Embracing Faith and Gratitude in Adversity

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Adversity

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Even when circumstances look bleak, we are called to thank God for the victory that is already ours through Jesus Christ. This mindset shifts our focus from our problems to God's promises, enabling us to declare life and victory over every situation. By trusting that God is our healer, provider, and defender, we can face adversity with a heart full of gratitude and faith. This act of faith not only strengthens our relationship with God but also serves as a powerful testimony to those around us. [36:56]

Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from the problem to God's promises today?

Day 2: The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful act of faith. By thanking God for His provision, healing, and protection, we align ourselves with His promises and invite His presence into our circumstances. This act of thanksgiving transforms our perspective and strengthens our faith. When we express gratitude, we acknowledge God's sovereignty and goodness, even in difficult times. This not only uplifts our spirits but also encourages those around us to trust in God's faithfulness. [37:34]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Take a moment to list three things you are grateful for today. How does expressing gratitude change your perspective on your current situation?

Day 3: Being Salt and Light

As believers, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt adds flavor and makes people thirsty, just as our lives should make others thirst for Jesus. Light dispels darkness, and even a small flicker can illuminate a room. Our actions and attitudes should reflect Christ, making a positive impact on those around us. By living out our faith in tangible ways, we can influence our surroundings positively and spread the love and truth of Christ wherever we go. [01:00:40]

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Reflection: Think of one way you can be salt and light in your community this week. How can your actions make others thirst for Jesus?

Day 4: The Importance of Scripture

Engaging with God's Word is essential for spiritual growth and effective witness. The Bible is our blueprint for living a life that honors God. By reading and internalizing Scripture, we equip ourselves to share the hope we have in Christ with others, ensuring that our faith is grounded in truth. It's not enough to rely on second-hand interpretations or social media snippets; we must engage with Scripture directly. This personal engagement with God's Word prepares us to be effective witnesses and to live out our faith authentically. [50:02]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: Set aside 15 minutes today to read a passage from the Bible. How can you apply what you read to your life today?

Day 5: Boldness in Witnessing

We are called to be bold in our faith, sharing the love and truth of Christ with those around us. Every interaction is an opportunity to sprinkle salt and shine light. Even small acts of kindness and faithfulness can have a significant impact, pointing others to Jesus and glorifying God. By being bold in our witness, we can influence others for good and help them see the hope we have in Christ. This boldness comes from a deep trust in God's promises and a desire to see His kingdom advanced on earth. [01:21:10]

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: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope you have in Christ. How can you share your faith with them in a bold yet loving way this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning's message centers on the power of gratitude and faith in the face of adversity. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Even when circumstances look bleak, we are called to thank God for the victory that is already ours through Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to declare life and victory over every situation, trusting that God is our healer, provider, and defender. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being salt and light in the world, making a difference by living out our faith in tangible ways. Salt adds flavor and makes people thirsty, just as our lives should make others thirst for Jesus. Light dispels darkness, and even a small flicker can illuminate a room. We are called to influence our surroundings positively, spreading the love and truth of Christ wherever we go.

The message also highlights the importance of reading and internalizing God's Word. The Bible is our blueprint for living a life that honors God. It's not enough to rely on second-hand interpretations or social media snippets; we must engage with Scripture directly. By doing so, we equip ourselves to be effective witnesses, ready to share the hope we have in Christ with others. The sermon concludes with a call to action: to be bold in our faith, to sprinkle salt and shine light in our daily interactions, and to trust that even small acts of kindness and faithfulness can have a significant impact.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Faith in Adversity: Even when faced with dire circumstances, we are called to thank God for the victory. Faith is believing in what we cannot see and trusting that God has already won the battle for us. This mindset shifts our focus from our problems to God's promises, enabling us to declare life and victory over every situation. [36:56]
2. The Power of Gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful act of faith. By thanking God for His provision, healing, and protection, we align ourselves with His promises and invite His presence into our circumstances. This act of thanksgiving transforms our perspective and strengthens our faith. [37:34]
3. Being Salt and Light: As believers, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt adds flavor and makes people thirsty, just as our lives should make others thirst for Jesus. Light dispels darkness, and even a small flicker can illuminate a room. Our actions and attitudes should reflect Christ, making a positive impact on those around us. [60:40]
4. The Importance of Scripture: Engaging with God's Word is essential for spiritual growth and effective witness. The Bible is our blueprint for living a life that honors God. By reading and internalizing Scripture, we equip ourselves to share the hope we have in Christ with others, ensuring that our faith is grounded in truth. [50:02]
5. Boldness in Witnessing: We are called to be bold in our faith, sharing the love and truth of Christ with those around us. Every interaction is an opportunity to sprinkle salt and shine light. Even small acts of kindness and faithfulness can have a significant impact, pointing others to Jesus and glorifying God. [01:21:10]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:56] - Faith in Adversity
[37:34] - The Power of Gratitude
[38:13] - Lift Your Voice in Praise
[39:34] - God is Moving
[40:39] - God of the Breakthrough
[43:32] - Personal Prayer and Thanksgiving
[46:51] - Welcome and Introduction
[48:19] - Pursue God's Presence
[49:21] - Testify to Spark Faith
[50:02] - Importance of Scripture
[50:55] - Access to God
[51:29] - New Series: Blueprints
[53:17] - Building on the Rock
[55:29] - God's Plans and Blueprints
[56:25] - The Importance of a Plan
[59:36] - Salt and Light
[60:40] - The Role of Salt
[67:04] - The Role of Light
[71:46] - Influence for Good
[74:44] - Let Your Light Shine
[76:15] - Good Works Glorify God
[81:10] - Boldness in Witnessing
[85:05] - Prayer for Boldness
[95:13] - Grief Share Program

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 11:1, what is faith described as? How does this definition challenge our understanding of faith in difficult times?
In Matthew 5:13-16, what are the two metaphors Jesus uses to describe believers? What do these metaphors imply about our role in the world?
The sermon mentions that we should thank God for the victory even when circumstances look bleak. What are some specific examples given in the sermon where we should declare victory? ([36:56])
How does the sermon describe the impact of small acts of kindness and faithfulness? What analogy is used to illustrate this point? ([01:07:04])

Interpretation Questions

Hebrews 11:1 speaks of faith as the "evidence of things not seen." How does this concept of faith help us to trust in God's promises during adversity? How can this be applied in our daily lives?
Jesus calls us to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" in Matthew 5:13-16. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are fulfilling these roles in our communities?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of reading and internalizing God's Word. Why is it crucial for believers to engage directly with Scripture rather than relying on second-hand interpretations? ([50:02])
The sermon encourages boldness in witnessing. What are some barriers that might prevent us from sharing our faith, and how can we overcome them? ([01:21:10])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you faced adversity. How did you respond, and how might you incorporate gratitude and faith in similar future situations? ([36:56])
Think about your daily interactions. How can you be more intentional in being "salt" and "light" to those around you? What specific actions can you take this week to make others thirst for Jesus? ([01:00:40])
The sermon highlights the importance of reading the Bible. What is your current Bible reading habit, and how can you improve it to ensure you are engaging deeply with God's Word? ([50:02])
Identify a person in your life who needs encouragement. How can you sprinkle "salt" and shine "light" in their life this week? What specific words or actions can you use to point them to Jesus? ([01:07:04])
The sermon calls for boldness in witnessing. Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What held you back, and how can you prepare yourself to be more courageous in future opportunities? ([01:21:10])
Consider the role of gratitude in your spiritual life. How can you cultivate a habit of thanking God daily, even in challenging circumstances? What impact do you think this will have on your faith and outlook? ([37:34])
The sermon mentions that our actions and attitudes should reflect Christ. What specific changes can you make in your behavior or mindset to better reflect Jesus in your daily life? ([01:07:59])

Sermon Clips

1. "We exist to get people to a place where they will acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. We need Him every single day. Every single day. There is not a moment in our lives where we say, oh, I don't need God. We need Him every single day. And sometimes we make the mistake of thinking, well, everything is going good right now. Well, it's going good because God's got you. So continue to praise Him. Continue to worship Him. Continue to lift His name on high." [48:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God has plans for each of us, and they are found in his word. The word is the blueprint for how to live our life. I told you guys a story about what took place when I was trying to build that trust that's in the lobby. If you haven't noticed, and you'll see it in the lobby today. Some of you have not noticed that that's been there since January. But there's a trust made out of wood with five letters that spell out. Build, B-U-I-L-D." [55:29] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are salt and light. I want to ask you a question. Have you ever eaten something without salt? Like, have you ever gotten some popcorn and you start munching on it and you're like, mm, it's missing some salt, right? Or you get a set of French fries. And you go and they're crispy and golden and they're nice and you get them and you stick it in your mouth and they're, ooh, this needs some salt." [01:00:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Salt and light bring change to whatever it's applied to. Think about it for a second. You can't unsalt the fries. Si se te fue, and if you put too much, you're stuck. I mean, you can get it and try to sprinkle some off, but the flavor's there. you and I, we are supposed to bring change to whatever we're applied to because we're the salt. bring the change and a little bit of salt goes a very long way." [01:07:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Our works don't save us, but they bring glory to God. One more time. Our works don't save us, but they bring glory to God. Talk about that for a second, because many of you, perhaps, before you encountered Jesus, this is what you would answer if they asked you, why should God let you into heaven? Well, I've been a good person. I haven't hurt people." [01:16:15] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Every encounter we have, it's an opportunity. Sprinkle some salt. Every encounter that we have is an opportunity to show some light. Remembering this, they're not rejecting me if they say no, they're rejecting Jesus. We need to get out of our own head. And our own offense and being, well, they offended me because they said no to prayer. No, they said no to Jesus. I'm not going to stop asking." [01:13:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "It's time to live boldly and spread salt. Share the light. And yeah, some people won't like it, it brings a smile to God. See, when Jesus rose from the grave, Bible says he met with the disciples, and he laid out this very, very, very sophisticated gospel marketing campaign. He met with them and said, go into all the world and make disciples." [01:20:10] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "It is essential to read God's word every day, because the Lord will give you something share with someone else. I don't know if it's happened to you, but it happens to me almost every single day. I'll read something, and at some point that day, it might be with somebody I was meeting for a counseling session, or it might be with the cashier at Costco. Somebody will say something, and I'll be like, funny you should say that." [01:23:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We are called to salt the earth and light the world, everywhere we go. And listen, I'm going to say it again. It is essential to read God's word every day, because the Lord will give you something share with someone else. I don't know if it's happened to you, but it happens to me almost every single day. I'll read something, and at some point that day, it might be with somebody I was meeting for a counseling session, or it might be with the cashier at Costco." [01:23:04] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God, the blueprint says, go into all the world and preach the gospel. So Father, right now, in the name of Jesus, I pray, all of us in this sanctuary, everybody watching online or listening to this on some other platform, I pray in the name of Jesus that we be filled with boldness to go into the earth and salt it and into the world and light it Father, that we would spread the salt and shine the light in Jesus name." [01:25:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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