7 Roadblocks to Faith: Removing Roadblocks To The Life God Promised

Jesus in Mark 11 calls the believer to “have faith in God,” which is the God kind of faith, not confidence in personal ability but confidence in God’s own faith at work through his word. The text insists that faith comes by hearing and that God’s will sits plain in Scripture, so the mouth speaks to mountains, believes those words come to pass, and then stands in the posture of “I believe I receive.” The same passage ties this faith to forgiveness, because blocked love blocks prayer. Faith is a law, not a shortcut, and it is fueled by love.

Hebrews defines faith as substance and evidence, the title deed of things hoped for. Hope dreams, but faith brings the dream into the now. Faith is not a feeling; it is a force. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and God rewards those who diligently seek him. The worlds were framed by God’s word, so the visible came from the invisible. If answers seem stalled, the issue is often not “more faith” but a cluttered path. The heroes in Hebrews 11 hit roadblocks, then cleared them.

Seven roadblocks get named and dismantled. First, the identity crisis: thinking like a sinner instead of a saint. In Christ, the believer is a new creation, restored like Peter on the shore, commissioned not condemned. Second, the righteousness gap: unworthiness tries to make acceptance a wage instead of a gift. In Christ, righteousness is received and the timid heart becomes bold. Third, misunderstood authority: Jesus granted the right to use his name, so faith functions like power of attorney. Testimonies follow when that name is spoken and acted on. Fourth, the action factor: faith is a verb, so the body does what the word commands, stepping past feelings and waiting. Fifth, confession conflicts: words frame a world. Describing the problem cements it; declaring the promise builds a future. Even the small aches and allergies become training grounds to speak life instead of grabbing the first fix by habit. Sixth, the love stopper: unforgiveness corks the bottle. Faith works by love, and love forgives, while wise boundaries protect the heart. Seventh, the sensory trap: facts are temporary; truth is eternal. Peter walked on the word until his eyes owned the waves. Faith stares at what God says until circumstances bow.

God invites the believer to start faith projects, talk like Scripture talks, forgive quickly, and keep saying, “I believe I receive,” until the mountain moves.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Have the God-kind of faith Faith rests in God’s nature, not human grit. The mouth speaks to mountains because the heart believes God’s word is already settled. “I believe I receive” is not hype; it is alignment with what God has promised. Confidence shifts from self to the God who cannot lie. [01:11]
• 2. Live from new identity, righteous Shame keeps prayer small, but righteousness as a gift breaks the timid spirit. In Christ, the believer is not “just a sinner,” but a new creation fit to draw near. Boldness grows when identification with failure is traded for identification with the Father. [29:29]
• 3. Use His name, act now Authority in Jesus’ name is legal, not emotional, so request and command flow from delegated right. Faith moves before feelings arrive and often discovers that the provision meets the motion. Small obedient steps preach louder than anxious wishes. [33:03]
• 4. Let confession frame reality Words either reinforce the cage or open the door. Chronic problem-talk builds tomorrow’s limits, while promise-talk invites present help. Start with little battles and retrain reflexes so speech agrees with Scripture before symptoms set the tone. [40:03]
• 5. Forgive and keep love flowing Unforgiveness is a cork in the bottle of prayer; love pulls the cork. Forgiveness does not erase wise boundaries, but it does release the heart from debt-keeping. Clear channels of love let faith run freely without internal cross-currents. [50:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:13] - Seven roadblocks to faith
• [01:11] - Have the God kind of faith
• [04:38] - Forgive when you stand praying
• [10:48] - Faith works through love
• [14:30] - Clearing the path of faith
• [15:42] - What faith is and isn’t
• [24:21] - Roadblock 1 Identity crisis
• [29:29] - Roadblock 2 The righteousness gap
• [33:03] - Roadblock 3 Misunderstanding authority
• [37:30] - Roadblock 4 The action factor
• [40:03] - Roadblock 5 Confession conflicts
• [50:50] - Roadblock 6 The love stopper
• [56:49] - Roadblock 7 The sensory trap
• [58:36] - Water-walking focus and victory confession

1. According to Mark 11:22-24, what two actions does Jesus link to effective faith (e.g., speaking to mountains, believing without doubt)?
2. The sermon identifies seven roadblocks to faith. Name three of them and their root issues (e.g., "identity crisis" = thinking like a sinner instead of a saint) [24:21].
3. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "substance" and "evidence." How does the sermon contrast this with mere "hope"? [16:21].
4. What practical example did the sermon give about how words can either "cement problems" or "build a future" (e.g., confessing allergies vs. declaring healing)? [40:03].

1. Why does Jesus connect forgiveness (v. 25) to the effectiveness of faith in prayer? How might unforgiveness act as a "cork in the bottle" of answered prayer? [51:08].
2. The sermon calls faith a "law" rather than a feeling. What does this imply about how faith operates, even when circumstances seem unchanged? [11:15].
3. How does identifying as a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) dismantle the "identity crisis" roadblock? Why might shame hinder bold faith? [27:41].
4. The phrase "I believe I receive" was emphasized. How does this confession align with Jesus’ teaching in Mark 11:24 about believing before seeing results? [03:58].

1. Is there a situation where you’ve defaulted to describing a problem (e.g., "I always struggle with…") instead of declaring God’s promise over it? What specific phrase could you replace it with this week? [40:16].
2. Forgiveness is called a "love stopper" when withheld. Is there someone you’ve struggled to forgive, even if boundaries are still needed? What step could you take to release that offense today? [50:50].
3. The sermon urged believers to "use Jesus’ name" with authority, like a legal power of attorney. What area of your life (health, relationships, etc.) needs you to actively command change in His name rather than passively wish for it? [33:24].
4. When facing a "sensory trap" (e.g., bad medical reports), how can you intentionally fix your focus on God’s truth instead of temporary facts? What Scripture could you meditate on to reinforce this? [56:49].
5. The pastor mentioned "faith projects" — practical steps to act on God’s Word. What small, tangible action (e.g., praying aloud for healing, giving sacrificially) could you take this week to put faith into motion? [37:30].