Faith, Failure, and the Power of God’s Multiplication

Devotional

Day 1: Living by Faith Sets Believers Apart

To be a Christian is to live by faith, not merely by good morals, behaviors, or even empathy. Faith is the foundation that distinguishes believers from the world, calling us to a higher way of living that is not dictated by circumstances but by confident trust in God. This faith is not just a feeling or optimism; it is the very substance and evidence of our hope, shaping our actions and responses to life’s challenges. When we live by faith, we see the world differently, move with boldness, and become agents of hope in dark places. [01:00:46]

Romans 12:3 (ESV)
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been relying on your own strength or good behavior instead of truly living by faith? What would it look like to shift your trust to God in that area today?

Day 2: Faith Grows When We Hear and Respond to God’s Word

Faith is not static; it is meant to be stretched, grown, and multiplied. God gives each of us a measure of faith, but He also calls us to build it up by immersing ourselves in His Word and putting it into action. Just as the parable of the talents teaches us to grow what we are given, so too are we to grow our faith by hearing God’s voice and responding with obedience, even when circumstances seem impossible. When we discipline our minds to the Word of God, our faith is strengthened, and we are prepared for the vision and challenges ahead. [01:02:03]

Jude 1:20 (ESV)
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can discipline your mind to focus on God’s Word this week, so your faith can be built up and ready for what God is calling you to do?

Day 3: God Multiplies What We Surrender, Even in Our Limitation

The miracle of the five loaves and two fish reminds us that what we have may not seem like enough in our own hands, but when surrendered to God, it becomes more than enough. Jesus intentionally set up the disciples for a situation beyond their ability, not to shame them, but to reveal that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Our limitations are not a reason to shrink back, but an invitation to partner with God, trusting Him to multiply our small offerings for His greater purpose. [01:29:56]

John 6:5-13 (ESV)
"5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?' 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.' 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?' 10 Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.' 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten."

Reflection: What is one area of limitation or lack in your life that you can bring to God today, trusting Him to multiply it for His glory?

Day 4: Failure Is Feedback—An Invitation to Greater Faith

Failure is not the opposite of faith or success; rather, it is raw data that God can use to direct and strengthen our faith. The disciples experienced both faith and failure in the same moment, and Jesus used their insufficiency to reveal His sufficiency. When we encounter failure, it is not meant to diminish us, but to invite us to depend more deeply on God, allowing Him to turn our limitations into opportunities for His power to be displayed. [01:16:36]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Think of a recent failure or disappointment—how might God be inviting you to see it as feedback and an opportunity to trust Him more deeply?

Day 5: Identity in Christ Changes How We See and Respond

We do not see things as they are; we see them as we are. Our identity in Christ transforms the way we perceive and respond to every situation. The world may see impossibility, but as believers, we see through the lens of faith, knowing that God is with us and that our presence brings blessing and hope wherever we go. When we know whose we are, we can step boldly into any circumstance, confident that God will use us to bring transformation and life. [01:24:18]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Where in your daily life do you need to remind yourself of your identity in Christ, so you can see and respond to challenges with faith and confidence?

Sermon Summary

In this season, we are called to posture our hearts with readiness, just as the early church did on the day of Pentecost, anticipating a move of God that will not only impact us but expand His kingdom through us. As a vision-driven community, our identity is rooted in responding to the heart of God, stepping out in faith even when the vision before us seems daunting or the possibility of failure looms large. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6 reminds us that faith is not about having enough in our own hands, but about bringing what we have—however limited—to Jesus, trusting Him to multiply it beyond what we could imagine.

Faith is the distinguishing mark of a believer. It is not our morals, behaviors, or even our empathy that sets us apart, but our willingness to live by faith, to see with the lens of faith, and to act in obedience to God’s word regardless of circumstances. Faith is not mere optimism or positive thinking; it is the substance and evidence of things hoped for, the foundation upon which we stand. It is in the very atmosphere of impossibility and limitation that faith thrives, because it is there that God’s power is most clearly revealed.

Failure, often feared and avoided, is not the opposite of faith but can be its servant. Jesus Himself set up His disciples for what looked like failure—not to shame them, but to teach them that their own resources would never be enough, and to invite them into partnership with His supernatural provision. Failure, when seen through the eyes of faith, becomes feedback, raw data that can direct us back to dependence on God. Our limitations are not reasons to shrink back, but invitations to bring what little we have to God, trusting Him to do immeasurably more.

Our identity in Christ transforms how we see every situation. The world may see lack, impossibility, or defeat, but as those who belong to Jesus, we see opportunity for God’s abundance and victory. We are not called to wallow in our limitations, but to let them drive us to deeper partnership with God, knowing that through Christ, we can do all things. As we prepare for Vision Sunday, let us discipline our minds, tune our hearts to God’s word, and bring our faith—however small—expecting God to multiply it for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is the defining characteristic of a believer, not our morals or good deeds. Living by faith means responding to God’s word with trust and obedience, even when circumstances seem impossible. This faith is not a feeling or mere optimism, but the very substance and evidence of our hope, setting us apart from the world. [60:08]
2. God often allows us to face situations where our resources are insufficient, not to discourage us, but to invite us into deeper dependence on Him. Our limitations are not obstacles to God’s work, but opportunities for Him to demonstrate His sufficiency and power through our faith. [81:45]
3. Failure is not the enemy of faith, but can be its greatest teacher. When we encounter failure, it is not a sign to give up, but a moment to gather feedback, redirect our trust, and allow God to build greater faith in us. We do not arrive at failure; we pass through it, letting it refine and strengthen our reliance on God. [76:36]
4. Our identity in Christ changes how we see every situation. The world may see lack or impossibility, but as those transformed by Christ, we see through the lens of faith—believing that God can multiply our little into abundance. Victory is not about our strength, but about knowing whose we are and seeing ourselves as God sees us. [84:18]
5. True faith is not convincing ourselves that we can do it, but recognizing that we can do all things through Christ. Our role is to bring what we have, however limited, and place it in God’s hands, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes. This partnership with God is the invitation of every limitation and the secret to living a life of supernatural impact. [89:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:06] - Posturing Our Hearts for Revival
[48:12] - What Is Vision Season?
[49:27] - Embracing Big Vision and the Risk of Failure
[50:42] - The Feeding of the 5,000: Scripture Reading
[53:16] - Celebrating Fulfilled Vision: Four New Churches
[54:28] - Stories from Church Planting: Madrid and Hype
[56:23] - Facing Criticism and the Question of “Enough”
[58:50] - The Call to Live by Faith
[61:26] - Growing What God Gives: Faith in Action
[63:17] - Faith as a Superior Principle
[65:51] - Faith Is the Substance: Not Just Optimism
[69:45] - The Presence of Faith and the Reality of Failure
[76:00] - Failure as Feedback and the Gift of Redirection
[79:46] - Jesus Sets Us Up for Faith Beyond Our Limits
[84:18] - Identity in Christ: Seeing Differently
[89:21] - Through Christ: The Secret of Multiplication
[91:12] - Responding to Limitation with Faith
[94:50] - Invitation to Faith and Salvation
[99:50] - Prayer of Commitment and Blessing
[104:15] - Giving as an Act of Faith
[106:45] - Announcements and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 6:1-14 (ESV) – The Feeding of the 5,000 —
> After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

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

- Philippians 4:13 (ESV):
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Observation Questions

In John 6, what was the initial response of Philip and Andrew when Jesus asked how to feed the crowd? What does this reveal about their perspective?
According to the sermon, what is the main thing that sets a believer apart from the world?
How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and how is this different from simply being optimistic or positive?
What did Jesus do with the little that was brought to him, and what was the result?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus asked the disciples how they would feed the crowd, even though he already knew what he was going to do? What was he trying to teach them?
The sermon says that “failure is not the opposite of faith, but can be its servant.” How can failure actually help build faith instead of destroying it?
How does our identity in Christ change the way we see situations that seem impossible or overwhelming?
The sermon points out that faith is not about convincing ourselves “I can do it,” but about trusting that “I can do all things through Christ.” How does this shift in focus affect the way we approach challenges?

Application Questions

Think of a time when you felt your resources (time, money, energy, ability) were not enough for what God was asking you to do. How did you respond? Did you bring what you had to God, or did you hold back? What would you do differently now?
The sermon says that our limitations are invitations to partner with God. What is one area of limitation in your life right now that you can bring to God this week, trusting Him to multiply it?
When have you experienced failure in your walk of faith? Looking back, can you see how God used that failure to redirect you or build your faith? How might you approach failure differently in the future?
The world often sees lack, impossibility, or defeat, but as believers, we are called to see opportunity for God’s abundance. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to change your perspective and see it through the “lens of faith”? What would that look like?
The sermon challenges us to “discipline our minds” and “tune our hearts to God’s word.” What is one practical step you can take this week to grow your faith—such as spending more time in Scripture, prayer, or stepping out in obedience?
Are there any areas where you have been “wallowing in your limitations” instead of letting them drive you to deeper partnership with God? What would it look like to shift from wallowing to partnering with God in that area?
As we approach Vision Sunday, what is one way you can prepare your heart to respond in faith, even if the vision seems daunting or risky?

Sermon Clips

We are a vision-driven church. What that ultimately means is that we listen and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. To be a vision-driven church means that you're a responder to the heart of God. That we hear the heart of God and we move with boldness and we move with confidence knowing that God meets us in the gap of what we have or the limitation what we have to fulfill great things that God has planned. [00:48:42]

All Christians, not some Christians, all Christians, every single Christian, if you are a Christian, all Christians are called to live by faith. All Christians are called to live by faith. In other words, while our faith is measured to us by God, that's Romans 12:3. What differentiates the believer from the non-believer or the Christian from the world is probably not what you think. [00:59:07]

It's not your morals. It's not behaviors. It's not your empathies. It's not even your speech. But ultimately, living by faith is what differentiates the believer from the non-believer. I want to emphasize this and I got to press on this part because good morals and kind behaviors aren't exclusive to Christians. I know a lot of non-believers that are way more empathetic than I am. [01:00:02]

But I got to tell you that doesn't make them more of a believer than I am. Because what differentiates a believer from the world is living by faith. It's living by faith. It's living a faith life. Not even a nice life. I don't know why that's hidden so well, but it is. This is what differentiates us. And I want to hope to draw on your faith in this vision season. [01:00:34]

You're going to find everything in scripture, everything in Christianity, everything in the kingdom, everything you're given, you're meant to grow. Whether it's a gift, whether it's faith, even whether it's finances, God gives us the mandate to grow what he gives. You see it with the parable of the talents. Three t three servants were given different amounts of talents, but each of them were to grow what they were given. [01:01:19]

So when God gives you faith, you're meant to put that faith to work and grow that faith and stretch that faith and enlarge that faith so that what you're given isn't what you stay with. You grow it. And we know how to grow our faith. Hebrews tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. So when I get in the word of God, my faith grows. [01:01:51]

If you're having a crisis of faith, maybe get out of your your your your news cycle. Maybe get out of your echo chamber. Maybe get out of your your your circle of of propaganda that is actually diminishing your faith and causing you to be fearful about the state of the world. Get into the word of God and watch as all of a sudden you'll be get your you'll get your victory back. [01:02:16]

Faith is to a believer what a foundation is to a house. It's what enables you to stand. In fact, biblically speaking, faith is considered a superior principle because a faith life is an elevated calling for believers. It's a way to live higher. It's it's called a superior principle out of all the principles in the world. In the word faith is called a superior principle because when I live by faith I'm living my elevated calling. [01:03:05]

Faith for the believer is the very substance behind their actions. I want to try and break this down as teachery as I can so that you learn it that faith is the substance. The substance of my faith is not something else. Faith itself is the substance. Well, I know this because Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen." [01:04:26]

Faith is certainly not believing in spite of evidence. Faith is the believer's evidence. This one, this one in particular, you might want to write down because it's probably going to take you a few days to process because we're used to finding substance for our faith. We're used to looking at our bank balance and if our bank balance is full, then we have faith. [01:04:50]

Even if the circumstances seem impossible, even if the consequences seem frightening, the situations become the very atmosphere, believe it or not, where faith works best. It's in the unfavorable circumstances is when the faith of your life shows up and shows out. Are you with me? I I get it. Sometimes you get bold. [01:06:25]

Faith is what enables us to see what others don't see and do what others can't do. Can I say it again? It's faith that gives you sight to see what others can't see. You get a different vision with faith. It's not just seeing possibility, it's seeing probability because God's involved. So faith gives you different vision. That's why you see differently when you come into Christ. [01:08:23]

You have the lens of faith. So you see what they don't see and you do what they don't do. You move towards situations. You stand boldly. You walk with confidence. You speak hope when there's darkness. That's because of faith. Are you understanding yet? Can I keep going for a little bit? I need to hit the bleachers because I want to make sure that faith hits you right in your soul like a punch to the sternum. [01:08:58]

Even though there is the presence of faith in your life, it does not mean the absence of failure. That's the quandry, right? That even though we have the presence of faith, we often find still the potential of failure. I I I've seen it many times before. I've experienced it myself. May maybe you could agree with me if you've had a prayer that's ever gone unanswered for some reason. [01:09:59]

Just because we have faith for stretching and faith doesn't remove failure. And that's often the tension of the believer's life that you can have faith but in the midst of faith have so much failure. I am encouraged however because even though we see it in our ministry, I also see it scripturally. That's exactly what this what we call story situation with the feeding of the 5000 here in John's gospel. [01:11:28]

The whole reason he set them up for failure is that they wouldn't put their faith in the natural. They would put their faith in the supernatural God who takes small things and multiplies it. Who takes what we've got and the little things that we've got. All he's looking for is a faithful seed. You see people, he asked him to feed them, but what he looked was for the seed for them to be fed as a result of their faith. [01:22:03]

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