Embracing Faith: Trusting God's Word and Presence

 

Summary

In a heartfelt gathering, Josh shared a message that resonated deeply with the congregation. He began by addressing the simplicity yet difficulty of the gospel message, emphasizing the need for individuals to acknowledge their brokenness and to place their trust in Jesus Christ. He encouraged those who had not yet made this decision to do so without delay, highlighting the futility of trying to fix one's life without Christ and the potential for increasing pain or numbness to life's struggles.

Josh introduced himself, mentioning his role as a church planting resident and his journey toward embracing this calling. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to preach and for the growth of their community, known as The Well. He urged the congregation to consider serving within the church, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in ministry.

The core of Josh's message revolved around the struggle to believe and trust in the Word of God. He shared his own experiences of doubt and the challenge of accepting the extraordinary events and promises in the Bible. He used the story of Paul's ministry in Corinth from Acts 18 to illustrate the transformative power of truly believing in God's Word. Josh pointed out that Paul's ability to fully pursue obedience was rooted in his conviction that God was with him, even in the face of opposition and fear.

Josh recounted the story of the church's founding, praising the faith and obedience of those who believed God's call to establish the community. He emphasized the impact of such obedience on the broader culture and the importance of sharing the gospel to effect change. He reminded the congregation that it is not their responsibility to change hearts, but to share the message of Jesus, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation.

Drawing from personal experiences, Josh spoke of his own decision to leave a long-term job to follow God's call into church planting. He shared the challenges he faced, including financial uncertainties and health scares within his family, and how he found strength in the promise that God was with him. This testimony served as an encouragement to the congregation to believe in God's promises for their own lives and to pursue obedience without fear.

Josh concluded by inviting the congregation to make a commitment to be more occupied with the Word of God, to help each other in this endeavor, and to trust in God's presence in their lives. He called for a response from the congregation, urging them to take steps of faith and obedience in their own contexts.

Key Takeaways:

- True belief in the Word of God is the foundation for full obedience to His call. When we internalize the truth of Scripture, it propels us to act in faith, even when faced with challenges or opposition. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust that shapes our actions and decisions. [01:06:59]

- The act of sharing the gospel is not about changing hearts; that is the role of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility lies in obedience to the command to share the good news. This understanding frees us from the burden of the outcome and allows us to rejoice in the act of sharing, regardless of the immediate response. [59:01]

- Being 'occupied with the Word' means allowing Scripture to engage our attention, energy, and mind fully. It is a call to immerse ourselves in the Bible, allowing it to inform our thoughts and actions throughout the day, rather than relegating it to a brief part of our routine. [51:04]

- God's presence with us is a promise that provides courage and assurance in our mission. Whether we are called to church planting, like Josh, or to be everyday missionaries in our own contexts, we can step out in faith knowing that God is with us, eliminating the need for fear or silence. [01:18:45]

- The pursuit of obedience is a personal journey that requires us to confront our doubts and trust issues with God's Word. It is a process of breaking down walls within our hearts and allowing God to reveal Himself to us, leading to a life transformed by faith and obedience. [43:22]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Acts 18:1-17
- John 1:1-3, 14
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Paul's occupation while he was in Corinth, and who did he meet that shared this occupation? (Acts 18:3) [45:55]
2. How did Paul respond when he faced opposition and blasphemy from the Jews in Corinth? (Acts 18:6) [56:27]
3. What promise did the Lord give to Paul in a vision, and how did it affect Paul's ministry in Corinth? (Acts 18:9-10) [06:59]
4. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of all Scripture?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Paul was "occupied with the word" during his ministry in Corinth? How does this relate to the concept of being devoted to Scripture? (Acts 18:5) [49:46]
2. How does the promise of God's presence ("I am with you") provide courage and assurance in our mission, as seen in Paul's experience? (Acts 18:9-10) [06:59]
3. What does it mean to truly believe in the Word of God, and how does this belief propel us to act in faith, even when faced with challenges or opposition? [44:00]
4. How does understanding that it is the Holy Spirit's role to change hearts, and not ours, free us from the burden of the outcome when sharing the gospel? [59:01]

#### Application Questions
1. Are you currently "occupied with the word" in your daily life? If not, what specific steps can you take to immerse yourself more fully in Scripture? (Acts 18:5) [51:04]
2. Reflect on a time when you felt prompted to share the gospel but hesitated due to fear or doubt. How can you remind yourself of God's promise to be with you in such moments? (Acts 18:9-10) [06:59]
3. Think of a person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you share the gospel with them this week, trusting that it is the Holy Spirit's job to change their heart? [59:01]
4. What are some practical ways you can support and encourage others in your church community to be more occupied with the Word of God? [40:43]
5. Identify a specific area of your life where you struggle to trust God's promises. How can you confront these doubts and take steps of faith and obedience? [43:22]
6. How can you create a habit of praying for boldness and opportunities to share the gospel in your daily routine? [01:00:56]
7. Reflect on Josh's testimony of leaving his long-term job to follow God's call. Is there a step of faith or obedience that you feel God is calling you to take? How can you pursue this with courage and trust in God's presence? [12:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Belief Ignites Obedience
Belief in the Word of God is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is the catalyst that ignites a life of obedience. When one truly believes, the truths of Scripture become the driving force behind every decision and action. This belief is transformative, moving beyond mere acknowledgment to a deep trust that compels one to act in faith, even in the face of adversity or uncertainty. It is this kind of belief that enabled Paul to persevere in his ministry despite opposition, as he was convinced of God's presence and promises. The challenge lies in allowing this belief to penetrate the heart, to become so ingrained that it shapes one's very being and every step taken. [01:06:59]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you struggle to fully believe God's promises, and how can that belief transform your obedience?

Day 2: Sharing Without Burden
The responsibility of sharing the gospel is a command that comes with freedom from the outcome. It is not up to individuals to change hearts; that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Understanding this releases one from the pressure of how others respond and allows for joy in the act of sharing itself. This perspective is liberating, as it shifts the focus from the results to the obedience of proclaiming the good news. It is a reminder that the role of a believer is to be a faithful messenger, trusting that the Holy Spirit will do the rest. [59:01]

"And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." (1 Corinthians 2:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach sharing your faith this week with the understanding that the outcome is in God's hands, not yours?

Day 3: Immersed in the Word
Being 'occupied with the Word' means more than just reading Scripture; it involves letting it fully engage one's attention, energy, and mind. It is about allowing the Bible to inform and guide every aspect of life, not just during a designated devotional time but throughout the entire day. This immersion leads to a life that reflects the teachings and character of Christ, as the truths of Scripture become the lens through which the world is viewed and interacted with. It is a call to live in constant communion with God's Word, letting it dwell richly within and shape one's existence. [51:04]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to ensure that Scripture is a constant presence and influence in your daily life?

Day 4: God's Presence Overcomes Fear
The promise of God's presence is a source of courage and assurance. It is the knowledge that, no matter the calling—be it church planting or living out faith in daily life—God is with His people. This promise eliminates the need for fear or hesitation, as it assures believers that they are not alone in their mission. Whether facing financial uncertainties, health scares, or any other challenges, the steadfast promise of God's presence provides the strength to persevere and the confidence to step out in faith. [01:18:45]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a fear that has been holding you back from stepping out in faith, and how can you lean on God's promise of presence to overcome it?

Day 5: Personal Journey of Obedience
The pursuit of obedience is a deeply personal journey that requires confronting doubts and trusting in God's Word. It involves breaking down the walls within one's heart to allow God to reveal Himself. This process leads to a life transformed by faith and obedience, where actions are not dictated by fear or uncertainty but by the assurance found in God's promises. It is a journey of continual growth, where each step of obedience is a testament to the trust placed in God's Word and His character. [43:22]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Reflection: What is one step of obedience you have been hesitant to take, and how can you begin to trust God's guidance in that area today?

Quotes

1) "When we really believe the word of God we can fully pursue obedience. Amen somebody? Come on, when we fully believe the word of God, when we really believe it, we can fully pursue obedience." [44:00] (Download)

2) "It's not our job to change people, that's the job of the Holy Spirit. It's our job to be obedient in sharing the good news of Jesus." [59:01] (Download)

3) "If we are going to really believe the word of God, we can fully pursue obedience. We do that by beginning to be occupied with His word, being devoted to it." [01:06:59] (Download)

4) "God is with you. He's with you in the midst of relational conflict and strife... in the midst of whatever it is you're going through at work or in school... we've got to remember the promise of God and that He is with us." [01:12:05] (Download)

5) "I believe each and every one of you has a specific calling on your life... He is calling you to be an everyday missionary to the people around you... you don't have to be afraid and that you don't have to be silent because He's with you." [01:15:52] (Download)

6) "Being occupied with the word means that the word of God is something we literally have to hunger for and as a result, we can't help but profess it." [51:04] (Download)

7) "We need to be occupied with His word. Paul would later go on to write in Second Timothy that all scripture is breathed out by God, that it's profitable for teaching, preaching, reproof, and equips us for every good work." [52:24] (Download)

8) "If we really believe the word of God, we can fully pursue obedience. Amen. That begins by being occupied with the word." [55:49] (Download)

9) "I felt like God met me in that moment. Why? Because He's with me. He's with me through it all. I can fully pursue obedience because He is with me." [01:18:04] (Download)

10) "We must understand that it's not our job to change people. It's simply our job to share the good news of Jesus." [58:18] (Download)

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