#157 – REJOICE IN THE SPIRIT (28/7/20)

If you missed Sunday's broadcast, please catch up by following the link below. (For the foreseeable future, we will be running our Sunday morning services digitally. Please go to our website on Sundays at 10:30 to join in)

‘Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.’ (Philippians 1:18-19)

Joy in uncertain times comes through ‘standing’ on what we know. Paul, in his imprisonment, trusted in the availability and strengthening of the Holy Spirit.

How would you feel if you were driving in an unfamiliar place and you were running out of petrol? You’d probably be worried about whether you could find a petrol station before breaking down.

Many of us approach life like this. We wonder if we’ll have sufficient resources to make it. However, Jesus promises that His presence will be with us and can empower us through prayer.

Paul rejoiced in the provision of the Spirit. He could say,

‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ (Philippians 4:13)

RESPONSE

Spend some time meditating on and praying out of Jesus promise of the Holy Spirit,

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY – JOY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES COMES FROM STANDING ON WHAT YOU KNOW

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

Have you ever had the experience of having to stand on/hang on to something that you weren't completely sure about?

Introduction - please share in your group

Joy in uncertain times comes through ‘standing’ on what we know. There are lots of things that can cause us worry and concern, too often we stand on these, fixate on them and lose hope. However, as Christians, there are wonderful truths that we know, can stand on and rejoice in.

Please read Philippians 1:18-26

Paul knows and rejoices in the fact that he can pray and be prayed for; the availability and the strengthening of the Spirit of Jesus; his salvation (a better translation of deliverance); that death is a door to joy, and that life is an opportunity for fruitful service.

Do you regularly rejoice in these truths? Which of them do you least 'stand' upon?

The practice of reading and stopping to pray out of what we are reading is very important. It's only as we do so that we will rejoice in and stand on the range of topics that the bible addresses.

How are you doing at reading, meditating, praying and worshipping out of the bible?

Discuss/share/pray in smaller groups:

1. What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about (maybe from Sunday's message or your bible reading this week)?

2. What will you do in response?

3. How can we pray for you?