On Earth As In Heaven: Wk3

Mar 22, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Speaks Louder Than Our Circumstances

Our words have the power to shape our reality and either amplify our fears or declare God's truth. When we face situations that seem overwhelming, we can choose to speak faith over them. This isn't about ignoring reality, but about acknowledging a greater reality—God's power and promises. By declaring "but God," we shift our focus from our limitations to His limitless strength. Our confession of faith invites His power into our circumstances and aligns our hearts with His will. [48:51]

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific situation in your life right now where you are more prone to speak about the problem than to speak about God’s power? What would it look like to begin declaring "but God" over that area this week?

Day 2: The Substance of Faith is Found in God

Faith is not a blind leap into the unknown; it is a confident trust in the character and promises of God. It is the confident assurance of what we hope for and the conviction of things not yet seen with our physical eyes. This assurance is not based on our own strength or understanding but is anchored in the unwavering nature of God Himself. Our faith finds its substance in His faithfulness, not in our feelings or circumstances. It is the evidence that what God has spoken will indeed come to pass. [34:30]

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Reflection: Where have you been placing your faith—in your own ability to figure things out, or in God's character and promises? How can you actively shift your trust to rely more fully on Him today?

Day 3: Speaking Faith Unlocks God's Power

Our words are not merely sounds; they are vehicles of faith that can release God's power into our lives and the lives of others. Faith comes by hearing, and when we speak God's Word, we create an atmosphere for faith to grow. The biblical pattern shows that God's power often follows a declaration of faith, as seen in the lives of Abraham, David, and Elijah. Speaking faith aloud is a key that moves God's promises from the spiritual realm into our tangible experience. [01:00:09]

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”
Matthew 21:21 (ESV)

Reflection: Is there a promise from God's Word you have been holding in your heart but have been hesitant to speak aloud? What is one step you can take this week to courageously declare that promise?

Day 4: Remembering Who We Were Fuels Our Mission

Reflecting on our own journey from darkness to light ignites a passion for others to know the same transformation. When we remember the grace and mercy that met us in our own need, it compels us to share the hope we have found. This remembrance is not about dwelling on the past, but about letting gratitude for our salvation fuel our compassion and urgency for those who are far from God. Our testimony becomes a powerful tool to speak faith into the lives of those around us. [01:12:54]

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to remember who you were before Christ. How does that memory stir your heart to pray for and intentionally speak to someone in your life who needs to know Him?

Day 5: Our Giving is an Act of Worship and Faith

Generosity is a practical expression of our faith, demonstrating our trust that God is our ultimate provider. It is an act of worship that acknowledges everything we have comes from Him. When we give, we participate in God's work on earth, supporting the local church and its mission to reach our community and world. This act of faith declares that we believe God will continue to provide for our needs as we are faithful to steward what He has given us. [23:07]

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does your giving reflect a heart of worship and trust in God's provision? Is there an area where God might be inviting you to give more cheerfully and faithfully?

Sermon Summary

The gathering opens with practical instructions for giving—QR code, online recurring gifts, mailed checks, or white envelopes—and highlights a designated “local missions” offering that supports nearby schools, teacher lunches, Page Academy visits, and unpredictable community needs funded by congregational generosity. It then moves into a focused study of faith, anchoring on Matthew 17 and Mark 9, where a desperate father brings his epileptic son and receives Jesus’ rebuke of unbelief alongside a promise: even mustard-seed faith, when spoken, moves mountains. Hebrews 11’s definition of faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” frames faith as assurance rooted in God’s character rather than in human ability. The teaching emphasizes that faith must be vocalized—words shape reality, invite accountability, and sharpen hope—while also calling for corresponding action so speech does not become empty affirmation. Scriptural examples (Abraham’s confident declaration that “God will provide,” Esther’s courageous plea to the king, David’s declaration that the battle belongs to the Lord, Elijah’s public prayer for fire) illustrate how spoken faith situates God in the driver’s seat and creates opportunities for divine intervention. A repeated motif of “but God” reframes crises: human impossibility meets divine possibility when speech invokes God’s mercy and purpose, turning setbacks into openings for providence. Practical application centers on personal testimony, invitations, and evangelistic urgency—111 names on invitation cards become a tangible task to speak faith into people’s lives ahead of Easter. The gathering closes with an invitation to conversion through the ABCs—accept, believe, confess—and a pastoral encouragement to pray, remember past transformation, and actively invite others so that spoken faith pairs with obedient action to unlock God’s power in ordinary life.

Key Takeaways

1. Giving functions as worshipful response Giving becomes an act of worship when offerings reflect gratitude and dependence on God rather than mere obligation. Regular, prioritized giving funds local mercy ministries, keeps emergency responses possible, and shapes a community that risks generosity for neighbors. Worshipful giving reorients desire away from self-sufficiency and toward shared stewardship that enables mission in the immediate neighborhood. [19:44]
2. Faith derives from God’s promise Faith roots itself in the character and promises of God, not in human competence or sight. Hebrews 11 defines faith as assurance about the unseen; therefore faith looks backward to God’s faithfulness and forward to his fulfillment. Cultivating faith means rehearsing divine acts and promises until hope becomes conviction in ordinary decisions. [34:30]
3. Faith must be spoken aloud The biblical pattern links spoken declaration to breakthrough: Jesus teaches that even mustard-seed faith speaks to mountains and sees them move. Vocalizing trust creates accountability, aligns intention with action, and invites communal reinforcement—faith grows as it is heard. Speech does not substitute for obedience, but it catalyzes God’s engagement with human longing. [40:59]
4. But God reframes every crisis Scripture repeatedly flips human dead ends into divine openings with the phrase “but God,” showing that apparent failure often precedes providential rescue. Naming the problem honestly, then adding “but God,” redirects imagination toward God’s purposes and invites creative hope. This reframing preserves realism about pain while refusing to settle for its finality. [49:44]
5. Invite others; speak faith to them Evangelistic responsibility looks like naming people, praying for them, and verbally inviting them into gospel encounters; the congregation’s 111 invitation cards model this tangible commitment. Spoken faith on another’s behalf fuels perseverance, prays with intention, and opens doors for the Spirit to act. Small, concrete invitations tether hope to practice and multiply opportunities for conversion. [1:11:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:44] - Ways to Give and QR Options
[20:54] - Local Missions and School Outreach
[23:07] - Offering as Worship; Come Forward
[26:55] - Online Giving & Office Drop-Offs
[28:47] - Series Intro: Faith Toward Easter
[31:57] - Father’s Plea and Jesus’ Compassion
[40:11] - Matthew 17 Read: Faith Talks
[45:02] - Faith Speaks Louder Than Fear
[54:02] - Action Paired with Faith
[1:00:09] - Abraham’s “God Will Provide”
[1:18:59] - Salvation Invitation: ABCs
[1:11:46] - Pray, Invite, and Mobilize for Easter

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
Matthew 17:14–20 (ESV)
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Observation questions

What did the father ask Jesus to do for his son, and what had already failed?
How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ question about why they couldn’t heal the boy?
According to Jesus, what specific action must accompany faith for mountains to move?
What phrase does Jesus use to emphasize that nothing is beyond reach when faith is spoken?

Interpretation questions

Why do you think Jesus highlighted speaking to the mountain rather than just having faith? What does this reveal about the relationship between words and faith?
The father said, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us.” How does Jesus’ response reorient the man’s understanding of where power comes from?
Jesus says even mustard-seed faith can achieve the impossible when spoken. What might this imply about the quality or quantity of faith required?
In the broader biblical narrative, how does spoken faith function in stories like Abraham’s “God will provide” or David’s declaration that “the battle is the Lord’s”?

Application questions

Faith must be spoken aloud to invite God’s power and create accountability [40:59]. What’s one situation where you’ve been hesitant to speak faith out loud? What would it look like to verbalize your trust in God this week?
“But God” reframes every crisis by shifting focus from impossibility to divine possibility [49:44]. Identify a current challenge. How can you intentionally speak “but God” into that situation?
Spoken faith isn’t just positive confession—it’s paired with action [54:02]. What’s one practical step of obedience you can take this week that aligns with what you’re believing God for?
Evangelistic responsibility involves naming people, praying for them, and verbally inviting them [01:11:46]. Who are one or two people you can intentionally speak faith over and invite into a gospel conversation before Easter?
How can you use your words this week to “sharpen” others’ faith [58:36]? Is there someone you can encourage with a specific promise from Scripture?
Reflect on a time when you saw God move in response to spoken faith. How does that memory encourage you to speak boldly now?
In what area of your life have you been relying on your own strength instead of putting God in the driver’s seat [01:06:14]? What would it look like to surrender that area through spoken prayer and faith-filled declaration?

Sermon Clips

66s

#ButGodMoments

“But but guys, What if? What if in saying the words but you don't understand pastor Chris, but my bank account, but my kids, but my boss. What if we started saying words like but god? But god. Let me read you some scriptures. Again, I didn't throw em up on the screen but I'm gonna read them to you. You can write them down if you'd like. Look em up later. It says this, but god, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love, made us alive together with Christ. That's in Ephesians chapter two verse four through five. But god commanded his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That's in Romans five eight. For as for you, you meant for evil but god meant it for good. That's in Genesis chapter 50 verse 20. Matthew chapter 19 verse 26 says this, with men, that is impossible but with god, all things are possible.”

40s

#SpeakYourFaith

“we talk about faith, right? Talk about having faith and it's important, right? You can't get saved without faith. The Bible talks about that but here's what we, I think the church kind of kind of needs to do better at is we need to speak more faith. We need to use our words to begin to project our faith out, okay? Now, at the end of verse 20, it says this, if you have faith as a mustard seed seed, you will, what does it say in the yellow? Say, you will say to the mountain, move from here to there and it will move and in the yellow, it says this, nothing will be impossible for you.”

37s

#ShareFaithStories

“But what if I was to say, man, you know, Chris, do you look good to the head? It's shining perfectly, right? What if I was to begin to say, you have the mind of Christ. Man, you're going through a situation but guess what? Through god, all things are possible. What if I begin to say those things? What happens? Now, Chris' faith begins to build. Now, Chris goes, what if I was to stand up here and say, man, Chris, I've been in that exact situation. This is what god did for me. What happens? Right? Begins to build that faith inside. Would any of that have happened if my mouth wouldn't have opened? Absolutely not. So you can't just think faith into action. You gotta speak it into action as well.”

28s

#ButGodDelivers

“right? I mean, that's pretty bad. They're they're they're naked, they're beaten, they're stripped, they're down in the dungeon of the prison. They're singing worship and then would you not say that's a but god moment but god came in and opened the doors. Shackles fell off. They walked out of that prison set free. Man, every single time in scriptures, it talks about but god and it steps in. It's always a awesome, awesome event. I wanna encourage you to go back and look at that. Just Google search scriptures on but god and just sit back and be amazed.”

52s

#FaithProvides

“and what happened when they got up there? Isaac Abraham was gonna do exactly what god told him to do so much so he had the knife in the air and the Bible says an angel stopped him and says, stop. Don't do that. You prove it proven yourself and then in that moment, what happened? God provided that sacrifice, right? There was a ram in the thicket. Ram just happened to get his thorns. His his horns caught in the thicket. He went over there, grabbed him, sacrificed him. It was a happy day for everyone. Abraham spoke his faith out. Esther chapter five, right? The the the the the story of Esther. Esther goes to king I'll just read this real quick. Esther risked death by approaching King Xerxes uninvited. Her faith compelled her to speak up for the Jewish people. Famously stating that she would face the consequences for her actions. If she had never spoken, who knows how many more Jewish people would have been killed?”

73s

#InviteAndPray

“But man, I would rather have six people that are new and six people get saved than a 100 people who are new and one person gets saved, right? It's not about the numbers who are here, guys. I want people to hear about a god who loves them so they take that step from darkness into life. But guys, it's gonna take one thing from you and you need to speak your faith. Don't be afraid to look at these people and god been praying for you. I've been praying that the holy spirit's been speaking to you because you know what? The holy spirit is speaking to them. Amen? He is. That is happening right now. The holy spirit is speaking to the people that you are praying for and I think it's awesome if you walk up to them and go, you know what? I've been praying for you. Man, I've been believing god that you're gonna be here and you're gonna join me And you know what? Even after service, I I believe that you're gonna encounter god in an amazing way. God's gonna be there and I know that god's waiting on you and he can't wait to see you. We need to speak that out. We need to speak that to an existence. We need to speak that so that they hear it, so that you hear it, and so that we can unlock god's power and begin to see life change in this place.”

73s

#FaithAndAccountability

“I'm gonna put god in the in the front seat and say, god, help me to pursue them. Help me to say the right words. Help me to get them here for Easter at harvest. I think the reason we don't do that is because when we do that, we we set ourselves up to fail and nobody likes failure, right? Nobody likes to fail at what they're doing and it scares you sometimes. I'll be honest. Me and my wife set a financial goal this this past year. We said, alright. By the 2025, we wanna save x amount of dollars and I'll just be completely honest with you guys like it was a scary goal for me because we we were nowhere near that but I knew that if we could just tweak some things, I knew that if we could just do what we needed to do in some different areas that we could meet it and man, by god's grace and mercy, we came, we didn't meet it 100% but we came so, so, so close. Now, I could've easily and I told people that. I told pastor that. I told some several people that and the reason I told them that is because I wanted I wanted some accountability in that. In the fact that if I'm saying I'm trying to save this money for this year but yet I'm out spending, spending, spending, spending, spending. So, people could come beside me and go, hey, pastor Chris. How you doing on that? Hey, are you doing what you should be doing? Are you right? And so, I needed to speak that out. I think the reason we don't do that is because we're scared because we might fail.”

81s

#GratefulForGrace

“And and it's easy to to it's it's easy to forget that sometimes because god has brought me so far in my life. Do I struggle? Absolutely. Do I still struggle with an attitude sometimes? Absolute kids, be quiet. Absolutely. Do I struggle sometimes? 'm so much better than I was. And I think that when I begin to remember who I was, it lights a fire inside of me to go, you know what? I want these people to experience the same god that I experience, the same grace, the same mercy. You know what? I need I need Marty and I need Corbin. I need Libby to experience the same god that I experience, the same change that I experience, the same hope that I experience, the same light that I experience, the same knowledge, the same comfort, the same guidance that I experience through my Christian walk. It's easy to forget sometimes. So, some of you guys have been saved for twenty, thirty years. Think for a minute. Here in a minute, we're gonna stand and we're gonna pray. We're gonna sing and I want you to take a minute. I want you to think who you were. I want you to think how you thought, how you talked, how you walked, how you lived your life before Christ, and then I want you to begin to thank god for his grace and mercy about who you are today and how far you've come and then I want that to light a fire inside of you.”

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