Embracing Ridiculous Faith in Parenting and Life
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of faith, particularly in the context of parenting and personal growth. We acknowledged that life, much like parenting, is fraught with challenges and imperfections. Yet, we are reminded that Jesus has overcome the world, and our role is to guide our children and ourselves in His way, truth, and life. This journey is not about achieving perfection but about striving to do our best, acknowledging our mistakes, and seeking forgiveness and growth.
We delved into the concept of "ridiculous faith," a faith that defies logic and embraces the unseen. Drawing from Hebrews 11, we discussed how faith is the reality of what is hoped for and the proof of what is not seen. This kind of faith requires us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. Through personal anecdotes, such as a challenging road trip through a storm, we illustrated how faith can guide us through life's tempests.
The story of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8 served as a powerful example of faith in action. Despite her fears and societal rejection, she reached out to Jesus, believing in His power to heal. Her faith led to her restoration, demonstrating that faith requires action and can lead to miraculous outcomes. We are encouraged to put faith over fear, take actionable steps towards God, and trust in His ability to bring healing and wholeness.
We also emphasized the importance of community and doing life together. Just as the woman was supported by her faith community, we too are called to support one another, especially in times of trouble. Life's challenges are likened to a bear hunt, where we must face obstacles head-on, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Christ.
In closing, we invited those with "yet faith"—those who are still exploring their relationship with God—to take a step of faith and embrace their identity as sons and daughters of God. Through prayer and community, we can all grow in our faith and live with the assurance that God is with us, guiding us through every storm.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith Over Fear: Embrace faith over fear by trusting in God's promises, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Like the woman with the issue of blood, we must believe that God is greater than our fears and reach out to Him for healing and restoration. [54:10]
- Faith Takes Action: Faith is not passive; it requires action. The woman with the issue of blood took a bold step by reaching out to Jesus. Our faith should lead us to take steps towards God, trusting that He will meet us where we are. [59:36]
- Community and Support: We are not meant to journey through life alone. Just as the woman was supported by her community, we too should surround ourselves with people who encourage and uplift us in our faith journey. [01:09:42]
- Ridiculous Faith: Cultivate a faith that defies logic and embraces the unseen. Trust in God's ability to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we can imagine, and live with the assurance that He has overcome the world. [01:06:12]
- Identity in Christ: Embrace your identity as a son or daughter of God. Walk with confidence, knowing that you are more than a conqueror through Christ, and let this truth guide your actions and decisions. [01:08:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:04] - Dedication and Prayer
- [38:19] - Worship and Praise
- [39:16] - Freedom to Worship
- [40:12] - Introduction and Greetings
- [42:12] - Faith and Sight
- [45:14] - Ridiculous Faith Story
- [54:10] - Faith Over Fear
- [56:04] - Peter's Faith
- [58:38] - Personalizing Faith
- [59:36] - Faith Takes Action
- [01:06:12] - Identity in Christ
- [01:08:42] - Bear Hunt Analogy
- [01:09:42] - Community Support
- [01:11:29] - Invitation to Faith
- [01:13:07] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:1
- Luke 8:43-48
- John 16:33
Observation Questions:
1. In Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described, and what does this imply about the nature of faith?
2. What actions did the woman with the issue of blood take in Luke 8:43-48, and what was the result of her actions? [54:10]
3. According to John 16:33, what assurance does Jesus give about the challenges we face in the world?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "ridiculous faith" challenge our usual understanding of faith, and what does it mean to have faith that defies logic? [45:14]
2. In what ways does the story of the woman with the issue of blood illustrate the relationship between faith and action? [59:36]
3. How can the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33) influence a believer's response to life's challenges? [01:10:37]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where fear held you back. How can you apply the principle of "faith over fear" to similar situations in the future? [54:10]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of community support. How can you actively contribute to your faith community to support others in their faith journey? [01:09:42]
3. Think of a challenge you are currently facing. What actionable steps can you take to demonstrate your faith in God's promises, even when the outcome is uncertain? [59:36]
4. How can you cultivate a "ridiculous faith" in your daily life, trusting in God's ability to do beyond what you can imagine? [45:14]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need healing or restoration. How can you reach out to Jesus in faith, like the woman with the issue of blood, to seek His intervention? [54:10]
6. Consider your identity as a son or daughter of God. How does this identity influence your decisions and actions, and how can you live more confidently in this truth? [01:06:12]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can you ensure that you and others in your community do not face life's challenges alone? [01:09:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Over Fear: Trusting Beyond Circumstances
In life, we often face situations that seem overwhelming and beyond our control. The story of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8 is a powerful reminder that faith can transcend fear. Despite her fears and societal rejection, she reached out to Jesus, believing in His power to heal. Her faith led to her restoration, demonstrating that God is greater than our fears. We are encouraged to embrace faith over fear by trusting in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. This kind of faith requires us to believe that God is with us, guiding us through every storm. [54:10]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one fear you are currently facing? How can you actively choose to trust God with this fear today?
Day 2: Faith Takes Action: Moving Towards God
Faith is not a passive state but an active journey towards God. The woman with the issue of blood took a bold step by reaching out to Jesus, illustrating that faith requires action. Our faith should lead us to take steps towards God, trusting that He will meet us where we are. This involves not only believing in His promises but also acting upon them, even when the path is unclear. By taking actionable steps towards God, we open ourselves to His transformative power and guidance. [59:36]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to actively pursue your faith in God? How can this step bring you closer to Him?
Day 3: Community and Support: Journeying Together
We are not meant to journey through life alone. Just as the woman in Luke 8 was supported by her faith community, we too should surround ourselves with people who encourage and uplift us in our faith journey. Community provides strength, accountability, and support, especially in times of trouble. By doing life together, we can face obstacles head-on, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Christ. Embracing community means being there for others and allowing others to be there for us. [01:09:42]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support or offer support to today? How can you strengthen these relationships?
Day 4: Ridiculous Faith: Embracing the Unseen
Ridiculous faith is a faith that defies logic and embraces the unseen. It requires us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. This kind of faith is about believing in the reality of what is hoped for and the proof of what is not seen, as described in Hebrews 11. By cultivating a faith that trusts in God's ability to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we can imagine, we live with the assurance that He has overcome the world. [01:06:12]
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise "ridiculous faith"? How can you begin to trust God more deeply in this area?
Day 5: Identity in Christ: Walking with Confidence
Embracing your identity as a son or daughter of God means walking with confidence, knowing that you are more than a conqueror through Christ. This truth should guide your actions and decisions, providing a foundation for your faith journey. By understanding and accepting your identity in Christ, you can live with the assurance that God is with you, guiding you through every storm. This identity empowers you to face life's challenges with courage and hope. [01:08:42]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ change the way you view yourself and your circumstances? What steps can you take to live more fully in this identity today?
Quotes
"Man, are we believing in things that we don't see yet? I'm not. God is that big. Hey, let's talk about it. But first, I love stories. Jesus told stories to get the point across. So here goes my story. How many of you like a GPS? Come on. You like a GPS? A global positioning system? Or maybe you like the paper maps? Do you like the paper maps?" [00:43:22] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"How dare we hesitate bringing our needs to him, or having faith in him. Faith looks like, like, something. Again, draw near to God, and it says he will. This is a promise. He will draw near to you. Draw is a verb. It's an action word. I did used to teach first grade. If you can do it, you can do it. If you do it, it's a verb. And so, draw is a verb. It's an action." [01:00:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Life is hard, but God is good is not a hope statement. It is also a proven promise. God is good. He's good in whatever you're going through, and he's working it for good, whatever it is. So don't you want a ridiculous faith? That will go through the cave and find the bear with common sense, right?" [01:10:12] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We'll get through the hard stuff together, because we know who our God is. And we know, again, not I am hope, but I am a son, I am a daughter. Let's walk out of here knowing that and live from that. We're going to pray together. We're going to pray together. No matter where you are, let's bow our heads." [01:10:44] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God, we thank you so, so much that we are your sons and we are your daughters. We thank you that we... We thank you that we have a hope that is an anchor for our soul. God, we're going to walk out of here with a faith that doesn't make any sense because we trust you." [01:13:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God, I pray today that every one of us will walk out of here and know that we can live differently because we have you. Thank you for never leaving us, never forsaking us. God, we love you. In Jesus' name, church, we all said amen. Come on, let's give it up for life change from the Lord. Come on." [01:14:48] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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