Cultivating Unshakable Faith Through Trust in God

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter individuals whose faith seems unshakable, a faith that remains steadfast regardless of life's challenges. This kind of faith is not merely about holding certain beliefs but is an active, gritty, and real-world faith that informs daily decisions and responses. The question we must ask ourselves is, where does this kind of faith come from, and how can we cultivate it in our own lives?

The Gospels reveal that Jesus was amazed by two things: great faith and a lack of faith. The story of the Roman Centurion, who recognized Jesus' authority and believed in His power without needing physical presence, exemplifies the kind of faith that amazed Jesus. This faith was not based on knowledge or obedience but on a deep trust in Jesus as the object of faith. Conversely, Jesus was also amazed by the lack of faith in His hometown, where familiarity bred doubt.

Faith, unlike hope or optimism, always has an object. It is not about believing that everything will work out but about placing trust in something or someone reliable. Jesus positioned Himself as the object of faith, inviting people to trust Him as they would trust God. This was revolutionary because it redefined how people understood God. Jesus came to reveal the true nature of God, correcting misconceptions and showing that God is not about favoritism or punishment but about love and grace for all.

The essence of a relationship with God is trust, not obedience or fear. Jesus' ministry was about establishing a relationship with God based on trust, inviting us to place our confidence in Him. This kind of faith is what honors God the most, a living, active, and in-spite-of faith that persists through life's challenges.

As we embark on this series, we will explore five dynamics that can grow and strengthen our faith. These are not tasks to complete but catalysts that can transform our faith into something enduring and resilient. Whether you are seeking to regain lost faith or strengthen your current faith, this journey will provide insights and tools to help you develop a faith that endures through every season of life.

Key Takeaways:

- Unshakable faith is not about having perfect beliefs but about a deep trust in God that informs daily life and decisions. This faith is active and real, not just theoretical. [02:25]

- Jesus was amazed by great faith, as seen in the Roman Centurion, and by a lack of faith, as seen in His hometown. Faith that amazes Jesus is not about knowledge or obedience but about trust in Him as the object of faith. [06:09]

- Faith always has an object, and Jesus positioned Himself as that object, inviting people to trust Him as they would trust God. This redefined how people understood God, emphasizing love and grace over punishment and favoritism. [13:06]

- The currency of a relationship with God is trust, not obedience or fear. Jesus' ministry was about establishing a relationship with God based on trust, inviting us to place our confidence in Him. [27:04]

- Developing enduring faith involves understanding Jesus as the perfect reflection of God and embracing the dynamics that grow our faith. This series will explore these dynamics, providing insights and tools for a resilient faith. [33:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Encountering Unshakable Faith
- [00:53] - A Story of Unexpected Faith
- [02:38] - The Source of Unshakable Faith
- [03:44] - What Amazed Jesus
- [05:28] - The Centurion's Great Faith
- [07:49] - Jesus' Hometown and Lack of Faith
- [09:25] - Understanding Faith's Object
- [11:22] - Jesus as the Object of Faith
- [13:40] - Revealing God's True Nature
- [16:08] - Correcting Misconceptions About God
- [19:20] - Loving Enemies and God's Nature
- [21:17] - Jesus as the Story
- [24:09] - Shadows and Reality in Faith
- [27:23] - Trust as the Currency of Relationship
- [33:46] - Five Dynamics of Growing Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Matthew 8:5-10 (The Faith of the Centurion)
2. Mark 6:1-6 (Jesus Rejected at Nazareth)
3. John 14:1 (Jesus Comforts His Disciples)

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of the Roman Centurion, what was it about his faith that amazed Jesus? How did the Centurion demonstrate his understanding of authority? [05:28]

2. What was the reaction of the people in Jesus' hometown when He taught and performed miracles there? How did their familiarity with Jesus affect their faith? [07:49]

3. According to the sermon, what are the two things that amazed Jesus during His ministry? How do these two things contrast with each other? [08:55]

4. How does Jesus describe the relationship between faith and its object, and what example does He use to illustrate this concept? [09:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might the Centurion's faith be considered "great" in the context of the cultural and religious expectations of the time? How does this challenge our understanding of faith today? [06:09]

2. What does Jesus' amazement at the lack of faith in His hometown reveal about the nature of belief and doubt? How can familiarity with religious teachings sometimes lead to skepticism? [08:55]

3. How does Jesus' invitation to trust Him as one would trust God redefine the understanding of God for His followers? What implications does this have for modern believers? [13:06]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that trust, rather than obedience or fear, is the foundation of a relationship with God? How does this perspective shift the focus of religious practice? [27:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you encountered someone with unshakable faith. What specific qualities did they exhibit, and how did it impact your own faith journey? [00:11]

2. Consider the areas of your life where you struggle to trust God fully. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him, especially in challenging circumstances? [02:38]

3. How can you actively make Jesus the object of your faith in your daily decisions and actions? Identify one area where you can consciously place your trust in Him this week. [11:22]

4. Think about a situation where familiarity with religious teachings has led to doubt or complacency in your faith. How can you approach these teachings with fresh eyes and renewed faith? [08:55]

5. Jesus redefined the concept of a neighbor in His teachings. How can you apply this understanding in your interactions with others, especially those who are different from you? [17:49]

6. Reflect on the idea that God is most honored by our "in-spite-of" faith. What is one specific challenge you are facing where you can choose to trust God despite the circumstances? [30:37]

7. Identify one of the five dynamics mentioned in the sermon that you feel could strengthen your faith. What practical steps can you take to incorporate this dynamic into your spiritual life? [33:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Trust as the Foundation of Faith
Unshakable faith is not about having perfect beliefs but about a deep trust in God that informs daily life and decisions. This faith is active and real, not just theoretical. It is the kind of faith that allows individuals to navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that their trust is placed in a reliable and loving God. This trust is not passive; it requires engagement and a willingness to let faith guide actions and decisions. The story of the Roman Centurion exemplifies this kind of faith, where trust in Jesus' authority was enough to bring about healing, without the need for physical presence. This active trust is what makes faith unshakable, as it is rooted in the character and promises of God. [02:25]

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a decision you need to make this week. How can you actively trust God in this decision, allowing your faith to guide your actions?


Day 2: Faith that Amazes
Jesus was amazed by great faith, as seen in the Roman Centurion, and by a lack of faith, as seen in His hometown. Faith that amazes Jesus is not about knowledge or obedience but about trust in Him as the object of faith. The Centurion's faith was remarkable because it was based on a deep understanding of authority and trust in Jesus' power, even without physical evidence. In contrast, the people in Jesus' hometown were familiar with Him but lacked faith, showing that proximity to religious knowledge does not equate to genuine faith. This teaches us that faith is about recognizing and trusting in Jesus' authority and power, regardless of our circumstances or understanding. [06:09]

"And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed at that very moment." (Matthew 8:13, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a situation where you struggle to trust Jesus fully. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in His authority and power today?


Day 3: Jesus as the Object of Faith
Faith always has an object, and Jesus positioned Himself as that object, inviting people to trust Him as they would trust God. This redefined how people understood God, emphasizing love and grace over punishment and favoritism. Jesus' invitation to trust Him was revolutionary, as it shifted the focus from religious rituals and laws to a personal relationship with God through Him. By making Himself the object of faith, Jesus revealed the true nature of God as loving and gracious, inviting all to experience this relationship. This understanding of faith challenges us to examine what or whom we place our trust in and to align our faith with the person and teachings of Jesus. [13:06]

"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell." (Colossians 1:19, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on what or whom you currently place your trust in. How can you shift your focus to make Jesus the central object of your faith?


Day 4: Trust as the Currency of Relationship
The currency of a relationship with God is trust, not obedience or fear. Jesus' ministry was about establishing a relationship with God based on trust, inviting us to place our confidence in Him. This trust is not about blindly following rules but about engaging in a dynamic relationship where faith is lived out daily. Trusting God means believing in His goodness and faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging. It is this trust that honors God and strengthens our relationship with Him, allowing us to experience His presence and guidance in our lives. [27:04]

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

Reflection: Think about an area of your life where fear or obedience has overshadowed trust. How can you begin to cultivate trust in your relationship with God in this area?


Day 5: Dynamics of Growing Faith
Developing enduring faith involves understanding Jesus as the perfect reflection of God and embracing the dynamics that grow our faith. This series will explore these dynamics, providing insights and tools for a resilient faith. Faith is not static; it requires nurturing and growth through various experiences and practices. By focusing on Jesus as the perfect reflection of God, we gain a clearer understanding of His character and how it informs our faith. Embracing the dynamics of faith growth allows us to develop a faith that is resilient and enduring, capable of withstanding life's challenges and uncertainties. [33:26]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one dynamic or practice that can help grow your faith this week. How can you incorporate this into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with God?

Quotes

In our journey through life, we often encounter individuals whose faith seems unshakable, a faith that remains steadfast regardless of life's challenges. This kind of faith is not merely about holding certain beliefs but is an active, gritty, and real-world faith that informs daily decisions and responses. [00:00:53]

Faith, unlike hope or optimism, always has an object. It is not about believing that everything will work out but about placing trust in something or someone reliable. Jesus positioned Himself as the object of faith, inviting people to trust Him as they would trust God. [00:09:25]

The essence of a relationship with God is trust, not obedience or fear. Jesus' ministry was about establishing a relationship with God based on trust, inviting us to place our confidence in Him. This kind of faith is what honors God the most, a living, active, and in-spite-of faith that persists through life's challenges. [00:27:23]

Jesus was never, Jesus was never or Jesus never marveled at or Jesus was never amazed at anyone's knowledge or obedience. Jesus never responded to somebody like, wow you are so smart. Or that was such a great insight. Let me write that down. [00:07:49]

The point of Jesus' ministry, the point of Jesus' earthly ministry was that he established himself as the object of faith. And this is why when you read the gospels, and if you grew up in church, you heard this over and over that people were invited to place their faith in, or their confidence in Jesus to trust in him. [00:11:22]

Jesus positioned himself as the object of faith, because in other words, Jesus wanted to be the focus of their faith because while he was on the earth, Jesus came to explain, or to show us what God is really like. He came to reveal the true nature of God. [00:13:40]

If you wanna know what God is like, watch me. If you wanna know what God is like, listen to me. If you wanna know what God is like, follow me. So of course this was extremely offensive, but at the end of his ministry he demonstrated the fact that this is in fact why he came. [00:14:49]

Jesus says, "Love your neighbor." Those are your neighbors. And he redefines how God views people. The people who are like us and the people who are nothing like us. And they're like, wow. "You have heard it said," Jesus said, "You have heard it said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy." [00:18:20]

Jesus was saying, "I have come to reveal the father so that when I'm gone, when I'm no longer on the earth and you pray to God, you can approach God as God really is not as you imagine God to be. And I've come to point you to the father and I've come to reveal the father." [00:25:50]

The currency of a relationship is trust. It's not obedience. The currency of a relationship, isn't obedience. The currency of a relationship, isn't fear. The currency of a relationship isn't I will, if you will and if you don't, I won't, the currency of any kind of relationship is trust. [00:27:23]

Jesus was the perfect representation. The perfect representation of the father. It's as if he said, if you wanna know what God is like, don't look past me and don't stop short of me because everything before me was pointing to me. And I've come to point you to the father, place your confidence and your trust in me. [00:25:50]

God is most honored by our living, active, death defying, in-spite-of trust in him. This is how God is most honored. And this is the way that you're most honored. Isn't it true that if you have a friend or maybe a son or daughter or husband or wife and the circumstances make it look like you're not trustworthy, but they decide to trust you anyway, because they trust their, you are the object of their confidence and their trust in spite of circumstances. [00:29:37]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?