Anchored in Faith: The Power of God's Promises

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the enduring power of God's anointing, as exemplified by the story of Elijah. Even after Elijah's death, his anointing remained potent, bringing a dead man back to life when he touched Elijah's bones. This illustrates that God's promises and power do not cease with physical limitations or circumstances. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within us, empowering us to thrive in our spiritual journey. We are called to walk in His presence, power, and promises, trusting that He will never leave or forsake us.

We also discussed the importance of resilience and faith in the face of life's storms. Just as strong winds make strong sailors, our challenges strengthen our faith and reliance on God. The story of Jesus calming the storm serves as a reminder that His word is our anchor. When He says we will reach the other side, we can rest assured that His promise will be fulfilled, regardless of the storms we face. Our words, like the rudder of a ship, steer our lives. Therefore, we must speak words of faith, aligning our speech with God's promises.

Moreover, we are encouraged to reproduce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, demonstrating love, joy, peace, and other virtues. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of Christ, drawing others to Him. We are reminded that God is a God of restoration and renewal, and sometimes, all we need to do is rest in His presence to renew our strength.

Finally, we are called to be mindful of our words, ensuring they are filled with faith and life. Empty words, devoid of faith, hold no power. Instead, we should speak life into our circumstances, trusting in God's ability to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. As we navigate life's journey, let us remain anchored in His word, confident in His promises, and resilient in our faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Enduring Power of Anointing: Elijah's story teaches us that God's anointing transcends physical limitations. Even after his death, the anointing brought life, symbolizing that God's promises and power are eternal and active in our lives today. We are empowered by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, enabling us to thrive in our spiritual journey. [33:57]

2. Resilience in Faith: Life's storms are opportunities to strengthen our faith. Just as strong winds make strong sailors, challenges fortify our reliance on God. Jesus calming the storm reminds us that His word is our anchor, assuring us that we will reach the other side despite the storms we face. [01:01:35]

3. The Power of Words: Our words, like a ship's rudder, steer our lives. We must speak words of faith, aligning our speech with God's promises. Empty words, devoid of faith, hold no power. Instead, we should speak life into our circumstances, trusting in God's ability to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. [52:29]

4. Reproducing the Fruit of the Spirit: We are called to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, reflecting Christ's transformative power. Our lives should be a testament to His love, joy, peace, and other virtues, drawing others to Him. God is a God of restoration and renewal, and resting in His presence renews our strength. [01:06:24]

5. Trusting in God's Promises: God's promises are our anchor. When He speaks, His word does not return void. We are encouraged to remain anchored in His word, confident in His promises, and resilient in our faith. As we navigate life's journey, let us trust in His ability to lead us to the other side. [01:03:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:57] - The Power of Anointing
- [34:46] - Thriving in Faith
- [52:29] - The Power of Words
- [56:13] - Speaking Life
- [57:22] - Jesus Calms the Storm
- [59:33] - The Holy Spirit in Our Journey
- [01:00:24] - Following Jesus' Example
- [01:01:35] - Resilience in Faith
- [01:02:16] - Trusting God's Word
- [01:03:52] - Anchored in His Promises
- [01:04:47] - Jesus' Confidence in God's Word
- [01:06:24] - Resting in God's Presence
- [01:07:14] - Navigating Life's Storms
- [01:09:08] - Speaking Faith-Filled Words

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Kings 13:20-21 - The story of a man being revived by touching the bones of Elijah.
2. Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus calms the storm.
3. James 3:3-5 - The power of the tongue as a rudder.

#### Observation Questions
1. What happened when the dead man was thrown into Elijah's tomb, and what does this signify about God's anointing? [33:57]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His authority over nature in Mark 4:35-41, and what was the reaction of the disciples? [01:04:47]
3. According to James 3:3-5, how is the tongue compared to a ship's rudder, and what does this imply about the power of our words? [56:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Elijah's bones illustrate the enduring nature of God's promises and power? [33:57]
2. In what ways does the calming of the storm by Jesus serve as a metaphor for the storms in our own lives? [01:04:47]
3. What does the comparison of the tongue to a rudder in James 3:3-5 suggest about the importance of aligning our speech with God's promises? [56:13]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a challenging situation. How did it change your perspective or outcome? [01:03:52]
2. Consider the storms you are currently facing. How can you apply Jesus' example of calm and faith in these situations? [01:04:47]
3. Identify an area in your life where your words may not align with God's promises. What steps can you take to speak more life-giving words? [52:29]
4. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your daily interactions? [01:06:24]
5. Think of a person who challenges your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before your next interaction with them? [01:09:08]
6. How can you rest in God's presence this week to renew your strength, as suggested in the sermon? [01:06:24]
7. Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you remind yourself of this promise daily to strengthen your faith? [01:03:52]

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Impact of God's Anointing
The story of Elijah demonstrates the enduring power of God's anointing, which transcends physical limitations and circumstances. Even after Elijah's death, his anointing remained potent, as evidenced by the miraculous event of a dead man coming back to life upon touching Elijah's bones. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's promises and power are eternal and active in our lives today. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within us, empowering us to thrive in our spiritual journey. We are called to walk in His presence, power, and promises, trusting that He will never leave or forsake us. [33:57]

2 Kings 13:21 (ESV): "And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in the enduring power of God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible?


Day 2: Strengthening Faith Through Life's Storms
Life's storms are opportunities to strengthen our faith and reliance on God. Just as strong winds make strong sailors, challenges fortify our spiritual resilience. The story of Jesus calming the storm serves as a reminder that His word is our anchor. When He says we will reach the other side, we can rest assured that His promise will be fulfilled, regardless of the storms we face. Our faith is not just about surviving the storm but thriving through it, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:01:35]

Mark 4:39-40 (ESV): "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"

Reflection: What current challenge in your life can you view as an opportunity to strengthen your faith and reliance on God?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Words
Our words, like a ship's rudder, steer our lives. We must speak words of faith, aligning our speech with God's promises. Empty words, devoid of faith, hold no power. Instead, we should speak life into our circumstances, trusting in God's ability to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. By speaking faith-filled words, we align ourselves with God's will and open the door for His transformative power to work in our lives. [52:29]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to start speaking words of faith and life, rather than doubt and negativity?


Day 4: Reflecting Christ Through the Fruit of the Spirit
We are called to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, reflecting Christ's transformative power. Our lives should be a testament to His love, joy, peace, and other virtues, drawing others to Him. God is a God of restoration and renewal, and resting in His presence renews our strength. By embodying the fruit of the Spirit, we become living testimonies of God's grace and love, inspiring others to seek Him. [01:06:24]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel called to cultivate more intentionally in your life, and how can you begin to do so today?


Day 5: Anchored in God's Promises
God's promises are our anchor. When He speaks, His word does not return void. We are encouraged to remain anchored in His word, confident in His promises, and resilient in our faith. As we navigate life's journey, let us trust in His ability to lead us to the other side. By holding onto His promises, we find strength and hope, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has spoken. [01:03:52]

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: What specific promise from God do you need to hold onto today, and how can you remind yourself of it throughout your day?

Quotes


Even after Elijah died, does the promise stop? The promise does not. Even after Elijah was buried in a tomb, did the anointing leave? No. There was a dead man. And they were burying him. And then they saw people coming and they feared for their life. [00:33:53] (22 seconds)


Whatever Satan tries to kill, steal, and destroy, my God says, I will supply all your need according to my riches and glory through Christ Jesus. I'm here for you. I'm a God. I'm a God that's never going to leave you. I'm never going to forsake you. [00:34:29] (14 seconds)


We're going to thrive. Why? Because we trust him. man i i trust in him when i trust him i have a hope it's not some whiffle with a wishful expectation it is a mindful expectation that i know that i know that i know and then when i grab into grab hold of that knowing that elijah had this anointing that anointing that breaks every yoke and that same anointing is present today and it's all through the power of the holy spirit [00:35:06] (35 seconds)


The power of life and death are in the tongue we gotta grab hold of those those powerful words because the bible just said it your words are as like the rudder your tongue is like the rudder it's gonna steer that ship it's gonna steer sometimes you think that stupid ship or that stupid life or that stupid shetland pony but you know what it's not stupid it's going to be a vehicle it's going to be a tool [00:54:10] (23 seconds)


So everything I do I do it under under God's power his strength his might God is a God of what love God is the God of what compassion he says without faith it's impossible to what please God so you don't want to be empty words you want to be full of what the spirit and the spirit is what gives life the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells inside of you [00:59:12] (33 seconds)


And I'm no longer going to be here. And you have everything that you need to do what God's called you to do so you can thrive in this world so you can have a life better than you could ever dream of. Better than ever. John 10, 10. I've come so you can have a life and a life more abundantly. [01:05:25] (19 seconds)


Lord, we declare that we know you are the vine and we are the branches. And we remain in you and you remain in us. And we will bear much fruit, but not by our power, but by your power that dwells and flows through us. And we recognize and declare by your word, according to John 15, 5, that without you, we can do nothing. [01:14:42] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
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