Faith for an Encounter with Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Is the Substance of Things Hoped For

Faith is not merely a concept or a product of upbringing, but a real, tangible gift from God that is birthed within our hearts, giving us confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This faith is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is received as a deposit from Jesus, enabling us to access the purposes and promises of God even when circumstances seem impossible. When we open our hearts to Him, faith ignites and empowers us to step into encounters with Jesus that transform our lives. [03:21]

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

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and instead ask God to birth fresh faith within you today?

Day 2: Faith Steps Out of the Boat

True faith is not passive; it requires action and a willingness to step out of comfort zones, just as Peter did when he walked on water at Jesus’ command. Even when the winds and waves of life seem overwhelming, faith calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus, trust His word, and move forward despite fear or uncertainty. It is in these moments of obedience—when we act on God’s invitation rather than our own ideas—that we experience His power and see the impossible become possible. [05:31]

Matthew 14:28-31 (ESV)
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to step out in faith, and what practical step can you take today to respond to His invitation?

Day 3: Faith Speaks to the Mountain

Faith is not silent; it brings a new confession that challenges the status quo and speaks life, hope, and victory over every circumstance, no matter how insurmountable it may seem. Jesus teaches that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, reminding us to stop overestimating our obstacles and underestimating the power of faith in God. Instead of having conversations with our doubts or limitations, we are called to declare God’s promises and authority over every area of lack, fear, or brokenness in our lives. [12:44]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: What “mountain” in your life have you been tolerating or talking to, and how can you begin to speak God’s truth and authority over it today?

Day 4: Faith Walks and Works

Faith is made complete by action; it is not enough to simply profess belief—our faith must be lived out through obedience, sacrifice, and perseverance, just as the heroes of faith did throughout Scripture. Whether it’s Abraham leaving his homeland, Moses leading Israel, or others who acted despite their flaws, their faith was demonstrated by their willingness to trust God and move forward. God calls us to a living faith that pursues His promises, refuses to settle for comfort or complacency, and believes that with Him, all things are possible. [21:43]

James 2:17-22 (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. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to put your faith into practice in a way that stretches you beyond your comfort zone?

Day 5: Faith Reaches for Jesus in Every Circumstance

When the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us, faith is not just about walking on water in the miraculous moments, but about reaching for Jesus when we begin to sink. Even in our fear, doubt, or failure, we are invited to fix our eyes on Him, cry out for His help, and trust that He will reach out and rescue us. No matter how hopeless a situation may feel, faith chooses to praise God, declare His goodness, and believe that He is our healer, deliverer, and peace—bringing hope and restoration to every area of our lives. [25:56]

Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, what would it look like for you to intentionally turn your attention to Jesus and reach out to Him in prayer and praise today?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day to remember the faithfulness of God and the power of encountering Jesus afresh. As we celebrate two years in this building, we’re reminded that our journey is not about a place, but about the One who meets us in every season. Each of us is here because we’ve encountered the love, hope, and peace of Jesus—a love that changes everything. The invitation is open: no matter where you are in your walk, today is a day to reignite faith, to seek a fresh encounter, and to believe that God still moves in miraculous ways.

Looking at the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14, we see that faith is not just a feeling or a religious idea—it’s a living, active substance that God deposits in our hearts. Faith is the currency by which we access the things of God. It’s not something we conjure up by effort or heritage, but a gift we receive and act upon. Peter’s willingness to step out of the boat, even in the midst of the storm, shows us that faith always moves us toward Jesus, even when circumstances seem impossible.

Faith is expressed in three ways: it talks, it walks, and it reaches. Faith talks by declaring God’s promises over our circumstances, refusing to settle for a limited mindset or negative confession. It walks by stepping out in obedience, not just believing in theory but putting action to our trust in God. And faith reaches—especially when we feel like we’re sinking, we reach for Jesus, knowing He is always ready to save, restore, and empower us.

We all face mountains—challenges that seem immovable. But Jesus calls us to speak to those mountains, not to have conversations with our doubts or fears, but to declare His victory and authority. The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 were not perfect, but they acted on what God said, and their faith changed history. In the same way, we are called to live by faith, not by sight, trusting that God is greater than any obstacle.

No matter what you’re facing—brokenness, sickness, fear, or disappointment—God invites you to lift your eyes, to dream again, and to bring every area of your life to Him. His love is enough, His power is available, and His presence is here. Let faith arise in your heart today, and let’s believe together for miracles, for restoration, and for a fresh encounter with Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is a Gift, Not an Achievement Faith is not something we manufacture through effort or religious background; it is a gift from God that must be received. True faith is birthed in our hearts as we hear and respond to the word of Christ. This means we can stop striving and start receiving, allowing God to deposit a living faith that transforms our perspective and empowers us to believe for the impossible. [03:21]
2. The Power of Confession: Faith Talks Our words shape our reality. Faith speaks a different confession over our lives, refusing to settle for cynicism, lack, or defeat. When we declare God’s promises, we shift our focus from the size of our mountains to the greatness of our God, and we begin to see breakthrough as we align our confession with His truth. [09:03]
3. Faith Requires Action: Faith Walks Belief alone is not enough; faith is perfected through action. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, or the heroes in Hebrews 11, we are called to put our trust into motion, even when the outcome is uncertain. Obedience to God’s word, even in the face of fear or impossibility, is where miracles are born and destinies are shaped. [16:37]
4. Reaching for Jesus in the Storm Even when we step out in faith, there will be moments when we feel overwhelmed or begin to sink. The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus and reach for Him, not relying on our own strength but on His saving power. In our weakness, His grace is sufficient, and He is always ready to lift us up and bring us through. [24:52]
5. Letting Pain Become a Platform for Praise When circumstances are painful or hope seems lost, faith chooses to praise God anyway. Our pain can become a platform for declaring God’s goodness, inviting His presence, and seeing His power at work. As we lift our eyes and our confession to Him, we make room for miracles and for dreams to be revived. [28:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Encountering Jesus: The Heart of Our Gathering
[01:27] - Jesus Encounters: Transformation for All
[02:46] - What is Faith? The Substance and Gift
[03:59] - Peter Walks on Water: Faith in Action
[05:55] - The Storms of Life: Where Do We Look?
[08:23] - Faith Talks: The Power of Confession
[10:19] - Speaking to the Mountain
[12:44] - Victorious Confession and Identity
[16:25] - Faith Walks: Stepping Out in Obedience
[19:17] - The Hall of Faith: Imperfect People, Powerful Faith
[21:43] - Living by Faith, Not by Sight
[22:13] - Faith and Works: James’ Challenge
[23:44] - Faith Reaches: When We Begin to Sink
[27:28] - Changing Our Confession in Crisis
[28:35] - Praise in the Pain: A Platform for Miracles
[31:22] - Dream Again: Bringing Our Calling Back to God
[32:21] - Declaration and Prayer for Miracles
[34:08] - The Gospel Invitation
[36:03] - Responding to Jesus: A New Beginning

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) — > 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
>
> 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Hebrews 11:1, 6 (ESV) — > 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
> 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Romans 10:17 (ESV) — > So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Observation Questions

In the story of Peter walking on water, what was Peter’s first response when he saw Jesus on the water, and what did he ask Jesus to do? (Matthew 14:28-29)
According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described? What two things does faith give us?
In the sermon, what did the pastor say about where faith comes from and how we receive it? [[03:21]]
When Peter began to sink, what did he do, and how did Jesus respond? (Matthew 14:30-31)

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Faith is a gift from God. It's not something that we need to work ourselves up towards, but it is a gift. But it must be received.” What does it mean for faith to be a gift and not an achievement? How does this change the way someone approaches God? [[03:21]]
The pastor described faith as something that “talks, walks, and reaches.” What does it look like for faith to “talk” in someone’s everyday life? [[08:23]]
When Peter stepped out of the boat, he was acting on Jesus’ word. Why is it important that our steps of faith are based on God’s word and not just our own ideas? [[16:37]]
The sermon mentions that even when we step out in faith, we might feel like we’re sinking. What does it mean to “reach for Jesus” in those moments, and why is that significant? [[24:52]]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “Faith talks by declaring God’s promises over our circumstances, refusing to settle for a limited mindset or negative confession.” Are there areas in your life where your words have been more negative or limited than faith-filled? What is one promise of God you could start declaring over that area this week? [[09:03]]
Think about a “mountain” in your life—a challenge that feels immovable. What would it look like for you to “speak to the mountain” instead of having a conversation with your doubts or fears? [[12:44]]
The sermon emphasized that faith requires action, not just belief. Is there a step of obedience you sense God is asking you to take, even if the outcome is uncertain? What is holding you back from stepping out of the boat? [[16:37]]
When was the last time you felt like you were “sinking” in life? How did you respond? What would it look like to reach for Jesus in that situation, practically? [[24:52]]
The pastor shared about letting pain become a platform for praise. Is there a painful area in your life where you could choose to praise God instead of focusing on the hurt? What might change if you did? [[28:35]]
The sermon said, “No matter what you’re facing—brokenness, sickness, fear, or disappointment—God invites you to lift your eyes, to dream again, and to bring every area of your life to Him.” Is there a dream or calling you’ve let go of that you sense God wants to revive? What would it look like to bring it back to Him? [[31:22]]
Faith is described as a gift that is received by hearing the word of Christ. How can you make space in your week to hear God’s word and let faith grow in your heart? [[03:21]]

Sermon Clips

But the truth is, is that sometimes we can live with a limited mindset. And while others are walking out in faith, we can settle in our circumstance. Allowing ourselves to think critical thinking, cynical thinking, having a mindset maybe of lack or of poverty. Saying things like this, I will never see financial breakthrough in my life. I'll never be able to afford that house. I'll never be able to step into that job. I will never be smart enough. I will never be good enough. I can never overcome this addiction. I will never have freedom in my mind. I don't think I'll ever have healthy relationships. I mean, I've never seen it generationally. I don't think I'll ever see my body healed to this sickness. But the truth is, we've got to live with it. We've got to get out of the boat, out of the old thinking, out of the old ways. Come on, out of that place of cynicism and critical thinking. [00:09:23] (48 seconds) #BreakFreeFromCynicism

``No, he was saying you actually just need to stop trusting in yourself and trust in me and stop overestimating the power of the mountain and stop underestimating the power of the mustard seed. Come on, we need to stop. We need to stop elevating the mountain. Sometimes we give too much. I know this in my own life. I give way too much attention, allowing the mountain to be bigger than the faith that God's called me to carry. But this morning, come on, I want to encourage us. It's time to speak to our mountain. Come on, speak to your circumstance. Come on, cast it away. Maybe it's the mountain of doubt and fear. Maybe it's the mountain of depression and anxiety. Maybe it's the mountain of sickness and disease. This morning, in the name of Jesus, come on, let's cast that mountain out of our lives. Maybe it's debt and poverty, addiction, relational brokenness. Maybe it's failure and regret. Come on, God has not called us to live with these mountains in our lives. Come on, what mountain do we need to speak to today? [00:12:17] (57 seconds) #VictorsNotVictims

What set them apart is that they had a faith that said, God, no matter my flaws, no matter my failures, you've got my faith. You've got my heart. Come on, God, you've got my confession. God, you've got my actions. Without faith, it's impossible. But with faith, all things are possible. Come on, it's possible to live free beyond your past. It's possible to live free beyond your circumstance. It's possible to live free from fear, free from hurt, free from disappointment. Come on, free from guilt and shame, free from sin. Not just our own, in our own strength, but faith in the outcome of what Jesus, what Jesus has done for us. Come on, this morning, one touch can change everything. [00:21:01] (39 seconds) #EyesOnJesus

Faith isn't just about walking on water. It's not just about the miracle moment, but it's about reaching for Jesus when you start to sink. When Jesus says, come Peter, he gets out of the boat, he walks on water, he comes towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid. And he began to sink and cry out, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, said the same term again, hey, you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they climbed in, to the boat, the wind died down. And then those who were in the boat said, truly, this is the son of God. The moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus was the moment that he started to sink. Come on, let us never take our eyes off the one who holds it all together. Let us never think that we can do this thing without him. Let us never think that we can do this life. Come on, do marriage, do family, do friendships without him, do business without him, do our career without him, study without him. [00:24:11] (61 seconds) #ReachForTheImpossible

It's in these moments that we have to come back to the place of praise. Praising even in our hurt. Praising even in our pain. Letting our pain be a platform to say, God, it hurts right now. God, the circumstance, it feels overwhelming right now. God, I don't know how I can see a way through my marriage getting to a healthy place. God, I don't know how I can see, God, my family getting to a healthy place. But it takes a moment to say, God, but in this moment, on that day, I'm going to be a part of your life. On that altar, I'm going to praise you. I'm going to declare you my healer. I'm going to declare you my deliverer. God, even though I feel hopeless right now and I feel like I just can't get it all together, God, I'm going to declare that you're my hope. [00:28:18] (45 seconds) #DreamsBreathedAnew

See, faith, it sees in the Spirit a different report. It sees in the Spirit a different report. God has a different report over our lives. God has a different report over our city, over our nation. And this morning, I'd just love us to take some time, not out of a place of pressure, but out of a place of faith that just says, God, we can do this. We can do this. We can do this. We're going to stand as a church. God, I'm going to stand as a husband. God, I'm going to stand as a wife. I'm going to stand as a parent. We're going to stand as a community. And we're going to lift our eyes again. We're going to dream again. Come on, for some of us, there's dreams that are dormant, that God has a calling on our life. God has a purpose on our life. And maybe you've been coming a little while here to life. And I just want to encourage you, that dream is not dead that God's put on the inside of you. Maybe this morning it's time to say, God, I'm going to bring it back to you. The calling that you placed on my life, I'm going to bring it back to you and say, God, would you breathe on it afresh? God, would you breathe on it afresh? [00:31:10] (61 seconds)

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