Faith: Assurance, Growth, and Trust in God

Faith is not a vague or abstract concept, but a living, dynamic reality at the heart of the Christian journey. It is the assurance—the firm confidence—of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. This assurance is not rooted in wishful thinking, but in the trustworthiness of God, who always acts with purpose and eternity in mind. Every act of God, every promise, and every challenge we face is an invitation to deeper faith, not just for the sake of receiving blessings, but for the transformation and endurance of our souls.

Faith is foundational: we are saved by faith, we walk by faith, we stand by faith, and we live by faith. Yet, faith is not static. It is meant to grow, to be stretched, and even to be tested. The journey of faith is often marked by trials, doubts, and seasons of inadequacy. But these are not signs of failure; rather, they are the very soil in which faith matures. Even the great heroes of Scripture—like Peter, who could both boldly declare Jesus as the Christ and then falter in fear—demonstrate that faith and doubt can coexist within us. The key is not to be paralyzed by our doubts, but to bring them honestly before God, asking Him to help our unbelief.

Endurance is a fruit of faith. The early church endured persecution, loss, and suffering, yet they were exhorted not to cast away their confidence, for it has great reward. The promises of God are often received after we have done His will, not before. Faith is what enables us to persevere, to keep pressing on when circumstances are overwhelming, and to trust that God’s purposes are being worked out even when we cannot see them.

Faith is also a mixture—like sugar and salt in the same bowl—where belief and doubt, confidence and fear, can be present together. God is not surprised by this. He knows our frame and invites us to cry out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” The growth of faith is not about getting everything we ask for, but about learning to trust God’s will above our own, believing that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think.

Ultimately, faith is the assurance that what God has promised—redeemed bodies, a spotless church, a new heaven and earth—will come to pass, even if we do not yet see them. Our call is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and to ask Him for more faith, more endurance, and more trust, day by day.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith Is Assurance, Not Wishful Thinking Faith is not a vague hope or a fleeting feeling, but a firm assurance and confidence in what God has promised, even when those promises are not yet visible. This assurance is rooted in the character and faithfulness of God, who always acts with purpose and eternity in mind. Our faith is meant to be steady and joyful, anchored in the certainty of God’s word. [56:00]
• 2. Faith and Doubt Can Coexist Even the most sincere believers experience doubts, fears, and questions. The presence of doubt does not negate faith; rather, faith often exists right alongside our uncertainties. Like the father in Mark 9, we can cry out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,” trusting that God honors honest faith, even when it is mixed with weakness. [63:34]
• 3. Faith Grows Through Testing and Endurance Faith is not static; it is designed to grow, mature, and be strengthened through trials and testing. The challenges and sufferings we face are not obstacles to faith, but opportunities for it to be refined and deepened. Endurance is the fruit of faith, enabling us to persevere and remain steadfast, even when life is difficult. [42:28]
• 4. Faith Is Not About Getting What We Want, But Trusting God’s Will True faith is not measured by how many of our requests are granted, but by our willingness to trust God’s will above our own desires. Sometimes God delays or denies our requests to teach us to seek what is eternal rather than what is temporary. Trusting that God’s will is better than ours is itself an act of faith. [71:02]
• 5. Faith Fixes Its Eyes on the Unseen Promises of God The essence of faith is to trust in what we do not yet see—redeemed bodies, a perfected church, a new creation. These are not present realities, but future certainties because God has spoken them. Faith enables us to live with joyful anticipation, confident that God will fulfill every promise in His perfect time.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [05:30] - Encouragement for Men’s Conference
• [10:15] - Wednesday Night Apologetics and Teaching
• [14:40] - The Importance of Faith: Series Introduction
• [18:30] - What Is Faith? Why Does It Matter?
• [22:45] - Faith in the Life of the Believer
• [27:00] - The Rewards and Testing of Faith
• [35:04] - God’s Purpose and Expectation in Faith
• [38:47] - Hopes and Prayers for Growing Faith
• [42:28] - Faith Must Grow and Be Tested
• [46:19] - Faith as a Living Seed
• [48:12] - The Need for Endurance
• [51:57] - Endurance, Obedience, and Receiving God’s Promises
• [56:00] - Hebrews 11:1: The Definition of Faith
• [58:19] - Assurance and Conviction: Faith’s Substance
• [63:34] - Faith and Doubt: The Mixture Within
• [71:02] - Asking God for More Faith
• [81:58] - Faith’s Assurance in God’s Promises
• [89:26] - Closing Prayer and Invitation for More Faith

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) — > Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Mark 9:23-24 (ESV) — > And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV) — > Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 11:1, what two things does faith give us assurance and conviction about?
2. In Mark 9:24, how does the father express both faith and doubt at the same time? What does he ask Jesus to do for him? [01:03:34]
3. In Hebrews 10:35-36, what are believers told not to throw away, and what is the reason given for needing endurance?
4. The sermon described faith as a “mixture” of belief and doubt, like sugar and salt in the same bowl. What does this illustration help us understand about the nature of faith? [01:03:34]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says faith is not wishful thinking, but “firm assurance and confidence in what God has promised, even when those promises are not yet visible.” How does this definition challenge common ideas about faith being just a feeling or a hope? [56:00]
2. Why do you think God allows our faith to be tested and stretched, rather than just giving us what we ask for right away? [42:28]
3. The father in Mark 9 says, “I believe; help my unbelief.” What does this reveal about how God views our doubts and struggles? How does Jesus respond to this kind of honesty? [01:03:34]
4. The sermon mentions that endurance is a fruit of faith, especially in hard times. How does faith help us keep going when life is overwhelming? [48:12]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Faith is not static. It is meant to grow, to be stretched, and even to be tested.” Can you think of a recent situation where your faith was stretched or tested? How did you respond? [42:28]
2. The pastor shared that even the great heroes of Scripture, like Peter, had moments of both strong faith and real doubt. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel both belief and doubt mixed together? How can you bring that honestly to God this week? [01:03:34]
3. Hebrews 10:35-36 says not to throw away your confidence because it has a great reward. What are some practical ways you can “hold on” to your confidence in God when you feel discouraged or tired? [51:57]
4. The sermon said, “True faith is not measured by how many of our requests are granted, but by our willingness to trust God’s will above our own desires.” Is there something you’ve been praying for that God hasn’t answered the way you hoped? How can you practice trusting His will in that area? [01:11:02]
5. The pastor encouraged us to ask God for more faith, just like the disciples did. What would it look like for you to pray, “Lord, increase my faith” this week? Is there a specific area where you need to ask for more faith? [42:28]
6. The sermon described faith as “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Are there distractions or worries in your life that make it hard to focus on Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to refocus on Him? [01:21:58]
7. The pastor said, “The growth of faith is not about getting everything we ask for, but about learning to trust God’s will above our own.” How can you remind yourself of this truth when you are tempted to measure your faith by your circumstances? [01:11:02]