Articulating Faith: The Journey from Agreement to Obedience

Summary

Passion is contagious. When we truly love something, it naturally spills out of us—we talk about it, share it, and want others to experience it too. Whether it’s music, sports, or any other interest, the things we dwell in become the things we tell. This is just as true—if not more so—when it comes to our faith. The heart of Christian living is not just agreement with the truths of Jesus, but a deep, ongoing dwelling in His presence, His Word, and His people, so that our faith becomes something we can articulate with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

The call to apologetics is not about having all the answers or being able to win every argument. It’s about being able to give a reason for the hope that is within us, as 1 Peter 3:15 commands. This doesn’t require a theological dissertation, but it does require a faith that is real, lived-in, and able to be expressed. There is a world of difference between an articulated faith—a faith that can be spoken of easily and confidently because it has been dwelled in—and an unarticulated faith, which is easily swayed, easily forgotten, and easily dismissed by others.

Where we dwell reveals what we truly value. If we ascribe value to God and His gospel, we will spend time with Him, and our ability to speak about our faith will grow. If we do not, our faith will remain unarticulated, weak, and of little help to ourselves or others. The journey from unarticulated to articulated faith is a lifelong process, but it begins with the gospel—the story of Jesus, not our own story. The Roman Road, a series of verses from Romans, provides a clear, powerful way to internalize and share the gospel. When we preach the gospel to ourselves daily, it becomes etched on our hearts, and we are then able to share it with others authentically and powerfully.

Obedience, not mere agreement, is what God desires. Agreement is the starting point, but obedience is the journey. As we dwell in God’s presence and let His Word shape us, we become people who can confidently and passionately tell others about the hope we have in Christ. Our lives then become a testimony, not just of what we believe, but of the One in whom we believe.

Key Takeaways

- Where you dwell is what you tell. The things we spend our voluntary time on become the things we talk about most passionately and confidently. If we want to be able to speak about our faith with clarity, we must dwell in the presence of God, in His Word, and among His people. Our ability to articulate our faith is a direct reflection of where we have chosen to invest our hearts and minds. [36:32]

- Articulated faith is a process, not a destination. No one arrives at a perfectly articulated faith overnight; it is a journey of continual growth. Each day spent with God, learning and internalizing His truth, makes us more able to express our faith to others. The goal is not perfection, but progress—becoming more articulate today than we were yesterday. [35:16]

- The gospel is not your story—it’s Jesus’s story. Our testimony is important, but the power lies in the gospel itself, the story of what Jesus has done. Using God’s Word, such as the Roman Road, grounds our faith in truth and gives us a clear, authoritative way to share the hope we have. When we let the gospel saturate our hearts, it naturally overflows to others. [44:22]

- Preach the gospel to yourself first. The person you will share the gospel with most often is yourself. By daily reminding ourselves of who Jesus is and what He has done, we anchor our identity and hope in Him. This daily proclamation shapes our actions, our attitudes, and our ability to share Christ with others authentically. [48:28]

- Obedience is the mark of articulated faith. God is not looking for mere agreement with His truth, but for lives marked by obedience. Agreement is the first step, but obedience is the journey that leads to a faith that is lived, spoken, and shared. As we obey, we become people who can give a reason for our hope, and who invite others to experience the same joy in Christ. [50:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:16] - The World of Metal and Passion
[30:50] - Introduction to Apologetics
[33:10] - Why Apologetics Matters to God
[35:16] - Faith Articulated vs. Unarticulated
[36:32] - Where You Dwell Is What You Tell
[38:31] - The Dangers of Unarticulated Faith
[39:34] - Examining Your Own Faith
[41:02] - Where Is Your Treasure?
[44:22] - The Roman Road: The Gospel Story
[48:28] - Preaching the Gospel to Yourself
[49:40] - The Lifelong Process of Articulated Faith
[50:59] - Obedience vs. Agreement
[54:44] - Dwelling in God’s Presence
[01:01:39] - Baptism and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

1. 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
> "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

2. Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
> "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

3. Romans Road (selected verses)
- Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
- Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Romans 5:8 – "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 10:9 – "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
- Romans 8:1 – "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
- Romans 8:38-39 – "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 3:15, what are believers called to be ready for, and how are they supposed to do it?
2. In Matthew 6:21, what connection does Jesus make between our treasure and our heart?
3. The sermon described two types of faith: articulated and unarticulated. What are the main differences between these two, according to the message? [[35:16]]
4. What is the Roman Road, and why did the pastor emphasize using it to share the gospel? [[44:22]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter say we should be ready to give a reason for our hope, and why is gentleness and respect important in that process?
2. The sermon said, “Where you dwell is what you tell.” How does this idea help us understand what we truly value in our lives? [[36:32]]
3. The pastor said that agreement with God is just the starting point, but obedience is the journey. What does it look like to move from just agreeing with God to actually obeying Him? [[50:59]]
4. Why is it important to preach the gospel to ourselves first, before sharing it with others? [[48:28]]

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### Application Questions

1. Think about your own life: What are the things you “dwell” in most? How do these things show up in your conversations with others? Are you as comfortable talking about your faith as you are about your favorite hobbies or interests? Why or why not? [[36:32]]
2. The sermon said that an unarticulated faith is easily swayed, forgotten, or dismissed. Have you ever felt like your faith was hard to explain or share? What do you think caused that, and what could help you grow in this area? [[39:34]]
3. The Roman Road is a simple way to share the gospel using Scripture. Have you ever tried to memorize or use these verses? What would it look like for you to start preaching the gospel to yourself daily, as the pastor suggested? [[44:22]] [[48:28]]
4. The message challenged us to move from just agreeing with God to obeying Him. Is there an area in your life where you know what God wants, but you haven’t taken the step to obey? What’s holding you back, and what’s one step you could take this week? [[50:59]]
5. The pastor said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If someone looked at your calendar or your bank statement, what would they say your treasure is? Is there anything you want to change about where you invest your time and resources? [[41:02]]
6. Who is someone in your life that you would like to share your faith with, but you feel unprepared or nervous? What is one thing you could do this week to become more ready to share the hope you have in Christ? [[35:16]]
7. The sermon talked about the importance of being in God’s presence, His Word, and with His people. Which of these do you find easiest, and which is hardest for you? What’s one practical way you could “dwell” more deeply in God this month? [[36:32]]

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Devotional

Day 1: Be Ready to Give a Defense for Your Faith
A life of faith is meant to be lived out loud, not hidden away. God calls every believer to be prepared to explain the hope they have in Jesus—not with complicated theology, but with clarity, gentleness, and respect. This readiness comes from spending time with God, knowing His Word, and letting His truth shape your heart so that when someone asks, you can confidently and passionately share why Jesus matters to you. [33:10]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Who in your life might be curious about your faith, and how could you prepare today to share the hope you have in Jesus with them if they asked?


Day 2: Where You Dwell Is What You Tell
The things you value most are revealed by where you spend your time and attention. If you dwell in the presence of God—through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship—your words and actions will naturally reflect His love and truth. But if your heart is elsewhere, your life will tell a different story. Consider what your daily habits say about what you treasure, and let your dwelling place be with God so that your life points others to Him. [41:02]

Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally dwell in God’s presence today, so that your words and actions reflect what you truly value?


Day 3: The Power of the Gospel—The Roman Road
The gospel is not your story; it is the story of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection for sinners. Knowing and preaching the gospel to yourself daily grounds you in God’s love and equips you to share it with others. The Roman Road offers a clear, powerful way to understand and communicate the good news: all have sinned (Romans 3:23), the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), confess and believe to be saved (Romans 10:9), no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1), and nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). When this truth is etched on your heart, it changes everything. [48:28]

Romans 3:23 (ESV)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 10:9 (ESV)
"Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 8:1 (ESV)
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: Take a few minutes to preach the gospel to yourself out loud—how does reminding yourself of these truths affect your outlook and confidence today?


Day 4: Faith Articulated Requires Obedience, Not Just Agreement
It’s easy to agree with the truths of Jesus, but God desires more than agreement—He wants obedience. An articulated faith is built on a life of obedience, where knowing Jesus leads to action and transformation. As you obey, your faith becomes clearer, bolder, and more compelling to others. Agreement is the starting point, but obedience is the journey that shapes you into someone who can confidently share Christ with the world. [50:59]

James 1:22 (ESV)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve agreed with God’s truth but haven’t yet acted in obedience? What step can you take today to move from agreement to action?


Day 5: Go and Make Disciples—Let Your Faith Overflow
A faith that dwells deeply in God’s presence naturally overflows into the lives of others. Jesus commands His followers to go and make disciples, teaching and baptizing in His name. When you dwell with God, you can’t help but want others to experience the same joy and transformation you’ve found. Let your life be a testimony that points others to Jesus, boldly sharing what He has done for you and inviting others to follow Him. [54:44]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally encourage or share your faith with this week, inviting them to take a step closer to Jesus?

Quotes

An unarticulated faith. The faith that cannot be spoken about. A faith that cannot be articulated. Here is what you are left with. A faith that is easily swayed. A faith that is easily forgotten by you and me. And a faith that is easily dismissed by others. [00:39:02] (25 seconds)  #UnspokenFaithIsFragile Edit Clip

If you dwell somewhere it's because you have ascribed value to it. If you do not dwell somewhere it's because you have not ascribed value. If it had value you would spend time there but if there is none i have no reason to spend and dwell anywhere that i have deemed to have no value to me or to others. [00:41:09] (26 seconds)  #ValueDeterminesDwelling Edit Clip

If you want to move to a faith articulated which makes you dangerous to the enemy they see you coming they go oh no this person's been dwelling you want to move to that here is my suggestion to you and this is what i'm talking about today we need to have a foundation something that is so centralized to the christian faith to anybody who claims jesus christ that this is so solidified within who we are it means everything and it's this how do i get started you get started with the gospel. [00:43:31] (38 seconds)  #StartWithTheGospelFoundation Edit Clip

Here's the thing you go with jacob i'm not very good at telling my story well that's good because the gospel ain't your story the gospel is jesus's story and when talking about the gospel for the most part i prefer not to use my words but god's see because god's word has power god's word has authority and so when his truth goes out to the masses there are those that will hear it that they didn't even have to hear my story they heard god's truth of who jesus was and what he came to do and why he did it and why it matters and when they hear there are so many that will respond to god's word. [00:44:07] (55 seconds)  #GospelIsGodsStory Edit Clip

An obedient servant is able to give a defense for the hope that they have in jesus christ or at least they are fervently working on it right doing everything that we can faith articulated is a journey and a process but it requires obedience unarticulated faith requires only one thing agreement which is not a bad thing but agreement is the first step not the last every other step is a step of obedience and it results in one who dwells in the things of god one who speaks boldly and confidently about their faith and desires that others will experience the same joy that they have found in god's love through his son jesus christ. [00:53:26] (49 seconds)  #ObedienceLeadsToBoldFaith Edit Clip