Aligning Faith with Action: Embracing God's Truths
Summary
In this message, I shared a journey of faith and belief, emphasizing the importance of aligning our beliefs with our behaviors. As we move past the holiday season, many of us are mindful of our physical health, but it's equally crucial to consider our spiritual health. I began with a humorous reflection on cultural eating habits and heart health, highlighting the absurdity of some health conclusions, which served as a metaphor for the often-conflicting beliefs we hold about God, ourselves, and others.
I encouraged everyone to examine what they truly believe about God, challenging the lies that often cloud our understanding. We explored the idea of being a "believing believer," someone whose faith is not just theoretical but actively shapes their life. This involves recognizing and rejecting lies about God, ourselves, and others, and instead embracing truths that liberate us.
One key truth is that God is great, which means we don't have to be in control. This liberates us from the burden of control and allows us to trust in God's sovereignty. Another truth is that nothing is impossible with God, which calls us to take risks and step out in faith, even if it requires just 20 seconds of insane courage.
We also discussed the significance of understanding that God is glorious, which frees us from the fear of others. This fear often manifests in various ways, such as peer pressure or the need to prove ourselves. By recognizing God's glory, we can overcome these fears and live with confidence in our identity as God's children.
Furthermore, I shared personal stories of disappointment and how they can hinder our faith. It's essential to process these disappointments and not let them affect our pursuit of God's promises. The belief that God is good, even in difficult circumstances, is foundational. It allows us to dream big and trust that God will provide the resources we need.
Finally, I highlighted the significance of unity within the church and the broader Christian community. As we move into 2017, a year marked by prophetic significance, I encouraged everyone to embrace unity and hope, believing that God is doing something new and powerful in our midst.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Greatness and Our Control: Understanding that God is great means we don't have to be in control. This truth liberates us from the burden of managing everything and allows us to trust in God's sovereignty. By letting go of control, we can experience peace and freedom in our lives. [17:17]
2. The Power of Courageous Faith: Believing that nothing is impossible with God calls us to take risks and step out in faith. Sometimes, all it takes is 20 seconds of insane courage to unlock new possibilities and see God work in miraculous ways. [23:22]
3. Overcoming the Fear of Man: Recognizing that God is glorious frees us from the fear of others. This fear often manifests in peer pressure or the need to prove ourselves. By trusting in God's glory, we can live confidently in our identity as His children. [41:34]
4. Processing Disappointment: Disappointments can hinder our faith and prevent us from pursuing God's promises. It's crucial to process these disappointments and not let them affect our trust in God's goodness. By doing so, we can continue to step into the new things God has for us. [53:09]
5. Embracing God's Goodness: The belief that God is good, even in difficult circumstances, is foundational. It allows us to dream big and trust that God will provide the resources we need. This truth encourages us to hope and believe in God's plans for our lives and communities. [57:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:37] - Cultural Reflections on Health
- [04:57] - Presence of God and Angelic Encounters
- [06:10] - Aquila and Priscilla Ministry
- [09:27] - Prayer for Revelation and Transformation
- [10:50] - The Importance of Belief
- [12:36] - Confessing and Laughing at Lies
- [14:19] - Thanksgiving Offering and God's Provision
- [16:07] - Renewing Thoughts and Attitudes
- [17:17] - God is Great: Letting Go of Control
- [20:00] - Stepping Out in Faith
- [22:00] - God Turns Our Past to Good
- [23:22] - Nothing is Impossible: Taking Risks
- [41:34] - God is Glorious: Overcoming Fear
- [57:29] - God is Good: Dreaming Big
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."
2. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
3. Proverbs 29:25 - "Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety."
---
Observation Questions:
1. What humorous cultural reflections on health were shared at the beginning of the sermon, and how did they serve as a metaphor for our beliefs? [03:37]
2. How does the speaker describe the concept of being a "believing believer"? What does this mean in terms of aligning beliefs with behaviors? [10:50]
3. What personal story did the pastor share about disappointment, and how did it relate to the theme of trusting in God's goodness? [53:09]
4. What does the speaker say about the significance of unity within the church and the broader Christian community as we move into 2017? [01:03:38]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the belief that "God is great" challenge the need for control in our lives, and what practical changes might this belief inspire? [17:17]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that recognizing God's glory can help us overcome the fear of others? How might this change our interactions with people? [41:34]
3. How does the pastor's story of giving away a Thanksgiving offering illustrate the principle that God provides resources? What does this teach about faith and generosity? [14:19]
4. What does the sermon suggest about processing disappointment and its impact on our faith journey? How can this understanding help us in difficult times? [53:09]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation where you felt the need to be in control. How can the belief that "God is great" help you let go of that control and trust in His sovereignty? [17:17]
2. Identify a fear of others that you struggle with. How can recognizing God's glory help you overcome this fear and live more confidently in your identity as His child? [41:34]
3. Think of a recent disappointment you have faced. How can you process this disappointment in a way that strengthens your faith and trust in God's goodness? [53:09]
4. Consider a risk you feel called to take in your faith journey. How can the belief that "nothing is impossible with God" encourage you to step out in courage? [23:22]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to prove yourself to others. How can embracing God's grace free you from this need and allow you to be who you are in Him? [46:45]
6. How can you contribute to unity within your church or Christian community, especially as we move into a new year with prophetic significance? [01:03:38]
7. What is one specific way you can dream big and trust in God's provision for your life and community, even in challenging circumstances? [57:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Understanding that God is great means we don't have to be in control. This truth liberates us from the burden of managing everything and allows us to trust in God's sovereignty. By letting go of control, we can experience peace and freedom in our lives. When we acknowledge God's greatness, we are reminded that He is capable of handling all aspects of our lives, freeing us from the anxiety and stress that come with trying to control every detail. This understanding invites us to rest in His power and wisdom, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [17:17]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to let go of control? How can you actively trust God with this area today?
Day 2: Embracing Courageous Faith
Believing that nothing is impossible with God calls us to take risks and step out in faith. Sometimes, all it takes is 20 seconds of insane courage to unlock new possibilities and see God work in miraculous ways. This kind of faith challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and trust in God's ability to do the extraordinary. It encourages us to dream big and pursue the visions God has placed in our hearts, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [23:22]
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step of faith you feel God is calling you to take? How can you muster the courage to take that step today?
Day 3: Overcoming the Fear of Others
Recognizing that God is glorious frees us from the fear of others. This fear often manifests in peer pressure or the need to prove ourselves. By trusting in God's glory, we can live confidently in our identity as His children. When we understand that God's opinion of us is the only one that truly matters, we are liberated from the need to seek approval from others. This allows us to live authentically and boldly, knowing that we are loved and accepted by God. [41:34]
"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." (Proverbs 29:25, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself seeking approval from others? How can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead?
Day 4: Processing Disappointment with Hope
Disappointments can hinder our faith and prevent us from pursuing God's promises. It's crucial to process these disappointments and not let them affect our trust in God's goodness. By doing so, we can continue to step into the new things God has for us. Acknowledging and working through our disappointments allows us to heal and maintain our hope in God's promises. It reminds us that even in difficult times, God is still good and has a plan for our lives. [53:09]
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent disappointment you have experienced. How can you bring this before God and allow Him to restore your hope?
Day 5: Dreaming Big with God's Goodness
The belief that God is good, even in difficult circumstances, is foundational. It allows us to dream big and trust that God will provide the resources we need. This truth encourages us to hope and believe in God's plans for our lives and communities. When we hold onto the goodness of God, we are inspired to pursue the dreams He has placed in our hearts, knowing that He is faithful to provide and guide us along the way. [57:29]
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is a dream or vision God has placed on your heart? How can you take a step towards pursuing it, trusting in God's provision and goodness?
Quotes
And I wanted to share just some thoughts this evening around the whole thing about what do you believe? I've been thinking and grappling with this phrase, I want to be a believing believer. I want to be a believing believer. And it was A.W. Tozer who said this, what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. [00:10:59]
If I believe God is great, then one of the things I need to accept is that I don't have to be in control. And for Baptist ministers, those of you who are, I know all of us are, but those of you who are Baptist ministers, you are not in control of your church. It does not stop with you. God is in control, which means you don't have to be in control. [00:18:37]
If these beliefs become behaviours, and they're not just theories, one of the applications of God is great, is this, that my past is always turned to good. Romans 8:28, and we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Who's in control? [00:22:00]
If God is great, one of the other behaviours and beliefs that we need to apply, and we've really focused on this over the last 24 hours, is nothing is impossible. Who believes that? Anybody believe that? Yes. But you know, if nothing is impossible, what is the behaviour that we have to apply to that belief that nothing is impossible? The behaviour is, we have to take risks. [00:23:22]
I was watching that scene, and I thought, I really felt God spoke to me, and said to me, 20 seconds of insane courage is a key to unlock your church. And I said, You need to be the one who starts to do that. So, Sam, we were talking about doing some insane courage things. We went on the streets together. [00:24:40]
If God is glorious, we don't have to fear others. We've already mentioned this quite a bit really that the fear of man is probably the greatest fear that stops us from stepping into the things that God wants to do in us and through us. That's why it's connected to that courage, you know, if I think about it rationally going on the streets and approaching people what's the worst thing that can happen well they can just say no. [00:41:34]
And part of that comes through, I think, in the way that we have to name and deal with disappointment. It's my humble opinion that most of us pull back from the impossible and from the supernatural and from praying for the impossible and from praying for the sick and for seeking to see God do something with his kingdom breaking in because we are stuck in a moment of disappointment. [00:51:06]
And we took it to the church meeting and said, you know what, we're really disappointed because God didn't do it in the way that we really thought he was going to do it. And there's lots of things that we must do that. Again, in my own life, I know that I would be not where I am today if I had not found a way to deal with disappointment. [00:52:57]
And for me, the revelation of Bill Johnson and what he carries, I know he's got loads of other faults, so please don't think I'm a Bethelite. You know, I'm old enough to understand stuff sometimes. I get really frustrated with some people who left my church because I read Bethel stuff. It's like, oh, come on! Anyway. [00:57:29]
And I want to carry that. I want to carry that truth that God is good, even in the bad circumstances of my life. Even in those times when life is so difficult. Even, you know, we laugh at the leadership team. All of us in the leadership team have all had a moment in our lives in our ministry where there's been blood on the carpet usually not actual blood although it's not been far off especially when the cabinet came up but but you know where we're in our churches or in our ministry it's just been so difficult for whatever reason and i'm not saying it's just it's the church's fault or the deacon's fault or that's probably our fault and but it's like it's so hard isn't it the circumstances are hard but in the midst of that the confession of us is god is good it's the cornerstone really and and there's so many scriptures that are there to um to reinforce it and i think i'll nearly finish with this one it says when we when god is good my my my confession is i will always have the resources i need to do what needs to be done. [00:58:34]
And the belief in the the goodness of god and i want this is one of the things i wanted to to finish with in terms of prayer is is if if god is good and and we believe in that my behavior is going to be over here to say actually i can dream big you i can dream big that the things that god has put in my heart and the things i'm seeking for and been carrying you know i i've been i know i had the privilege of of visiting anaheim vineyard when i when i was this is 1993 so i was in my 20s i had the privilege of sitting under john wimber's ministry in conferences i saw toronto come and go in the 94 i've been in the 94 i've been in the 94 i've been in the 94 i've been in the 95 and meeting for Make Way and March for Jesus. [01:00:00]
And I've been around over the last 20 years, those of us who have, in terms of revival and what God's going to do. And that's some of the disappointment we've had to work through because it hasn't quite worked out the way that it has. But I do believe, and I'm with Yinka, wherever he's gone, and others. Hey! [01:01:06]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?