Exercising Faith: Strengthening Our Spiritual Resilience
Summary
In today's exploration of faith, we delve into the concept of faith as a dynamic and growing entity, much like a muscle that strengthens with use. Faith is not a static attribute but one that requires active engagement and application in our lives. We began by revisiting the six strategies for growing in faith, which include seeking God's kingdom, knowing Jesus, worshiping, being nourished by the Word, persevering, and asking Jesus to increase our faith. Today, we add a seventh strategy: exercising faith. Just as muscles weaken when not used, faith diminishes when not actively applied to life's challenges.
The story of Jesus calming the storm serves as a vivid illustration of the necessity of exercising faith. The disciples, despite their faith in Jesus, failed to apply it during the storm. Jesus' question, "Where is your faith?" challenges us to apply our faith in the face of life's storms. Faith is not automatic; it requires intentional engagement, much like shifting gears in a manual car to harness the engine's power.
We also explored John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," focusing on the character Little Faith, who encounters three thieves: Faint Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. These thieves symbolize the challenges that threaten to undermine our faith. Faint Heart instills fear, Mistrust robs us of joy, and Guilt beats us down with condemnation. To counter these, we must exercise faith by affirming the strength, riches, and grace that are ours in Christ.
Finally, we offer encouragement to those with little faith. Little faith is infinitely better than unbelief, it can grow, and it is saving faith if placed in Jesus Christ. We are reminded that we are not saved by the strength of our faith but by the strength of our Savior. Therefore, we are called to actively engage our faith, trusting in the promises and power of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith as a Muscle: Faith grows stronger when exercised, much like a muscle. It requires active application in life's challenges, not passive reliance. This intentional engagement is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience. [02:02]
- Faith in the Storm: The story of Jesus calming the storm illustrates the need to apply faith in difficult situations. Faith is not automatic; it must be intentionally engaged, especially when facing life's unexpected storms. [06:03]
- Facing the Thieves: In "Pilgrim's Progress," Little Faith encounters Faint Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. These represent fear, doubt, and condemnation. Overcoming them requires exercising faith by affirming Christ's strength, riches, and grace. [13:26]
- Encouragement for Little Faith: Little faith is better than unbelief and can grow. It is saving faith if placed in Jesus. We are not saved by the strength of our faith but by the strength of our Savior. [27:59]
- Intentional Faith Engagement: Faith must be actively applied to life's circumstances. It involves trusting Christ in the realities we face, ensuring that our faith is not just a passive attribute but a dynamic force in our lives. [25:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Growing in Faith
- [01:06] - Sixth Strategy: Asking Jesus
- [01:42] - Seventh Strategy: Exercising Faith
- [02:58] - The Storm and the Disciples
- [04:37] - Jesus' Question: Where is Your Faith?
- [06:20] - Faith Must Be Applied
- [09:33] - Pilgrim's Progress: Little Faith
- [11:04] - Little Faith's Encounter with Thieves
- [13:26] - Exercising Faith Against Faint Heart
- [17:09] - Exercising Faith Against Mistrust
- [20:55] - Exercising Faith Against Guilt
- [25:24] - Encouragement for Little Faith
- [27:59] - Little Faith Can Grow
- [30:14] - Little Faith is Saving Faith
- [33:02] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 8:22-25
- Philippians 4:13
- Psalm 103:12
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Jesus calming the storm, what was the disciples' reaction to the storm, and how did Jesus respond to their fear? ([03:47])
2. What question did Jesus ask the disciples after calming the storm, and what does this question imply about their faith? ([04:37])
3. In "Pilgrim's Progress," who are the three thieves that Little Faith encounters, and what do they symbolize? ([11:58])
4. How does the sermon describe the process of faith growing stronger, and what analogy is used to explain this concept? ([02:02])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Jesus calming the storm illustrate the necessity of exercising faith in difficult situations? What does this teach about the nature of faith? ([06:03])
2. In what ways do the characters Faint Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt from "Pilgrim's Progress" challenge a believer's faith, and how can these challenges be overcome? ([13:26])
3. The sermon mentions that little faith is better than unbelief and can grow. How does this perspective encourage believers who feel their faith is small? ([27:59])
4. What does the analogy of faith as a muscle suggest about the role of intentionality in spiritual growth? How can this be applied to everyday life? ([02:02])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent "storm" in your life. How did you respond, and what might it look like to exercise faith in a similar situation in the future? ([05:47])
2. Identify a situation where Faint Heart, Mistrust, or Guilt has affected your faith. What specific steps can you take to affirm the strength, riches, and grace that are yours in Christ? ([13:26])
3. The sermon encourages believers to actively engage their faith. What is one area of your life where you can intentionally apply your faith this week? ([25:05])
4. Consider the analogy of faith as a muscle. What practical exercises can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your faith? ([02:02])
5. How can you remind yourself that your faith, no matter how small, is saving faith if placed in Jesus? What practices can help reinforce this truth in your life? ([30:14])
6. When faced with fear or doubt, how can you use Philippians 4:13 to affirm the strength that is yours in Christ? What specific situation can you apply this to right now? ([16:13])
7. Reflect on Psalm 103:12 and its promise of forgiveness. How can this assurance help you overcome feelings of guilt and strengthen your faith journey? ([23:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as a Dynamic Force
Faith is not a static attribute but a dynamic force that grows stronger when actively engaged. Just as a muscle requires exercise to develop, faith must be applied to life's challenges to become resilient and robust. This intentional engagement is crucial for spiritual growth, as it transforms faith from a passive belief into an active, living force that shapes our responses to life's circumstances. By seeking God's kingdom, knowing Jesus, worshiping, being nourished by the Word, persevering, and asking Jesus to increase our faith, we lay the foundation for a faith that can withstand the trials of life. [02:02]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific challenge are you facing today that requires you to actively engage your faith? How can you intentionally apply your faith to this situation?
Day 2: Faith in Life's Storms
The story of Jesus calming the storm serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of applying faith in difficult situations. The disciples, despite their faith in Jesus, failed to engage it during the storm, prompting Jesus to ask, "Where is your faith?" This question challenges us to intentionally apply our faith, especially when facing life's unexpected storms. Faith is not automatic; it requires conscious effort, much like shifting gears in a manual car to harness the engine's power. By actively engaging our faith, we can navigate the storms of life with confidence and peace. [06:03]
"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'" (Mark 4:39-40, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent "storm" in your life. How did you respond? What would it look like to intentionally apply your faith in a similar situation in the future?
Day 3: Overcoming the Thieves of Faith
In "Pilgrim's Progress," Little Faith encounters three thieves: Faint Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. These thieves symbolize the challenges that threaten to undermine our faith, instilling fear, robbing us of joy, and beating us down with condemnation. To counter these, we must exercise faith by affirming the strength, riches, and grace that are ours in Christ. By recognizing and confronting these thieves, we can protect our faith and ensure it remains a source of strength and hope in our lives. [13:26]
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify which of the three thieves—Faint Heart, Mistrust, or Guilt—most often challenges your faith. What steps can you take today to confront and overcome this thief?
Day 4: Encouragement for Those with Little Faith
Little faith, though seemingly small, is infinitely better than unbelief and has the potential to grow. It is saving faith if placed in Jesus Christ, for we are not saved by the strength of our faith but by the strength of our Savior. This truth offers encouragement to those who feel their faith is weak or insufficient. By actively engaging our faith and trusting in the promises and power of Christ, we can nurture and grow our faith, transforming it into a dynamic force in our lives. [27:59]
"He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel your faith is "little"? How can you begin to nurture and grow your faith in these areas today?
Day 5: Intentional Faith Engagement
Faith must be actively applied to life's circumstances, involving a conscious decision to trust Christ in the realities we face. This ensures that our faith is not just a passive attribute but a dynamic force that influences our actions and decisions. By intentionally engaging our faith, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the transformative power of His presence in our lives. This active engagement is essential for spiritual growth and resilience, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope. [25:05]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally engage your faith today? How can this action help you align more closely with God's purposes for your life?
Quotes
Faith grows as it is exercised. I find it helpful to think of Faith as being like a muscle in the body; it grows in strength as it is used, as it is exercised. So if you break a limb and then you have your leg in plaster, the muscles weaken because they are not being stretched. [00:01:45]
The story of Jesus calming the storm serves as a vivid illustration of the necessity of exercising faith. The disciples, despite their faith in Jesus, failed to apply it during the storm. Jesus' question, "Where is your faith?" challenges us to apply our faith in the face of life's storms. [00:04:37]
Faith must be applied; it has to be exercised in regards to the particular circumstances you face at any time. In other words, it does not work automatically. Think about the heating system in your house; it probably works on a thermostat. Faith is not like that; it does not work automatically. [00:06:20]
Faith involves an intentional engagement in which you trust the Lord Jesus Christ in the circumstances that you are facing right now. And this is the question of Jesus: where is your faith? I have to tell you I've come to treasure this question in my own life, including the rebuke that lies in it. [00:08:24]
Bunyan was a very wise and perceptive pastor, and he created characters in his story that really reflected the experience of believers. One of Bunyan's characters is called Little Faith. I'm sure he took that directly from the fact that, as we've seen, Jesus said, "O you of little faith." [00:09:33]
Little Faith was confronted by thieves. There were three of them, and their names were Faint Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. Faint Heart was the first to speak in a very threatening way. He demanded that Little Faith give the thieves his wallet. Little Faith was so terrified he didn't know what to do. [00:11:04]
Somewhere in your journey, you're going to meet these three thieves. Faint Heart will threaten you, Mistrust will want to rob you, and Guilt will attempt to beat you up. And when you meet these thieves, you're going to have to exercise faith. First, then, exercise faith when Faint Heart tries to scare you. [00:13:26]
Faith responds to Faint Heart by affirming the strength that is yours in the Lord Jesus Christ. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. So when you come to something that seems beyond you, exercise faith. Christ will bring you to places in your journey where you have no alternative but to depend upon him. [00:16:09]
Mistrust took away Little Faith's joy. It was Mistrust that made Little Faith's life and journey so difficult and often quite miserable. Now, what are you to do then when Mistrust tries to rob you? Well, Faith responds to Mistrust by affirming the riches that are yours in Jesus Christ. [00:19:12]
Faith responds to guilt by affirming the grace that is yours in the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell guilt that Christ is yours and that in him you are washed, you are cleansed, you are forgiven, and you are reconciled to God forever. So here are three thieves, and you will encounter them in your journey through the Christian Life. [00:23:25]
Little faith is infinitely better than unbelief, infinitely better. You know, God invites us to believe. He says, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the Earth." But he not only invites us to believe, he commands us to believe. Did you know that God commands us to believe? [00:27:59]
Little faith will arrive in heaven because we are not saved by the strength of our faith but by the strength of our Savior. Let's pray together, shall we? Father, we are asking that you will increase our faith, that you will enable us to respond with faith to all the challenges that Faint Heart and Mistrust and Guilt bring in our lives. [00:31:36]
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