Faith: A Journey of Desire, Desperation, and Determination

Devotional

Day 1: Genuine Desire for God

True faith begins with a sincere desire for God on His terms, not ours. We must seek God for who He is, not for what we want Him to be. This means letting go of our own agendas and embracing His will, even when it challenges our understanding or comfort. When we desire God genuinely, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing Him to shape our lives according to His divine purpose. This desire is not about seeking blessings or solutions to our problems but about seeking a relationship with the Creator, who knows us better than we know ourselves. [14:48]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: What personal agendas or comforts are you holding onto that might be hindering your genuine desire for God? How can you begin to let go of these today to seek God on His terms?

Day 2: Desperation Draws God

God is drawn to those who recognize their utter dependence on Him. When we reach the end of our own abilities and acknowledge our need for God, He steps in. This sense of desperation is crucial for experiencing God's miraculous power in our lives. It is in our moments of deepest need and humility that God’s presence becomes most evident. Desperation is not about hopelessness but about recognizing that our hope and strength come from God alone. This draws us closer to Him and opens the door for His intervention in our lives. [24:13]

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your dependence on God? How can you express this desperation to Him in your prayers today?

Day 3: Relentless Determination in Faith

Faith requires a relentless pursuit of God, even in the face of resistance, rejection, and embarrassment. Like the Canaanite woman who persisted despite being ignored and insulted, we must be determined to seek God until we receive His response. This determination is a testament to our trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. It is through this unwavering pursuit that our faith is strengthened and our relationship with God deepened. [36:01]

Luke 18:1-5 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have faced resistance or rejection in your faith journey? How can you demonstrate relentless determination in seeking God’s will in this area today?

Day 4: The Multi-Dimensional Nature of Faith

Faith is not a one-dimensional concept but a three-dimensional experience involving desire, desperation, and determination. When these three dimensions are in place, faith becomes real and effective, moving from the pages of the Bible into our everyday lives. This holistic approach to faith ensures that it is not just an intellectual belief but a lived experience that impacts every aspect of our being. By embracing all three dimensions, we allow our faith to grow and manifest in powerful ways, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us. [13:08]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Reflect on the three dimensions of faith: desire, desperation, and determination. Which dimension do you feel is currently lacking in your faith journey? What steps can you take to cultivate this dimension in your daily life?

Day 5: Faith in Action

True faith is not passive but active. It involves making decisions that align with God's will, such as repentance and baptism, and continuing to trust and obey God even when life gets difficult. This active faith brings about real change and growth in our spiritual lives. It is through our actions that our faith is demonstrated and validated. By living out our faith in tangible ways, we become witnesses to God’s love and power, inspiring others to seek Him as well. [41:22]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate your faith? How can this action align with God’s will and bring about spiritual growth in your life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the multifaceted nature of faith, emphasizing that it is not a one-dimensional concept but rather a three-dimensional experience that requires desire, desperation, and determination. We began with a humorous story about a rock climber who, in a moment of crisis, was asked by God to let go of a branch he was clinging to. This story illustrated how difficult it can be to fully trust God, even when we know we should. Faith, as we discussed, is not something that can be conjured up by sheer willpower, nor is it inherited or earned through religious rituals or good deeds. Instead, faith is a deeply personal journey that requires us to desire God on His terms, recognize our utter dependence on Him, and persistently pursue Him despite obstacles.

We delved into Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. This led us to the first dimension of faith: desire. True faith begins with a genuine desire for God, not on our terms but on His. We must want what God wants, even if it challenges our preconceived notions or comforts. The second dimension is desperation. We must reach a point where we recognize that we cannot do anything without God. This sense of desperation draws God to us, as He is close to the brokenhearted and those who are humble in spirit. The third dimension is determination. Like the Canaanite woman who persistently sought Jesus despite being ignored and insulted, we must be relentless in our pursuit of God. This determination, combined with desire and desperation, brings our faith to life, making it real and effective.

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Key Takeaways

1. Dimensional**: Faith is not a one-dimensional concept but a three-dimensional experience involving desire, desperation, and determination. When these three dimensions are in place, faith becomes real and effective, moving from the pages of the Bible into our everyday lives. [13:08]
5. Faith in Action: True faith is not passive but active. It involves making decisions that align with God's will, such as repentance and baptism, and continuing to trust and obey God even when life gets difficult. This active faith brings about real change and growth in our spiritual lives.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - The Rock Climber's Story
[02:57] - The Challenge of Faith
[04:25] - Misconceptions About Faith
[05:51] - Faith and Feelings
[07:26] - The Role of Preaching
[08:52] - Faith as a Three-Dimensional Concept
[10:23] - The First Dimension: Desire
[14:48] - Desire and Idolatry
[16:15] - Misguided Desires
[19:09] - Desire on God's Terms
[20:59] - The Second Dimension: Desperation
[24:13] - Desperation and Miracles
[30:15] - Recognizing Our Need for God
[33:09] - The Third Dimension: Determination
[36:01] - The Canaanite Woman's Faith
[38:39] - Faith in Action
[41:22] - Real Faith in Real Life
[42:37] - Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? What are the two key components mentioned? [13:08]
In Romans 10:17, what is the source of faith according to Paul? How does this align with the sermon’s message about the importance of hearing the gospel? [20:59]
Describe the interaction between Jesus and the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-28. How did she demonstrate determination in her faith? [36:01]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to desire God on His terms rather than our own? How does this shape our understanding of true faith? [14:48]
How does desperation play a role in drawing God’s attention to us? Can you think of a time when you felt utterly dependent on God? [24:13]
What does the Canaanite woman’s story teach us about the necessity of determination in our faith journey? How did her persistence lead to Jesus acknowledging her faith? [36:01]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current desires. Are there areas in your life where you are seeking God on your own terms rather than His? How can you realign your desires to match God’s will? [14:48]
Think about a situation where you felt desperate and had no other options but to rely on God. How did that experience impact your faith? How can you cultivate a sense of dependence on God in your daily life? [24:13]
The Canaanite woman faced resistance, rejection, and embarrassment but remained determined. Are there obstacles in your life that are hindering your pursuit of God? How can you overcome them with determination? [36:01]
Faith is described as a three-dimensional experience involving desire, desperation, and determination. Which of these dimensions do you feel is currently lacking in your faith journey? What steps can you take to develop it? [13:08]
The sermon emphasized that faith is not passive but active. What are some specific actions you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in God’s promises? [41:22]
How can you ensure that your faith remains strong even when you face resistance or feel like giving up? What practical steps can you take to stay determined in your faith journey? [40:03]
The pastor mentioned that faith without works is dead. What are some tangible ways you can put your faith into action in your community or church this week? [38:39]

Sermon Clips

1. "There are times in our life where, you know, we know we should have faith, but sometimes it's a little hard to come by, isn't it? Sometimes when we say, God, I need you to help me with this. And he says, okay, this is what we're going to do. And you say, is there another way that we could do that? That's not what I had envisioned." [01:22] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Faith is so important, but it does not come by the sheer force of our own will. It doesn't come from anything that you have the ability to do. That's not what faith comes from. Faith does not come from your bloodline. Just because you were born into a certain kind of family that believes certain things does not mean that you're not going to believe." [02:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Faith doesn't come by eloquence. That's because faith doesn't come through the volume with which we speak. I change the way that I speak. Sometimes I speak softly. Sometimes I speak louder. Sometimes I speak faster. Sometimes I speak slower. That's just to hold your attention. That's a tool to make sure you're listening, that your brain stays engaged. That has nothing to do with your faith. Zero." [07:26] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Faith is not one-sided. It's not something you just figure out how to do. Faith is not two-sided. Something that I say or something that you read and now you make some kind of decision and now you've got faith. It's not just that. In fact, you may have come to church before and you're not really a believer. You may be watching on YouTube or listening on the podcast and you've heard the gospel message before, but faith remains to you kind of a distant thing." [08:52] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We need real faith because faith in the grace of God brings salvation. When I have faith in the grace of God, it brings salvation. When I have faith in the power of God, it brings miracles. When I have faith in the love of God, that brings me peace. It brings me peace when I know that God loves me. Why? Because I know he's going to provide for me in every situation." [11:48] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Part of faith is to desire God on his terms. I want what you want, how you want it. So the question is, do you desire that? Or do you want to still keep doing it your way? Stay confused. Stay never satisfied in your soul. Stay chained with insecurity about who you are. Stay that way because you don't want to desire him his way. First part of faith is to have the right desire." [19:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You can hear the gospel with your ears all day long, every day of your life. And you can even understand it. You can be raised in a Christian house. You could end up being one of those people on YouTube or TikTok or whatever the newest thing is. They say, yeah, I know what Christianity is all about. I read the Bible. Yeah, I went to Christian school. Oh, I grew up in a pastor's home. I was a youth leader. I was whatever. Okay. You can hear the gospel, know the gospel, understand what's supposed to happen with the gospel, and still never get faith until you desire gospel promises on the terms that the gospel is offered." [22:32] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The level to which you realize, I need Jesus Christ. That's your level of desperation. Because no matter what your situation is in life, no matter how great it is or how bad it is, the anthem of your soul must be, thank you, Jesus, for this breath. Thank you, Jesus, for my life. Thank you, Jesus, for all you've given me. I need you every hour. If that's not your anthem, you're missing this desperate part of faith." [31:38] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Faith becomes something more than what you just read about you. It's more than just stories of faith that you see on Facebook. It's like, wow, why can't we have that? Why can't I experience that? When you get that way, faith becomes real. Why? Your faith comes to life. That's why James chapter two talks about dead faith versus effective faith. You know, faith without works is dead and other, because you got to have, you got to have the doing." [38:39] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "When you get there, you get there, your faith leaves the page and it leaves your brain and leaves your heart and enters the real world and they can start doing real work. And here's what we're going to do. We're going to, we're going to go back into a song of worship." [42:37] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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