Embracing God's Promises: Faith, Joy, and Action

 

Summary

In the message delivered, the focus is on the profound truth that God has spoken, and this divine communication is the foundation of our faith and joy. The central theme revolves around the assurance that God’s promises are already fulfilled in Christ, and believers are encouraged to recognize and rejoice in this reality. The message begins by highlighting the promise that God answers even before we call, emphasizing that many of our prayers are already answered if we have the spiritual insight to perceive it. This is a call to faith, urging believers to trust that in Christ, all things are already given to us.

The message further explores the idea that God’s word is a solid foundation for faith. Unlike human promises, which can be unreliable, God’s word is unchanging and irrevocable. The message encourages believers to rest in the assurance that what God has spoken will come to pass, and His promises are as good as fulfilled. This is a call to a deeper faith that sees beyond the present circumstances and trusts in the eternal truth of God’s word.

The joy of faith is another key aspect, where believers are encouraged to rejoice in the fact that God has spoken, even if the promises are not yet visibly fulfilled. This joy is rooted in the assurance of God’s faithfulness and the anticipation of future blessings. The message challenges believers to live in the fullness of God’s promises, not settling for less than what is available to them in Christ.

Finally, the message calls for an active faith that takes possession of God’s promises. It warns against a passive approach to God’s promises and encourages believers to actively claim and live out the blessings God has provided. This involves a spirit of enterprise and conquest, both in personal spiritual growth and in reaching out to others with the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

1. God’s Promises Are Already Fulfilled: Believers are encouraged to recognize that in Christ, all things are already given to us. This requires a faith that sees beyond the present and trusts in the eternal truth of God’s word. The assurance that God answers even before we call is a profound truth that should transform our prayer life and faith journey. [01:21]

2. The Unchanging Nature of God’s Word: Unlike human promises, God’s word is unchanging and irrevocable. Believers are urged to rest in the assurance that what God has spoken will come to pass. This calls for a deeper faith that trusts in the eternal truth of God’s word, providing a firm foundation for our faith. [12:40]

3. Rejoicing in God’s Promises: The joy of faith is rooted in the assurance of God’s faithfulness and the anticipation of future blessings. Believers are encouraged to rejoice in the fact that God has spoken, even if the promises are not yet visibly fulfilled. This joy is a testament to the believer’s trust in God’s word. [17:56]

4. Active Faith in God’s Promises: Believers are called to actively claim and live out the blessings God has provided. This involves a spirit of enterprise and conquest, both in personal spiritual growth and in reaching out to others with the gospel. It warns against a passive approach to God’s promises. [27:50]

5. The Spirit of Enterprise and Conquest: The message encourages believers to have a spirit of enterprise and conquest, both in personal spiritual growth and in reaching out to others with the gospel. This involves actively claiming and living out the blessings God has provided, not settling for less than what is available in Christ. [36:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - Introduction to God's Promise
- [00:36] - The Assurance of Answered Prayers
- [01:21] - Faith in Already Fulfilled Promises
- [02:41] - The Evidence of Personal Interest in Christ
- [03:16] - Recognizing Already Received Blessings
- [04:25] - God's Word as the Foundation of Faith
- [05:49] - The Joy of God’s Spoken Word
- [07:32] - The Power of God’s Word
- [09:03] - The Reliability of God’s Promises
- [12:40] - The Unchanging Nature of God’s Word
- [17:20] - Rejoicing in God’s Promises
- [27:50] - Active Faith in God’s Promises
- [36:34] - The Spirit of Enterprise and Conquest
- [39:06] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 108:7 - "God hath spoken in his Holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem and mete out the valley of Succoth."
2. Isaiah 65:24 - "Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear."
3. Hebrews 13:5 - "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Psalm 108:7 reveal about the nature of God's promises and David's response to them?
2. How does Isaiah 65:24 illustrate the concept of God answering prayers even before they are spoken? [00:36]
3. In what ways does the sermon describe the unchanging nature of God's word compared to human promises? [12:40]
4. How does the sermon explain the joy that comes from knowing God has spoken, even if the promises are not yet visibly fulfilled? [17:56]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the assurance that God answers before we call challenge or change the way believers approach prayer? [01:21]
2. What implications does the unchanging nature of God's word have for a believer's faith and trust in God's promises? [12:40]
3. How can believers actively claim and live out the blessings God has provided, according to the sermon? [27:50]
4. What does it mean to have a spirit of enterprise and conquest in the context of personal spiritual growth and outreach? [36:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were answered before you even asked. How did that experience affect your faith and trust in God? [01:21]
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in the unchanging nature of God's word? How can you work on strengthening your faith in those areas? [12:40]
3. How can you cultivate a sense of joy in God's promises, even when they are not yet visibly fulfilled in your life? [17:56]
4. Identify a specific promise from God that you have been passive about. What steps can you take to actively claim and live out that promise? [27:50]
5. Consider a personal spiritual goal or an outreach opportunity you have been hesitant to pursue. What would it look like to approach it with a spirit of enterprise and conquest? [36:34]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize and rejoice in the already fulfilled promises of God in Christ? [01:21]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding and reliance on God's word as the foundation of your faith? [04:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Fulfilled Promises
In Christ, all of God's promises are already fulfilled, and believers are called to recognize this profound truth. This requires a faith that transcends present circumstances and trusts in the eternal truth of God's word. The assurance that God answers even before we call is a transformative concept that should reshape our prayer life and faith journey. By understanding that many of our prayers are already answered, we are invited to live with a sense of gratitude and expectation, knowing that God has already provided for us in Christ. This perspective encourages a deeper trust in God's faithfulness and a more vibrant spiritual life. [01:21]

Isaiah 65:24 (ESV): "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear."

Reflection: What is one prayer you have been waiting for God to answer? How can you shift your perspective to see how God might have already provided for you in this area?


Day 2: The Unchanging Word of God
God's word is a solid foundation for faith, unlike human promises, which can be unreliable. Believers are urged to rest in the assurance that what God has spoken will come to pass, as His word is unchanging and irrevocable. This calls for a deeper faith that trusts in the eternal truth of God's word, providing a firm foundation for our faith. By embracing the unchanging nature of God's promises, we can find stability and peace in a world that is often uncertain and chaotic. This understanding invites us to anchor our lives in the truth of God's word, allowing it to guide and sustain us through all of life's challenges. [12:40]

Numbers 23:19 (ESV): "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's unchanging word? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 3: Joy in God's Promises
The joy of faith is rooted in the assurance of God's faithfulness and the anticipation of future blessings. Believers are encouraged to rejoice in the fact that God has spoken, even if the promises are not yet visibly fulfilled. This joy is a testament to the believer's trust in God's word and a reflection of their hope in His future provision. By choosing to rejoice in God's promises, we cultivate a spirit of gratitude and expectation, allowing joy to permeate our lives even in the midst of waiting. This perspective challenges us to live with a sense of hope and anticipation, trusting that God's timing and plans are perfect. [17:56]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you are waiting to see fulfilled? How can you choose to rejoice in His faithfulness today, even if the promise is not yet visible?


Day 4: Active Faith in God's Promises
Believers are called to actively claim and live out the blessings God has provided. This involves a spirit of enterprise and conquest, both in personal spiritual growth and in reaching out to others with the gospel. It warns against a passive approach to God's promises, encouraging believers to take initiative and engage with the opportunities God has placed before them. By actively pursuing God's promises, we demonstrate our trust in His provision and our commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. This active faith invites us to step out in boldness and courage, trusting that God will equip and empower us for the journey ahead. [27:50]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been passive in claiming God's promises? How can you take a step of active faith today to pursue what God has provided for you?


Day 5: The Spirit of Enterprise and Conquest
The message encourages believers to have a spirit of enterprise and conquest, both in personal spiritual growth and in reaching out to others with the gospel. This involves actively claiming and living out the blessings God has provided, not settling for less than what is available in Christ. By embracing this spirit, we are challenged to pursue God's purposes with determination and passion, seeking to make a difference in the world around us. This perspective invites us to live with a sense of mission and purpose, recognizing that God has called us to be agents of change and transformation in our communities and beyond. [36:34]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith and take action? How can you embrace a spirit of enterprise and conquest in this area today?

Quotes



There is an old promise concerning God's people which says before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear this text is one of the instances in which the Lord has dealt with his Saints upon the lines of that promise. [00:27:50]

Very often the response to a believer's petition has been practically received before he presents his request, and he only needs that God should open his eyes for him to see that before he called God had answered his supplication. [00:55:56]

An important part of the duty of faith is to believe that you have what you ask in prayer and then you shall have it this is blessed philosophy may we all learn it. [01:01:24]

God hath spoken he is not merely put before us his Works which are like hieroglyphs difficult to read at times but he has actually broken what else had been the Eternal silence and spoken to us in words that even a child can comprehend. [04:39:28]

But God hath spoken in his Holiness and we ought to be thankful that we have not to serve a God who is dumb he spake in the Garden of Eden when our first parents sinned against him. [05:46:16]

He spake and it was done he commanded and it stood fast so beloved brother if there is a promise of God to help you in a time of trouble or to preserve you in the hour of Temptation or to deliver you out of trial or to give you Grace according to your day that promise is as good as if it had been already performed. [09:41:12]

God is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent what he has spoken in public he does not reverse in private his own declaration is I have not spoken in secret in a dark place of the earth. [11:07:19]

He has not said yay in one place and nay in another and if he saith yay today he will not say nay tomorrow he himself said long ago I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. [12:19:60]

Every Divine promise if it be rightly viewed by faith will make the heart leap for Joy suppose you do not need that particular promise just now Rejoice all the same for you will need it by and by if the promise is not made specially to you yet it is made to somebody therefore Rejoice that God hath spoken. [17:33:20]

The joy of Faith you have not yet had the promise fulfilled to your sight but seeing that it is fulfilled to your faith begin to be glad about it praise the Lord for all the good things he has laid up in store for you. [19:18:20]

Some Christian people are living spiritually on a penny a week when their income might be 10,000 a day you might live like kings yet you are starving like popers your faith might lay hold on God's exceeding great and precious promises and so fill her mouth with good things. [28:56:19]

I believe that weak and feeble as I am my weakness and feebleness need be no hindrance to me if I go to thy service in thy strength thou has spoken in thy Holiness I will rejoice and in thy name I will conquer the Foe and gather the spoil for thee. [38:21:28]

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Transcript
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