July 21 , 2024 Welcome to Trinity !
Sermon Title : Encounter Encourage Engage : The Gentle Whisper of God Rev . Chris Neikirk
Basic Theme : “ Encounter Encourage Engage ” is a sermon series focusing on experiencing God ’ s presence , receiving God ’ s encouragement as we seek to encourage others , and actively engaging in God ’ s mission . This series emphasizes deepening personal faith through encounters with God , finding strength and hope in God ’ s promises , and translating that empowerment into meaningful action within our community of faith and beyond the walls of the church .
Sermon Snapshot ( Key Points ): Elijah , fleeing for his life , finds solace and sustenance through an angel . Despite powerful manifestations of wind , earthquake , and fire , God ’ s presence is revealed in a gentle whisper . This teaches us that God often communicates not through grandiose signs but through quiet , intimate moments . The gentle whisper of God reassures Elijah , guiding him with a still , small voice , emphasizing the importance of listening for God in the silence .
So What ? What can we learn from this encounter with God ? How can we live as people who listen for the gentle whisper of God amid all the “ noise ” in our lives ? Will you seek to be an encouragement to others as they endure life ’ s struggles ? Will we take our faith , hope , and light beyond the walls of our church as we seek to engage our community ?
Scripture : 1 Kings 19:5-13 ( NIV )
11:11am Service Information :
Opening Music : I Believe Graves Into Gardens Power of His Love Communion Song : Fall Away Closing Song : Always
Phil Wickham Brandon Lake Josh Baldwin
Iron Bell Music
Chris Tomlin Bill Maetschke , Praise Team Leader
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Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep . All at once an angel touched him and said , “ Get up and eat .” 6 He looked around , and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals , and a jar of water . He ate and drank and then lay down again . 7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said , “ Get up and eat , for the journey is too much for you .” 8 So he got up and ate and drank . Strengthened by that food , he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb , the mountain of God . 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night . And the word of the LORD came to him : “ What are you doing here , Elijah ?”
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He replied , “ I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty . The Israelites have rejected your covenant , torn down your altars , and put your prophets to death with the sword . I am the only one left , and now they are trying to kill me too .” 11 The LORD said , “ Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD , for the LORD is about to pass by .” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD , but the LORD was not in the wind . After the wind there was an earthquake , but the LORD was not in the earthquake . 12 After the earthquake came a fire , but the LORD was not in the fire . And after the fire came a gentle whisper . 13 When Elijah heard it , he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave . Then a voice said to him , “ What are you doing here , Elijah ?”