Anchoring Faith in the Power of 'What Is'
Summary
Today’s focus is on the power and significance of “what is” in our walk with Christ. We often get caught up in the “what ifs” of life—those questions that breed fear, doubt, and anxiety. But God calls us to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of who He is and what He has already accomplished for us. Through Jesus, we have victory, freedom, and direct access to God’s presence. Our hearts have been purified, our consciences cleansed, and we are invited to draw near to God with sincere hearts and unwavering faith.
It’s easy to let a guilty conscience or the fear of failure hold us back, but God’s forgiveness is complete. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. The enemy wants to keep us in bondage to our past, but Jesus calls us to live in the present reality of His victory. Our faith is not based on circumstances or feelings, but on the eternal character of God—He is faithful, reliable, and pure. We are called to hold fast to our confession, to encourage one another, and to not give up meeting together, especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching.
The journey of faith involves moving from “what is” to “even if.” “What is” is the foundation—God’s promises, His character, and His finished work. “What if” is the playground of fear, but “even if” is the declaration of unwavering trust. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we can say, “Even if God does not deliver us in the way we expect, we will still worship Him.” Our faith is not in outcomes, but in the One who is with us in every circumstance.
Knowing who Jesus is to you personally is essential. It’s not enough to know what He can do; you must know who He is. He is your Savior, Shepherd, Peace, Truth, and Joy. When you live in the reality of “what is,” your life becomes a testimony of God’s reliability and love to the world. Let us walk by faith, not by sight, rejoicing in the day the Lord has made, and holding fast to the hope we profess.
Key Takeaways
- The Power of “What Is”: Living in the reality of “what is” means anchoring your faith in the unchanging truth of who God is and what He has done. This foundation is not shaken by circumstances or emotions, but is rooted in the finished work of Christ, who has given us victory, freedom, and access to God’s presence. [39:26]
- Freedom from Guilt and Condemnation: A guilty conscience can keep you from stepping into God’s promises, but Jesus has purified your heart and washed you clean. There is no condemnation for those in Christ; the enemy’s accusations have no authority over you. Let go of the past and embrace the freedom Christ has secured. [42:03]
- From “What If” to “Even If”: The enemy sows seeds of fear and doubt through “what if” questions, but faith grows when you move to “even if” trust. Like the heroes of faith, declare that even if things don’t go as planned, your worship and trust in God remain unshaken. This is the posture of increasing faith, not increasing fear. [01:24:54]
- The Importance of Knowing Who Jesus Is: It’s not enough to know what Jesus can do; you must know who He is to you personally. Your faith is anchored in His character—He is faithful, pure, and reliable. This personal revelation sustains you through trials and enables you to respond with confidence when your faith is questioned. [56:08]
- Encouragement and Community: Don’t give up on the habits of meeting together and encouraging one another. As the day of the Lord approaches, it’s vital to build each other up, share true concern, and reflect God’s reliability to a watching world. Your life becomes a living epistle, showing others what it means to live in the “what is” of God’s promises. [01:09:53]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - The Meaning of “We Have”
[03:10] - Freedom Through Christ
[06:30] - Drawing Near with a Sincere Heart
[10:15] - Purified from a Guilty Conscience
[13:40] - The Power of Now Faith
[17:00] - Holding Firm to Hope and God’s Promises
[21:20] - The Call to Encourage and Meet Together
[25:05] - What Is, What If, and Even If
[31:00] - Anchoring Faith in Who Jesus Is
[39:26] - Jesus: Our Savior, Shepherd, Peace, and Truth
[46:10] - Living in the Reality of “What Is”
[53:00] - The Enemy’s Playground: The Danger of “What If”
[01:00:43] - God’s Faithfulness in Our What Ifs
[01:09:53] - Becoming a Living Testimony of God’s Reliability
[01:14:13] - Biblical Examples of What If and Even If
[01:24:54] - Moving from What If to Even If
[01:29:51] - Closing Prayer and Declaration
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living in the Power of “What Is”
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### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:19-25
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
2. Daniel 3:16-18
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’”
3. Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 10:19-22, what are some things that “we have” because of Jesus?
2. In Daniel 3:16-18, what is the difference between believing God “is able” and saying “even if he does not…”?
3. The sermon says, “There is no condemnation for those in Christ; the enemy’s accusations have no authority over you.” What does this mean in light of Romans 8:1? [42:03]
4. What habits does Hebrews 10:24-25 encourage believers to keep, especially as “the Day” approaches?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon talks about moving from “what if” to “even if.” Why is it important for faith to be anchored in “what is” rather than “what if”? [01:24:54]
2. How does a guilty conscience keep people from stepping into God’s promises, and what does it look like to let go of the past and embrace Christ’s freedom? [42:03]
3. The pastor said, “It’s not enough to know what Jesus can do; you must know who He is to you personally.” Why is this distinction so important for a believer’s daily walk? [56:08]
4. What role does community and encouragement play in helping us hold fast to our confession of faith? [01:09:53]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to live in the reality of “what is” instead of being trapped by “what if.” What is one “what if” fear or doubt that you struggle with? How can you shift your focus to “what is” this week? [01:24:54]
2. Is there an area of your life where a guilty conscience or shame is holding you back from drawing near to God? What would it look like to truly accept Christ’s forgiveness and walk in freedom? [42:03]
3. The pastor shared about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s “even if” faith. Can you think of a situation where you need to declare “even if” trust in God? What would that sound like in your own words? [01:24:54]
4. The message emphasized knowing who Jesus is to you personally. Take a moment to reflect: Who is Jesus to you right now? Savior, Shepherd, Peace, Truth, Joy, or something else? How does this shape your response to challenges? [56:08]
5. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us not to give up meeting together and to encourage one another. Are there habits of community or encouragement you need to strengthen? What’s one practical step you can take this week to build up someone else’s faith? [01:09:53]
6. The pastor said, “Your life becomes a living epistle, showing others what it means to live in the ‘what is’ of God’s promises.” What is one way you can be a testimony of God’s reliability and love to someone in your life this week? [01:09:53]
7. When you face circumstances that don’t go as planned, how can you remind yourself that your faith is not in outcomes, but in the One who is with you? Is there a verse or truth from this study you want to memorize or meditate on? [01:24:54]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for the courage to let go of “what if” fears, to embrace the reality of “what is” in Christ, and to grow in “even if” faith that trusts God no matter the outcome.
Devotional
Day 1: We Have Freedom and Access to God Through Jesus
Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been given complete freedom to enter the most holy place and draw near to God with sincere hearts and sure faith. This access is not based on our own merit but on the finished work of Christ, who opened a new and living way for us. No matter how we feel or what our past looks like, we are invited to come boldly, knowing that our hearts have been purified from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with clean water. Let us hold firmly to this hope, trusting that God is faithful to keep His promises, and let us encourage one another as we walk in this freedom. [39:26]
Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV):
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been holding back from approaching God because of guilt or shame? Will you bring it to Him today, trusting in the freedom and cleansing Jesus has given you?
Day 2: Knowing Who Jesus Is—Our Foundation
The most important question in your faith is not what Jesus can do, but who He is to you. Jesus is our Savior, Shepherd, Peace, Truth, and the Living Word. Knowing Him personally as these things anchors your faith and gives you confidence to face any situation. It is not enough to know about Him; you must know Him for yourself, so that when life’s storms come, your foundation is unshakable. Jesus is faithful, reliable, and present—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [56:40]
John 14:6 (ESV):
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Reflection: Who is Jesus to you today—Savior, Shepherd, Peace, Truth, or something else? How does knowing Him in this way change the way you face your current challenges?
Day 3: Letting Go of “What If” and Living in “What Is”
The enemy loves to keep us trapped in the playground of “what if”—sowing seeds of fear, doubt, and worry that cloud our vision and distract us from God’s truth. But God calls us to live in the reality of “what is”—the unchanging truth of His character, promises, and faithfulness. When we focus on what is true about God, our faith is anchored, and we are not tossed about by circumstances or fears. Even when doubts arise, God meets us with provision, forgiveness, and assurance, just as He did with Moses, Joseph, and David. [01:14:13]
Philippians 4:8 (ESV):
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Reflection: What “what if” fears have been clouding your mind lately? Write them down and then declare God’s “what is” truth over each one.
Day 4: Even If—Unshakable Faith in the Face of Trials
True faith is not just believing God can deliver, but trusting Him even if He doesn’t move the way we expect. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are called to stand firm and worship God regardless of the outcome, knowing He is able and He is with us. This “even if” faith is an increasing faith, not an increasing fear—it is rooted in the assurance that God’s presence and promises are greater than any trial or threat we face. [01:24:54]
Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV):
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'"
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to move from “what if” to “even if” faith? What would it look like to trust God no matter the outcome?
Day 5: Living as Salt and Light—Reflecting Jesus to the World
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be walking epistles—living examples of His reliability, love, and faithfulness in a world that desperately needs to see what true hope looks like. When we live in the “what is” of God’s truth, we become places where God is seen, love is felt, and lives are changed. Our daily choices to trust, obey, and love others are a testimony to the world of who Jesus is. Don’t give up on meeting together, encouraging one another, and being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. [01:29:51]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV):
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the reliability and love of Jesus through you today? How can you intentionally encourage or serve them as salt and light?
Quotes
let us come near to god we have a way it's through jesus christ because he says i am the way the truth and the life no one goes through the father except through me so let us pray lord i thank you that we come to you jesus christ we know we recognize we believe by faith that you are the way the truth and the life lord we thank you for being with us but lord we thank you that we are in your presence because we're able to walk in your victory be able to stand in a place of victory and it's all for your glory lord i thank you where the spirit of the lord is there is freedom there is liberty there is power lord i thank you for the blood of jesus christ whoo i thank you for your blessing i thank you for your covering i thank you for your anointing the anointing that breaks every yoke every bondage has no authority where the spirit of the lord is there is freedom liberty power all by your blood lord we thank you that we're able to stand in faith see by faith listen by faith [00:37:49] (81 seconds)
but if you give it to god it's what it's forgiven so when you do that you step into the now now what the bible says now faith is it says now faith is what now is what now it faith is now faith is now faith is i don't have a guilty conscience that's what is i don't have it let it go the bible says therefore is no condemnation through christ jesus satan wants to hold you back that's what is happening satan is trying to hold you back keep you in the ditch hold this over you this dark cloud of bondage of hold on what's to say again guilty conscience [00:42:03] (53 seconds)
What is that going to do? You got to know who He is to you. Because I can't hold your hand when you get to the heaven's gates. And they pull out this Lamb's Book of Life. They pull out the great book. And it says, hey, I know who He is. He's my son. Look, His name is written right here. Brent Edward Sanders is written down right here. It is. See, you got to know who He is. Jesus is joy. We see that. Jesus is the word, Isaiah 55, 11. So is my word that goes out of my mouth, I will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. So is my word that goes out of my mouth. He is the word. I am the word, was the word, still will be the word. Even the Roman centurion soldier in the New Testament came up to Jesus and said, hey, you don't got to come see my daughter. All I need you to do is what? Speak. Because he knew how powerful His word is. He knew His word is the word. His word is final authority. He knew Jesus had final authority. He knew the power of Jesus, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. He knew who He was. See, the Roman centurion knew His is. [00:58:59] (85 seconds)
This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice in the Lord and be glad in it for this is my receiving day. For I walk by faith and not by sight. I'm going to be a place where God is seen. Love is felt and lives are changed. That is my is every day. It doesn't matter what happens. It's going to rain on the just and the unjust. It's okay, but I know his mercy endures forever. [01:07:04] (25 seconds)
Well, if it, no, what is and is to come. My God will supply all my needs according to his riches and glory through Christ Jesus. That's what is. That's what is. Well, my bank account doesn't say that. I don't care. I know what is. He, the steps of a righteous person are ordered by the Lord. He'll give you the wisdom of God to make the right choices, to make the right moves, to lead you and guide you in all truth, and the truth will set you free. Not facts. [01:08:50] (31 seconds)
But here's what's neat. Even with you going to the what if, even if you respond to the what if, my God is faithful. My God is faithful and he responds every time, even in your failure of saying what if. Even in an increasing faith, he always responds because he does say, I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. Goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life. He is there. [01:15:26] (32 seconds)
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