By Faith: Overcoming Life's Mountains Through Belief
Summary
In our new series, "By Faith," we delve into Hebrews chapter 11, often referred to as the Hall of Faith. This chapter is rich with references to faith, showcasing the lives of men and women who exemplified great faith. Our aim is to grow in our faith, especially as we face the mountains in our lives—those seemingly immovable obstacles that challenge us. Jesus taught that faith can move mountains, and we are called to develop a faith that transforms the impossible into the possible.
Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This foundational truth encourages us to live lives that earnestly seek Him, moving from mere spectators to friends of God. We are all given a measure of faith, a gift from God, and it is our responsibility to nurture and grow this faith. Salvation itself is an act of faith, as belief precedes salvation. God desires that none should perish, and He has given everyone a measure of faith to seek Him.
Faith is not merely belief; it is a specific kind of faith rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is a supernatural deposit from heaven, not a generic belief in something. True faith is evidenced by action, as James reminds us that faith without works is dead. Our faith journey is about moving from one level to the next, growing from faith to faith, and glory to glory.
Faith is received, not earned. It comes by hearing the word of God, specifically the rhema, the spoken word that the Holy Spirit breathes upon. This living word transforms the logos, the written word, into a dynamic force in our lives. Faith is a confident expectation of what is to come, a title deed to the promises of God. It is the evidence of things not seen, a conviction that shapes our lives with trust, endurance, and joy.
Faith has a vocabulary. It speaks out what it believes, aligning our hearts with God's word. Our declarations of faith can change spiritual realities. We are called to guard our words, as life and death are in the power of the tongue. Faith fully believes what God has promised, and it moves us toward Jesus with diligence and persistence. Even in the presence of doubt and fear, great faith is a decision to move forward.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith as a Gift and Responsibility: Every person is given a measure of faith, a divine gift that requires nurturing. Our journey of faith begins with salvation, which is an act of believing before seeing. This faith is not static; it is meant to grow and transform our lives, enabling us to face and overcome the mountains before us. [02:39]
- The Nature of True Faith: True faith is not just belief in something; it is a specific faith rooted in the finished work of Christ. It is a supernatural deposit that requires action, as faith without works is dead. This faith is dynamic, moving us from one level to the next, from faith to faith, and glory to glory. [06:33]
- Receiving Faith Through the Word: Faith is received, not earned, and it comes by hearing the word of God. The Holy Spirit breathes life into the written word, transforming it into a living, active force in our lives. This rhema word builds our faith and enables us to stand on God's promises. [08:57]
- Faith's Confident Expectation: Faith is a confident expectation of what is to come, a title deed to the promises of God. It is the evidence of things not seen, shaping our lives with trust, endurance, and joy. This faith allows us to move with certainty into the future God has for us. [12:29]
- The Power of Faith's Vocabulary: Faith has a vocabulary that speaks out what it believes. Our words have the power to change spiritual realities, and we are called to align our hearts and declarations with God's word. This confession of faith is a powerful tool in seeing God's promises fulfilled in our lives. [18:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:39] - The Measure of Faith
- [04:44] - Faith and Belief
- [06:33] - Saving Faith
- [08:57] - Receiving Faith
- [11:02] - Confident Expectation
- [12:29] - Evidence of Faith
- [15:39] - Biblical Hope
- [17:33] - Faith's Vocabulary
- [18:54] - Power of the Tongue
- [19:53] - Thankfulness and Faith
- [21:56] - Fully Convinced
- [23:17] - Inheritance of Promises
- [25:01] - Faith in Action
- [26:19] - Mixture of Faith and Doubt
- [28:19] - Great Faith in Fear
- [30:30] - Faith Tested by Doubts
- [34:43] - Crying Out in Faith
- [37:04] - Faith's Next Step
- [38:38] - Taking the Next Step
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "By Faith"
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
2. Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
3. James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 11:6 say about the necessity of faith in our relationship with God? How does this verse define the kind of faith that pleases God? [02:39]
2. According to Romans 10:17, how is faith received, and what role does the word of God play in this process? [08:57]
3. In James 2:17, what is the relationship between faith and works, and why is it important for faith to be accompanied by action? [06:33]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between generic belief and the specific faith rooted in the work of Jesus Christ? [06:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of faith as a "gift and responsibility" challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith? What does it mean to nurture and grow this gift? [02:39]
2. The sermon mentions that faith is a "supernatural deposit from heaven." How does this perspective influence the way one might approach challenges or "mountains" in life? [06:33]
3. What does it mean for faith to have a "vocabulary," and how can our words impact our spiritual realities according to the sermon? [18:54]
4. How does the sermon explain the transition from hope to faith, and what role does confident expectation play in this process? [12:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a "mountain" in your life that seems immovable. How can you apply the teaching that faith can transform the impossible into the possible? What steps can you take this week to nurture your faith in this area? [02:39]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of hearing the word of God to receive faith. What practical steps can you take to incorporate more of God's word into your daily routine? How might this change your faith journey? [08:57]
3. Consider the idea that faith without works is dead. Identify one area in your life where your actions could better align with your faith. What specific action can you take this week to demonstrate your faith in that area? [06:33]
4. The sermon discusses the power of our words and the importance of aligning our declarations with God's word. What is one negative declaration you often make, and how can you replace it with a faith-filled statement? [18:54]
5. Think about a promise of God that you are holding onto. How can you cultivate a confident expectation that this promise will be fulfilled? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your belief in this promise? [12:29]
6. The sermon mentions that great faith is a decision to move forward despite doubts and fears. Identify a decision you have been hesitant to make due to fear. How can you take a step of faith in this area this week? [29:22]
7. Reflect on the idea that faith moves us toward Jesus with diligence and persistence. What is one area of your spiritual life where you need to be more persistent? How can you commit to this persistence in the coming weeks? [26:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as a Divine Gift and Responsibility
Faith is a divine gift given to every person, a measure that requires nurturing and growth. It is the starting point of our spiritual journey, beginning with salvation, which itself is an act of faith—believing before seeing. This faith is not meant to remain static; it is designed to grow and transform our lives, enabling us to face and overcome the mountains before us. As we cultivate this gift, we move from being mere spectators to becoming friends of God, earnestly seeking Him and His will for our lives. [02:39]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can nurture your faith today, turning it from a passive belief into an active pursuit of God's presence in your life?
Day 2: The Nature of True Faith
True faith is not just a generic belief in something; it is a specific faith rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This faith is a supernatural deposit from heaven that requires action, as faith without works is dead. It is dynamic, moving us from one level to the next, from faith to faith, and glory to glory. As we act on our faith, we experience transformation and growth, seeing the impossible become possible through the power of God working in and through us. [06:33]
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where your faith needs to be put into action. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate your faith through your actions?
Day 3: Receiving Faith Through the Word
Faith is received, not earned, and it comes by hearing the word of God. The Holy Spirit breathes life into the written word, transforming it into a living, active force in our lives. This rhema word builds our faith and enables us to stand on God's promises, giving us the strength and confidence to face life's challenges. As we immerse ourselves in the word of God, our faith grows, and we become more attuned to His voice and direction. [08:57]
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to hear and meditate on God's word, allowing it to build and strengthen your faith?
Day 4: Faith's Confident Expectation
Faith is a confident expectation of what is to come, a title deed to the promises of God. It is the evidence of things not seen, shaping our lives with trust, endurance, and joy. This faith allows us to move with certainty into the future God has for us, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. By holding onto this confident expectation, we can navigate life's ups and downs with a sense of peace and assurance in God's faithfulness. [12:29]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to hold onto with confident expectation today? How can this promise shape your perspective and actions?
Day 5: The Power of Faith's Vocabulary
Faith has a vocabulary that speaks out what it believes. Our words have the power to change spiritual realities, and we are called to align our hearts and declarations with God's word. This confession of faith is a powerful tool in seeing God's promises fulfilled in our lives. By guarding our words and speaking life, we can influence the spiritual atmosphere around us and bring about transformation in our circumstances. [18:54]
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the words you have spoken recently. Are they aligned with God's promises and truth? How can you intentionally use your words to speak life and faith into your current situation?
Quotes
We are starting a new series called By Faith and we're going to be learning some lessons from Hebrews chapter 11. If you are unfamiliar with Hebrews chapter 11, it's been titled and called the Hall of Faith, the great chapter of faith. There are more references about faith in Hebrews chapter 11 than any other chapter in your Bible. And there's heroes of faith, men and women, and we're going to break open some lessons. And our goal, myself and our preaching team, is that we would all grow in our faith. [00:00:00]
I want to submit something to you maybe you've never thought of, but every one of you has been given a measure of faith, whether you're a Christ follower, a pre-Christ follower, or whether you're far from God. Think about this. It requires faith to get saved. Romans 10, 9, and 10 says when you believe in your heart, then you will be saved. So the belief comes before the salvation. [00:02:39] (22 seconds)
Ephesians 2 and 8 says it is by grace we have been saved through faith. So God gives to every man a measure, something that knows it's bigger than me. There's a God out there somewhere. Now what you do with that measure of faith determines your position of either being saved or unsaved, and then the path of your life, because God gives the measure, but then it's our responsibility to exercise that faith and to see it grow. [00:03:01] (29 seconds)
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the rhema, that which has been uttered by the living voice, the thing spoken. And so we have a book full of logos right here. And this is what God has said. This is what has been written. What the Holy Spirit does, it breathes upon the logos and it becomes rhema. See, faith doesn't come simply by reading or studying scriptures. [00:08:49] (25 seconds)
Faith fully believes what God has promised. I touched on this one, but this happens as you spend time in the Logos, and you realize, wow, that promise is for me. Romans chapter four, God is talking about his friend Abraham, who was actually called the father of the faithful. Look at this. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. [00:21:56] (25 seconds)
Great faith works in the presence of fears and doubts. Great faith is not an absence of doubts, fears, and unbelief, but a decision. A decision to move forward despite them. And so that's the kind of faith we want to have. And, you know, maybe for you, let's lower the bar from water walking a little bit. [00:29:22] (22 seconds)
How much faith does it take? Now, there are times in the Bible where you receive a miracle. It's not your faith. It's your friend's faith. You got four people dragging the stretcher to Jesus. You're just laying on the stretcher, man. It's not your faith at all. Other times where God sovereignly heals without your permission, it's his faith, not yours. [00:35:33] (20 seconds)
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