Faith in Action: Trusting God Through Trials
Summary
Faith is a journey that requires us to trust in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them. Reflecting on the story of Elijah, we see a man who exemplified unwavering faith. After the brook dried up, Elijah was instructed by God to go to Zarephath, and without hesitation, he obeyed. This teaches us that faith is not just about belief but also about action. Faith just does. It moves us to act in obedience to God's word, even when the path is unclear or uncomfortable.
The widow's story further illustrates the challenges of faith. Despite witnessing God's provision through Elijah, her faith wavered when her son fell ill and died. In her grief, she blamed Elijah and herself, revealing how easily doubt can creep in during trials. Yet, Elijah's response was to turn to God in prayer, demonstrating that faith just believes. It trusts in God's power to do the impossible, even when circumstances seem dire.
Faith is not about having all the answers or understanding every step of the journey. It's about trusting God with the unknowns and believing that He will guide us. This requires us to let go of our fears and limitations, allowing God to work in ways beyond our comprehension. As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask ourselves: How big is our view of God? Are we confining Him to a box, or are we allowing Him to move freely in our lives?
The centurion's story in Matthew 8 is a powerful example of great faith. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word, without needing to be physically present. This kind of faith is what we should aspire to—a faith that trusts in God's authority and power, regardless of our circumstances.
In conclusion, faith is about action and belief. It requires us to step out in obedience, trusting that God will provide and guide us. It challenges us to let go of our fears and limitations, allowing God to work in our lives in miraculous ways. As we continue on our faith journey, may we strive to be like Elijah and the centurion, trusting God wholeheartedly and allowing Him to lead us.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not just about belief; it requires action. Elijah's immediate obedience to God's command to go to Zarephath demonstrates that faith just does. It moves us to act in accordance with God's word, even when the path is unclear or uncomfortable. [39:18]
- Trials can challenge our faith, as seen in the widow's response to her son's death. However, Elijah's response to turn to God in prayer shows that faith just believes. It trusts in God's power to do the impossible, even when circumstances seem dire. [50:33]
- Our view of God can limit our faith. We often confine God to a box, restricting His ability to work in our lives. Faith requires us to let go of our fears and limitations, allowing God to move freely and accomplish His purposes. [47:39]
- The centurion's faith in Matthew 8 exemplifies great faith. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word, demonstrating a trust in God's authority and power. This kind of faith is what we should aspire to—a faith that trusts in God's ability to work, regardless of our circumstances. [55:34]
- Faith is about trusting God with the unknowns and believing that He will guide us. It challenges us to step out in obedience, trusting that God will provide and lead us. As we continue on our faith journey, may we strive to trust God wholeheartedly and allow Him to lead us. [57:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:10] - Elijah's Story Begins
- [36:58] - The Challenge of Faith
- [39:18] - Faith in Action
- [42:04] - Trusting God with Basics
- [44:11] - Sharing Faith Boldly
- [47:39] - Overcoming Fear with Faith
- [50:33] - Elijah's Prayer of Faith
- [53:17] - The Power of Belief
- [55:34] - The Centurion's Great Faith
- [57:28] - Faith Beyond Understanding
- [01:00:01] - Living by Faith, Not Sight
- [01:02:34] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 17:8-24
2. Hebrews 11:1
3. Matthew 8:5-13
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Kings 17:8-24, how did Elijah demonstrate his faith when God instructed him to go to Zarephath? What was his immediate response? [39:18]
2. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? How does this definition relate to the actions of Elijah and the widow in the story?
3. In Matthew 8:5-13, what was unique about the centurion's faith, and how did Jesus respond to it? [55:34]
4. How did the widow's reaction to her son's illness and death reveal her struggle with faith? What was Elijah's response to her doubt? [50:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Elijah's immediate obedience to God's command in 1 Kings 17:8-24 teach us about the nature of faith and action? [39:18]
2. How does the widow's initial doubt and subsequent experience with Elijah's prayer illustrate the challenges of maintaining faith during trials? [50:33]
3. In what ways does the centurion's faith in Matthew 8:5-13 serve as a model for trusting in God's authority and power? How can this be applied to modern-day faith challenges? [55:34]
4. How does the sermon suggest that our view of God can limit our faith, and what steps can be taken to expand our understanding of God's capabilities? [47:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was asking you to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Elijah's example encourage you to act more decisively in the future? [39:18]
2. The widow's story shows how doubt can creep in during difficult times. How do you typically respond to challenges in your faith journey, and what can you learn from Elijah's response to the widow's doubt? [50:33]
3. Consider the centurion's faith in Jesus' authority. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God's power more fully? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith in that area? [55:34]
4. The sermon challenges us to let go of our fears and limitations. Identify one fear or limitation that is currently holding you back in your faith journey. What is one action you can take this week to overcome it? [47:39]
5. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about belief but also about action? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your faith in God's promises? [39:18]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of sharing the gospel. Who is one person in your life that you feel led to share your faith with, and how can you initiate that conversation? [44:11]
7. Reflect on your current view of God. Are there ways in which you might be confining Him to a box? How can you expand your understanding of His capabilities and allow Him to work more freely in your life? [47:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action
Faith is not merely a belief but a call to action. Elijah's story exemplifies this as he obeyed God's command to go to Zarephath without hesitation, even when the path was unclear. This teaches us that faith requires us to step out in obedience, trusting that God will guide us through uncertain and uncomfortable situations. When we act on our faith, we align ourselves with God's will, allowing Him to work through us in powerful ways. [39:18]
"And the Lord said to Elijah, 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.'" (1 Kings 17:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take action, even if the path seems unclear? How can you take a step of faith today?
Day 2: Faith in Trials
Trials often test our faith, as seen in the widow's response to her son's death. Despite witnessing God's provision, her faith wavered, revealing how easily doubt can creep in during difficult times. Elijah's response was to turn to God in prayer, demonstrating that faith trusts in God's power to do the impossible. In moments of trial, we are called to lean into our faith, believing that God is capable of overcoming any obstacle. [50:33]
"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." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How did you respond, and how can you turn to God in prayer and trust during future challenges?
Day 3: Expanding Our View of God
Our perception of God can limit our faith. Often, we confine Him to a box, restricting His ability to work in our lives. Faith requires us to let go of our fears and limitations, allowing God to move freely and accomplish His purposes. By expanding our view of God, we open ourselves to His limitless power and possibilities. [47:39]
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you confined God to a box in your life? How can you begin to expand your view of His power and presence today?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Authority
The centurion's faith in Matthew 8 exemplifies great faith. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word, demonstrating a trust in God's authority and power. This kind of faith is what we should aspire to—a faith that trusts in God's ability to work, regardless of our circumstances. [55:34]
"For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." (Matthew 8:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you need to trust in God's authority. How can you demonstrate faith in His power to work in that situation today?
Day 5: Trusting God with the Unknowns
Faith is about trusting God with the unknowns and believing that He will guide us. It challenges us to step out in obedience, trusting that God will provide and lead us. As we continue on our faith journey, may we strive to trust God wholeheartedly and allow Him to lead us. [57:28]
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What unknowns are you currently facing in your life? How can you actively trust God to guide you through these uncertainties today?
Quotes
Faith is hoping and believing that God can and will do what he says he will do. Now, where does that come from, Robbie? It actually comes from Hebrews chapter 11. We call it the chapter of faith, the hall of faith. That verse says, right, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [00:37:47]
We got this great big God who can do anything that he wants to do. He can move any way he wants to move. And he's God, and he wants, he has our best interest at heart. And we take this great big God and we put him in this little bitty box. [00:38:55]
But he always came back around to trusting God by faith. After the brook dried up, God told him to leave the place and go to another. And I love the first part of our text. See, when God told him to go to Zarephath and he went, there was no discussion. Right? There was no arguing. [00:39:25]
Faith is knowing what God has said and trusting him. God told Elijah to go, so he went. No questions. No arguing. No justifying staying by the brook. No saying, yeah, I was really comfortable here, God. Hey, God, give me more details. [00:40:08]
If you're taking notes, this will be in there. Partial obedience to God is disobedience to God. Partial obedience to God is complete disobedience to God. If I were to ask you, if you're a person who lives by faith, what would your answer be? [00:41:20]
What about spending time with him every day? God said, I want a relationship with you. And we begin that through believing in Christ as our savior. That begins that relationship. But now what? Do you spend time with him? Do you talk to him? Do you pray with him? [00:43:04]
And I don't enjoy those times. How about you? See, lack of faith in some of these basic instructions from God will lead us to live in fear. Lack of faith in some of the basic instructions will lead us to live in fear. [00:46:37]
Faith chooses, listen, faith chooses to believe and know that in pleasing God first and being who he wants me to be, he'll take care of everything else in my life. Faith demands that. Faith is honoring God with what he has blessed me with financially, trusting him that he will take care of my needs. [00:47:42]
Faith is knowing how important my time with God is every day and not letting other things interrupt it or take over it. Faith is trusting that God will use me through my church family as I say yes to serving, as I say yes to getting involved, as I say yes to doing and being who God wants me to be. [00:48:08]
Faith is believing that God can do and will do what only he can do. That's what faith is. Now there's nothing wrong with asking God to do what we see as impossible. Back to how big is your view of God? [00:53:02]
I love the account recorded in Matthew chapter 8. It's about great faith. Matthew chapter 8 verse 5 says this. Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him pleading with him saying, Lord, my servant is lying at home, paralyzed, dreadfully tormented. [00:54:37]
In our text, we have one of the resurrections mentioned in the Bible. The young boy had been sick and died. The woman in her grief blamed Elijah. Elijah took the boy, prayed over him and he came back to life. So what can we learn from this? Faith just does. And faith just believes. [00:57:28]
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