Bridging Faith: Stepping Out in Love and Boldness
Summary
Thank you, Granite United, for your incredible partnership and support over these past eight years. It’s been a journey filled with unexpected turns, from my early days pastoring in Texas to God’s call to Nicaragua, where He has done more than I could have ever dreamed. Together, we’ve seen three churches planted, and now, with your help, we’re on the verge of launching a fourth in Los Rincones. Your generosity and prayers have been a lifeline, and I’m deeply grateful for the way you’ve stood with us.
But the heart of today’s message is about the bridges we all face—those daunting, faith-stretching moments when God calls us to step out. I shared a story from Honduras, where crossing a literal, terrifying bridge was the only way to bring the gospel to a remote village. That bridge became a picture of the spiritual and practical challenges God asks each of us to cross: whether it’s baptism, serving in ministry, tithing, sharing your faith, or simply obeying God’s next step for you. The truth is, following Jesus isn’t always comfortable. It often means risking our own security for the sake of others, just as Christ did for us.
Stepping out requires three things: love, boldness, and urgency. Love is more than a feeling—it’s compassion that moves us to action, the kind of gut-level response that won’t let us stand by when others are in need. Boldness is the courage to act, even when it’s risky or unpopular, just as the early church did when they prayed not for safety, but for greater boldness to speak God’s word. And urgency reminds us that life is short and eternity is real; the opportunities God gives us are time-sensitive, and the good news is only good if it arrives in time.
Like the African impala, we often let small barriers keep us from leaping into God’s purposes because we can’t see the landing. But God calls us to trust Him, to take that step of faith, and to live a life that, at the end, leaves us saying, “I’m so glad I did,” rather than, “I wish I had.” Whatever your bridge is today, step out in love, boldness, and in God’s timing.
Key Takeaways
- God’s call often leads us to bridges that seem impossible or frightening, but these are the very places where faith grows and God’s power is revealed. The act of stepping out is not about comfort, but about obedience and trust, knowing that God meets us on the other side of our fears. [49:57]
- True love for others is not passive or theoretical; it is compassion that compels us to act, even at personal risk. Biblical love is demonstrated not just in words, but in sacrificial deeds that reflect Christ’s own love for us—a love that moves from the gut and results in real change. [56:16]
- Boldness is essential for living out the gospel in a world that often resists it. The early church’s effectiveness came not from playing it safe, but from a willingness to risk reputation, comfort, and even life itself for the sake of Christ. Our prayer should be for God to grant us this same boldness, to speak and act for Him regardless of the cost. [01:01:54]
- The urgency of God’s call cannot be overstated; life is fleeting, and the opportunities to make an eternal difference are limited. Every moment matters, and the decision to step out in faith must be made now, not postponed for a more convenient time. The gospel is only good news if it arrives in time. [01:06:42]
- Faith often requires leaping where we cannot see the outcome, trusting God beyond our own understanding. Like the impala, we are capable of far more than we realize, but fear and uncertainty can keep us penned in by small obstacles. God invites us to trust Him, to take the leap, and to live a life with no regrets, marked by obedience and courage. [01:07:58]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[36:09] - Eight Years in Nicaragua: God’s Surprising Faithfulness
[39:19] - Launching a Fourth Church Plant
[41:55] - Learning a New Language and Culture
[49:57] - The Bridge Story: Facing Fear to Reach Others
[52:11] - What It Means to Step Out
[53:23] - The Biblical Call to Risk for Others
[54:58] - Stepping Out in Love: Compassion in Action
[56:16] - Love That Moves Us Beyond Words
[57:47] - Stepping Out in Boldness: The Early Church Example
[59:16] - Peter and John: Boldness in the Face of Danger
[01:01:54] - Praying for Boldness, Not Safety
[01:03:15] - The Urgency of Now: Life’s Brevity
[01:06:42] - Don’t Wait: The Time to Act is Now
[01:07:58] - The Impala Illustration: Leaping in Faith
[01:08:48] - Living a Life with No Regrets
[01:09:46] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Granite United Small Group Bible Study Guide: Stepping Out in Faith
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### Bible Reading
- Jude 22-23
"And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."
- 1 John 3:18
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
- Acts 4:29
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness."
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Jude 22-23, what are the two different ways believers are told to reach out to others?
2. According to 1 John 3:18, what is the difference between loving in word and loving in deed?
3. In the story from Acts 4:29, what did the early church pray for after Peter and John were threatened?
4. What was the “bridge” that the pastor described crossing in Honduras, and why was it significant? [49:57]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jude use the image of “snatching others out of the fire”? What does this say about the urgency and risk involved in reaching people?
2. The sermon described love as “compassion from the gut” that moves us to action. How is this different from just feeling sorry for someone? [56:16]
3. The early church prayed for boldness instead of safety. What does this reveal about their priorities and trust in God? [01:01:54]
4. The pastor compared believers to the African impala, which won’t leap if it can’t see the landing. What does this illustration teach about faith and fear? [01:07:58]
---
### Application Questions
1. The pastor shared about facing a literal, scary bridge in Honduras to bring the gospel to a remote village. What is a “bridge” in your own life that you feel God is asking you to cross, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [49:57]
2. Love that moves us to action is more than just words. Can you think of a time when you felt compassion so strongly that you had to do something about it? What would it look like to show that kind of love this week? [56:16]
3. The early church prayed for boldness, not safety. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been playing it safe instead of stepping out in faith? What would it look like to pray for boldness in that area? [01:01:54]
4. The sermon talked about the urgency of God’s call and how life is short. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the good news, and what is stopping you from reaching out to them now? [01:06:42]
5. The impala illustration showed how small barriers can keep us from leaping into God’s purposes. What is one “three-foot wall” in your life that is holding you back from trusting God? How can you take a step of faith this week? [01:07:58]
6. The pastor said, “At the end of your life, will you say, ‘I wish I had,’ or ‘I’m so glad I did’?” What is one thing you want to do for God now so you won’t have regrets later? [01:08:48]
7. The message mentioned practical “bridges” like baptism, serving, tithing, or sharing your faith. Which of these feels like the next step for you, and what support do you need from this group to take it? [49:57]
---
Close in prayer, asking God for love, boldness, and urgency to step out in faith—whatever your “bridge” may be.
Devotional
Day 1: Faith’s Crucible: Crossing Fear to Find God’s Power
Often, God’s call leads us to places that seem impossible or frightening—those moments when the path ahead looks uncertain and the risks feel overwhelming. These “bridges” are not obstacles meant to stop us but are the very places where faith is tested and strengthened. When you step out in obedience despite fear, you open yourself to experience God’s power in ways that comfort never could. Trusting God means believing that He meets you on the other side of your fears, even when you cannot yet see the outcome. This act of stepping out is less about personal comfort and more about surrendering to God’s greater purpose for your life.
When you face your own daunting bridge today—whether it’s a decision, a relationship, or a calling—remember that God’s presence is promised beyond the fear. The journey of faith is marked by trust and obedience, not by the absence of difficulty. Embrace the challenge, knowing that God’s faithfulness will carry you through. [49:57]
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Reflection: What is one “bridge” in your life right now that feels impossible to cross, and how can you invite God’s presence to give you courage to step forward today?
Day 2: Compassion in Motion: Love That Demands Action
True love is not a passive feeling or mere words; it is a compelling force that moves us to act sacrificially for others. Biblical love is demonstrated through tangible deeds that reflect Christ’s own self-giving heart. When love moves from the gut, it refuses to stand by while others suffer or remain in need. This kind of love requires vulnerability and risk, but it also brings real change and healing. It is a love that breaks through apathy and compels us to serve, give, and share even when it costs us something.
Love that moves beyond words challenges you to examine how your compassion translates into action. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone to meet the needs around you? The call to love is urgent and practical, inviting you to embody Christ’s love in ways that transform lives. [56:16]
Zechariah 7:9-10 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Reflection: Identify one person or group in your community who needs compassionate action today—what is one specific way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to them this week?
Day 3: Courage to Speak: Boldness Beyond Safety
Living out the gospel requires boldness—a courage that refuses to be silenced by fear, rejection, or danger. The early church did not pray for safety but for greater boldness to proclaim God’s word, even when it meant risking reputation, comfort, or life itself. Boldness is a spiritual posture that trusts God’s power over human approval and chooses obedience over ease. It is the willingness to stand firm and speak truth in a world that often resists it.
This boldness is not reckless but rooted in faith and dependence on God. It calls you to step into situations where your voice and actions can make a difference, even if it feels risky. Pray for this kind of courage today, that you might live with a fearless commitment to God’s mission. [01:01:54]
Acts 4:29-31 (ESV)
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel called to speak or act boldly for Christ, and what is one step you can take today to move beyond fear?
Day 4: The Urgency of Now: Seizing God’s Time-Sensitive Call
Life is brief, and the opportunities to make an eternal impact are limited. The gospel is only truly good news if it arrives in time, which means the call to step out in faith cannot be postponed. Waiting for a “better” moment often leads to missed chances to serve, witness, or obey God’s leading. There is an urgency to respond now because every moment matters in God’s kingdom work.
Recognizing the brevity of life should inspire you to live with intentionality and immediacy. What God is calling you to do today may not be available tomorrow. Embrace the urgency of God’s call and act with a sense of divine timing, knowing that your faithfulness now can change eternity. [01:06:42]
James 4:13-15 (ESV)
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”
Reflection: What is one step of obedience or faith you have been delaying, and how can you take that step today in light of life’s brevity?
Day 5: Trusting the Leap: Faith Beyond Visible Outcomes
Faith often requires leaping into the unknown, trusting God even when the outcome is unseen. Like the impala that must leap without seeing the landing, believers are called to trust God beyond their own understanding and fears. Small obstacles or doubts can keep us confined, but God invites us to take courageous steps that lead to a life marked by obedience and no regrets.
This leap of faith is not blind but grounded in the character and promises of God. It challenges you to move beyond hesitation and embrace the adventure of trusting God’s guidance. Living with this trust means at the end of your journey, you can say, “I’m so glad I did,” rather than “I wish I had.” [01:07:58]
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Reflection: What is one “leap” of faith God is asking you to take today, and how can you remind yourself of His strength and faithfulness as you step forward?
Quotes
``We personally risked our own safety to cross that bridge. And I'm not trying to make heroes out of us. I think all of you would have done it with me. But still, it was scary and we did it. Why? To reach those people who were lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, that's what I'm really talking about. Whatever God has for you that he wants you to cross, that bridge that we were just talking about a minute ago, I don't know you and I don't know what your bridge is, but you do. [00:52:11] (25 seconds)
Listen, it's worth it, but you have to step. You have to risk. It's not easy. Listen, following Jesus isn't all butterflies and cupcakes and unicorns and rainbows. It's not all just fun fun. There's some hard stuff about following Jesus. [00:52:35] (17 seconds)
Love is the number one motivating factor for crossing that bridge that God has before you. He wants, first of all, he loves you so much he died for you and he put his own personal safety at risk. Aren't you glad he did? To save your soul. And now he's saying, now I want you to risk this to help me win others. It may be teaching that class. It might be walking across the street. It might be going on a missions trip. It might be giving to your missions program. What all those bridges could be. Yes, it's scary, but the only way you're going to do it is if you truly love the people you're doing it for. And it's easy to say we love something or someone, isn't it? [00:54:47] (38 seconds)
No, but love, there are different types of love. Well, in the Bible, there's a type of love that is the extreme maximum. It's love on steroids. And it's the word compassion. You've heard that? Word compassion, literally from the Greek in the original language, means from the gut. It's something you feel internally that makes you move. It makes you take action. It would be like driving to work tomorrow morning on this busy 93 out here going 70 miles an hour with all the traffic. And you see a little 18 -month -old toddler about to cross in front of you. Now, some of you literally gasped. That's the compassion I'm talking about. You felt that, didn't you? What would we do in that instance? Just say, oh, look, there's a baby. [00:56:23] (47 seconds)
That would have just been talk. And the Bible says, don't just talk it. You gotta live it. Check this out, this verse. My little children, 1 John 3, 18. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in what? In thought, deed, and in truth. That means put your love to action, compassion. [00:57:47] (23 seconds)
This is a word that we are lacking in the North American church today is a boldness to stand up for Christ at the risk of our own personal safety. Why was the early church so powerful and reach their world for Christ in about 30 years? It's because they were willing to literally die for the cause of Christ. And they did. Many of them did. [00:58:18] (22 seconds)
If they had played it safe like many North American churches and Christians today do, we would not even be meeting here right now. We are the continuation of that first movement and it was fueled by boldness, folks. Don't ever forget that. Love and boldness go together, especially the type of love that's compassion. It will move you. It will move you to do stuff that is totally unlike you to accomplish the Great Commission. Boldness. [00:58:47] (29 seconds)
You will say one of two things. I wish I had, or I'm so glad that I did. Watch your bridge today. Step out in love. Step out in boldness. And please, please, please step out in time. Let's pray. Father, grateful for this day. Thank you for your word. Use it now in your Holy Spirit for those, especially who have never accepted Christ to make that step today. In Jesus' name. [01:09:46] (28 seconds)
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