Life Church Message 2009-11-15 -

Conquering The Feelings That Interfere With Faith (Part 3)

Pastor Valerie - Sunday November 15, 2009

Notes

Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)

Hebrews 4:14-16 & Luke 11:5-9

Hebrews 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Luke 11:5-9
Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Discussion Questions

In what way is your faith being tested? Our great high priest can sympathize with our weaknesses because he has been tempted in every way. What steps have you taken to connect to Jesus regarding your present struggle?

God promotes boldness in our faith, even with him. Are you approaching the throne boldly asking for what you need? If not, why are you timid or hesitant?

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 & Hebrews 3:12-14

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Hebrews 3:12-14
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

Discussion Questions

Growing faith is an activity of the body of Christ as we face trials together. We believe for one another and encourage each other. Our capacity to do this increases as our love for each other increases. How intimately are you connected to members of the body? Are there brothers or sisters you are loving and encouraging? Are there brothers or sisters loving and encouraging you? If not, why?

Witnessing Activities

Romans 1:16-17

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Note - The gospel is the good news that God has provided salvation for everyone through faith in Jesus Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection.

Do you talk about the gospel to others? Considering your answer, what does this say about whether or not you are ashamed of the gospel? What does this say about whether or not you believe that the gospel is God's power to save everyone who will believe?

Discuss the people you know personally who aren't followers of Jesus. Which ones have heard the gospel from you? Which ones haven't?

Are there any people with whom you are afraid to share the gospel? If so, discuss this with your life group and pray together for boldness.

Scriptures For 11/15/2009 Life Church Sermon

Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)

Hebrews 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Luke 11:5-9

Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Hebrews 3:12-14

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

Ephesians 6:16

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.