The Big Picture of Faith
SCRIPTURES:
2 Timothy 1:11-12 (NIV)
11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an
apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as
I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know
whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is
able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that
day.
Romans 8:15-28 (NIV)
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave
to fear but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by
him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself
testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of
God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his
sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth
comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19
The creation waits in eager expectation for the
children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by
the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that
the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage
to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the
children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been
groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who
have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we
wait eagerly for our adoption as children, the
redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were
saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who
hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope
for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our
weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray
for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who
searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in
accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose.
Hymns this week:
Siyahamba -South African Folk Song
One Bread, One Body: UMH #620
On Eagle’s Wings: UMH #143
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears -arr. J. Leavitt #95
Become to Us the Living Bread: UMH #630
Music by: Chancel Choir along with Stacy Haney on the Organ & Piano
Guest Speaker:
Laurie Polich Short
Laurie Short is a speaker, author, wife, and stepmom. A graduate of Fuller Seminary, Laurie has served on the staff of four churches and spoken to more than 500,000 people at conferences, colleges, and churches around the country. She is currently part of the teaching team at Oceanhills church in Santa Barbara, CA.
Laurie is the author of “40 verses to Ignite your Faith”, “When Changing Nothing Changes Everything”, "Finding Faith in the Dark,” and “Grace-filled Stepparenting”. She has a fifth book releasing in January 2023 called “Faith, Doubt, and God’s mysterious timing.”
Laurie has been featured on RightNow Media, Focus on the Family, PBS, and World Magazine.
She lives in Santa Barbara with her husband Jere, and stepson Jordan.
You can follow Laurie on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook @lauriepshort, and find speaking clips and information about her at www.laurieshort.com