AUGUST 16, 2026 SERMON SUMMARY
EXPERIENCE OUR EXTRAORDINARY GOD BY FAITH
There are times when God can seem distant, silent, or slow to answer. In those moments, it can be hard to hold on to faith, especially when our circumstances give us countless reasons to give in to fear and discouragement. Yet God calls us to anchor our faith in who He is, even when we cannot see what He is doing. Through the life of an ordinary man like Elijah, we see how we can experience the extraordinary ways God works in our lives through faith.
LISTEN
Despite how dangerous Elijah’s mission had become, he still listened to God’s instructions. The source of our faith comes from listening to God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Yet listening can be difficult when priorities, distractions, and desires compete for attention and hinder us from pursuing God’s will. God speaks to us through Scripture, the authorities He appoints in our lives, and intentional prayer. When we make time to quiet our hearts, listen to His Word, and seek His will, we become better able to recognize His guidance and follow where He leads.
OBEY
Faith doesn’t stop at listening; we must apply what God is telling us to do (James 1:22). Elijah obeyed God even when His instructions seemed strange or unlikely. He still obeyed drank from a brook, accepted meat and bread from unclean ravens, and asked for shelter and food from a widow who barely had enough for herself and her son. Even when the circumstances seemed impossible, Elijah chose to obey because he trusted God. In the same way, God’s plans for us may not always seem logical, but having faith means choosing to follow Him even when we cannot see how things will work out.
TRUST
Elijah obeyed because he trusted God’s promises, even when he could not see how God would provide. When Elijah asked the widow to make bread with what little she had, she obeyed, and they witnessed God’s faithfulness and provision. When we know who God is and seek to know His will for our lives, we learn to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The more we know God and experience His faithfulness, the more we can trust Him even when we cannot see what lies ahead.
SUPPLICATE
Even after witnessing God’s power, Elijah still experienced fear when faced with Jezebel. He became so disheartened that he even wanted to die (1 Kings 19:3-4). Yet God did not abandon him in his lowest moment. Instead, He met Elijah in his weakness, providing for him and restoring his strength (1 Kings 19:5-7). In the same way, we too may experience moments when God seems distant or our prayers feel unanswered, but He is still present and at work. Our God understands our struggles and meets us in our weakness. As we depend on the Lord day by day, we can trust that God will sustain us and continue working in our lives.
How have you experienced God speaking or working in your life? What did He say or do, and how did you recognize Him?
What is God asking you to trust and obey Him with right now—even if it doesn’t completely make sense yet?
What situation do you need to bring to God in prayer with greater faith and expectation, trusting Him to do what only He can do?
MEMORY VERSE:
1 Kings 18:21
Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.
WEEKLY PRAYER POINTS:
I. Thanksgiving
• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.
II. Country and the World
• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.
• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.
• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.
• Continue to pray for Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism. May this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.
• For nations in turmoil (e.g., Ukraine, Middle Eastern countries, etc.) to experience true freedom in Christ and become centers for massive spiritual revivals in their regions. For new Iranian leadership to rise up that will be for the people of Iran, will promote freedom of worship that the Iranian believers will be able to reach out to the rest of their countrymen and the people of the Middle East.
• For relief goods, financial assistance, God’s comfort, healing and hope for the people in Mindanao (SOCSARGEN, Davao Region, etc.) devastated by the recent 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the island.
• Pray for the people of Venezuela devastated by two strong 7+ magnitude back-to-back earthquakes. Pray for the rescue of those trapped under collapsed buildings; for strength and protection for the rescue workers; for relief goods and medical services for thousands of affected families. For the church to be the powerful hands of hope and healing that will lead people to Jesus.
III. Church
• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.
• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.
• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.
IV. CCF Facilities
• Worship and Training Center
• Prayer Mountain
V. Personal Concerns
• Deeper intimate relationship with God.
• Righteous living.
• Salvation of family and friends.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
KINDLY CLAIM YOUR LOST AND FOUND ITEMS BY APRIL 5. ANY ITEMS LEFT UNCLAIMED WILL BE DISPOSED OF.
Our last regular Nxtgen Sunday will be on March 15, 2026 as we step into a special summer season from March 16 to May 16, 2026. This break is a purposeful time for our team to refresh, plan, and prepare an even better Nxtgen experience for our kids. Enrollment will begin soon. Stay tuned for updates!
Starting March 15, Sunday DGroup meetings will be limited to 2 hours and 30 minutes to help us accommodate all DGroup reservations due to limited space.
Note: Weekday and Saturday DGroup meetings are not affected.