October 11, 2009 - He's Still Got the Whole World in His Hands:

#3 - Sure Hope in Uncertain Times

Key Focus:

• In the middle of life's messes, our darkest times when we feel most alone, rather than abandon us, Jesus is there, right there in the middle of the storm. That's the reason that He came in the first place: to let us know we are not alone ... that God knows from experience what's it's like to be in our storms ... and how hard it is to feel alone. Yet He shows us that even in the worst, we are not abandoned. Even when we feel lost and alone, betrayed and abandoned by our friends, ridiculed and scorned publicly, and humiliated in front of the few that know us -- we are not alone! God will see us through. Our voice will matter and be heard. (Psalm 22!)

Idea Bin:

• Dramatic Piece: Skeptics Voice -- "You Christers really don't have any more hope than I do. When push comes to shove, you have to go through recessions, diseases, and untimely deaths like the rest of us do. Why should I buy into your stuff? Seems like all you are promising me is pie in the sky in the sweet by in by!"
• Video Piece to add to the Skeptics Voice:

In His Hands

This is pretty tough, but really helps us get to the heart of the matter, the questions we ask and sets up the Time in the Word Piece. But it needs to be directly linked to the Time in the Word.

• Jesus comes walking on the water: in the middle of the storm, He was there!
• In fact, the very reason Jesus came was so we could know He was here in our messes
• Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16
• Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:5-6
• Acts 7:55-56
• Sound hoaky, sound too good to be true? The cross in the rubble at the Twin Towers: Do you remember Frank Silecchia ... and the cross at WTC!?
  • Whether you see it as a God made symbol or just a rallying symbol of hope is really question of faith. But either way, it is interesting that the very truth of the Cross is demonstrated to many by this Cross.
  • At the cross with Jesus -- felt so alone, carried such a burden, but believed that God would deliver Him. Psalm 22 comes true!
  • Job -- didn't get an answer why, but God shows up and makes sure Job knows He's there
  • We already know if we follow Christ, if we get in the boat with Jesus, we're going to wet and find ourselves in storms! Maybe that's why He called us to begin our journey with Him by getting wet in baptism. No sense in putting it off. No sense in easing into the water. Jump on in, the water may not be fine, but it's an adventure, and not only will I be with you in it, I will be in you through it!
• Communion needs to flow right out of the Time in the Word. We can do Garden of Prayer after the Supper!

• Celebration Sunday
• Invite our Friends to Church with Us

• John 6:16-21; Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:47-51 tniv
• Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16
• Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:5-6
• Acts 7:55-56

Drama, Media, & Connecting Pieces:

• Pre-video:
• Video Piece: Video Link
  • Direction
• Scripture readings
  • Scripture Directions
    1. Day - Thoughts about use
    2. Ref - Thoughts about use
       

Time in the Word Focus:

• Key focus of the Time in the Word
  • Key Ideas
    • Point

Daybreak Focus: (See emphasis above! Team Working on Planning Order - Names)

Refresh Focus: (See emphasis above! Team Working on Planning Order - Names)