Faith in Action: Trusting God's Promises Daily
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments of doubt, uncertainty, and the temptation to give up. Yet, it is in these moments that our faith is most crucial. Abraham, the patriarch of faith, exemplifies this unwavering commitment to God's promises, even when the fulfillment of those promises seems distant or unclear. Abraham obeyed God's call to leave his home without knowing his destination, and he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, never seeing the full realization of God's promise within his lifetime. His story teaches us that faith is not just about immediate results; it is about trusting God's vision and timing, even when we do not understand.
My own journey mirrors this lesson. When I felt called to ministry, I envisioned a path that seemed straightforward and appealing, but God had other plans. The rigorous years of graduate school and the challenges of serving in a traditional church were not what I had in mind, yet they were instrumental in shaping me for the ministry that was to come. The vision for the Cove Church was given to me in 1986, but it was not until 12 years later that it came to fruition. This is where hope intertwines with faith—believing in the promises of God even when they are not yet in our grasp.
The principle of small things done consistently over time, with faith and God's power, can lead to significant impact. This is evident in the growth of the Cove Church, the dedication of our band, and the commitment of our volunteers. Each small act of service, each message preached, and each song sung contribute to the transformative work of God in our community.
Our mission in life is not just about grand gestures; it is about the daily pursuit of God's will. It is about getting on our knees in prayer, seeking God's glory, and asking Him to use us for His purposes. God is searching for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him, and when we pray with such sincerity, He plants dreams in our hearts. These dreams may start as a small desire, like the one that led to the founding of the Cove Church, but they grow as we walk in faith.
Living by faith is not a passive state; it is an active pursuit of God's will. It requires us to believe that He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Our faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is essential to pleasing God and is the foundation upon which He approves our lives.
Now, as I step down from my role as senior pastor, I reflect on the importance of faith in every season of life. The church is in a healthy place, and I am confident in the leadership that will continue to guide this community. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the ultimate act of faith—Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. It is this faith that we must carry forward, living on mission and trusting in God's plan for our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Abraham's journey teaches us that faith involves following God's lead, even when the destination is unknown. Our faith is not contingent on immediate understanding or gratification, but on a steadfast trust in God's promises and His ultimate plan for our lives. [49:33]
- The growth of the Cove Church is a testament to the power of small acts of faithfulness. When we commit to serving God in the little things, He multiplies our efforts and uses them to build His kingdom. This principle applies not only to church growth but to every area of our lives where we seek to make a difference for Christ. [01:08:25]
- Prayer is a powerful expression of our faith. When we pray, we are not merely hoping for an outcome; we are actively participating in God's work. Our prayers are a declaration of our belief in God's power and willingness to intervene in our lives and the world around us. [43:17]
- Faith is not static; it is meant to be lived out daily. It is through our living faith that we please God and experience His approval. By engaging in a living faith, we open ourselves up to the supernatural work of God and the fulfillment of the mission He has placed in our hearts. [41:08]
- Even the smallest measure of faith, like a mustard seed, has the potential to grow and accomplish great things. We must not despise the day of small beginnings, for it is through these small acts of faith that God's power is released and His purposes are achieved in our lives. [57:39]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV) - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."
2. 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."
3. Hebrews 11:8-10 (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. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 11:1 describe as the essence of faith?
2. According to Hebrews 11:6, what two things must one believe to draw near to God?
3. How did Abraham demonstrate his faith according to Hebrews 11:8-10?
4. In the sermon, what personal experience did the pastor share that mirrored Abraham's journey of faith? [50:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the description of faith in Hebrews 11:1-2 relate to the pastor's story about the founding of the Cove Church? [50:16]
2. What does it mean to have a "living faith" as described in Hebrews 11:6 and how does this concept apply to daily life? [41:08]
3. How can the principle of small acts of faithfulness leading to significant impact be seen in the growth of the Cove Church? [57:39]
4. Why is it important to maintain faith even when the fulfillment of God's promises seems distant or unclear, as illustrated by Abraham's story? [49:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to do something but the path was unclear. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [50:16]
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of small acts of faithfulness. Identify one small act of faith you can commit to this week and share how you plan to follow through. [57:39]
3. How can you cultivate a "living faith" in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure your faith is active and not passive? [41:08]
4. Think about a dream or mission God has placed in your heart. What steps can you take to pursue this dream with faith, even if the outcome is not immediately visible? [43:17]
5. The pastor emphasized the power of prayer as an expression of faith. How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily life? Share one specific way you plan to enhance your prayer life this week. [43:17]
6. Abraham's faith involved following God's lead without knowing the destination. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God's direction more fully? How can you take a step of faith in that area this week? [49:33]
7. The pastor spoke about the importance of community and serving in small ways. How can you get more involved in your church community or serve others in a meaningful way? [01:00:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Unseen Plan
Faith is often perceived as a belief in the tangible and immediate, yet true faith calls for trust in the unseen and patience in the waiting. Abraham's journey is a prime example of such faith. He left his homeland without knowing his destination, living as a stranger in a land of promise, holding onto a future he would never see. This kind of faith requires a relinquishment of control and a deep trust in God's greater plan, which often unfolds in ways that are beyond our understanding. It is a reminder that the fulfillment of God's promises may not always occur within our timelines, but they require our steadfast belief that He is working all things for our good.
"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." - Hebrews 11:8 ESV
Reflection: Consider a time when you had to trust God without seeing the immediate outcome. How did that experience strengthen your faith, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness? [49:33]
Day 2: The Multiplication of Small Acts
The growth of the Cove Church stands as a testament to the principle that small acts of faithfulness, when consistently applied, can lead to extraordinary outcomes. It is not always the grand gestures that make the most significant impact but the daily, often unnoticed, acts of service and devotion. Each prayer, each message, and each act of kindness is like a seed planted, which in time, grows and contributes to the larger story of God's transformative work. This principle is not limited to church growth but extends to all areas of life where faithfulness and perseverance in the small things can lead to great achievements for the kingdom of God.
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..." - Zechariah 4:10a ESV
Reflection: What small act of faithfulness can you commit to today that could have a lasting impact on your life or the lives of others? [01:08:25]
Day 3: Prayer as Active Faith
Prayer is not a passive wish but an active engagement with the divine. It is through prayer that one expresses a living faith, declaring belief in God's power and His active role in our lives. When we pray, we do more than speak words into the void; we participate in the unfolding of God's will, aligning our hearts with His purposes. Prayer is the conduit through which our deepest desires and God's will can intersect, leading to the manifestation of His promises and the transformation of our reality.
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." - 1 John 5:14 ESV
Reflection: How can your prayer life move from passive to active engagement with God's will, and what specific prayer can you commit to today that reflects this shift? [43:17]
Day 4: Daily Pursuit of God's Will
Living by faith is an active, daily pursuit, not a one-time declaration. It is through the consistent seeking of God's will and the earnest desire to please Him that one's faith becomes alive and effective. This pursuit is not without its challenges, but it is the very essence of a faith that is pleasing to God. It is a faith that believes in His existence and trusts in His reward for those who diligently seek Him. By engaging in this daily pursuit, believers open themselves up to the supernatural work of God and the fulfillment of the mission He has placed in their hearts.
"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." - Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to actively pursue God's will in your life, and how can this step become a part of your daily routine? [41:08]
Day 5: Embracing Small Beginnings
The smallest measure of faith has the potential to grow into something far greater than one can imagine. It is a reminder not to underestimate the beginnings that seem insignificant, for it is through these humble starts that God's power is often most profoundly displayed. The mustard seed, one of the smallest of seeds, grows into a large tree, providing shelter and sustenance. Similarly, the small desires and dreams planted in our hearts can grow into significant ministries, movements, or acts of service that glorify God and fulfill His purposes.
"He said therefore, 'What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.'" - Luke 13:18-19 ESV
Reflection: What small desire or dream has God planted in your heart, and what is one step you can take today to nurture that seed of faith? [57:39]
Quotes
- "Faith is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more it will grow. And the more you stretch it, the more your faith will develop." [59:30] (Download | )
- "God's looking for that kind of big unconditional commitment. This says, God, I'm following you wherever you go, I'm going, even if I don't understand." [50:16] (Download | )
- "God gave Kerry and I a vision for a church in 1986, but we didn't start the Cove Church until 12 years later in 1998. That's when hope has got to come into the situation." [51:16] (Download | )
- "Your faith matters and makes all the difference. Your faith brings it into reality. Abraham kept believing. So eventually it happened. His faith played a major role." [52:46] (Download | )
- "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Your faith, your believing God's going to do it, hanging in there is substance." [53:32] (Download | )
- "According to your faith, be it done to you. God says, your faith has a part in how much I bless your life. It is according to your faith." [54:57] (Download | )
- "God's looking for the person who would pray that, show me your glory. They would pray, Lord, I want to follow you and he'll give you strong support." [44:16] (Download | )
- "This is what faith is and hope over the long haul. When you do small things well over a long time with God, it adds up to a big thing." [01:07:09] (Download | )
- "So much of what we do are small things done well over time in faith with the power of God. Like showing up for Celebrate Recovery, or showing up for your life group." [01:09:05] (Download | )
- "Your faith is important. This great faith chapter shows us how God answered the prayers of these heroes as he gave them this dream for their life, this mission." [42:08] (Download | )
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