Culto Iglesia 1ª Asamblea de Dios Gijón 31/08/2025

Worship and Connection with God

The Importance of Gathering in Worship

• Acknowledgment of the absence of some members due to a camp, highlighting the significance of community during worship.

• Expression of gratitude towards God for those present and absent, emphasizing unity in worship.

Seeking Divine Presence

• A declaration of dedicating time to God, seeking harmony and connection through worship.

• Repetition of welcoming the Holy Spirit, indicating a desire for divine presence among the congregation.

Invocation and Healing

• Call for the Holy Spirit to touch and heal individuals present, showcasing reliance on divine intervention.

• Emphasis on God's omnipresence and power, reinforcing faith in His ability to address personal needs.

Declaration of Faith

• Affirmation that there is no other God greater than Him; a proclamation that if God is with them, no one can stand against them.

• Reiteration of God's unique power to save, encouraging collective praise from the congregation.

Recognition of God's Glory

• Celebration of God's miracles and love; acknowledgment that His glory surpasses all others.

• Reflection on God's unmatched strength and protection over His people amidst challenges.

Trusting in God's Timing

• Assurance that despite visible obstacles (like walls), faith remains strong in declaring God's goodness and timing.

Worship and Faith in God's Promises

Opening Worship and Invitation

• The speaker invites the congregation to surrender their lives to God, emphasizing a personal connection with Him.

• A call is made for attendees to open their hearts, assuring them that God is present and aware of their struggles.

Themes of Trust and Assurance

• The speaker reflects on feelings of being surrounded by challenges but expresses unwavering faith in God's reliability, stating "You have never failed me."

• Reiterates the theme of trust in God’s promises, affirming that waiting on Him will lead to victory.

Affirmation of Faith

• Emphasizes confidence in God's faithfulness, repeating phrases about trusting in His promises and acknowledging His goodness.

• Highlights the importance of taking God at His word, expressing a commitment to praise Him regardless of circumstances.

Reflection on Past Deliverance

• The speaker recalls past experiences where God has provided deliverance from difficult situations, reinforcing belief that He will do so again.

• Affirms that faith remains strong despite current trials; encourages collective trust among the congregation.

Biblical Foundations: Exodus Narrative

• Introduces biblical references from Exodus as a foundation for understanding God's deliverance; emphasizes His promise to complete what He has started.

God Hears Your Cry

God's Awareness of Suffering

• God acknowledges the cries of the Israelites, stating He has seen their suffering at the hands of the Egyptians. He sends Moses to Pharaoh to lead His people out of Egypt.

• The speaker emphasizes that even in moments of despair and feeling unheard, God is attentive to one's pain and suffering within a cruel system.

Identification with Israel's Struggles

• The message highlights how individuals can relate to the Israelites' plight, feeling enslaved by oppressive systems that stifle freedom and cause anguish.

• Assurance is given that God hears one's cries for help, referencing Exodus 6:5 where God confirms He has heard the groans of His people.

Promise of Liberation

• God reassures His covenant with His people, promising liberation from oppression and slavery. This promise serves as a reminder of God's commitment to their freedom.

• The speaker reflects on personal redemption from sin, paralleling it with God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt's powerful army.

Celebration of Freedom

• A vivid description is provided about the Israelites celebrating their miraculous escape through the Red Sea, marking a significant moment in their journey towards freedom.

• The joy expressed by Miriam and others illustrates a communal celebration after liberation, emphasizing gratitude for divine intervention.

Identity as God's People

• The narrative shifts to affirming that those liberated are now recognized as God's chosen people. This identity comes with promises and responsibilities.

• Emphasis is placed on being called children of God, highlighting an exclusive inheritance tied to faithfulness and divine purpose.

Journey Towards Promised Land

• The discussion transitions into acknowledging that while they are not yet home, they are on a journey toward their promised land—a metaphor for spiritual growth and fulfillment.

• It’s noted that despite challenges faced during this journey (like lack of water), faith remains crucial as they navigate through life's deserts toward hope.

Trials in the Wilderness

• Reference is made to Moses leading Israel into the desert three days after liberation; this period symbolizes testing before reaching abundance.

The Journey of Faith and Identity in the Wilderness

The Transformation of Bitter Water

• Moses faced complaints from the people about their thirst, leading him to cry out to God for help. God instructed him to use a piece of wood to make the bitter water drinkable.

• This event at Mara established a decree from God, testing the people's faithfulness by instructing them to listen carefully and obey His commands.

Obedience and Healing

• God promised that if they listened and did what was right, He would not inflict upon them the diseases seen in Egypt, emphasizing His role as their healer.

The Journey Through the Desert

• After leaving Mara, the Israelites traveled to Elim, where they found abundant resources (12 springs and 70 palm trees), marking a significant point in their journey through the desert.

Challenges Ahead

• The speaker notes that difficulties are inevitable on this journey; life is filled with challenges that test faith.

Complaints Amidst Trials

• When faced with hardships, instead of worshipping or trusting God, the people complained about their needs—expressing dissatisfaction with Moses' leadership and longing for Egypt.

God's Faithfulness Despite Doubts

• Even when people doubt God's ability to provide during tough times, He performs miracles and transforms dire situations into blessings.

Forgetting Identity in Hardship

• The Israelites forgot who they were after just one month in the desert. They reminisced about their past comforts in Egypt despite being liberated by God.

Longing for Past Comforts

• As they expressed nostalgia for Egyptian food while suffering hunger pains in the desert, it highlighted their forgetfulness regarding God's provision.

Struggles with Freedom

• Although freed from slavery, many still yearned for Egypt's comforts due to forgetting their identity as God's chosen people.

Reflection on Personal Liberation

• The speaker draws parallels between Israel's experience and personal struggles with identity post-liberation from sin or oppression.

Embracing New Identity

Desert Reflections: Identity and Promises

The Struggles of Daily Life in the Desert

• The speaker expresses feelings of boredom and frustration while working in the desert, dealing with family issues and daily responsibilities.

• There is a reflection on forgetting one's identity as God's chosen people, emphasizing the importance of remembering their purpose to proclaim His virtues.

• Acknowledgment that the desert is merely a journey, not a final destination; there’s a desire for comfort and security in an uncomfortable place.

The Journey Towards Promise

• The speaker highlights that they are on a path to a promised land free from struggles, sadness, and sin, contrasting current hardships with future hope.

• Reference to Numbers 11 and the story of the twelve spies sent to observe Jericho; emphasizes learning from past experiences.

Perspectives on Challenges

• Discussion about how fear can lead to feelings of inferiority when facing challenges; contrasts this with Caleb's confidence in God’s promises.

• Caleb's perspective is highlighted as he encourages others to trust in God despite feeling small compared to giants (obstacles).

Focus on Faith Over Fear

• The difference between those who focus on their fears versus those who remember God's power; emphasizes faith over personal limitations.

• Encouragement to remember one’s identity as children of God amidst life's challenges; urges listeners not to forget divine promises.

Trusting God's Promises Amidst Trials

• Reminds everyone that they have been liberated from past struggles and have witnessed miracles; calls for trust in God's ongoing guidance.

Focus on God's Promises

Emphasis on Trust and Focus

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on God, reminding listeners that they are His children and He supports them through their struggles.

• A personal reflection is shared about the desire to return to a place of comfort (referred to as "jípto"), highlighting feelings of longing amidst challenges.

Historical Context and Lessons

• The speaker references biblical history, questioning why people forget past oppression despite witnessing miracles, urging listeners to reflect on their own faith.

• Hebrews 3:5 is introduced, illustrating Moses' faithfulness as a servant in God's house, contrasting it with Christ's role as the Son overseeing everything.

Warnings Against Hardening Hearts

• The message warns against hardening hearts when hearing God's voice, referencing the Israelites' rebellion in the desert despite witnessing miracles for 40 years.

• The speaker stresses that disbelief angers God more than sin itself; it's about trusting in who God is and what He promises.

Call for Daily Reflection

• Listeners are encouraged to support one another daily to avoid being deceived by sin and growing distant from God.

• The importance of maintaining faith until the end is highlighted, linking it back to receiving what belongs to Christ.

Understanding True Faith

• The distinction between believing in God versus truly trusting Him is made clear; even demons believe but do not trust or follow Him.

• Trusting in God's promises rather than one's own strength is emphasized as crucial for overcoming life's challenges.

Confronting Doubts and Fears

• Despite facing giants or fears, believers are reminded that they can conquer obstacles because God assures His presence with them.

• Reflecting on past miracles should strengthen trust; doubts after experiencing God's goodness lead to hardened hearts.

Final Exhortation

• A call for introspection regarding reliance on personal strength versus divine power in various life aspects such as marriage and character development.

The Nature of Parental Love and Trust in God

Understanding Parental Love

• The speaker reflects on the unconditional love parents have for their children, emphasizing that this love exists even before birth.

• A parent's pain is highlighted when a child dismisses their advice, paralleling how humans often struggle to trust God's guidance.

Trusting God's Promises

• Despite believing in God’s miracles, people often fail to fully trust Him during difficult times; they must reject doubt and rely on His promises.

• The speaker encourages listeners to embrace faith, asserting that if God declares something as true (like land ownership), it should be accepted without question.

Faith and Action: Overcoming Incredulity

The Importance of Faith

• The speaker discusses the concept of condemnation for those in Christ, urging believers to live free from guilt and embrace God's grace.

• A warning is issued about the dangers of failing to act on one’s faith; inactive faith leads to disbelief and rebellion against God.

Historical Context: Israel's Example

• The message emphasizes that the promise of rest from God remains relevant today but requires active faith—unlike the Israelites who failed due to lack of belief.

• A quote from Pastor Ion highlights that inactive faith becomes incredulity; believers must take action based on what God has revealed.

Living Out Your Faith Daily

Maintaining Identity and Focus

• Believers are reminded not just to acknowledge their identity as children of God but also to actively live out their purpose with focus and action.

• There is an emphasis on daily ministry and encouragement among believers, warning against reverting back into past struggles or mindsets.

Embracing God's Promises

• Listeners are encouraged to believe in what God says about them, focusing on His promises rather than current hardships or doubts.

Strategies for Spiritual Conquest

Seeking Divine Guidance

• Believers are urged to seek God's strategies for overcoming personal challenges instead of relying solely on human understanding or capabilities.

Shifting Perspectives

• It’s important for individuals to shift their focus from limitations towards God's possibilities; one's report about life should reflect trust in divine support rather than despair over circumstances.

Conclusion: Reporting Life's Journey

God's Promises and Overcoming Incredulity

Trusting in God's Deliverance

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting God, stating that He is a liberator who will act again as He has in the past.

• Acknowledges feelings of doubt and difficulty but encourages focusing on God's promises and instructions for victory over challenges.

• References Hebrews, urging listeners to break free from disbelief and to stand firm against thoughts of inadequacy or inability.

Breaking Free from Doubt

• The speaker confesses moments of doubt and longing for comfort, asking for forgiveness for forgetting God's identity as a protector and provider.

• Encourages listeners to return to faith-filled songs, reinforcing trust in God’s faithfulness despite current struggles.

Exercising Faith Amidst Challenges

• The speaker expresses confidence in God’s ability to deliver even when circumstances seem dire, encouraging persistent faith through trials.

• Reiterates that waiting on God will lead to fulfillment of His promises; encourages believers to declare victory over their situations.

Affirmation of Belief

• The speaker passionately affirms belief in God's power to move mountains, emphasizing that faith should not be swayed by feelings or current realities.

• Highlights the certainty that if God has promised something, it will come to pass regardless of personal doubts or external circumstances.

Community Engagement and Celebration

• Transitioning into community matters, the speaker invites participation in upcoming events while expressing gratitude for shared experiences within the congregation.

Celebration and Community Events Announcement

Upcoming Church Events

• Encouragement for community members to attend church services, emphasizing the importance of participation in upcoming celebrations.

• Baptism event scheduled for Monday, September 8th at Playa de la Gría; details on transportation will be shared in group chats.

• Request for car owners to assist with transportation for those needing rides to the baptism event, highlighting community support.

Special Service Information

• On September 14th, a special service will take place at Universidad Laboral, uniting all evangelical churches in Asturias; registration is required, especially for families with children due to parallel programs.

• Announcement of a youth retreat organized by the Angelico Council, set for the last weekend of September at Palacio de la Teyería; costs are €70 including accommodation and meals.

Youth Engagement and Activities

• The retreat aims to foster connections among youth aged 13 to 35 without distractions from technology; it promotes meaningful interactions and spiritual growth.

• Emphasis on the importance of connecting with God during retreats and encouraging young people to invite friends.

Community Updates and Prayer Requests

Recent Activities

• Reflection on recent successful events such as children's camp activities and workshops that have been well-received by participants.

Health Concerns within the Community

• Update on Lena, a beloved community member who suffered a serious accident resulting in hospitalization; requests prayers for her recovery as she faces significant health challenges.

Prayer and Community Support

Importance of Prayer in Difficult Times

• The speaker emphasizes the need for prayer, particularly for those facing challenges, highlighting a collective responsibility to support one another.

• Acknowledgment of God's control over circumstances, reinforcing faith that God can perform miracles even amidst difficulties.

Community Engagement and Support

• The speaker encourages active participation in church life during the week, suggesting that community involvement is crucial for spiritual growth and support.

• Mention of blessings from a sister church, illustrating the interconnectedness of faith communities and their mutual encouragement.

Trusting in God's Timing

• A prayer expressing gratitude while emphasizing patience and trust in God's timing rather than personal timelines.