Chris Sheppard

Hebrews 12:3-8 frames suffering in light of Christ's endurance and teaches that God disciplines His children as a loving Father. Believers are encouraged to endure hardship without retreating from Christ.

Vacation Bible School belongs to the church's gospel work because children must be brought to Christ, taught the Word, and loved by the whole body. The message connects VBS to Bible-centered ministry, evangelism, and renewal by grace.

Luke 11 teaches persistent, dependent prayer to a Father who delights to give what His children truly need. The message applies Jesus' teaching to praying for children, VBS, and the spiritual life only God can give.

Prayer

Hebrews 12:1-3 calls believers to run with endurance by laying aside hindrances and fixing their eyes on Jesus. The message presses the need to consider Christ carefully so weariness does not overtake the race of faith.

Acts 16 shows Paul and Silas praying and praising God after being beaten and imprisoned because worship does not depend on favorable circumstances. God uses their suffering to advance the gospel and bring salvation to the Philippian jailer.

Hebrews 12:1 moves from the examples of faith to the practice of faith, picturing the Christian life as a race God has set before His people. The message emphasizes endurance, the witness of faithful saints, and the need to lay aside every

Acts 16 shows the gospel confronting demonic bondage and human exploitation in Philippi. When opposition rises because profit is threatened, the message highlights God's sovereignty over mission and persecution.

Hebrews 11:39-40 shows that the Old Testament saints were commended by faith while still waiting for the promised fulfillment in Christ. The message rejoices in the better New Covenant and calls believers to walk in the good works God

Hebrews 11:32-38 gathers more examples of faith, showing saints who conquered, endured, suffered, and remained faithful by trusting God. The message encourages believers to learn from these imperfect but faithful witnesses and to live the

Acts 16:11-15 shows the gospel entering Philippi as the Lord opens Lydia's heart through the preached Word. The message holds together God's sovereign work in salvation and the church's responsibility to pray, go, and speak the gospel.

Gospel Witness