Faith in Action: Trusting a Big God

 

Summary

Faith is not a matter of feelings but of action. Feelings are transient and can change with circumstances, but faith is demonstrated through the direction and movement of our lives. It is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that can be measured by the decisions we make and the paths we choose. Even when our emotions are contrary, we can still act in faith by moving forward. True faith is about aligning our actions with the greatness of God. When we perceive God as vast and powerful, our steps will reflect that belief, leading to greater acts of faith. Conversely, if we see God as small, our actions will be limited and hesitant. Therefore, to cultivate a robust faith, we must keep moving forward, trusting in the magnitude of God, regardless of our emotional state. The more we align our actions with the reality of a big God, the more our faith will grow and manifest in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith is not dependent on feelings but on actions. Our emotions can fluctuate with circumstances, but true faith is demonstrated by the direction in which we move. By focusing on our actions rather than our feelings, we can maintain a steady faith even in challenging times. [00:39]

- The movement of our feet is a tangible measure of our faith. Faith becomes real when it is expressed through our decisions and actions. Even when feelings are contrary, we can still act in faith by choosing to move forward. [01:07]

- The size of our faith is directly related to our perception of God. When we see God as vast and powerful, our actions will reflect that belief, leading to greater acts of faith. Conversely, a limited view of God results in hesitant and small steps. [01:07]

- To cultivate a robust faith, we must keep moving forward, trusting in the magnitude of God. Our faith grows as we align our actions with the reality of a big God, regardless of our emotional state. [01:38]

- True faith is about aligning our actions with the greatness of God. The more we perceive God as vast and powerful, the more our steps will reflect that belief, leading to greater acts of faith. [01:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:39] - Faith Measured by Movement
- [01:07] - Operating by Faith Despite Feelings
- [01:38] - Aligning with a Big God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
2. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we live by faith, not by sight."

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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how is faith measured, and why is it not based on feelings? [00:39]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between the size of our faith and our perception of God? [01:07]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of movement in demonstrating faith, even when feelings are contrary? [01:07]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does James 2:17 relate to the sermon's emphasis on faith being demonstrated through action rather than feelings?
2. In what ways does Hebrews 11:6 support the sermon's idea that faith involves trusting in the magnitude of God, regardless of our emotional state?
3. How might 2 Corinthians 5:7 challenge someone who relies heavily on their feelings to guide their faith journey?

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it guided more by your feelings or by faith? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [00:39]
2. Think about a time when your perception of God felt small. How did that affect your actions or decisions? What steps can you take to expand your view of God? [01:07]
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel hesitant to move forward. How can you take a step of faith in that area this week, trusting in God's greatness? [01:38]
4. Consider a situation where your emotions were contrary to your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time to align your actions with your faith? [01:07]
5. How can you remind yourself daily of the vastness and power of God to encourage greater acts of faith in your life? [01:38]
6. What practical steps can you take to ensure your faith is consistently demonstrated through your actions, even when your feelings fluctuate? [00:39]
7. Is there someone in your life who exemplifies living by faith rather than feelings? What can you learn from their example, and how might you apply it to your own life?

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Action, Not Emotion
Faith is not dependent on feelings but on actions. Our emotions can fluctuate with circumstances, but true faith is demonstrated by the direction in which we move. By focusing on our actions rather than our feelings, we can maintain a steady faith even in challenging times. Faith is a commitment to act in alignment with God's will, regardless of how we feel at any given moment. This means that even when we are overwhelmed by doubt or fear, we can choose to take steps that reflect our trust in God. This kind of faith is resilient and enduring, as it is not swayed by the temporary nature of emotions. [00:39]

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where your emotions have held you back. How can you take a step of faith today, despite how you feel?


Day 2: Faith Measured by Movement
The movement of our feet is a tangible measure of our faith. Faith becomes real when it is expressed through our decisions and actions. Even when feelings are contrary, we can still act in faith by choosing to move forward. This means that faith is not passive but active, requiring us to make choices that align with our belief in God's promises. When we take steps forward, even in uncertainty, we demonstrate a faith that is alive and dynamic. Our actions, therefore, become a testament to the faith we profess, showing that we trust God enough to follow His lead. [01:07]

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

Reflection: Identify one decision you need to make that requires faith. What action can you take today to move forward in that decision?


Day 3: Perception of God Shapes Our Faith
The size of our faith is directly related to our perception of God. When we see God as vast and powerful, our actions will reflect that belief, leading to greater acts of faith. Conversely, a limited view of God results in hesitant and small steps. Our understanding of God's greatness influences how boldly we live out our faith. If we truly believe in a God who is capable of the impossible, our lives will be marked by boldness and courage. This perspective challenges us to expand our view of God, allowing His greatness to inspire greater faith in our daily lives. [01:07]

"Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." (Jeremiah 32:17, ESV)

Reflection: How do you perceive God in your life right now? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of His greatness?


Day 4: Trusting in the Magnitude of God
To cultivate a robust faith, we must keep moving forward, trusting in the magnitude of God. Our faith grows as we align our actions with the reality of a big God, regardless of our emotional state. This means that our faith journey is one of continual progress, where we learn to trust God more deeply with each step we take. By focusing on God's vastness and power, we can overcome the limitations of our own understanding and embrace a faith that is both strong and resilient. This trust in God's magnitude allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that He is more than capable of handling whatever comes our way. [01:38]

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's magnitude? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?


Day 5: Aligning Actions with God's Greatness
True faith is about aligning our actions with the greatness of God. The more we perceive God as vast and powerful, the more our steps will reflect that belief, leading to greater acts of faith. This alignment requires us to continually adjust our actions to match our understanding of who God is. As we grow in our knowledge of God's greatness, our faith becomes more evident in the way we live our lives. This process of alignment is ongoing, challenging us to live in a way that consistently reflects our belief in a powerful and loving God. [01:38]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you align your actions more closely with your belief in God's greatness? What specific changes can you make in your daily life to reflect this alignment?

Quotes

Well faith is measured by your feet, not by your feelings. Feelings change based on circumstances, based on how things are going on around you, people in your life. If times are up, you're gonna be up. If times are down, you're gonna be down. You can't base your faith on your feelings, you base it on your feet. That means faith is measurable. It's not this amorphous concept where you're not sure you have it or don't, because you can always know which way your feet are moving, which way your decisions are taking you. When you define faith by the movement of your feet, then faith becomes very real in your life. [00:00:19]

In fact, you can be operating by faith even when the feelings are in the opposite direction. You can feel very full of faith when you are actually faithless because your feet are not moving at all. So become a person of great faith because you're a person of great movement. And the bigger you make God in your life, and your movement consistent with the scope of His size, the greater your faith will be. When you move in concert with a big God, you really are exercising big faith. [00:00:59]

If you keep God small, then you're gonna have many mini-steps and you won't be exercising much faith. So keep moving with your feet in spite of how you feel, and the greater the movement the greater the faith. [00:01:38]

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Transcript
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