CELL NOTES 1/12/08

ICE BREAKER

What do you look back on as the happiest days of your life? Were they really that good?

THEME

Faith

READINGS  Phil 4 ; 10 – 19

                    Heb 11 : 1,13-16, 39-40

SERMON OUTLINE

1) David is likely to test us next time he comes!!

2) “Faith” is referred to 20 times in OT and 180 in NT.

3) Deals with things unseen, future, present, trust, confidence, belief without a logical proof.

4) A picture is the feelings of assurance and anticipation experienced by a child as their birthday approaches.

5) Story of having to lead worship on David’s first ever visit to the UK, when his English was very broken.

6) When we put our faith in the Lord, the impossible becomes possible.

7) Heb 11 vv 13-16 summarises previous list of giants of faith. We are strangers in this world – and need not to be too attached to it.

8) Story of arriving at Bible College in 1987 with 2 shirts and 1 pair of trousers – remarkable meeting with a white woman who met all fees and other expenses.

9) Christians are apt to get frustrated and defeated, because all our desires are not immediately met. Impatient – yet look at Heb 11 39-40.

10) Put faith in Him – He is in control no matter what appears to be happening.

11) We particularly need to put our faith in Him as we approach Commitment Sunday.

12) Story of being collected at Seoul Airport.

13) Faith lives, speaks, overcomes, learns. Trust Him in every detail.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

 What did God say to you on Sunday? What strikes you most from the passages?

1) When have you exercised faith, because you chose to, or had no other choice? When have you struggled to exercise faith?

2) How has your life changed as a result of your faith? What has it cost you? How has it affected your neighbours?

3) Look at vv 13-16. In what ways do you feel like a stranger on the earth?

4) How do you express faith in the area of finance? How does this apply to the forthcoming Commitment Sunday?