Faith in Action: Trusting God's Providence Through Movement

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to understand that God's providence often requires our active participation. Throughout biblical history, significant divine interventions were preceded by human action. For instance, Moses had to raise his rod before the Red Sea parted, the priests had to step into the Jordan River before it was divided, and Mary had to move the stone before Lazarus was resurrected. These examples illustrate that God often waits for us to take the first step, demonstrating our faith through action rather than mere words.

Faith is not just a concept to be discussed; it is a lifestyle to be lived. It is measured by our actions, by the steps we take in alignment with God's will. We cannot simply pray for a job without actively seeking employment, just as a bird does not wait passively for food to fall from the sky. Faith requires movement, a demonstration of trust in God's provision and timing. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and this faith is evidenced by what we do, not just what we say.

Our actions speak louder than our words. God looks for evidence of our belief in Him through our willingness to move forward, even when the path is unclear. This movement is a testament to our trust in His promises and His plan for our lives. By stepping out in faith, we open ourselves to witnessing God's providence in our circumstances, experiencing His power and presence in profound ways.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith requires action. Just as Moses, the priests, and Mary had to take steps before witnessing God's miracles, we too must act in faith to see God's providence in our lives. Our actions demonstrate our trust in God's promises. [00:16]

- Faith is measured by our footsteps. It's not enough to talk about faith; we must live it out through our actions. Our lives should reflect our belief in God's power and provision, moving in accordance with His will. [00:52]

- God responds to our movement. Like a bird that actively seeks food, we must actively pursue God's will, trusting that He will provide as we step out in faith. Our movement is a testament to our belief in His promises. [01:04]

- Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not just a mental exercise; it is a lifestyle of trust and obedience. Our actions reveal the depth of our faith and our commitment to following God's lead. [01:20]

- Witnessing God's providence requires our participation. By taking the first step, we open ourselves to experiencing God's power and presence in our lives. Our willingness to move forward in faith invites God's intervention in our circumstances. [00:31]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - The Necessity of Action
[00:31] - Biblical Examples of Faith in Action
[00:52] - Faith Measured by Footsteps
[01:04] - Active Pursuit of God's Will
[01:20] - The Impossibility of Pleasing God Without Faith
[01:40] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 14:15-16 - Moses and the Red Sea
2. Joshua 3:13-17 - Priests and the Jordan River
3. John 11:38-44 - Mary and Lazarus

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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Moses, the priests, and Mary take before witnessing God's miracles? How do these actions demonstrate their faith? [00:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and action? [00:52]
3. What analogy is used in the sermon to illustrate the necessity of active faith, and what does it imply about our role in God's provision? [01:04]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God require an action from us before He intervenes in our circumstances? How does this reflect on our relationship with Him? [00:31]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is more than just belief or words? How is this reflected in the biblical examples provided? [00:52]
3. How does the concept of "faith measured by footsteps" challenge common perceptions of faith as merely a mental or verbal exercise? [01:20]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. What is one step of faith you can take to demonstrate your trust in His promises? [00:31]
2. Consider the analogy of the bird seeking food. How can you actively pursue God's will in your daily life, rather than waiting passively for His provision? [01:04]
3. Identify an area in your life where your actions might not align with your professed faith. What changes can you make to ensure your life reflects your beliefs? [00:52]
4. Think about a time when you felt God was calling you to take a step of faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can this experience guide your future actions? [00:16]
5. How can you encourage others in your community to live out their faith through action? What role can you play in supporting them? [01:20]
6. What practical steps can you take this week to move forward in faith, even when the path seems unclear? [01:04]
7. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of trust and obedience to God, ensuring that your actions consistently reflect your faith? [01:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Action: The First Step

Faith is not passive; it requires us to take the first step, demonstrating our trust in God's promises. Throughout biblical history, significant divine interventions were preceded by human action. Moses had to raise his rod before the Red Sea parted, the priests had to step into the Jordan River before it was divided, and Mary had to move the stone before Lazarus was resurrected. These examples illustrate that God often waits for us to take the first step, demonstrating our faith through action rather than mere words. Our actions are a testament to our belief in His promises and His plan for our lives. By stepping out in faith, we open ourselves to witnessing God's providence in our circumstances, experiencing His power and presence in profound ways. [00:16]

Joshua 3:13-16 (ESV): "And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take the first step? How can you act on this today, trusting in His promises?


Day 2: Living Faith: Measured by Our Footsteps

Faith is not just a concept to be discussed; it is a lifestyle to be lived. It is measured by our actions, by the steps we take in alignment with God's will. We cannot simply pray for a job without actively seeking employment, just as a bird does not wait passively for food to fall from the sky. Faith requires movement, a demonstration of trust in God's provision and timing. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and this faith is evidenced by what we do, not just what we say. Our lives should reflect our belief in God's power and provision, moving in accordance with His will. [00:52]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you have been talking about faith but not acting on it. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with your faith?


Day 3: Active Pursuit: Trusting in God's Provision

God responds to our movement. Like a bird that actively seeks food, we must actively pursue God's will, trusting that He will provide as we step out in faith. Our movement is a testament to our belief in His promises. This active pursuit is not about striving in our own strength but about aligning our actions with God's will, trusting that He will meet us in our efforts. As we move forward, we demonstrate our trust in His timing and provision, opening ourselves to His guidance and blessings. [01:04]

Matthew 6:26 (ESV): "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Reflection: Identify an area where you need to actively pursue God's will. What steps can you take today to trust in His provision and timing?


Day 4: Pleasing God: A Lifestyle of Trust and Obedience

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not just a mental exercise; it is a lifestyle of trust and obedience. Our actions reveal the depth of our faith and our commitment to following God's lead. This lifestyle is characterized by a willingness to move forward, even when the path is unclear, trusting in God's promises and His plan for our lives. By living in this way, we demonstrate our desire to please God, opening ourselves to His presence and power in our lives. [01:20]

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: Reflect on your daily habits and routines. How can you incorporate more trust and obedience into your lifestyle to please God?


Day 5: Witnessing Providence: Participation in God's Plan

Witnessing God's providence requires our participation. By taking the first step, we open ourselves to experiencing God's power and presence in our lives. Our willingness to move forward in faith invites God's intervention in our circumstances. This participation is not about earning God's favor but about aligning ourselves with His purposes, allowing Him to work through us in ways that reveal His glory and goodness. As we participate in His plan, we become witnesses to His providence, experiencing His faithfulness and love in tangible ways. [00:31]

2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV): "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you actively participate in His plan, inviting His providence into your life?

Quotes

You will never get to see God's providence at work in your circumstances until and unless God sees you move in accordance with his will. Most of the time when God was getting ready to do something big, the people had to do something first. The people had to do something first. Moses at the hot rod before God will open the Red Sea, the priests had to step in the river before God would open up the Jordan, Mary had to move the stone before God would raise up Lazarus, and God would not move until they moved. He has to see you believe him, not hear you talk about bleeding. [00:00:00]

Faith is measured by footsteps, by your feet, but you walk now if you talk by your life, not your lips, by your movement, not your mother. You can't sit up and say, God give me a job, but I'm not going job hunting. You've never seen a bird sitting on a branch with its beak open waiting for worms to drop from heaven, but they expect God to provide one. It's movement. God must see faith because without faith, it's impossible to please God, and faith is measured by what you do, not just we can talk about doing. [00:00:52]

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Transcript
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