January 14, 2018
BUILDING A PRAYER LIFE
“BELONGING TO GOD”
Sermon Outline
Luke 3:21-23;
Lord’s Day #1 of Heidelberg Catechism
Everyone has a story. How does your story fit into God’s story?
1. There are times when people feel alone, abandoned, or b___________.
“Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.” Psalm 142:4
“I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:5
2. Our prayer life is rooted in b___________ to God.
What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong- body and soul, in life and in death- to my faithful savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: In fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
3. God expressed his love to Jesus, by giving him his b__________.
“You are my son, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22
“So then, no more boasting about human leader! All things are your yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future- all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” I Corinthians 3:21-23
4. Instead of the Prodigal Son, Don Postema calls this “The Waiting Parent.”
“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3
Read and Meditate on Luke 15:11-24
Morning Prayer: I belong to God; I belong to you, O Lord; I belong to God.
Discover how your story fits into God’s story.
Small Group Questions
Luke 3:21-23;
Lord’s Day #1 of Heidelberg Catechism
1. What are the things and who are the people you belong to?
2. Can you think of a moment or time when you felt totally alone?
3. When did you experienced belonging to God?
4. How is your prayer life influenced by knowing you “belong to God?
5. How did Jesus receive his Father’s blessing?
6. Can you speak of having received “the Father’s blessing?”
7. After reading Luke 15:11-24; describe the role of the Father.
8. What are ways that you could bath more fully in the Father’s love?