Faith in Action: Trusting God's Healing Prescription
Summary
In life, we often find ourselves in situations where we need guidance and healing, much like when we visit a doctor for a problem we can't solve on our own. We approach the doctor with our symptoms, seeking the truth about our condition. The doctor, with his expertise, diagnoses the real issue and prescribes a solution, often in the form of a medication that we may not fully understand. We trust the pharmacist to provide the correct medicine, and yet, the healing process only begins when we take the medicine as prescribed. This analogy mirrors our spiritual journey. We come to God with our problems, seeking His wisdom and guidance. God, like the doctor, knows the root of our issues and provides us with His Word as the prescription for our lives.
However, the key to healing and transformation lies in our obedience and faith. Just as taking the medicine is necessary for physical healing, acting on God's Word is essential for spiritual growth. Faith is not merely a feeling or a discussion; it is an action. It requires us to trust in God's authority and act on His instructions, even when we don't fully understand them. Many of us struggle because we fail to act on God's Word consistently. We may take a spiritual "pill" sporadically and wonder why we don't see results. True faith is demonstrated through consistent action, trusting that God, who knows what He is talking about, will bring about the healing and transformation we seek.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust in God's wisdom is essential, much like trusting a doctor's diagnosis. We may not always understand God's ways, but we must believe that He knows the root of our problems and has the solution. Our role is to act on His Word with faith and obedience. [00:23]
- Faith requires action. Just as taking medicine is necessary for healing, acting on God's Word is crucial for spiritual growth. Without action, our faith remains incomplete, and we miss out on the transformation God intends for us. [00:52]
- Consistency in obedience is key. Sporadic action on God's Word leads to frustration and a lack of results. We must follow God's instructions consistently, trusting in His timing and wisdom for our lives. [01:21]
- Faith is not a feeling or a discussion; it is an action based on trust in God's authority. We must move beyond mere intellectual agreement and step into active obedience to experience the fullness of God's promises. [01:47]
- Complaining about God's ways not working often stems from our lack of obedience. We must examine our actions and ensure we are following God's instructions fully, trusting that His ways are perfect and lead to true healing and transformation. [01:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - The Doctor's Diagnosis
[00:52] - Trusting the Prescription
[01:21] - The Role of Obedience
[01:47] - Faith as Action
[02:10] - Consistency in Faith
[02:35] - God's Authority and Wisdom
[03:00] - Examining Our Actions
[03:25] - True Healing and Transformation
[03:50] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:22-25 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
2. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
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Observation Questions:
1. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe our approach to God with our problems? How does this relate to our spiritual journey? [00:23]
2. What role does obedience play in the healing process, according to the sermon? [00:52]
3. How does the sermon describe faith, and what is required for it to be complete? [01:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of a doctor and a prescription help us understand the importance of trusting God's wisdom and guidance? [00:23]
2. What might be some reasons people struggle to act consistently on God's Word, as discussed in the sermon? [01:21]
3. How does the sermon suggest we should respond when we feel God's ways are not working in our lives? [01:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you trusted God's guidance without fully understanding it. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith? [00:23]
2. Identify an area in your life where you have been inconsistent in following God's instructions. What steps can you take to improve your obedience in this area? [01:21]
3. Consider a situation where you have been complaining about God's ways not working. How can you shift your focus to examine your own actions and obedience? [01:47]
4. How can you actively demonstrate your faith through actions this week, rather than just feelings or discussions? [01:47]
5. Think of a specific instruction from God's Word that you have been hesitant to act on. What is one practical step you can take this week to begin acting on it? [01:47]
6. How can you remind yourself to trust in God's authority and wisdom, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? [01:47]
7. What is one way you can encourage someone else in your life to act on their faith consistently? How can you support them in this journey? [01:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Divine Diagnosis
In life, we often seek guidance and healing, much like visiting a doctor for a problem we can't solve on our own. We approach the doctor with our symptoms, seeking the truth about our condition. Similarly, we come to God with our problems, seeking His wisdom and guidance. God, like the doctor, knows the root of our issues and provides us with His Word as the prescription for our lives. Trust in God's wisdom is essential, much like trusting a doctor's diagnosis. We may not always understand God's ways, but we must believe that He knows the root of our problems and has the solution. Our role is to act on His Word with faith and obedience. [00:23]
Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV): "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's diagnosis and guidance more fully? How can you begin to act on His Word in that area today?
Day 2: Faith in Action
Faith requires action. Just as taking medicine is necessary for healing, acting on God's Word is crucial for spiritual growth. Without action, our faith remains incomplete, and we miss out on the transformation God intends for us. Faith is not merely a feeling or a discussion; it is an action. It requires us to trust in God's authority and act on His instructions, even when we don't fully understand them. Many of us struggle because we fail to act on God's Word consistently. We may take a spiritual "pill" sporadically and wonder why we don't see results. True faith is demonstrated through consistent action, trusting that God, who knows what He is talking about, will bring about the healing and transformation we seek. [00:52]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Identify one specific instruction from God's Word that you have been hesitant to act on. What step can you take today to put that instruction into practice?
Day 3: Consistency in Obedience
Consistency in obedience is key. Sporadic action on God's Word leads to frustration and a lack of results. We must follow God's instructions consistently, trusting in His timing and wisdom for our lives. Complaining about God's ways not working often stems from our lack of obedience. We must examine our actions and ensure we are following God's instructions fully, trusting that His ways are perfect and lead to true healing and transformation. [01:21]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were inconsistent in following God's instructions. What changes can you make to ensure more consistent obedience in your spiritual journey?
Day 4: Faith Beyond Feelings
Faith is not a feeling or a discussion; it is an action based on trust in God's authority. We must move beyond mere intellectual agreement and step into active obedience to experience the fullness of God's promises. True faith is demonstrated through consistent action, trusting that God, who knows what He is talking about, will bring about the healing and transformation we seek. [01:47]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: Consider an area where you have relied more on feelings than faith. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's authority and act on His Word?
Day 5: Examining Our Actions
Complaining about God's ways not working often stems from our lack of obedience. We must examine our actions and ensure we are following God's instructions fully, trusting that His ways are perfect and lead to true healing and transformation. True faith is demonstrated through consistent action, trusting that God, who knows what He is talking about, will bring about the healing and transformation we seek. [01:47]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your actions and attitudes. Are there areas where you have been disobedient or inconsistent? What steps can you take to align your actions with God's instructions?
Quotes
"You go to the doctor because there's typically something wrong you can't fix. You tell the doctor, 'Doc, I've got a problem.' But, in his mind, there could be something else causing what you think is a stomachache. All you know is the pain. You don't know what the real problem is yet. So, I'm going to you, Doc, for you to tell me what the real deal is. I need the truth. He says, 'This is the problem.'" [00:00:00]
"He pulls out a sheet of paper called a prescription, and he writes on it words you do not understand. You take a piece of paper that you don't understand. You give it to the pharmacist who you do not know. The pharmacist goes back there with a whole bevy of medicines and starts putting your stuff together. That man could be putting strychnine and giving it to you, cause you don't know. You've gotta believe that what he is offering is what's on the paper." [00:28:28]
"So you've taken the prescription. You've gone to the pharmacist. He's given you the medicine. Until you take it, you've not fulfilled obedience, and if you don't fulfill obedience, you're not gonna get better. Cause your way was solving the symptom not solving the problem. See, many of us, we come to church, we get the word and we say, 'Well I don't understand all that.' But I know the one who gave it knows what He's talking about." [00:58:52]
"If there is no acting on what's prescribed, there is no faith that has been exhibited, and if there is no faith that has been exhibited, stop complaining to the Doctor His stuff not working. We've got a lot of people complaining to God, 'Your way doesn't work,' and we haven't taken a pill first. He said, 'Take one every four hours.'" [01:21:81]
"We take one every four days and wonder why it's not working. Because we have not exhibited faith. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is not a discussion. Faith is an action taken based on the authorization of somebody who knows what he's talking about. Last time I checked, God knows what He's talking about." [01:47:107]
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