Faith in Action: Boldness and Relentless Pursuit

Devotional

Day 1: Faith with an Attitude—Bold, Gritty, and Relentless

Faith with an attitude is not passive or timid; it is a bold, gritty, and relentless trust in God that refuses to back down, even when the odds are stacked against you. This kind of faith is not content to simply admire Jesus from afar or talk about what He can do—it acts, it moves, and it produces visible fruit in the lives of those who possess it. When you face obstacles, faith with an attitude pushes forward, carries others, and refuses to quit until the mission is complete. The world needs to see this kind of faith in action, not just hear about it. Will you let your faith be bold enough to make a difference? [01:40]

Romans 8:37 (ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Reflection: When was the last time you faced a challenge that tempted you to give up? How can you choose today to respond with bold, relentless faith instead of shrinking back?

Day 2: Faith That Acts—Faith Is the Substance and Evidence

True faith is not just belief; it is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It demands action, not just words. The faith described in Hebrews 11:1 is a faith that moves people to act, to step out even when there is no visible proof, and to trust God for what cannot yet be seen. This faith is the opposite of doubt and is proven by the fruit it bears in your life. If your faith does not move you to action, it is time for self-examination, because faith that does not move you will not move others. [04:14]

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

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to put feet to your faith and take a step of action, even if you can’t see the outcome yet?

Day 3: Whatever It Takes—Bringing Others to Jesus

The story of the four friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus is a powerful example of doing whatever it takes to bring others to Christ. These men did not let obstacles or the opinions of others stop them; they worked together, persevered, and even tore through a roof to get their friend to Jesus. Their determination and cooperation show that reaching the lost often requires sacrifice, creativity, and a willingness to go beyond what is comfortable or traditional. The mission is clear: it is not enough to invite people to church—we must go out, meet people where they are, and bring them to Jesus. [17:29]

Mark 2:1-5 (ESV)
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to be brought to Jesus? What bold, creative step can you take this week to help them encounter Him?

Day 4: The Power and Necessity of Gathering Together

Empty seats in the church are not just a matter of attendance—they represent missed opportunities for people to encounter Jesus and be transformed. God calls His people to gather together, to encourage one another, and to stir up love and good works. Neglecting to assemble with other believers weakens both the individual and the church as a whole. The Sabbath is to be kept holy, and the gathering of believers is essential for spiritual growth, accountability, and mission. Make it a priority to be present, to participate, and to help fill the empty seats with those who need to hear the gospel. [24:02]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Reflection: Is there someone you know who has drifted away from gathering with believers? How can you reach out and encourage them to return to fellowship this week?

Day 5: Fruitful Faith—Visible, Undeniable Transformation

The world is not changed by passive, comfortable Christianity but by believers whose faith produces visible, undeniable fruit. Jesus calls His followers to rise up with urgency, to put feet to their faith, and to speak boldly about Him. It is not enough to simply live a good life in silence; we must open our mouths, proclaim the name of Jesus, and do whatever it takes to see lives changed and souls saved. The time for passive faith is over—now is the time for action, for transformation, and for multiplication. [36:44]

James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can make your faith visible and fruitful in your community this week, so that others may see Christ at work in you?

Sermon Summary

Life often brings us to moments where the weight of our burdens feels overwhelming, and the odds seem insurmountable. Yet, it is in these very moments that we are called to a faith that is not passive or polite, but bold, gritty, and relentless—a faith with an attitude. This kind of faith is not content to simply believe; it acts, it moves, and it refuses to be deterred by obstacles. The world is not looking for more commentary about Jesus, but for proof—tangible fruit that comes from a faith that refuses to sit still.

Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This is not a definition to be admired from afar, but a call to action. Faith that does not move us will not move others, and faith that bears no fruit is not faith at all. Our faith must be visible, active, and transformative, both in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

Attitude is the lens through which we approach every challenge and opportunity. It is shaped by our beliefs, values, and assumptions, and it is made manifest in our behavior. Philippians 2:5 calls us to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus—a mindset of obedience, sacrifice, and unshakable mission. A positive, passionate attitude is infectious and drives us to overcome obstacles for the sake of the gospel.

The story in Mark 2 of the four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus is a powerful example of faith with an attitude. They refused to let the crowd or the roof stand in their way. Their determination, cooperation, and willingness to do whatever it took resulted in a miracle—not just of physical healing, but of forgiveness and transformation. Their faith was not just belief; it was action.

We are challenged to examine our own lives and our church. Are we content with empty seats and business as usual, or are we willing to do whatever it takes to reach the lost? Every empty seat represents a missed opportunity for someone to encounter Jesus. The time for passive Christianity is over. We are called to rise up with urgency, to put feet to our faith, and to speak the name of Jesus boldly. The world will not be reached by quiet Christians living good lives, but by bold believers willing to step out, speak up, and sacrifice for the mission. It is time for faith with an attitude.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith with an attitude is not content with passive belief; it demands action, perseverance, and visible fruit. True faith moves us beyond comfort and compels us to do whatever it takes to bring others to Jesus, even when the path is difficult or unconventional. [01:40]
2. Our attitude shapes our response to God’s call and the challenges we face. A Christ-like attitude—marked by obedience, sacrifice, and mission—empowers us to overcome obstacles and inspires those around us. Attitude is a choice, and it is often the difference between spiritual stagnation and breakthrough. [04:14]
3. The mission of the church is not to maintain traditions or fill pews, but to actively seek out the lost and bring them to Jesus. This requires us to go where people are, to meet them in their need, and to be willing to disrupt our routines for the sake of the gospel. [14:36]
4. Cooperation and unity among believers are essential for accomplishing God’s purposes. The four friends in Mark 2 succeeded because they worked together with a shared vision and determination. When the church unites in purpose and action, nothing is impossible. [19:30]
5. The greatest miracles happen when faith is put into action, and when we are willing to break through barriers—both physical and spiritual—for the sake of others. Jesus honors bold, expectant faith, and He calls us to rise up, speak out, and do whatever it takes to help people find and follow Him. [36:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - Faith with an Attitude: Introduction
[01:40] - Faith Must Be Lived, Not Admired
[04:14] - The Power of Attitude in Faith
[08:57] - Jesus Returns to Capernaum
[10:08] - The Purpose of Gathering: Preaching the Word
[13:00] - The Paralytic and His Friends
[14:36] - Our Mission: Bringing Others to Jesus
[15:50] - Determination in the Face of Obstacles
[16:29] - Doing Whatever It Takes
[19:30] - The Power of Unity and Cooperation
[20:43] - Faith That Perseveres
[24:02] - The Significance of Empty Seats
[28:05] - Jesus’ Authority to Forgive and Heal
[32:40] - The Call to Visible, Fruitful Faith
[35:18] - Moving Beyond Comfortable Christianity
[36:03] - A Call to Bold, Relentless Faith
[37:38] - Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Mark 2:1-12, what obstacles did the four friends face when trying to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus? How did they respond to those obstacles? [16:29]
According to Hebrews 11:1, what two things does faith provide for us? How does this definition go beyond just believing? [01:40]
In Philippians 2:5, what kind of mindset are believers called to have? How is this mindset described in the sermon? [04:14]
What was Jesus’ reaction when He saw the faith of the four friends? What did He do first for the paralyzed man? [21:25]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Faith that does not move us does not move others, and a faith that doesn’t bear fruit isn’t faith at all.” What does it mean for faith to “move” us, and why is this important for others to see? [04:14]
The four friends in Mark 2 worked together to bring their friend to Jesus. What does this story teach about the importance of unity and cooperation in the church? [19:30]
The pastor mentioned that “attitude is a choice, and it is often the difference between spiritual stagnation and breakthrough.” How can a Christ-like attitude change the way we respond to challenges or setbacks? [04:14]
The sermon challenges the church to not be content with “empty seats and business as usual.” What does this reveal about the mission and priorities of the church? [24:02]

Application Questions

The four friends were willing to do “whatever it takes” to bring their friend to Jesus, even if it meant tearing up a roof. Is there someone in your life who needs Jesus? What is one bold or unconventional step you could take to help them encounter Him? [16:29]
The sermon says, “Faith must show up and it must speak up.” In what area of your life have you been silent or passive about your faith? What is one way you can be more visible or vocal this week? [36:03]
The pastor pointed out that “every empty seat represents a missed opportunity for someone to encounter Jesus.” How do you personally view the empty seats in our church? What practical step can you take to help fill one of those seats? [24:02]
The message emphasized the power of attitude, saying, “Attitude is infectious.” Think about your current attitude toward church, outreach, or serving. Is there a negative attitude you need to change? What would it look like to choose a Christ-like attitude instead? [04:14]
The four friends worked together with determination and unity. Is there a ministry or mission in our church where you could join with others to make a bigger impact? What’s holding you back from getting involved? [19:30]
The sermon challenged us to move beyond “comfortable Christianity.” What is one comfort or routine you might need to disrupt in order to be more effective in reaching others for Christ? [35:18]
The pastor said, “The world won’t be reached by quiet Christians living good lives, but by bold believers willing to step out, speak up, and sacrifice for the mission.” What is one area where you feel God is calling you to be bolder? How can the group pray for you in this? [36:44]

Sermon Clips

In our lives, we all have moments when we feel like the weight of the world might simply crush us. Moments when the odds are stacked up against us, the path ahead is unclear, and everything in us was tempted just to give up. In these moments, maybe you didn't know how or when or even if things would work out, but deep inside, there was a strong confidence and trust that God would come through. Amen? That, my friends, is faith with an attitude. [00:00:43]

See, faith with an attitude isn't weak, it's not timid, and it's not polite. It's bold, it's gritty, and it's relentless. It doesn't back down, and it stands its ground. See, and we cannot admire this kind of faith from afar. Each and every one of us must produce this kind of faith in our own lives. [00:01:26]

You see, the world doesn't need any more commentary about Jesus. It needs proof. The world needs to see fruit being produced in our lives because of our faith. That real...tangible results that are produced from faith that refuses to sit still the world needs to see the faith like the woman who pressed through the crowd just simply to touch the hem of jesus's garment they need to see the kind of faith that climbs on the rooftops and rips them open to get those in need to jesus faith that holds on even when everything else says let go. [00:01:52]

Because now more than ever talk is not enough our faith our faith must show up and it must speak up we can't simply say that we want to help people find and follow jesus we must prove it through the lives that we touch the people we bring in the gospel that we live. [00:03:45]

Faith is defined as a belief with strong convictions a firm belief in something for which there may be no tangible proof complete trust confidence reliance or devotion in other words faith is the opposite of doubt and james chapter 2 verse 17 says thus also faith by itself if it does not have works is dead faith that bears no fruit is not a saving faith if we say we believe then we must act like we believe amen. [00:04:12]

If our faith doesn't cause us to walk with god it is time for some serious self -examination because faith that does not move us does not move others and a faith that doesn't bear fruit isn't faith at all it's simply sentiment dressed up in sunday clothes. [00:05:28]

A faith that doesn't bear fruit isn't faith at all, it's simply sentiment dressed up in Sunday clothes. So next comes the definition of attitude and attitudes are the established ways of responding to people in situations that we have learned based on beliefs values and assumptions that we hold attitudes become manifest through our behavior it is your attitude that determines how you achieve your goals or how well you acquire a certain skill or knowledge. [00:05:42]

Philippians chapter 2 verse 5 says let this mind be in you which was also in christ jesus so our attitude has to align with jesus christ amen having a mindset of obedience sacrifice an unshakable mission people with a positive attitude say i can do all things through christ who strengthens me and those with a negative attitude go around saying it can't be done or it will cost too much or that will never work and all of this translates into well we really don't want to do it. [00:06:28]

Our attitude drives behavior if you want to succeed at anything you do you have to have the right mindset attitude is infectious your attitude is the first thing that people pick up on attitude is driven by the passion the power of passion successful people overcome because they love what they do an attitude with passion is the single fastest way to spur yourself to achieve success. [00:07:24]

The main purpose for gathering in the house of God is that the word might be preached amen I hear Jesus comes preaching and he was feeding them spiritually from the Word of God so you see when you come to church it's not about seeing your family or your friends it's not about the congregational singing it's not about special music the reason that we gather is not merely to listen to a sermon but that the Word of God might be preached with clarity and conviction and through the preaching of the Word people are brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [00:10:55]

The word that we receive is not just for our encouragement it is for our transformation and for our action amen we must come to be filled so that we can then go and make a difference in the world to make a difference in the lives of others and that's because the work of the church is to win souls for Christ amen it's not to stand back and watch people die in their sins lost and unsaved and bound for an eternity in hell. [00:11:53]

To be physically paralyzed is a terrible condition. But to be spiritually paralyzed is even worse, amen? And so as we read the Scripture, it reveals that sin has produced this man's condition. Sin has made him what he is in this picture. It has crippled his life. And yet we see the concern and the compassion that these four men had for their sin -sick friend. [00:13:18]

People will never come to Jesus unless somebody else brings them. Amen? Church, it is our job to go where the lost people are and then to bring them to Jesus. Isn't that how Jesus worked? He went to where the sinners were. The Bible never says that the sinners are to come to the church. [00:14:21]

It's not easy to get people to Jesus. All the forces of hell will come against you when you begin to do so. But church, it is time for us to...get busy and to tear up some roofs amen we need to do some difficult out -of -the -ordinary things to reach people for Christ. [00:16:51]

It's not about just inviting people to church it's about introducing them to jesus and once they've heard the good news we bring them into the house of the lord where they can be nurtured discipled and grounded in the truth of god's word. [00:17:59]

Coming together is the beginning, but working together produces the victory, amen? So here comes down the man through the hole in the roof. And I want you to consider this scene from the eyes of our Lord. When he looked up, he saw four men with their sick friend. Do you think Jesus smiled? I do, and I suspect he even chuckled. I think he was pleased to see people who would do whatever it took to get their friend to him. [00:19:38]

They didn't simply pray about it and then go all their way. They put some feet to their prayers. They didn't allow the circumstances to discourage them. How easy would it have been for them when they saw the crowd around the house to say, well, we can't get near, so we'll try again tomorrow. Instead, these men were willing to do whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus. [00:20:30]

The mission of First Baptist Church is helping people find and follow Jesus. Amen? So perhaps our motto needs to be whatever it takes. The challenge is to do whatever it takes to reach people for Jesus. Amen? Because if we don't get serious about going where the...sinners are and doing whatever it takes we will never help anyone find and follow jesus. [00:21:00]

Casual, comfortable Christianity doesn't cut it. And the time for playing it safe is over. Who here remembers the sermon I preached the day that I was called to be your pastor? I asked you one simple question. Are you ready to change the world? And again, I'm asking because if we're serious about that, we need to understand something. Living a good life isn't enough. [00:35:00]

It's time to open our mouths. It's time to speak the name of Jesus. And it is time to do whatever it takes. If we truly want to see lives changed, souls saved, and the darkness pushed back, then we need bold, gritty, relentless kinds of faith. We all need faith with an attitude. [00:35:54]

The kind of faith that doesn't wait for permission. The kind of faith that walks into broken places with the power of the Gospel. The kind of faith that says, I won't be silent. I won't back down. I will go. I will speak. And I will bring them in. [00:36:17]

Stop waiting, stop watching, and stop assuming someone else will go. Because the world won't be reached by quiet Christians living good lives. It will be reached by bold believers willing to speak up, step out, and sacrifice for the mission. [00:36:44]

So church, this is our moment. This is our calling. And this is our responsibility. It is time for faith with an attitude, and it is time to do whatever it takes. [00:37:05]

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