Faith in Action: The Power Beyond Belief

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Requires Action

Faith is not just about believing; it requires action to be effective. Belief is based on information, but faith is rooted in application. Jesus highlighted this difference when He told the woman who touched His garment that her faith, not just her belief, had made her well. This means that our faith must be demonstrated through our deeds. James 2:18-19 emphasizes that faith without works is dead. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrated his faith through action, which was credited to him as righteousness. Therefore, our actions must align with our beliefs for our faith to be alive and effective. [03:02]

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: Think of a specific area in your life where you have strong beliefs but have not yet taken action. What is one step you can take today to put your faith into action in that area?

Day 2: The Power of Mustard Seed Faith

Even the smallest amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can move mountains. Jesus used this analogy to show that our faith, no matter how small, has immense power when applied. This teaches us to hold on to our faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. The power of mustard seed faith is not in its size but in its potential to grow and achieve the impossible when nurtured and applied. [07:07]

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: Identify a challenge in your life that seems insurmountable. How can you apply even a small amount of faith to this situation today, trusting in God's power to bring about change?

Day 3: Faith Comes by Hearing God's Word

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). To increase our faith, we must immerse ourselves in God's word and listen to His voice. This spiritual discipline strengthens our faith and prepares us for the challenges we face. By consistently engaging with Scripture and seeking God's guidance, we build a foundation of faith that can withstand any trial. [22:06]

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

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to immerse yourself more deeply in God's word? Consider setting aside a dedicated time each day for Bible reading and prayer.

Day 4: Spiritual Warfare and Faith

The enemy targets our faith to prevent us from acting on our beliefs. However, we must remain steadfast and continue to apply our faith, knowing that God is faithful and will reward those who diligently seek Him. Our faith in action will lead to breakthroughs and the fulfillment of God's promises. In times of spiritual warfare, it is crucial to hold on to our faith and trust in God's faithfulness. [33:53]

Ephesians 6:16 (ESV): "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent spiritual challenge you faced. How did you respond in faith, and what was the outcome? How can you better prepare yourself for future spiritual battles?

Day 5: Faith in Finances

Faith applies to all areas of life, including our finances. Trusting God with our resources and being faithful stewards of what He has given us is an act of faith. By applying our faith to our financial decisions, we can experience God's provision and blessings. This involves trusting God to meet our needs and being generous with what we have, knowing that He is our ultimate provider. [39:41]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Reflection: Consider your current financial situation. How can you demonstrate faith in God through your financial decisions this week? What steps can you take to be a more faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound difference between belief and faith, emphasizing that while belief is based on information, faith is rooted in application. Romans 12:3 reminds us that everyone has been given a measure of faith, not just Christians. This faith, even as small as a mustard seed, has the power to move mountains. Jesus illustrated this in Matthew 17:20, showing that even the tiniest amount of faith can achieve the impossible.

We explored how faith must be put into action to be effective. James 2:18-19 teaches us that faith without works is dead. Abraham's faith was perfected through his actions, and similarly, our faith must be demonstrated through our deeds. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our finances, health, and personal challenges.

We also discussed the importance of hearing God's word to increase our faith. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Therefore, immersing ourselves in God's word and listening to His voice is crucial for growing our faith.

In times of spiritual warfare, the enemy targets our faith to prevent us from acting on our beliefs. However, we must remain steadfast, knowing that God is faithful and will reward those who diligently seek Him. As we apply our faith, we can expect breakthroughs, miracles, and the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives.

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Key Takeaways

1. 19 emphasizes that faith without works is dead. Our actions must align with our beliefs for our faith to be alive and effective. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrated his faith through action, which was credited to him as righteousness. [14:10]
4. Increasing Faith through God's Word: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). To increase our faith, we must immerse ourselves in God's word and listen to His voice. This spiritual discipline strengthens our faith and prepares us for the challenges we face.

5. Spiritual Warfare and Faith: The enemy targets our faith to prevent us from acting on our beliefs. However, we must remain steadfast and continue to apply our faith, knowing that God is faithful and will reward those who diligently seek Him. Our faith in action will lead to breakthroughs and the fulfillment of God's promises.

### [14:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - Introduction and Acknowledgments
[01:33] - Romans 12:3: Everyone Has a Measure of Faith
[02:11] - Difference Between Belief and Faith
[03:02] - Faith in Action: Woman with the Issue of Blood
[04:55] - Defining Faith and Belief
[05:41] - Belief vs. Faith: Information vs. Application
[07:07] - Mustard Seed Faith: Moving Mountains
[08:22] - Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed
[10:03] - Holding on to Your Mustard Seed
[11:56] - Applying Your Faith
[14:10] - James 2:18-19: Faith Without Works is Dead
[20:38] - Increasing Faith: Hearing God's Word
[22:06] - Faith Comes by Hearing
[33:53] - Spiritual Warfare and Faith
[39:41] - Faith in Finances
[49:06] - Speaking Life into Your Situations
[55:15] - First-Time Visitors and Announcements
[59:46] - Closing Blessing and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:3, what has God given to each person? How should this affect our self-perception?
In Matthew 17:20, what does Jesus say can be achieved with faith the size of a mustard seed? [07:07]
What does James 2:18-19 say about the relationship between faith and works? How does this passage define true faith? [14:10]
How did the pastor describe the difference between belief and faith in the sermon? [05:41]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes the importance of not thinking too highly of oneself in Romans 12:3? How does this relate to the measure of faith given to each person?
How can the analogy of mustard seed faith in Matthew 17:20 encourage someone facing a significant challenge? What does this teach us about the nature of faith? [07:07]
In James 2:18-19, why is faith without works considered dead? How does this principle apply to our daily lives and actions? [14:10]
The pastor mentioned that faith must be applied to be effective. How does this concept challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith? [11:56]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did your faith play a role in overcoming it? What actions did you take that demonstrated your faith? [07:47]
The sermon emphasized the importance of hearing God's word to increase faith. What practical steps can you take this week to immerse yourself more in God's word? [22:06]
Think about an area in your life where you have belief but have not yet put your faith into action. What specific steps can you take to apply your faith in that area? [11:56]
The pastor spoke about the enemy targeting our faith during spiritual warfare. How can you remain steadfast and continue to act on your faith during difficult times? [33:53]
How can you encourage someone else in your life to move from belief to faith through action? Share a specific example of how you might do this.
The sermon mentioned that even a small amount of faith can achieve great things. Identify a "mountain" in your life that seems insurmountable. How can you apply your mustard seed faith to this situation? [07:07]
Reflect on the story of Abraham's faith being perfected through his actions. What is one area in your life where you can demonstrate your faith through a specific action this week? [16:24]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you just got this little bitty, itty bitty speck of faith, I can bust that thing down. Come on, y'all. Talk to me, somebody. You can believe all day long that it works. But until your faith takes you into action, you're going to stand there and the mountain's going to win." [12:58] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I got a feelin'? Everything's gonna be alright. And then we sang the second verse, cause the Holy Ghost done told me everything's gonna be alright. Let me tell you, if the Holy Ghost told you everything's gonna be alright, what you have to understand is He's not just telling you something to make you feel good. He's telling you what you heard." [22:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you hear the word of the Lord, how do I let, and let me tell you something. How you know you're hearing the word of the Lord is you feel your faith rising. You feel encouraged. Anybody feel encouraged in here right now? See when you start feeling encouraged, you know what you're hearing? You're hearing the word of the Lord." [25:46] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I believe that we're stepping into a season. Let me just tell you this. Monday night prayer is no accident. It's no accident right now. I don't know how many of you were here last Monday but we had an awesome time in here last Monday. And I'm looking for more people to be here Monday because I believe that this Monday I believe that God is gonna open up the heavens and the portals of heaven are gonna be opened and the realization of prayers are gonna start being answered in such a profound way that miracles are gonna appear in your household." [21:21] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I believe that without a doubt, God is working on things for you. The scripture says, David said, He is perfecting those things concerning me. I believe God is perfecting some things concerning you. And I believe that you're about to see some breakthrough. Are you ready for that breakthrough?" [59:46] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Belief is based on information while faith is based on application. So now you can understand when he said to the man who said, if you can, he said, if I can, do you believe that I can? Then the woman comes through and touches the hem of his garment, and he said, your faith, because faith is an action. Come on, y'all. I want to talk to you about the action of faith." [05:41] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You can believe that that food will save your life. But until you get up and get that fork in your hand and put some action, come on y'all, to what you say you believe, you will die. Come on, are y'all here today? You willing to acknowledge that faith without works is useless?" [15:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The devil don't care what you believe. He don't care what you believe just as long as you don't act on what you believe. Come on. You can believe it all day long, but that don't change nothing because the devils believe and shudder. They believe. They know there is one God. They believe and they shudder. He said, you do well. Your belief without some action is dead." [33:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Warfare is simply the enemy coming against your mind and your belief system to stop your faith action. He don't want you to operate in faith because he knows that when you start operating in faith, everything shifts. Are y'all with me? And so the enemy, go put that scripture up there, James, the first chapter, verse two. I just, I want you to see this. He said, consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, watch this, knowing that the testing of your faith, he never tests your belief. He tests your faith." [34:38] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I believe God is about to do something so significant that if we don't operate in this moment in faith, we might miss everything God is doing. We might miss everything that God is doing if we don't operate in this moment. There is something about, I was listening to a guy the other day, he said he watched his own daughter as two years of age, was at a church somewhere up in the northwest." [41:10] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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