Living Out Our Amen

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Gathering

Take time to gather informally and preview the service outline. If you'd like to participate in communion, please be prepared to do so.

Service

I. Opening

Welcome and Introduction: Welcome, fellow preppers, to our service for the third Sunday in 2024. As we learn to overcome the challenges of preparing for uncertain times, let us also prepare our hearts for the arrival of the greatest gift—Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer: Gracious and Eternal God, we gather in Your presence with hearts full of gratitude. As we embark on this time of worship and reflection, we invite Your Spirit to dwell among us. Open our minds to receive the wisdom of Your Word and our hearts to embrace the transformative power of Your love. May this service be a moment of inspiration and unity, drawing us closer to You and one another. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-3 (AMP) - O sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works and wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

II. Worship and Praise

Let's enter into a time of worship, reflecting on the importance of taking action and responding to God’s call.

Video Link: Lilies of the Field - Amen - YouTube

Reflection: As you enjoy the performance and perhaps choose to sing along, you can also consider these points for reflection:

Faith in Action: Consider how the characters in "Lilies of the Field" demonstrated faith in action, moving beyond mere words to tangible efforts.
Endurance and Perseverance: Reflect on the challenges faced by the characters and how their perseverance aligns with the enduring nature of "Amen."
Community and Unity: Explore the sense of community portrayed in the film and how saying "Amen" collectively signifies unity and shared commitment.
Service and Purpose: Think about the purpose each character found in serving others, and how your own life reflects a commitment to service and purpose.
God's Provision: Consider the theme of divine provision in the film and how your own experiences testify to the faithfulness of God in providing for your needs.
Living Out Your Amen: Contemplate ways you can live out your "Amen" in your daily life, actively participating in God's plan for you and those around you.

As the song plays, let these reflections deepen your connection to the message conveyed through "Amen" and inspire a renewed commitment to living out your faith.

III. Communion

Communion symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe. It's for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Communion is for those who have made the decision to accept Jesus as the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives. There is no pressure from us and the decision is yours alone. If you have not taken this step, we ask that you do not participate in this portion of the service and want you to rest assured that no one will think less of you in any way. You are welcome to observe and be present.
For those that have made that choice, we invite you to take communion as we guide you through preparation, prayer, and reflection.
We will distribute and share the bread and cup at this time (or as is suitable for your gathering).
The account of what we have come to call The Last Supper is told in two places in the Bible:
Matthew 26:26 (AMP): Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, He broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.'
Mark 14:22 (AMP): While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had blessed it, He broke it and gave it to them, and said, 'Take it. This is My body.'
For those that participate in Communion, please partake of the bread now.
The account of The Last Supper continues in both records:
Matthew 26:27-28 (AMP): And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.'
Mark 14:23-24 (AMP): And when He had taken a cup [of wine] and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, 'This is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many.'
For those that participate in Communion, please partake of the cup now.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the New Covenant, for the Blood of Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and the blessings of The Holy Spirit in our lives.

IV: Message: "Living Out Our Amen"

Introduction: In its essence, "Amen" is more than just a closing word; it carries a weight of certainty, truth, and confidence in God's promises. We find it scattered throughout the Bible, affirming God's will and expressing unwavering faith.

Saying "Amen" with Our Lives

The challenge is to extend "Amen" beyond verbal agreement—to live it out in our daily lives. Our actions, choices, and interactions should resonate with the truths we profess. It's not just a word; it's a commitment to align our lives with God's will.

Faith in Action

Let's draw inspiration from those who, in the Bible, lived out their "Amen" through unwavering trust and obedience. An example is Abraham, who believed God's promise despite circumstances. Abraham's faith was not passive but active, influencing their decisions and interactions.

James 2:17-18 - So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].”

James teaches us that our faith is an “active” faith of Trusting God.

Conclusion

Let's reflect on the central theme: saying "Amen" is not confined to prayers but extends to how we live. Our lives should echo our beliefs. Let's commit to aligning our actions with the truths we affirm. May our lives resound with a resolute "Amen" to God's will. Amen.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the transformative power of "Amen." As we go forth, may our lives be a continuous affirmation of our faith. Guide us to live in alignment with your will, and may our actions echo a resounding "Amen" to your promises. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

V: Offering

As we continue in our worship, we have the opportunity to participate in the act of giving. The Bible reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Let's bow our heads in prayer as we prepare our hearts for this act of giving. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon us. As we bring our offerings before You today, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. May these gifts be used for the furthering of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your love. Bless each giver abundantly, and may our cheerful giving be a reflection of Your generosity toward us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

As we collect the offering, we do want to remind everyone that this part of the service is an opportunity to give but is in no way considered a requirement. We have the special opportunity here at Prepper Church to give all of the offering to a good cause that we choose.

Thank you for your generous hearts and faithful giving. Your contributions play a vital role in supporting the causes that we support. May God bless you abundantly as you continue to be cheerful givers. Amen.

VI: Closing

Closing Remarks: As we conclude, let's reflect on the central theme: saying "Amen" is not confined to prayers but extends to how we live. Our lives should echo our beliefs. Let's commit to aligning our actions with the truths we affirm. May our lives resound with a resolute "Amen" to God's will. Amen.

Local Group Discussion and Fellowship

Feel free to continue the celebration in your local groups, discussing the message, sharing your reflections, and enjoying fellowship. Here are some points of discussion for people to share after the service:

Personal "Amen" Moments: Share a moment in your life when you felt compelled to say "Amen" in agreement or affirmation, either in challenging situations or moments of joy.
Faith in Action: Discuss ways in which your faith has inspired you to take action or make a positive impact in your community, echoing the themes of service and action in "Lilies of the Field."
Perseverance and Challenges: Reflect on challenges you've faced and how you've persevered through them, drawing inspiration from the characters in the film who faced obstacles with determination.
Community and Unity: Explore the importance of community and unity in your faith journey. How has being part of a supportive community strengthened your faith?
Divine Provision: Share instances where you've experienced divine provision or unexpected blessings in your life, reinforcing the theme of God's faithfulness.
Living Out Your Faith: Discuss practical ways you can actively live out your faith in your daily life, embodying the spirit of "Amen" through service, love, and purpose.

We encourage participants to share their thoughts and experiences, fostering a sense of community and connection as you reflect on the message of "Amen" and its relevance to your lives.

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Prepper Church: January 21, 2024