Faith in Action: Embracing Trials and God's Promises
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound truth of being a "whosoever" in the Kingdom of God. The central theme was understanding and exercising faith, particularly through the lens of Mark 11:22-24 and James 1. We began by emphasizing the importance of being interactive and engaged with God's Word, allowing it to stir up faith within us. We explored the concept of counting it all joy when we face various trials, as these trials test our faith and build our endurance. This endurance, in turn, leads to maturity and completeness in our walk with God.
We also discussed the significance of our words and how they align with our faith. Jesus' teaching in Mark 11:22-24 highlights the power of speaking to our mountains—our problems and challenges—and believing without doubting. This principle underscores the necessity of not just believing in our hearts but also confessing with our mouths. We examined how our words can either build up or tear down our faith, and the importance of consistently speaking life and truth over our situations.
Furthermore, we touched on the promises of God, such as His promise to strengthen us, give us rest, meet our needs, answer our prayers, and work everything out for our good. These promises are the foundation upon which we can stand, especially during times of trial. By holding onto these promises and speaking them over our lives, we activate our faith and align ourselves with God's will.
In conclusion, we were encouraged to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. This means actively applying the principles of faith in our daily lives, speaking God's promises, and standing firm in our belief, regardless of the circumstances. As we do this, we will see the manifestation of God's power and provision in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Count It All Joy in Trials: James 1:2-4 teaches us to consider it pure joy when we face trials because these trials test our faith and develop perseverance. This perseverance leads to maturity and completeness, lacking nothing. Embracing trials with joy is a testament to our trust in God's refining process. [27:33]
2. The Power of Our Words: Mark 11:22-24 emphasizes the importance of speaking to our mountains and believing without doubting. Our words have the power to shape our reality. By consistently speaking life and truth, we align ourselves with God's promises and activate our faith. [46:02]
3. God's Promises as Our Foundation: Standing on God's promises, such as His promise to strengthen us (Ephesians 3:14-16) and give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30), provides a solid foundation for our faith. These promises remind us of God's faithfulness and encourage us to trust Him in every situation. [59:29]
4. Endurance Through Patience: The testing of our faith produces patience, which in turn leads to maturity. This process requires us to stay in faith, even when the results are not immediate. By letting patience have its perfect work, we grow stronger and more resilient in our walk with God. [31:35]
5. Faith in Action: Being doers of the Word means actively applying God's principles in our lives. This involves taking our thoughts captive, speaking God's promises, and standing firm in our belief. As we do this, we will see the manifestation of God's power and provision in our lives. [53:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:30] - Interactive Faith
[23:31] - Prayer and Introduction
[25:32] - Whosoever: Mark 11:22-24
[26:02] - Starting in James 1
[27:33] - Count It All Joy
[29:34] - Trials and Endurance
[33:41] - Spiritual and Natural Parallels
[37:17] - Have Faith in God
[39:24] - Foundation of Faith
[42:59] - Whosoever Shall Say
[45:32] - The Power of Saying
[47:45] - Speaking to Your Mountain
[53:24] - Promises of God
[59:29] - God's Promise to Strengthen
[01:00:58] - God's Promise to Give Rest
[01:09:08] - Applying Faith in Daily Life
[01:16:52] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 11:22-24 (NIV): "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
2. James 1:2-4 (NIV): "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
3. Ephesians 3:14-16 (NIV): "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 11:22-24, what are the two key actions required to move mountains in our lives? ([42:59])
2. In James 1:2-4, what is the ultimate result of letting perseverance finish its work? ([31:04])
3. How does Ephesians 3:14-16 describe the source and nature of the strength we receive from God? ([59:29])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our words and our faith? ([49:52])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of not doubting in our hearts when we speak to our mountains? How does this relate to the power of our words? ([47:04])
2. How can counting it all joy during trials, as mentioned in James 1:2-4, change our perspective on difficult situations? ([27:33])
3. What does it mean to be strengthened with power through God's Spirit in our inner being, as described in Ephesians 3:14-16? How can this strength manifest in our daily lives? ([59:29])
4. The sermon mentions that our words can either build up or tear down our faith. How can we ensure that our words consistently align with God's promises? ([49:52])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did you respond to it? How might counting it all joy, as James 1:2-4 suggests, have changed your experience? ([27:33])
2. Think about a "mountain" in your life right now. What specific words can you speak over this situation to align with the teaching in Mark 11:22-24? ([42:59])
3. Identify an area in your life where you need God's strength. How can you apply the promise in Ephesians 3:14-16 to this situation? ([59:29])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being doers of the Word. What is one practical step you can take this week to actively apply a principle of faith in your life? ([53:24])
5. Consider the words you use daily. Are there any negative or doubtful phrases you frequently say? How can you replace them with words that build up your faith and align with God's promises? ([49:52])
6. How can you remind yourself of God's promises during times of trial? Is there a specific promise you can focus on this week to strengthen your faith? ([59:29])
7. Reflect on a time when you saw the manifestation of God's power and provision in your life. How can this testimony encourage you to stand firm in your belief in current or future challenges? ([56:00])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Joy in Trials
When we face trials, it can be challenging to maintain a positive outlook. However, James 1:2-4 teaches us to consider it pure joy when we encounter various trials because these trials test our faith and develop perseverance. This perseverance leads to maturity and completeness, lacking nothing. Embracing trials with joy is a testament to our trust in God's refining process. By viewing our challenges through the lens of faith, we can see them as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. This perspective shift allows us to experience God's peace and strength even in difficult times. [27:33]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth and deeper reliance on God?
Day 2: Speak Life to Your Mountains
Mark 11:22-24 emphasizes the importance of speaking to our mountains—our problems and challenges—and believing without doubting. Our words have the power to shape our reality. By consistently speaking life and truth, we align ourselves with God's promises and activate our faith. This principle underscores the necessity of not just believing in our hearts but also confessing with our mouths. Our words can either build up or tear down our faith, so it is crucial to speak positively and in alignment with God's Word. [46:02]
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: Identify a challenge you are currently facing. What positive and faith-filled words can you speak over this situation today?
Day 3: Stand on God's Promises
Standing on God's promises, such as His promise to strengthen us (Ephesians 3:14-16) and give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30), provides a solid foundation for our faith. These promises remind us of God's faithfulness and encourage us to trust Him in every situation. By holding onto these promises and speaking them over our lives, we activate our faith and align ourselves with God's will. This practice helps us to remain steadfast and hopeful, even when circumstances seem bleak. [59:29]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Choose one of God's promises that resonates with you. How can you incorporate this promise into your daily prayers and affirmations?
Day 4: Develop Endurance Through Patience
The testing of our faith produces patience, which in turn leads to maturity. This process requires us to stay in faith, even when the results are not immediate. By letting patience have its perfect work, we grow stronger and more resilient in our walk with God. Patience is not passive waiting but an active trust in God's timing and plan. As we endure through patience, we become more equipped to handle future challenges with grace and confidence. [31:35]
Romans 5:3-4 (ESV): "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you had to wait for God's timing. How did this experience strengthen your faith and character?
Day 5: Put Faith into Action
Being doers of the Word means actively applying God's principles in our lives. This involves taking our thoughts captive, speaking God's promises, and standing firm in our belief. As we do this, we will see the manifestation of God's power and provision in our lives. Faith in action is about living out our beliefs through our daily choices and behaviors. It requires intentionality and consistency, but the rewards are a deeper relationship with God and a more impactful witness to others. [53:24]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can put your faith into action today? How can you be more intentional about living out God's principles in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "My goal is to stir you up if pastor is a pastor my goal is to come in every now and then and just stir it up stir the goodness of God up right the faith in our lives because as we were talking we got up here and I tell you what let me go ahead and pray because I'll start getting into this and talking next thing you know I'll just I'll be pacing the line right here we give you glory father we thank you for your goodness lord I thank you." [23:31] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Dear brothers and sisters when troubles of any kind there you go come your way what consider it an opportunity for great joy now why does he say that why does he say consider it an opportunity for great joy anybody remember this is interactive so you can I I'm looking for an answer anybody somebody got something okay nobody all right great so he says when please leave the scripture up there I'm just going to go back and forward to it." [27:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When your faith is tested right when it's tried when it's being pushed against when it's being pride on you're having to stand on your ground he's saying you know that when your faith is tested what your endurance has a chance to grow praise God right Lord we just thank you right now God I thank you for the word Lord I thank you for your word that's inspiring in me this morning Lord all week years God you've been inspiring this in me that I've been standing on." [29:34] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He says dear brothers I'm back in the King James count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations knowing this that the trying of your faith works your patience so verse 4 he says what but let patience right have her perfect work that you may be what perfect and entire what what was that okay did we read that right sorry I'm dropping other notes did we read that right so this is literally he says but let patience have her perfect work." [31:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You can have what you say right and so again and it's harder said than done yes but what I want you to see here is you ought to be walking around like this you ought to be walking around like this and and believe me this is elementary teaching but this is the teaching where people miss it because it's like brother Hagen again you'll hear me talk about brother Hagen all the time because I follow him right up Mark Hankins brother Hagen Keith Moore you know you go down they're all they're all out of rhema consider that right." [50:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So this is one of those things where we can my goal is to stir you up if pastor is a pastor my goal is to come in every now and then and just stir it up stir the goodness of God up right the faith in our lives because as we were talking we got up here and I tell you what let me go ahead and pray because I'll start getting into this and talking next thing you know I'll just I'll be pacing the line right here we give you glory father we thank you for your goodness lord I thank you." [23:31] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When your faith is tested right when it's tried when it's being pushed against when it's being pride on you're having to stand on your ground he's saying you know that when your faith is tested what your endurance has a chance to grow praise God right Lord we just thank you right now God I thank you for the word Lord I thank you for your word that's inspiring in me this morning Lord all week years God you've been inspiring this in me that I've been standing on." [29:34] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He says dear brothers I'm back in the King James count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations knowing this that the trying of your faith works your patience so verse 4 he says what but let patience right have her perfect work that you may be what perfect and entire what what was that okay did we read that right sorry I'm dropping other notes did we read that right so this is literally he says but let patience have her perfect work." [31:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can have what you say right and so again and it's harder said than done yes but what I want you to see here is you ought to be walking around like this you ought to be walking around like this and and believe me this is elementary teaching but this is the teaching where people miss it because it's like brother Hagen again you'll hear me talk about brother Hagen all the time because I follow him right up Mark Hankins brother Hagen Keith Moore you know you go down they're all they're all out of rhema consider that right." [50:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If there's anything in your life that you felt that you've missed out on from God it's not because you messed up it's because you gave up that's straight up from God if there's anything in your I don't care what it is you feel like you've missed out on it at a time it's not too late to pick it back up because the only reason you've missed that on it is because you gave up because maybe the patience right because if you run out of patience you run out of faith you know you ever been like that oh that's enough that's it I'm done that I'm out of patience what you're saying is that's it I'm done I'm over I quit and when you quit when you give up you quit and in fact you can serve God for six months like a house of fire I mean on fire for God praying teaching sowing giving blah blah blah you go down the road you do that for six months straight and then quit and you'll get the same results as you never started so it's the ones that stay in it and they go to the end those are the ones he says that will what inherit the promises right praise God." [01:15:54] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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