Sifting & Strengthening
Welcome to Trinity Wellsprings Church.
Video will be available Sunday morning at 9:00 am (and anytime afterwards).
We're thankful to be able to have this Online Worship Experience together with you. You can also find us on Facebook, or, if you'd rather watch the video above directly on YouTube via your Smart TV, please search for Trinity Wellsprings Church. For different ways to GIVE either ONLINE or through the MAIL, go to ONLINE GIVING. For Families with Children, click on the image JAMLAND KIDS ONLINE EXPERIENCE.
Living Room Liturgy
“Sifting and Strengthening” (Luke 22:31-32)
Sermon Series: The Life of Peter, the Greatness of Christ
Before the Worship Service:
Lectio (Read the Text with a Listening Ear)
Old Testament Reading:
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:6-12)
New Testament Reading:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Oratio (Pray by Yourself or with your Family)
- What is one thing for which you are thankful? What is one specific thing that causes you concern?
- Can you pray through your gratitude and lift up your concerns now before your Heavenly Father?
Oh God, we bow before you now to worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Fill our minds, fill our hearts, and fill our lives with the Spirit of Jesus in order that we might overflow with peace, hope, and love. Amen.
Connecting in Worship
Adoratio (Worship)
We’re thankful to be able to have this Online Worship Experience together with you. You can also find us on FACEBOOK, or, if you’d rather watch the video directly on YouTUBE, please search for Trinity Wellsprings Church to watch there.
We’d love to connect with you…please click the Connect Card image below. How can we pray with you? After you fill out the Connect Card, you’ll be directed to a place to share prayer requests.
After the Worship Service
Meditatio (Meditate on Peter’s failure, his repentance, and his strengthening ministry.)
- Peter is strong in faith. Yet he fails spectacularly (Luke 22:54-62). Peter is a man full of contradictions as he tries to live out the Christian faith. How do you personally relate to Peter?
- During the trials and sufferings of our lives, does it help you to realize that Satan is primarily trying to separate you from your faith? How can you not “be unaware” of Satan’s schemes (and thus be prepared) yet “not be terrified” (realizing that Satan is on a short leash held by a sovereign and loving God)?
- When we go through trials and sufferings, we primarily pray for those times to end. Yet Jesus prays for Peter’s faith. Why? Read Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 8:34, and Ephesians 6:16. What impact on you – or what difference does it make – that Jesus prays for you?
- “You don’t lose everything in trials. You don’t lose everything in suffering.” Only without faith, would a person lose everything. What does faith grant us? (Read Romans 5:1; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2:18-19)
- Peter’s experience of failure as a disciple empowered him to be a source of strength for his brothers. Peter’s ministry in the early church attests that Jesus’ prayer was answered. In what ways have you grown in faith through your own failures? How have those failures served to strengthen others?
Oratio (Respond in Prayer to God)
Pray: “Lord Jesus Christ, you chose Simon Peter, a man full of contradictions and deep, spectacular failures. You prayed for him in times of trial that his faith might not fail. Teach me through Peter’s life to grow in grace from my own failures. As you strengthen me, empower me to be a source of strength to others. Amen.”
Continue to give voice to your heart....
Contemplatio (Contemplate the Love of God in Christ for you.)
Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith might not fail during trials. Remain silent and peaceful for a few minutes to be aware of Jesus’ prayerful support of you. Feel the compassion and love of Jesus in your life and in your heart.
Donatio (Give to the Work of the Lord)
Generosity springs from God’s generous love and mercy to us. As Christians, we recognize that no organization on the planet has changed the world in deep, eternal, transformative ways like God has used the local church.
Operatio (Put it into Practice)
What is one thing that I can meditate on or put into practice this week to live more fully for Christ?
For Families with Children:
Click on the Image below and talk with your kids about the Bible Lesson this week!
Thanks for participating in this “Living Room Liturgy” with your Church family! God Bless!