Category: 2020 Sermon

QUESTIONS for Discussion and Further Study:

1. (Why) Is this a critical moment in God’s unfolding plan of redemption?

2. Do you believe God has a purpose for your life? (Ps.139:14,Jer.1:5, Eph.2:10)

3. Have you learned to recognize and respond to the voice of
God? (3:10, 21)
  a. How did you learn it?
  b. What advice would you give to someone who hasn’t?

4. (Why) Is it essential to know your Identity, Purpose, and Destiny (Jn.10:10)?

5. How effective would you expect a Priest, Prophet or Judge to be without prayer? (7:5, 12:23)

6. How effective do you think a Pastor, Sunday School teacher, Youth leader, Deacon, Parent, or Missionary can be without prayer?

7. How do you think we should pray during Covid?

8. When was the last time you prayed for labourers for the harvest? (Mt.9:38, Lk.10:2)

9. What blessings that God has provided and used in your life, church, family or ministry could become an obstacle in God’s unfolding plan of Redemption?

10. How can blessings from God can result in mourning? (1Sam.16:1)

11. Do you think it’s possible that the richest, best equipped generation in Church history is clinging to Blessings that have become obstacles resulting in unnecessary and prolonged mourning where there could be joy?

12. (How) Do you think God is using the global Covid-19 pandemic to facilitate unfolding His plan of Redemption?

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1 Samuel 16:1(NIV)
Samuel Anoints David
1The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

Act 26:24-28(NIV)
24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Psalm 96(NIV)
1Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4For great is the Lordand most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lordmade the heavens.
6Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lordglory and strength.
8Ascribe to the Lordthe glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9Worship the Lordin the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10Say among the nations, “The Lordreigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Matthew 14:22-33(NIV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,”he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”