Faith in the Ordinary: Trusting God's Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Relationship, Not Commodity

Faith is not something to be measured or increased by effort, but is rooted in a living relationship with God—available to all who trust and act on it. Rather than striving to possess more faith, you are invited to rest in the assurance that God’s presence and power are already with you, accessible at every moment, and to let that relationship guide your actions and responses throughout the day. [17:48]

Luke 17:5-6 (ESV)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you striving to “have more faith” instead of simply trusting God’s presence and acting from that relationship today?

Day 2: Letting Grace Flow in Ordinary Life

Living faithfully is not about dramatic heroics or seeking recognition, but about letting God’s grace flow through the simple, everyday moments and tasks to which you are called. Each day offers opportunities to serve, love, and respond to needs as they arise, just as Jesus did, trusting that these ordinary acts are enough and are the very place where God’s kingdom is made real. [20:25]

Luke 17:7-10 (ESV)
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Reflection: What is one ordinary task or responsibility today where you can intentionally let God’s grace flow through you, seeing it as sacred rather than mundane?

Day 3: Trusting God and Being Trusted by God

Faith is a two-way street: not only are we called to trust God, but God also trusts us to carry the grace and love of the kingdom into a world filled with strife and need. This mutual trust is both humbling and empowering, reminding us that God believes in us and is counting on us to be agents of healing, justice, and hope wherever we are planted. [21:42]

Psalm 37:3-5 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.

Reflection: Where do you sense God trusting you to carry grace or hope into a specific situation or relationship this week?

Day 4: Caring for Creation as an Act of Faith

We are woven into the web of creation, called not to dominate or exploit the earth, but to care for it as an expression of our love for God and each other. Recognizing our place as part of creation, not above it, invites us to humility and stewardship, seeking ways to protect, nurture, and honor the world God has entrusted to us. [38:54]

Genesis 2:15 (ESV)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to care for God’s creation—whether in your home, neighborhood, or community?

Day 5: Receiving and Becoming the Body of Christ

In the gift of communion, we are drawn into God’s embrace, reconciled, and called to become what we receive: the body of Christ for the world. This sacred meal is both a reminder and a commissioning, inviting us to embody Christ’s presence, humility, and love in our relationships and daily living, extending the reconciliation we have tasted to others. [44:33]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Reflection: How can you intentionally “become what you receive” from Christ today, offering reconciliation, humility, or welcome to someone in your life?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of a world that often feels overwhelming, with violence, strife, and injustice all around, the invitation is to return to the simplicity and depth of faith. Like the prophet Habakkuk, it’s easy to cry out, “How long, O Lord?” when the world seems broken and our efforts feel small. Yet, Jesus reminds us that faith is not a commodity to be measured or increased by our own striving. Even faith as small as a mustard seed—something ordinary, even weedy—can move mountains, not because of its size, but because of the relationship it represents. Faith is not about heroics or dramatic gestures; it is about trust, surrender, and letting God’s grace flow through the ordinary moments of our lives.

This relationship with God is not a one-way street. While we are called to trust and surrender to God, there is a profound truth that God also trusts us. God believes in us to carry the grace and love of the kingdom into a world that desperately needs it. Our daily acts—feeding, healing, teaching, comforting—are not insignificant. They are the very ways in which God’s reign is made manifest. The call is to let go of the need to do more or be more, and instead to rest in the sufficiency of God’s presence and power, which is always available.

Psalm 37 offers a grounding reminder: “Put your trust in God. Take delight in the Lord. Commit your way to him.” This is not a call to passivity, but to a deep, active trust that God’s grace is enough for whatever the day brings. In the Eucharist, we are reminded that we are part of a vast, interconnected creation, called not to dominate but to care for the earth and one another. As we receive the bread and wine, we are invited to become what we receive: the body of Christ in the world, agents of reconciliation, humility, and love. In the end, as Bishop Curry says, love wins. This is the hope and the calling that sustains us, no matter how overwhelming life may seem.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Is Not a Commodity, but a Relationship Faith is not something to be accumulated or measured by our own efforts. Jesus teaches that even the smallest faith, like a mustard seed, is enough because it is rooted in relationship with God. The power of faith comes not from its size, but from surrendering to God’s presence and allowing grace to work through us in the ordinary moments of life. [16:31]
2. Letting Go and Letting Grace Flow True faith is about letting go of the need to control or strive for more. Paul Tillich’s insight that faith is being grasped by a power greater than ourselves calls us to surrender, to be transformed and healed by God’s love. When we stop trying to manufacture faith and instead allow God’s grace to flow, we find sufficiency for every circumstance. [18:52]
3. The Sacredness of Ordinary Work God’s kingdom is not built on dramatic heroics, but on the faithful living out of daily responsibilities. Jesus’ parable reminds us that serving, teaching, healing, and loving in the course of a normal day are the very acts through which God’s reign is revealed. There is holiness in the mundane when it is offered to God. [19:59]
4. God Trusts Us to Carry Grace It is a profound and humbling truth that God not only calls us to trust Him, but also trusts us. God believes in us to be vessels of grace, love, and reconciliation in a world marked by violence and division. This mutual trust forms the heart of our calling and empowers us to live courageously and compassionately. [21:42]
5. Creation, Communion, and Our Interconnectedness We are woven into the web of creation, called to care for the earth and each other as acts of worship and faithfulness. The Eucharist is a reminder that we are the body of Christ, united with all creation and entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Our participation in God’s table sends us out to be agents of healing and unity in the world.

** [41:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:57] - Opening Prayer and Confession
[05:27] - Lament for the Church and the World
[05:48] - Prayer for Creation
[13:05] - Gospel Reading and Invocation
[14:33] - Reflections on Overwhelm and Habakkuk
[16:19] - The Disciples’ Request for Faith
[17:12] - The Mustard Seed and the Nature of Faith
[18:09] - Surrendering to God’s Power
[19:22] - The Parable of Ordinary Service
[20:46] - Psalm 37 and Trusting God
[21:42] - God’s Trust in Us
[29:10] - Prayers for Healing and Justice
[36:12] - Thanksgiving for Creation
[40:00] - The Last Supper and Communion
[44:19] - Invitation to the Table
[49:40] - Post-Communion Prayer and Blessing
[52:01] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
[55:33] - Announcements and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Habakkuk 1:2-4 (ESV) — > O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?
> Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
> Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?
> Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
> So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth.
> For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

2. Luke 17:5-10 (ESV) — > The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
> And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
> Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’?
> Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’?
> Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?
> So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

3. Psalm 37:3-5 (ESV) — > Trust in the Lord, and do good;
> dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
> Delight yourself in the Lord,
> and he will give you the desires of your heart.
> Commit your way to the Lord;
> trust in him, and he will act.

Observation Questions

In Habakkuk’s prayer, what specific problems does he see in the world around him? ([15:03])
When the disciples ask Jesus to “increase our faith,” how does Jesus respond, and what does he use as an example? ([16:19])
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the mustard seed in Jesus’ teaching about faith? ([17:12])
What does Psalm 37 encourage believers to do in the face of trouble or uncertainty? ([20:46])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus use the image of a mustard seed—a small, ordinary, even weedy thing—to describe faith? What does this say about how God views our faith? ([17:12])
The sermon says faith is “not about heroics or dramatic gestures; it is about trust, surrender, and letting God’s grace flow through the ordinary moments of our lives.” How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to be a “strong” Christian? ([19:22])
The sermon mentions that “God also trusts us.” What does it mean for God to trust us, and how does that affect the way we live out our faith? ([21:42])
In what ways does the Eucharist (Communion) remind us of our connection to God, to each other, and to all creation? ([41:53])

Application Questions

Habakkuk cries out to God about violence and injustice. When you feel overwhelmed by the world’s problems, what is your first reaction? How might you bring those feelings honestly to God in prayer, as Habakkuk did? ([15:03])
Jesus says that faith as small as a mustard seed is enough. Is there an area in your life where you feel your faith is “too small”? How might you trust that even your small faith is enough for God to work through? ([16:31])
The sermon talks about letting go of the need to do more or be more, and instead resting in God’s sufficiency. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to “do more” for God? What would it look like to surrender that pressure and let God’s grace flow through your ordinary actions? ([18:52])
Think about your daily routines—work, family, chores, conversations. How could you see these ordinary moments as opportunities for God’s grace to be at work? Can you share a recent example where something “mundane” became sacred? ([19:59])
The sermon says, “God trusts us to carry the grace and love of the kingdom into a world that desperately needs it.” Where do you sense God is trusting you to be an agent of grace, love, or reconciliation this week? ([21:42])
Psalm 37 encourages us to “trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, and commit your way to him.” What is one practical way you can practice this kind of trust and delight in your life this week? ([20:46])
The Eucharist is described as a reminder that we are part of a vast, interconnected creation. How might this change the way you relate to others or care for the world around you? ([41:53])

Sermon Clips

Life can get overwhelming for all of us, I think just the daily stuff, you know, work and volunteer stuff and family stuff, and it just kind of goes on and on and on. And then there's church work too, you know, to kind of keep week after week after week. You just think, I don't know, how long can I just keep doing this week after week after week and not get burned out or whatever, you know. [00:15:28]

And they are a bit overwhelmed. And they say to Jesus, increase our faith. We can. You can't do this. And what does Jesus say? If you had the faith this big, this little mustard seed big, you could move a mulberry tree with roots that are very deep in this arid climate into the desert and throw it into the sea, right? What kind of an answer is that, that Jesus really? What are you talking about here? [00:16:20]

Well, a mustard seed, little tiny seed is all you need. It's really not a commodity at all. After all, mustard plants in that environment were a weed, kind of like dandelions. They just take over everything and they grow big. They're not like dandelions that stay kind of of small for the most part unless they get a lot of water. But I mean, this place, it goes big. So what is Jesus saying here? Faith is not a commodity that you need more of. It's already everywhere because you have a relationship with God, you have a relationship with Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit, and that is available 247 anywhere. [00:16:57]

Faith is not a commodity that you need more of. It's already everywhere because you have a relationship with God, you have a relationship with Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit, and that is available 247 anywhere. [00:17:27]

It's not about having more. It's not about trying harder. It's not about believing more. It's not about trying to be more holy. It's about being in relationship and trusting that relationship and acting on it. That's really what it's all about. So Jesus is saying that that's what faith is about. [00:17:48]

Faith is about surrendering to that power. It's not about trying harder, it's not about doing more. It's about actually letting go. It's about letting God work through us. It's about letting the grace flow. That's what it's about. [00:18:39]

What Jesus is saying is that it's really not about heroics. It's not about drama, it's not about rewards. It's about an ordinary day's work. And what Jesus had been doing in all of these things that he'd been, that the disciples had witnessed for the last several months was just doing what God was calling him to do in whatever popped up as he was walking along. It was all in a normal day's work. [00:19:17]

If it was feeding somebody, that's what he did. If it was healing somebody, that's what he did. If it was calming a storm, that's what he did. It was teaching crowds, it was helping the disciples learn more about the reign of God. That's what he did. And it was all part of a normal day. It was all he was called to do. Just like the servant in the parable, that's all he was called to do. And there was no expectation for anything else. It's just simple, normal, letting the grace flow through the day. [00:19:52]

Put your trust in God. The psalmist says, take delight in the Lord. Commit your way to him. Let the grace flow. Let that power of faith that grasps us, surrender to it. Let it be. Because then you have enough. It is enough for the day. It is enough for whatever circumstance you find yourself in. That's all it is about. [00:20:58]

Let the grace flow. Let that power of faith that grasps us, surrender to it. Let it be. Because then you have enough. It is enough for the day. It is enough for whatever circumstance you find yourself in. That's all it is about. [00:21:06]

And the really wonderful good news about this, the other side of the parable, I think, is that faith is a two way street because it's a relationship. It's not about, not just about us trusting God and surrendering to that power and having faith in God. It's about God also trusting us. Now that's a mind blower. God believes in us. God trusts us. God is counting on us to carry the grace of the kingdom of God, the reign of God in this world where violence, fair destruction, strife and contention are all around us. [00:21:32]

God believes in us. God trusts us. God is counting on us to carry the grace of the kingdom of God, the reign of God in this world where violence, fair destruction, strife and contention are all around us. [00:21:57]

So it's easy it's easy to get overwhelmed in these circumstances, but our call is to live in the grace, grounded in the Holy Spirit, grounded in that faith, that power that is beyond us, that can grasp us and transform us and heal us and give us what we need for whatever pops up in our day. Just like Jesus. [00:22:22]

Our call is to live in the grace, grounded in the Holy Spirit, grounded in that faith, that power that is beyond us, that can grasp us and transform us and heal us and give us what we need for whatever pops up in our day. Just like Jesus. [00:22:30]

Because we know in the end, as Bishop Curry says, which some of you get to listen to later in the week at convention. Lucky you. In the end, love wins. [00:22:54]

We are privileged to be a strand in all of your creation, including the strange and wonderful home, our Earth, the open sky above, the dazzling rays of stars and planets and the unfathomable galaxies beyond us. You have blessed. Blessed us with a world of infinite variety and beauty. A land of mountains and meadows, canyons and valleys, deserts and jungles. [00:36:57]

But instead of caring deeply for this most perfect of creation, the universe, beyond our comprehension and this earth in which we live, we have rebelled against it, against ourselves, and against you. We disregarded the interconnected web of life in which we live. Instead of loving it as mother loves her child, we put ourselves above it as if it was something we could own. It became something to control, rather than part of us and part of you. [00:39:02]

Each time you've called us back, called us to understand that we are not masters of the earth, but instead part of it, you continually remind us that caring for you means caring for your earth and for each other. [00:39:28]

You continually remind us that caring for you means caring for your earth and for each other. [00:39:35]

May the God of grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ Jesus, restore, establish and strengthen you in the face and the blessing of God Almighty. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. [00:52:01]

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