Faith in Action: Trusting God Through Trials

 

Summary

In moments of deep personal challenge, how do we continue to worship God? This question resonates deeply when we feel that God has disappointed us or when His demands seem overwhelming. Reflecting on the story of Abraham, we see a profound example of faith in action. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, a request that seemed to contradict God's promise to make a great nation through Isaac. Yet, Abraham's response was one of obedience and faith. He got up and moved towards the mountain, even without knowing all the details of God's plan. This act of faith underscores a critical truth: faith is measured by movement. Without action, faith remains stagnant, no matter how strong our feelings might be.

Abraham's journey to the mountain was not just a physical one but a spiritual ascent as well. On the third day, he saw the place from a distance, a moment that signifies the clarity and vision that comes with obedience. Despite the apparent contradiction in God's command, Abraham told his servants that he and Isaac would return after worshiping. This statement was not a denial of reality but a declaration of faith in God's power to fulfill His promises, even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead.

Abraham's confidence was rooted in his past experiences with God. He had witnessed the miraculous birth of Isaac when both he and Sarah were beyond childbearing years. This memory of God's faithfulness in the past fueled his faith for the present challenge. When God calls us to face significant tests, we must remember the smaller victories He has already given us. These past experiences are not just memories but stepping stones to greater faith and trust in God's plan.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith requires movement. Abraham's journey to the mountain illustrates that faith is not just a feeling but an action. Without movement, faith remains untested and unproven. We must be willing to step out, even when the path is unclear, trusting that God will reveal more as we go. [01:02]

- Speak faith in the face of contradiction. Abraham declared that he and Isaac would return, despite God's command to sacrifice Isaac. This teaches us to hold onto God's promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. Our words should reflect our trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises. [02:49]

- Remember past victories to fuel present faith. Abraham's faith was strengthened by recalling how God had previously worked miracles in his life. When facing new challenges, we should remember how God has been faithful in the past, using those experiences to bolster our confidence in His future provision. [04:20]

- God's tests are opportunities for growth. The challenges we face are not meant to break us but to elevate us to a new level of faith and trust. Each test is a chance to deepen our relationship with God and to witness His power in new ways. [04:38]

- Trust in God's plan, even without all the details. Abraham obeyed God's command without knowing the full plan. This teaches us to trust in God's wisdom and timing, believing that He will provide and guide us as we move forward in faith. [01:19]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Worship in Disappointment
[00:28] - Obedience Without Details
[00:46] - Faith Measured by Movement
[01:02] - Abraham's Journey Begins
[01:34] - The Third Day Vision
[01:49] - Speaking Faith Amid Contradiction
[02:02] - Declaration of Return
[02:16] - The Paradox of Faith
[02:30] - Trusting God's Promise
[03:05] - Belief in Resurrection
[03:20] - Miracles and Promises
[03:33] - God's Unchanging Nature
[03:50] - Past Miracles Fuel Present Faith
[04:05] - Facing Major Tests
[04:20] - New Challenges, New Growth
[04:38] - Elevation Through Trials

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 22:1-14
- Hebrews 11:17-19

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific action did Abraham take in response to God's command, and what does this reveal about his faith? [00:46]

2. How did Abraham's statement to his servants reflect his faith, despite the apparent contradiction in God's command? [02:02]

3. What past experience did Abraham recall that strengthened his faith in God's promise? [03:50]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and movement? [01:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrate the concept of faith being measured by movement? What does this imply about the nature of true faith? [01:02]

2. In what ways does Abraham's declaration that he and Isaac would return reflect a deeper understanding of God's promises and character? [02:02]

3. How can past experiences of God's faithfulness serve as a foundation for facing new challenges, according to the sermon? [04:20]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the purpose of God's tests and how they contribute to spiritual growth? [04:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was asking something difficult of you. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of Abraham's example? [00:28]

2. Abraham spoke faith in the face of contradiction. Is there a situation in your life where circumstances seem to contradict God's promises? How can you speak faith into that situation? [02:49]

3. Consider a past victory or miracle in your life. How can recalling this experience help you face a current challenge with greater faith? [04:20]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of movement in faith. What is one step you can take this week to act on your faith, even if the path is unclear? [01:02]

5. How can you prepare yourself to trust in God's plan, even when you don't have all the details? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this trust? [01:19]

6. Think about a recent test or trial you have faced. How did it challenge your faith, and what did you learn about God's character through it? [04:38]

7. Abraham's faith was rooted in his past experiences with God. How can you create a habit of remembering and celebrating God's faithfulness in your life to strengthen your faith for future challenges? [03:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Motion
Faith is not just a feeling; it requires action. Abraham's journey to the mountain is a testament to this truth. Despite the lack of clarity in God's plan, Abraham moved forward, demonstrating that faith is measured by movement. His willingness to act, even when the path was unclear, shows that true faith involves stepping out and trusting God to reveal more as we go. This movement is essential for faith to be tested and proven. [01:02]

Hebrews 11:8-9 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take a step of faith? How can you begin to move forward in that area today, trusting God to guide you?


Day 2: Speaking Faith Amid Contradiction
Abraham's declaration that he and Isaac would return after worshiping is a powerful example of speaking faith in the face of contradiction. Despite God's command to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham held onto God's promises, trusting in His power to fulfill them. This teaches us to let our words reflect our trust in God's ability, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. [02:49]

Romans 4:20-21 (ESV): "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where circumstances seem to contradict God's promises. How can you begin to speak words of faith and trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises in that situation?


Day 3: Remembering Past Victories
Abraham's faith was strengthened by recalling God's past faithfulness, particularly the miraculous birth of Isaac. When facing new challenges, remembering how God has worked in the past can bolster our confidence in His future provision. These past experiences are not just memories but stepping stones to greater faith and trust in God's plan. [04:20]

1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV): "And David said, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you!'"

Reflection: Reflect on a past victory where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can this memory encourage you to trust God in a current challenge you are facing?


Day 4: Growth Through God's Tests
The challenges we face are opportunities for growth, not meant to break us but to elevate us to a new level of faith and trust. Each test is a chance to deepen our relationship with God and witness His power in new ways. Abraham's test was a pivotal moment that elevated his faith and trust in God. [04:38]

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: What is a current challenge you are facing that feels like a test from God? How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for growth and deeper faith?


Day 5: Trusting Without Details
Abraham's obedience to God's command, despite not knowing the full plan, teaches us to trust in God's wisdom and timing. Trusting God without all the details requires faith in His character and His promises, believing that He will provide and guide us as we move forward. [01:19]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are hesitant to trust God because you don't have all the details? How can you begin to trust in His wisdom and timing today, even without knowing the full plan?

Quotes

how do you worship god when god is doing a number on you how do you worship god when he has disappointed you how do you worship god and go to the altar when you believe he has failed you god how do i go to church today this is now i don't feel like worshiping today not not in light of what you're asking of me demanding of me instructing me calling me to do because what you are asking is too deep but it says abraham got up [00:00:00]

he had to obey without all the details i will only give you more details when i see you moving see one of the reasons that we do not see more details from god is he can't get us to move from where we are faith is measured by movement if there is no movement there is no faith no matter how faithish you feel so it says abraham got up and now the plot thickens [00:00:53]

on the third day abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance let me read verse 4 again verse 4 says on the third day abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a different somebody say third day on the third day abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance he tells the young men the servants who helped carry the load you all stay here [00:01:49]

i and the lad will go up and we will worship and return to you oh wait a minute now abe god just told you to go kill him abe tells the boys uh i'm going up here to worship you boys stay here me and isaac we're going up here to worship and when we finish our church service me and the lad will come back wait a minute now god just told you to kill it [00:02:02]

see when you're called to faith you gotta speak the truth in the midst of the contradiction of the circumstance hebrews 11 says the reason he said that was because he believed god was even able to raise the dead that's what hebrews 11 says so if i obey you god and do what you told me to do and at the same time believe your promise that you're going to work through isaac to make a great nation [00:02:56]

that i also have to believe since you don't contradict yourself that if i do what you tell me to do you got some kind of miracle you're planning to bring me and this boy back here again but what made him speak that where where did this faith confidence come that god could raise the dead and well you recall sarah's womb was dead and abraham couldn't function no more at 100 years old [00:03:33]

and god created a hookup and a miracle baby of isaac was born he had seen what god could do in raising a womb so he figured the same god could raise a son so when god calls you to a major exam don't forget what he did in the quizzes don't forget what he did yesterday when he moves you to a bigger challenge tomorrow because if it's bigger today than what he did yesterday is because he's moving you to a new grade level [00:03:59]

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Transcript
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