Faith, Obedience, and the Power of God's Promises

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound connection between faith, obedience, and the manifestation of God's promises in our lives. I began by reflecting on the importance of vision and the courage required to step into what God has called us to do. I emphasized that God entrusts His vision to those He knows will follow and lead, even when the path is not fully revealed. This requires a deep level of trust and surrender to His will.

I shared insights from my recent study of the book of Hebrews, where it struck me that the children of Israel had God's promise, but it did not benefit them because they did not receive it with faith. This led me to challenge the congregation to consider the urgency and intentionality with which we share Jesus with others, especially as we approach significant events like Resurrection Sunday and our various church activities.

I spoke about the upcoming Messiah production, which is not just a performance but an encounter with the Holy Spirit, and the importance of inviting others to experience this transformative event. I also highlighted the importance of community and the miracles we anticipate witnessing, not just in the church but in our homes and neighborhoods.

I recounted a powerful testimony of a young boy in California who was miraculously healed, emphasizing that miracles are breaking out everywhere and encouraging the congregation to have faith for miracles in their own lives. This testimony served as a reminder that God is actively working in our midst and that we should expect and believe for His power to manifest in our lives and the lives of those around us.

I concluded the sermon by inviting the congregation to bring their offerings as an act of worship and faith, trusting God for the miracles we are believing for in our families and our community.

Key Takeaways:

- Vision from God requires a courageous response, not just passive acknowledgment. When God imparts a vision, it is often accompanied by a lack of detail, compelling us to step out in faith. This step is not a blind leap but a calculated trust in the character and faithfulness of God, who calls us to paths that we may not fully understand but are designed for our growth and His glory. [01:06:19]

- The promises of God are of no benefit to us if they are not mixed with faith. The children of Israel are a stark reminder that possessing a promise is not the same as possessing its fulfillment. Faith is the catalyst that activates the promises of God in our lives, transforming them from mere words into tangible realities. [01:08:52]

- Evangelism must be intentional and urgent. As believers, we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a sense of urgency, as if today were our last. This urgency is not born out of fear but out of a profound understanding of the value of every moment and the eternal significance of our message. [01:01:16]

- Miracles are not confined to the church walls; they are poised to happen in our everyday lives. The testimony of the young boy's healing is a testament to the omnipresence of God's miraculous power. We are encouraged to live in a state of expectancy, believing that God can and will perform wonders in our homes, workplaces, and communities. [55:46]

- Our offerings are more than financial transactions; they are acts of worship and expressions of faith. When we bring our offerings to God, we are declaring our trust in Him to provide and to fulfill His promises in our lives. This act of giving is a tangible way to honor God and to position ourselves to receive the miracles we are trusting Him for. [57:40]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 4:2 (NIV): "For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed."
2. Joshua 1:9 (NIV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
3. Mark 16:15 (NIV): "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 4:2 suggest about the relationship between hearing God's promises and having faith?
2. According to Joshua 1:9, what are the two key attributes God commands Joshua to have, and why?
3. In Mark 16:15, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what is the scope of this command?
4. How did the pastor describe the importance of vision and courage in stepping into what God has called us to do? [01:06:19]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is faith essential for the promises of God to be effective in our lives, as highlighted in Hebrews 4:2? How does this relate to the children of Israel's experience? [01:08:52]
2. How can the command to be strong and courageous in Joshua 1:9 be applied to modern-day believers facing uncertain paths?
3. What does the urgency in Mark 16:15 imply about the nature of evangelism? How does this align with the pastor's emphasis on intentional and urgent evangelism? [01:01:16]
4. How does the testimony of the young boy's healing in California illustrate the idea that miracles are not confined to church walls? [55:46]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to step out in faith without knowing all the details. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Joshua 1:9 encourage you in similar situations?
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of mixing God's promises with faith. What are some promises from God that you are currently holding onto? How can you actively mix these promises with faith in your daily life? [01:08:52]
3. Considering the urgency of evangelism discussed in the sermon, identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What specific steps can you take this week to share Jesus with them? [01:01:16]
4. The pastor shared a powerful testimony of a young boy's healing. Have you witnessed or experienced a miracle in your life or community? How did it impact your faith, and how can you share this testimony to encourage others? [55:46]
5. The sermon highlighted that our offerings are acts of worship and expressions of faith. How do you view your giving? What changes can you make to ensure your offerings are a true reflection of your trust in God? [57:40]
6. The upcoming Messiah production was described as an encounter with the Holy Spirit. How can you be intentional about inviting others to this event? What impact do you hope it will have on them?
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of community and witnessing miracles in our homes and neighborhoods. How can you foster a sense of community and expectancy for God's power in your own neighborhood or workplace? [56:30]

This guide aims to facilitate a deep and engaging discussion, encouraging participants to reflect on their faith, share personal experiences, and take actionable steps in their spiritual journey.

Devotional

Day 1: Courageous Faith Ignites Vision
Faith is not a passive state; it is an active force that propels believers into the unknown with courage and conviction. When God imparts a vision, it is often a call to action that requires stepping out beyond the comfort of certainty. This step of faith is not taken blindly but with a trust in God's character and His promises. It is a calculated move, understanding that the path may be unclear, but the journey is necessary for growth and the fulfillment of God's glory in one's life. Vision from God is a sacred trust, and responding to it with obedience is the first step towards seeing that vision come to fruition. [01:06:19]

Hebrews 11:8-9 (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."

Reflection: What vision has God placed in your heart, and what is one step of faith you can take today to move towards that vision?

Day 2: Faith Activates God's Promises
The promises of God are rich and plentiful, yet they require the key of faith to unlock their power in our lives. Like the children of Israel, one can hold onto a promise without ever experiencing its fulfillment. Faith is the essential ingredient that transforms God's promises from words on a page to tangible realities that shape our existence. It is through faith that believers receive and activate the promises of God, allowing them to benefit from His divine provision and purpose. Without faith, these promises remain dormant, unclaimed treasures that have the potential to change lives. [01:08:52]

2 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
"By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: Can you identify a promise from Scripture that you have yet to fully embrace with faith, and how can you begin to do so today?

Day 3: The Urgency of Sharing Christ
Evangelism is not a casual endeavor but a critical mission that carries a sense of urgency and intentionality. Believers are called to share the transformative message of Jesus Christ with others, recognizing the value of every moment and the eternal impact of their words. This urgency is not driven by fear but by a deep understanding of the significance of the gospel and the fleeting nature of time. Sharing the good news is a responsibility that must be undertaken with earnestness and a proactive spirit, seizing every opportunity to make Christ known. [01:01:16]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate the urgency of sharing Christ with someone in your life this week?

Day 4: Expectancy for Everyday Miracles
Miracles are not confined to the pages of Scripture or the four walls of a church; they are a present reality that believers should expect in their daily lives. The testimony of a young boy's healing is a powerful reminder that God's miraculous power is at work in the world today. Believers are encouraged to live in a state of expectancy, looking for and believing in the manifestation of God's power in their homes, workplaces, and communities. This expectancy is not a passive waiting but an active faith that anticipates and welcomes the wonders of God in every aspect of life. [55:46]

Acts 9:36-37 (ESV)
"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room."

Reflection: What miracle are you trusting God for in your life, and how can you cultivate an attitude of expectancy starting today?

Day 5: Offerings as Acts of Worship
Offerings are a profound expression of worship and faith, far exceeding the mere act of giving financially. When believers bring their offerings, they are making a statement of trust in God's provision and His ability to fulfill His promises. This act of giving is a tangible demonstration of honor towards God and a way to align oneself with the miracles that are being trusted for in the family and community. Offerings are not just transactions; they are spiritual investments that reflect the heart's posture towards God and His kingdom. [57:40]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: How does your current approach to giving reflect your faith in God's promises, and what change can you make to give more cheerfully and faithfully?

Quotes

"Invision would be becomes difficult is that the vision is given to you and when you bring it out and start talking to people sometimes then not everybody can see it because some people wait to see it before they believe it but because he gives you the word he gives you the word to those he can trust that will follow and Lead then you know you've you've got to listen to the word he's not telling you I'll give you all the details he's telling you to do something you got to obey and that takes courage." [01:06:19]( | | )

"The writer of Hebrews said that the children of Israel had the promise but it did them no good because they did not receive it with faith. How many of you have a promise from God? You can raise both hands, both feet just about on that one. I have promises from God. But possessing a promise is not the same as possessing its fulfillment. Faith is the catalyst that activates the promises of God in our lives." [01:08:52]( | | )

"If Today Was Your Last Day, what urgency and how intentional are you about talking about Jesus in this season? We're coming in such a great time, and we know the worship arts and Pastor Taylor, they're all working hard for this production. It's about the message that we can share for those that we're going to invite in." [01:01:16]( | | )

"Miracles still happen, miracles still take place, and I want us to know that miracles are not always in the church. It could be in your house next week, it could be in your neighborhood next week, what if it's somebody on your job that is waiting on you? Miracles are breaking out everywhere, and this young boy's testimony is a testament to that." [55:46]( | | )

"How many of you believe in for a miracle in your family? Somebody say I receive that miracle. I believe God for that miracle. I trust God for that Miracle. Our offerings are more than financial transactions; they are acts of worship and expressions of faith. When we bring our offerings to God, we are declaring our trust in Him to provide and to fulfill His promises in our lives." [57:40]( | | )

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 17, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?