Empowered Faith: Trust, Serve, and Transform Lives
Summary
Faith in the Lord empowers us to trust Him and fulfill His promises through our obedience and service to others. Reflecting on my own journey, I was once in a dark place and found solace in a church community that welcomed me with open arms. This experience taught me the importance of stepping out in faith and trusting God, even when I felt unequipped. Through serving in the church, I witnessed the body of Christ coming together, working, and growing in unity. This journey of faith and obedience led to personal growth and a deeper understanding of God's work in my life.
Faith is the foundation of our spiritual disciplines, as described in Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Trust is the action that stems from faith, much like a trust fall where one must act on their belief. Biblical stories of Noah, Abraham, Esther, and the apostles illustrate the power of faith and trust in God's promises. These stories remind us that obedience precedes blessing, and our actions in faith can lead to miraculous outcomes.
Prayer is a vital spiritual discipline, and we are encouraged to pray bold prayers that require action and trust in God's will. Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed for God's will to be done despite the immense stress He faced. Serving others is another essential discipline, as it reflects Christ's love and sacrifice. Our vocation, or calling, is to serve God and others, and we must prioritize this calling while balancing our responsibilities.
Generosity is a spiritual discipline that involves giving our time and resources to serve others. Love is an action, and we demonstrate our love for Christ by serving His people. The church should lead by example, offering support and encouragement to those in need. We are called to be active participants in God's work, using our gifts and talents to serve His kingdom. By answering this call, we experience growth, joy, and a deeper connection with God.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith and Trust: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, while trust is the action that follows. Biblical examples like Noah and Abraham show that obedience to God's call leads to blessings, even when the path is challenging. Our faith must be active, demonstrated through trust and obedience. [15:52]
- Bold Prayer: Bold prayers require us to step out in faith and trust God's will. Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane exemplifies this, as He submitted to God's plan despite the immense stress He faced. Bold prayers lead to transformation and align us with God's purposes. [28:27]
- Serving Others: Serving others is a reflection of Christ's love and sacrifice. Our vocation is a calling to serve God and others, and we must prioritize this calling while balancing our responsibilities. Serving others leads to personal growth and a deeper connection with God. [34:34]
- Generosity: Generosity involves giving our time and resources to serve others. Love is an action, and we demonstrate our love for Christ by serving His people. The church should lead by example, offering support and encouragement to those in need. [45:04]
- Active Participation: We are called to be active participants in God's work, using our gifts and talents to serve His kingdom. By answering this call, we experience growth, joy, and a deeper connection with God. Our actions in faith can lead to miraculous outcomes. [55:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [09:36] - Personal Journey of Faith
- [13:07] - The Root of Faith and Trust
- [15:52] - Biblical Examples of Faith
- [19:08] - Esther's Bold Faith
- [22:37] - Obedience Precedes Blessing
- [25:13] - Bold Prayers and Their Impact
- [28:27] - Jesus' Bold Prayer in Gethsemane
- [31:34] - Serving Others as a Calling
- [34:34] - The Golden Rule and Action
- [36:54] - The Importance of Active Faith
- [42:15] - The Call to Serve
- [45:04] - Generosity as a Spiritual Discipline
- [50:22] - The Church's Role in Service
- [55:28] - Using Our Gifts for God's Kingdom
- [57:47] - Practical Ways to Serve
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
- Matthew 7:7-11 - "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
- John 15:12-14 - "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
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Observation Questions:
1. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and how is this definition reflected in the sermon examples of Noah and Abraham? [15:52]
2. What does Matthew 7:7-11 suggest about the nature of prayer, and how does the sermon illustrate the difference between safe and bold prayers? [25:13]
3. In John 15:12-14, Jesus commands us to love one another. How does the sermon connect this command to the act of serving others? [45:04]
4. What role did the church community play in the pastor's personal journey of faith, as described in the sermon? [09:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11:1 challenge a person's understanding of trust and action in their spiritual life? [13:07]
2. What are the implications of praying bold prayers as described in the sermon, and how might this affect a person's relationship with God? [28:27]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that serving others is a reflection of Christ's love, and what might this mean for a believer's daily life? [34:34]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that generosity and active participation in God's work lead to personal growth and a deeper connection with God? [55:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unequipped to serve God. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of the sermon? [09:36]
2. Consider the bold prayers you have prayed in the past. How did they require you to step out in faith, and what was the outcome? [25:13]
3. Identify a specific way you can serve others in your community this week. How does this align with Jesus' command to love one another? [45:04]
4. Think about a gift or talent you possess. How can you use it to actively participate in God's work and serve His kingdom? [55:28]
5. Reflect on the role of generosity in your life. How can you demonstrate love for Christ by serving His people with your time and resources? [45:04]
6. How can you balance your responsibilities with your calling to serve God and others, as discussed in the sermon? [34:34]
7. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is active and demonstrated through trust and obedience in your daily life? [15:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as Assurance and Action
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and trust is the action that follows. This concept is beautifully illustrated through biblical examples like Noah and Abraham, who demonstrated obedience to God's call even when the path was challenging. Their stories remind us that faith must be active, demonstrated through trust and obedience. When we step out in faith, we open ourselves to the blessings that God has in store for us, even if the journey seems daunting. By trusting in God's promises, we align ourselves with His divine plan and experience His faithfulness in our lives. [15:52]
Hebrews 11:7-8 (ESV): "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a tangible step of trust and obedience today?
Day 2: Bold Prayers and Divine Alignment
Bold prayers require us to step out in faith and trust God's will, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Despite the immense stress He faced, Jesus submitted to God's plan, exemplifying the power of bold prayer. When we pray boldly, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open the door to transformation. Bold prayers are not about demanding our desires but about seeking God's will and trusting His plan for our lives. As we pray with boldness, we invite God to work in and through us, leading to spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with Him. [28:27]
Luke 22:41-42 (ESV): "And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.'"
Reflection: What is one bold prayer you can pray today that requires you to trust in God's will? How can you align your heart with His purposes through this prayer?
Day 3: Serving Others as a Reflection of Christ
Serving others is a reflection of Christ's love and sacrifice. Our vocation is a calling to serve God and others, and we must prioritize this calling while balancing our responsibilities. When we serve others, we embody the love of Christ and demonstrate His compassion to the world. This act of service leads to personal growth and a deeper connection with God. As we serve, we become active participants in God's work, using our gifts and talents to further His kingdom. Serving others is not just an obligation but a privilege that brings joy and fulfillment. [34:34]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve today in a meaningful way? How can you reflect Christ's love through your actions towards them?
Day 4: Generosity as a Spiritual Discipline
Generosity involves giving our time and resources to serve others. Love is an action, and we demonstrate our love for Christ by serving His people. The church should lead by example, offering support and encouragement to those in need. Generosity is not just about financial giving but also about sharing our time, talents, and resources to bless others. As we practice generosity, we experience the joy of giving and the fulfillment of being part of God's work. By being generous, we reflect the heart of God and contribute to the flourishing of His kingdom. [45:04]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity today, beyond financial giving? How can you use your time and talents to serve others and reflect God's love?
Day 5: Active Participation in God's Work
We are called to be active participants in God's work, using our gifts and talents to serve His kingdom. By answering this call, we experience growth, joy, and a deeper connection with God. Our actions in faith can lead to miraculous outcomes, as we partner with God in His divine plan. Being active in God's work means being intentional about using our unique abilities to make a difference in the world. As we engage in His work, we become vessels of His love and grace, impacting lives and advancing His kingdom. [55:28]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have that you can use to actively participate in God's work today? How can you intentionally use it to serve His kingdom and glorify Him?
Quotes
It was during this time of stepping out in trust and faith-filled action that I really saw the body of Christ come together, work together, fellowship together, and they ultimately grew together. It was a really glorious thing to behold in the moment, but I did not fully appreciate what I was experiencing until later. I guess you could say that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. [00:08:52] (31 seconds)
And this all started with a little, and I mean just the tiniest little bit of faith in the God who is, who was, and who will always be. And that brings me to my first point, that all of our spiritual disciplines stems from the root of faith and trust in Christ. [00:13:29] (28 seconds)
The trust is the action. It's her actually falling. That is the verb. It's something that she's doing. She's acting out as a result of her faith. Now the Bible's full of these awesome stories. I'm going to tell you some that you probably have heard about. Others maybe not so much. [00:15:00] (20 seconds)
So she steps out in faith and meets with King Xerxes in his court and he reaches out with a scepter to accept her, she doesn't die and all of the Jews are blessed through her act of faith and trust and obedience. And they're blessed. [00:19:29] (25 seconds)
But they act in obedience. Jesus gives them the command. They start to move. They trust that what he says needs to happen. So they act. All of them were martyred, except for John. I think John's the only one that lived to old age. But not only were they blessed, everyone, all of us, were blessed because they decided to act, to trust. [00:20:07] (38 seconds)
Obedience precedes blessing. And all of this starts with my first spiritual discipline point is prayer. Matthew 7, 7 through 11 says, ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. [00:23:39] (28 seconds)
A bold prayer would be, God, search my heart and see if there'd be any grievous way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting. That requires action. Because if God is searching your heart and revealing the absolute depravity of your heart, you're going to have to change. [00:25:41] (22 seconds)
And if you see the sorrow, or God reveals to you the sorrow that he has for people that are hurting, you're going to be called into action to come alongside those people. Those are bold prayers. Or God, send me. Send me, God. Isaiah. Isaiah. God's like, who will go? And Isaiah raises his hand, more or less, and he says, here I am, send me. [00:26:14] (25 seconds)
Serving the Lord reminds us of what Jesus did for us because Jesus came down and took the role of a servant. So as we're serving others, we are literally reminded of how we are served and that brings joy of our salvation and when we're working along other people, we're held up this willing spirit when we're sharing our time. [00:42:46] (27 seconds)
Love is an action, something that you do. If I tell my wife every day, multiple times a day, that I love her, but I don't show her love by how I'm serving our family or serving her needs, those are just words. We are friends of Jesus. We know what we are to do. Giving time is a generous gift. [00:44:18] (24 seconds)
If Christ has fulfilled our eternal needs, and I don't say that as a question, maybe I should just really say since Christ has fulfilled our eternal needs, grace, which he has, are we not grateful enough to meet the needs of his church through prayerfully engaging in the act of serving others through generosity, of giving our time? [00:54:10] (20 seconds)
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