15/04/2018: POWERFUL FAITH

CALL TO WORSHIP

Psalm 4 

 

For the music leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God!
Set me free from my troubles!
Have mercy on me!
Listen to my prayer!

How long, you people, will my reputation be insulted?
How long will you continue to love what is worthless and go after lies?
Know this: the Lord takes personal care of the faithful. The Lord will

hear me when I cry out to him.
So be afraid, and don’t sin!
Think hard about it in your bed and weep over it!
Bring righteous offerings, and trust the Lord!

Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere.
The light of your face has left us, Lord!”
But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and

wine are everywhere!
I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, Lord, let me

live in safety.

Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible

STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Verses 1-3 are wonderfully honest and heartfelt. The Psalmist needs God’s help and calls out to God believing that God will listen. Have you ever cried out to God? What led to that moment? How did God respond?
  1. Verses 4-8 show the change of heart and spiritual refreshing that follow when we have confessed [owned up] to our sins. There is a peace that comes (vs. 8) when the relationship with God is back on the right track. Is there something that you need to sort out in your life, own up to, to God, so that God’s forgiving and healing peace can be given to you?

BIBLE READING

 

Acts 3:12-19 

 

12 Seeing this, Peter addressed the people: “You Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us as if we made him walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of our ancestors—has glorified his servant Jesus. This is the one you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, even though he had already decided to release him. 14 You rejected the holy and righteous one, and asked that a murderer be released to you instead.

15 You killed the author of life, the very one whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 His name itself has made this man strong. That is, because of faith in Jesus’ name, God has strengthened this man whom you see and know. The faith that comes through Jesus gave him complete health right before your eyes.

17 “Brothers and sisters, I know you acted in ignorance. So did your rulers. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he foretold through all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. 19 Change your hearts and lives! Turn back to God so that your sins may be wiped away.

Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible

STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. In verse 12 Peter makes it clear to the people that the miracle they have seen was not done by the disciple’s power and ability. Why does he do this?
  2. A power-filled faith is dependent on having faith in Jesus (see vs. 16). Look back at verses 4-8; whose faith is at work that brings about the healing…The crippled man’s faith or the disciples faith?
  3. Verse 19 makes the point that a right relationship with God, established through repentance, is an important key to the building of a faith that is powerful with Jesus at it’s centre (vs.16). Is your faith power-filled?
  4. A thriving church is surely a power-filled church! Do you believe our church is such a place? Why or why not?
  5. How do you play your part in the life of the church to ensure that its work in the community is power-filled?

God bless,

Rev Tim.