Beyond the Weekend: EPIC
Stories of Trust, Failure and Faith That Point to Jesus
What does it look like to believe God, not just believe in God? This fall, we're diving into the raw, unfiltered stories of biblical heroes who wrestled with doubt, took dangerous detours, and discovered that trusting God means following him even when you can't see the outcome. Their epic journeys of trust, failure and faith all point to the ultimate hero—Jesus.
Key Messaging Points:
- There's a difference between believing in God and believing God
- God speaks in life's detours and disruptions
- Wrestling with God transforms us
- Trusting God means obeying before you see the outcome
- Every story of human struggle points to Jesus
Fight
Read: Nehemiah 4:11-15 Listen: Nehemiah 4
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
Nehemiah stands before the discouraged Israelites as they face opposition while rebuilding Jerusalem's wall. Their enemies mock them, threaten to attack and sow fear among the workers. In this moment of crisis, Nehemiah rallies them, not with military strategy or motivational speeches, but by redirecting their focus. He points them to God's character—his greatness and awesomeness—and reminds them what's at stake. He doesn’t tell them to fight and protect themselves, but to protect their families, homes and the future of God's people.
The Christian life is a call to remember the Lord and fight for others—a life that is most clearly illustrated through the sacrifice of Jesus, the one who came and gave his life for us. Jesus did not seek to protect himself but gave his life to rescue us from sin and death. Jesus models what true courage is all about—the inner strength that enables us to fight for others. This is the strength Jesus has and the strength God desires for each of us.
TODAY: Remember Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross and rose from the dead to free you from sin. Have you received this gift? If you have, then praise the one who came to make a way. Sing “Glory, Honor and Power” with Ada Bible Worship.
