Building Faith: The Power of Expectation and Action
Summary
In today's sermon, we focused on the critical aspect of building your faith. We began by acknowledging the importance of mastering both love and faith, as highlighted by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians. While love is often discussed, today's emphasis was on faith, which is essential for our spiritual growth and mastery.
We explored the five types of biblical faith: saving faith, submission faith, surrogate faith, special faith, and systematic faith. Saving faith is the foundational belief in Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, covering both past and future mistakes. Submission faith involves yielding to God's will, trusting that His word will never fail. Surrogate faith is about interceding for others who may not have the capacity to believe for themselves. Special faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit that enables us to believe beyond our normal capabilities. Finally, systematic faith, which was the focus of today's teaching, is the methodical approach Jesus taught His disciples to exercise faith.
We delved into the systematic faith by examining the story of the woman with the issue of blood and the Centurion's servant, both of whom created their own criteria for their miracles. This teaches us that we, too, can set our criteria for what we believe God will do in our lives.
The sermon also highlighted the ABCs of faith: Ask, Believe, Confess, Demonstrate, and Expect. We must first ask God for what we desire, believing that He will fulfill His promises. Confessing aligns our words with God's word, and demonstrating our faith shows that we truly believe in what we are asking for. Finally, we should expect God to move on our behalf, knowing that He will provide a plan of action, wisdom, favor, supernatural miracles, and the strength to endure until the change comes.
We were reminded that faith is not magic; it requires patience and endurance. Faith is tangible and visible through our actions, and it is a decision of our will to believe in God's promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is a decision of the will, not a passive state of mind. We must actively choose to believe in God's promises, even when they seem impossible or when we face circumstances that challenge our belief. This decision to believe is a powerful act that aligns our lives with the reality of God's kingdom. [20:52 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
- Confession is not merely about speaking words; it's about aligning our language with the truth of God's Word. As we confess what God says about us, we reinforce our identity in Christ and empower our faith to grow stronger. This practice of confession shapes our reality and helps us to live out the truths we profess. [25:18 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
- Demonstrating our faith is essential. It's not enough to simply believe in our hearts; we must also act on our beliefs. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment or the friends who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof, our actions reveal the substance of our faith and invite God's power into our situations. [31:46 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
- Expectation is a critical component of faith. When we ask God for something, we should expect Him to respond. This expectation is not based on wishful thinking but on the confidence that God is faithful to His promises. Our expectation should be accompanied by preparation and readiness to receive what we have believed God for. [33:27 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
- Faith requires patience. The fulfillment of God's promises may not happen instantly, and during the waiting period, we must cultivate patience. This patience is not passive; it's an active trust in God's timing and a steadfastness in believing that what He has promised, He will perform. [37:04 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building Your Faith
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 - Paul's commendation of the Thessalonians' faith and love.
2. Mark 11:22-24 - Jesus teaches about faith and prayer.
3. Hebrews 6:12 - The importance of faith and patience in inheriting God's promises.
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the five types of biblical faith mentioned in the sermon? [03:54 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
2. How did the woman with the issue of blood demonstrate her faith according to the sermon? [21:25 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
3. What does the sermon say about the role of confession in building faith? [25:18 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
4. According to the sermon, what are the ABCs of faith? [12:25 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "systematic faith" as taught by Jesus in Mark 11:22-24 apply to our daily lives? [10:31 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
2. In what ways does surrogate faith, as illustrated by the Roman officer in Matthew 8:5-7, challenge our understanding of intercessory prayer? [07:20 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith and patience in Hebrews 6:12? [37:04 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
4. What does it mean to "demonstrate" faith, and why is it essential according to the sermon? [27:41 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a conscious decision to believe in God's promises despite challenging circumstances. How did that decision impact your faith journey? [20:52 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of aligning our words with God's Word. What specific steps can you take this week to ensure your language reflects your faith? [25:18 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
3. Think of a situation where you need to demonstrate your faith through action. What practical steps can you take to show that you truly believe in God's promises for that situation? [27:41 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of expectation in faith. Identify one area in your life where you need to raise your level of expectation. How can you prepare yourself to receive what you are believing God for? [33:27 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
5. Patience is a critical component of faith. How can you cultivate patience in your current season of waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled? [37:04 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
6. Surrogate faith involves interceding for others. Who in your life needs you to step in the gap for them, and how can you commit to praying for them this week? [07:20 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of having a plan of action when walking in faith. What is one specific plan of action you can implement to move closer to a goal you are trusting God for? [33:58 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon on building faith, encouraging both personal reflection and practical application.
Devotional
Day 1: Belief as an Act of Will
Faith is not something that happens to us; it is a choice we make every day. It is an active decision to trust in God's promises, even when they seem distant or when our circumstances challenge our belief. This choice is a powerful act that aligns our lives with the reality of God's kingdom. When we decide to believe, we are not merely hoping for the best; we are placing our trust in the character and faithfulness of God, who has never failed to keep His word. This decision to believe is what sets the foundation for a life lived in faith, where every action and thought is influenced by the certainty of God's promises.
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the work 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." (Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find challenging to believe in today's circumstances? How can you make a conscious decision to trust in that promise?
Day 2: The Power of Confession
Confession is more than just speaking words into the air; it is about aligning our language with the truth of God's Word. When we confess what God says about us, we are not only affirming our identity in Christ but also empowering our faith to grow stronger. This practice of confession shapes our reality, as it helps us to live out the truths we profess. It is a spiritual discipline that reinforces our belief and transforms our perspective, enabling us to see ourselves and our circumstances through the lens of God's truth and promises.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the discipline of confession into your daily routine, and what specific truths of God will you choose to confess this week?
Day 3: Faith Demonstrated Through Action
Believing in our hearts is only the beginning; our faith must be demonstrated through our actions. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who showed their faith by what they did. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment and the friends who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof, our actions are a testament to the substance of our faith. These actions invite God's power into our situations and serve as a witness to others of the faith we profess. Faith that is alive moves us to take steps that may seem risky or illogical to the world, but are in fact acts of obedience to God's prompting.
"And by faith in his name—his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16 ESV)
Reflection: What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in a specific area of your life where you are seeking God's intervention?
Day 4: Expectation Anchored in God's Faithfulness
When we ask God for something, our expectation should not be based on wishful thinking but on the solid foundation of His faithfulness. We should expect Him to respond because He is a good Father who keeps His promises. This expectation should not be passive; it should be filled with preparation and readiness to receive what we have believed God for. Our faith is not just about asking; it is also about anticipating God's answer and being ready to act when He provides the way forward.
"For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness." (Galatians 5:5 ESV)
Reflection: What are you expecting from God at this moment, and how are you preparing your heart and life to receive and respond to His answer?
Day 5: The Patience of Faith
The journey of faith is often a marathon, not a sprint. The fulfillment of God's promises may not happen instantly, and during the waiting period, we must cultivate patience. This patience is an active trust in God's timing and a steadfastness in believing that what He has promised, He will perform. It is a patience that does not sit idly by but continues to believe, to hope, and to act in faith, knowing that in God's perfect timing, His promises will come to pass.
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:25 ESV)
Reflection: In what situation do you need to cultivate patience right now, and how can you actively trust in God's timing while you wait for His promises to be fulfilled?
Quotes
"Believing is a matter of your will; it's a decision. You can choose to believe or you can make a decision to not believe because every person creates their own criteria for their faith. Faith gives you the power to create your own world. The woman with the issue of blood and the Centurion created their own criteria for their miracles, teaching us that we too can set our criteria for what we believe God will do in our lives." [20:52 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Faith is not invisible; it is tangible and visible through our actions. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment and the friends who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof, our actions reveal the substance of our faith and invite God's power into our situations." [31:46 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Faith without movement is dead. If I'm saying I'm believing God for something and my behavior hasn't changed, I'm not actually believing God for it. The way you move will always determine if you believe the promise of God or not." [32:57 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"After demonstrating our faith, we must have expectation. There are five things you can expect from God when you're walking in this journey of faith: a plan of action, the wisdom of God, the favor of God, supernatural miracles, and the strength to endure until the change comes." [33:27 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Faith requires patience. The fulfillment of God's promises may not happen instantly, and during the waiting period, we must cultivate patience. This patience is not passive; it's an active trust in God's timing and a steadfastness in believing that what He has promised, He will perform." [37:04 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Confession is not merely about speaking words; it's about aligning our language with the truth of God's Word. As we confess what God says about us, we reinforce our identity in Christ and empower our faith to grow stronger." [25:18 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Submission faith involves yielding to God's will, trusting that His word will never fail. No word from God will ever fail; if God says it's yours, you might as well go to sleep at night and give God some glory because it has to be yours." [06:08 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Surrogate faith is about interceding for others who may not have the capacity to believe for themselves. This is when you step in the gap for people who don't have enough sense to step up for themselves, believing that because you're going to God, God's going to move on your behalf." [07:51 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Special faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit that enables us to believe beyond our normal capabilities. It's your ability to believe beyond what is normal, and it looks crazy to everybody because it doesn't make sense; it's a gift." [09:23 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
"Systematic faith is the methodical approach Jesus taught His disciples to exercise faith. It's the fundamental and foundational way that Jesus taught his disciples to pray or to step into faith." [10:31 <9IUKZY4ha2Q>]
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