Acting on Faith: Embracing Growth Through Action
Summary
In our journey of faith, it's easy to become spiritually complacent, much like those who overindulge at an all-you-can-eat buffet. We consume sermon after sermon, yet often fail to act on what we've learned. This spiritual gluttony can lead to stagnation, where we become like those who are fed but never exercise their faith. It's crucial to move beyond mere consumption and into action, even if it means making mistakes along the way. Mistakes are not failures; they are opportunities for growth and learning. The real failure lies in doing nothing, in the sin of omission, where we choose safety over action.
Reflecting on my own journey, I've made countless mistakes, but I don't regret them. The greater regret would be not trying at all. We live in a culture that often highlights failures, yet overlooks the sin of inaction. Jesus reminds us that inaction is not an excuse. We must be willing to step out, even if it means risking failure. Our worth is not measured by our successes or failures but by our faith and willingness to act.
In ministry, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparison, feeling inadequate when measured against others. Yet, God has uniquely equipped each of us. Like Moses, who questioned his abilities, we must remember that God made us exactly as He intended. We are all on equal footing, possessing a faith of equal standing, as Peter reminds us. We have been given everything we need for life and godliness through His divine power.
The call is to make every effort to grow in our faith, adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These qualities ensure that we are not ineffective or unfruitful. Our journey is not about achieving perfection but about walking closely with God, trusting that He will guide us. We must err on the side of action, pursuing what God has called us to do, and trusting that He will be with us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual growth requires action, not just consumption. Like physical exercise, faith must be exercised to grow. Mistakes are part of the journey, and the real failure is in doing nothing. [01:22]
- Comparison can paralyze us, but God has equipped each of us uniquely. We must embrace our individuality and trust that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. [07:30]
- We are on equal footing with the apostles, possessing a faith of equal standing. This truth should empower us to act boldly, knowing that we are fully equipped by God's divine power. [09:17]
- Growth in faith requires effort. We must actively pursue virtues like self-control and perseverance. This effort ensures that we are not ineffective or unfruitful in our walk with God. [26:01]
- Our journey is about walking closely with God, trusting Him, and erring on the side of action. We must pursue what God has called us to do, knowing that He will guide us. [31:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Spiritual Overindulgence
- [01:22] - The Sin of Inaction
- [02:48] - Embracing Mistakes
- [04:44] - The Trap of Comparison
- [06:52] - God's Unique Design
- [08:18] - Equal Standing in Faith
- [10:19] - Divine Power and Provision
- [12:29] - The Call to Action
- [15:08] - Worshiping Success
- [17:03] - Learning from Mistakes
- [19:06] - The Heart of David
- [21:22] - God's Perspective on Mistakes
- [23:23] - Erring on the Side of Action
- [26:01] - Making Every Effort
- [31:14] - Walking Closely with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Peter 1:1-8
2. Matthew 25:35-40
3. 2 Chronicles 6:7-9
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Observation Questions:
1. In 2 Peter 1:1, what does Peter mean when he says believers have obtained a "faith of equal standing" with the apostles? How does this relate to the sermon's message about comparison and feeling inadequate? [09:17]
2. According to the sermon, what is the "sin of omission," and how does it relate to the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:35-40? [02:14]
3. How does the story of David wanting to build a temple for God in 2 Chronicles 6:7-9 illustrate the sermon's point about making mistakes and God's perspective on our intentions? [19:06]
4. What are the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 that believers are encouraged to add to their faith, and how do these qualities prevent us from being ineffective or unfruitful? [26:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of having a "faith of equal standing" with the apostles challenge our views on spiritual hierarchy and comparison within the church? [09:17]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the "sin of omission" is often overlooked in our culture, and how does this align with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25:35-40? [02:14]
3. Reflecting on the story of David in 2 Chronicles 6:7-9, how can we discern when our intentions are good but not aligned with God's specific plans for us? [19:06]
4. The sermon emphasizes making every effort to grow in virtues like self-control and perseverance. How does this active pursuit of growth relate to the idea of being a "partaker of the divine nature" in 2 Peter 1:4? [25:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually complacent. What steps can you take this week to move from consumption to action in your faith journey? [01:22]
2. How can you embrace your unique gifts and calling, avoiding the trap of comparison with others in your spiritual community? What practical steps can you take to focus on your God-given abilities? [07:30]
3. Identify an area in your life where you have been hesitant to act due to fear of making mistakes. How can you reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning? [02:14]
4. Consider the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Which one do you feel most challenged to develop, and what specific actions can you take to cultivate this quality in your daily life? [26:01]
5. How can you ensure that your spiritual journey is about walking closely with God rather than achieving perfection? What practices can help you trust in God's guidance more fully? [31:14]
6. Think of a situation where you might be guilty of the "sin of omission." How can you take a step towards action, even if it means risking failure? [02:14]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about erring on the side of action. What is one specific area where you feel called to step out in faith, and how can you begin to take action this week? [23:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action: Beyond Spiritual Consumption
In the journey of faith, it is easy to become spiritually complacent, consuming sermon after sermon without putting what is learned into practice. This spiritual gluttony can lead to stagnation, where one is fed but never exercises their faith. True spiritual growth requires moving beyond mere consumption and into action, even if it means making mistakes along the way. Mistakes are not failures; they are opportunities for growth and learning. The real failure lies in doing nothing, in the sin of omission, where safety is chosen over action. [01:22]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to apply a recent sermon or Bible study lesson in your life?
Day 2: Embracing Your Unique Calling
Comparison can paralyze individuals, making them feel inadequate when measured against others. However, God has uniquely equipped each person. Embracing one's individuality and trusting that God has given everything needed for life and godliness is essential. Like Moses, who questioned his abilities, it is important to remember that God made each person exactly as He intended. This understanding empowers individuals to act boldly, knowing they are fully equipped by God's divine power. [07:30]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: In what ways can you celebrate and utilize your unique gifts and talents to serve others this week?
Day 3: Equal Standing in Faith
Believers are on equal footing with the apostles, possessing a faith of equal standing. This truth should empower them to act boldly, knowing they are fully equipped by God's divine power. The call is to make every effort to grow in faith, adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These qualities ensure that believers are not ineffective or unfruitful. The journey is not about achieving perfection but about walking closely with God, trusting that He will guide them. [09:17]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself daily of your equal standing in faith and use this truth to step out in boldness?
Day 4: The Effort of Faith
Growth in faith requires effort. Believers must actively pursue virtues like self-control and perseverance. This effort ensures that they are not ineffective or unfruitful in their walk with God. The journey is about walking closely with God, trusting Him, and erring on the side of action. Pursuing what God has called them to do, knowing that He will guide them, is essential. [26:01]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What specific virtue do you feel called to develop more deeply, and what steps can you take to actively pursue it this week?
Day 5: Trusting God in the Journey
The journey of faith is about walking closely with God, trusting Him, and erring on the side of action. Believers must pursue what God has called them to do, knowing that He will guide them every step of the way. It is not about achieving perfection but about trusting in God's guidance and being willing to step out, even if it means risking failure. [31:14]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more fully, and how can you take a step of faith in that area today?
Quotes
"Reflecting on my own journey, I've made countless mistakes, but I don't regret them. The greater regret would be not trying at all. We live in a culture that often highlights failures, yet overlooks the sin of inaction. Jesus reminds us that inaction is not an excuse. We must be willing to step out, even if it means risking failure. Our worth is not measured by our successes or failures but by our faith and willingness to act." [00:01:22]
"Comparison can paralyze us, but God has equipped each of us uniquely. We must embrace our individuality and trust that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We are on equal footing with the apostles, possessing a faith of equal standing. This truth should empower us to act boldly, knowing that we are fully equipped by God's divine power." [00:07:30]
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. You get that God has given you everything. If the scripture is right, he's saying, you know, grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge, like you can know God and Jesus our Lord." [00:10:19]
"Growth in faith requires effort. We must actively pursue virtues like self-control and perseverance. This effort ensures that we are not ineffective or unfruitful in our walk with God. Our journey is about walking closely with God, trusting Him, and erring on the side of action. We must pursue what God has called us to do, knowing that He will guide us." [00:26:01]
"Err on the side of action, try something, do something unless you hear a voice telling you to stop. We need to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, teach them obey everything that God commanded and he'll be with us." [00:31:14]
"Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with steadfastness, steadfastness with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." [00:26:01]
"You're here because you want to do something with your life, right? And we all, a lot of us read 'Don't Waste Your Life,' and you're like, man, I just do not want to waste my life. I don't want to just do my thing and have a nice little family this or that and at the end realize I wasted it. I want to do something." [00:28:48]
"Just because you're a partaker of the divine nature, just because you've been given everything that pertains to life and godliness, does not mean that all these character qualities become yours passively. Yes, but I am a temple of the Holy Spirit right now. Yes, I've been given everything that pertains to life and godliness, but God commands me now your job is to make every effort to add to your faith this type of virtue or godliness." [00:27:52]
"Why not just assume you're supposed to do something, rather than waiting to hear a voice from the Lord? You know, we always want to say, well, I haven't heard from the Lord. You haven't heard? Did you hear from the Lord to watch television? Did you hear from the Lord to go on Facebook? Did you hear from the Lord to tweet?" [00:23:23]
"God's given you all everything you need, okay? If you believe his word, God's given you everything you need so you personally have that right now if you believe in Jesus. If you trust in Jesus, you right now possess everything you need for life and godliness as it pertains to life and godliness." [00:11:12]
"You're as close to God as you want to be. It's totally up to you. You know, I say this because I hear people say things, they'll make statements like, well, that's easy for you, you're Francis Chan. What does that even mean? That shouldn't even be a sentence. Like, what does that mean?" [00:12:29]
"Make every effort to add to your faith this type of virtue or godliness, and it's hard. It's hard work. You got to understand that just because you've been given all of this, I say this because I hear people say, man, I prayed, I asked for the Holy Spirit to come into my life, I told them to get rid of this desire for pornography or get rid of this addiction and it didn't work." [00:27:52]
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