The idea for this set is to invite people into the story (the false story) of self-confidence. We are naturally inclined to rely on ourselves in every situation until the crisis hits our lives and we come to the end of our own abilities. Our Father brings us to this place so that we will run to him. So in this time of worship we are going to find ourselves in the stories of self-reliance as we too have relied on our own abilities rather than having a hope in Jesus to care for us with the infinite affections of a Savior who died so that we might find a home in Him.
What are your fears? What makes you think that you are fully capable of handling the troubles of this life? Where are you maintaining control? Where are you seeking rest from the troubles of this world?
Our Lord Calls the Helpless—Psalm 119:169-176 Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
How Great is Our God
Our Lord Commands—Psalm 107:23-31 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
The Wonderful Cross
Confession—Jonah 2:2-9 “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; Yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”
There is a Fountain
Lord, Save Us!—Mark 4:35-41 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
If you find yourself drowning in the tempest of life, all you need is to cry out to the Lord and He will show himself sufficient to guide you, sustain you, endure you, persevere you, save you. You can have confidence in such a Savior because Jesus died for you and he rose from the dead vanquishing sin and death.
Jesus Messiah
Jesus Thank You
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