see two sides of me.  I know I’m not perfect and I defiantly know that I will fail at times.  But it is my responsibility to represent God and His love for me the best I can, admitting when I’m wrong and being open and honest to non-believers.  Someone once told me that I might be the only Christian that those I encounter in life may know.  So, remember who and what you represent.

Please feel free to comment and share you own experiences with this.