Faith: Receiving God's Power and Promises
Summary
In our journey through Hebrews 11, we have been exploring the vibrant and fruitful nature of faith. Today, we delve into the story of Sarah, who exemplifies how faith receives from God. Hebrews 11:11 tells us that by faith, Sarah received the power to conceive even when she was past the age, because she considered God faithful who had promised. This narrative is a profound reminder that faith is not just about believing in God’s promises but also about receiving the power to fulfill them.
Sarah’s story begins with a promise from God to Abraham that he would have a son and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Despite the apparent impossibility due to their old age, Sarah eventually received the power to conceive because she trusted in God’s faithfulness. This teaches us that faith is the channel through which we receive what we lack, whether it be strength, peace, or provision. It is not about wish fulfillment but about trusting God to fulfill His promises.
The New Testament echoes this theme of receiving power through faith. Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, enabling them to fulfill their mission. Similarly, the Apostle Paul experienced God’s power in his ministry, in his weaknesses, and in his loneliness. These examples illustrate that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness and that He stands with us, providing strength and support.
Faith also rests on the promises of God. Sarah’s faith was anchored in the specific promise God made to her. This highlights the importance of knowing God’s promises and trusting in His character. Faith is not about dictating our desires to God but about receiving what He has promised. As we come to know God more deeply, our faith in His promises grows stronger.
Finally, faith advances the purposes of God. Sarah’s faith led to the birth of Isaac, through whom God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled. This lineage eventually led to the birth of Jesus Christ, who gathers people from every nation into God’s eternal kingdom. Our faith, like Sarah’s, can have far-reaching impacts, advancing God’s purposes in ways we may not fully comprehend.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is the means by which we receive power from God to accomplish what seems impossible. Just as Sarah received the power to conceive, we too can receive strength, peace, and provision through faith. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and He stands with us, providing the support we need. [06:14]
- Faith rests on the promises of God. It is not about wish fulfillment but about trusting God to fulfill His promises. Sarah’s faith was anchored in the specific promise God made to her, and our faith should similarly be grounded in the promises God has given us. [20:23]
- Knowing God’s character is essential for faith. Sarah came to believe God’s promise because she considered Him faithful. As we come to know God more deeply, our faith in His promises grows stronger, enabling us to receive what He has promised. [24:30]
- Faith advances the purposes of God. Sarah’s faith led to the birth of Isaac, through whom God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled. Our faith can have far-reaching impacts, advancing God’s purposes in ways we may not fully comprehend. [29:30]
- We are encouraged to ask more from God and to trust in His promises. By faith, we can receive what we lack, whether it be forgiveness, strength, provision, or peace. God’s promises are sure, and by faith, we can receive all that He has promised to us. [31:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:17] - Introduction to Living by Faith
- [01:00] - Sarah's Story of Faith
- [02:37] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [03:38] - The Long Wait for Fulfillment
- [04:40] - The Lord's Promise to Sarah
- [05:26] - Sarah's Joyful Laughter
- [06:14] - Faith Receives Power from God
- [08:31] - Power in the New Testament
- [09:08] - Paul's Experience of God's Power
- [12:23] - Receiving Power by Faith
- [13:14] - Asking in Faith
- [14:03] - The Challenge of Believing
- [16:42] - The Importance of Asking and Believing
- [18:34] - Unclaimed Treasures
- [20:23] - Faith Rests on God's Promise
- [24:30] - Knowing God's Character
- [29:30] - Faith Advances God's Purpose
- [31:24] - Encouragement to Ask and Receive
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 11:11
- Genesis 18:10-15
- James 1:5-6
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 11:11, what did Sarah receive by faith, and why was this significant given her circumstances? [01:00]
2. In the Genesis account, how did Sarah initially react to the promise of having a son, and what does this reveal about her initial state of faith? [05:12]
3. What does James 1:5-6 say about the relationship between asking God and having faith? How does this relate to Sarah's story? [13:14]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Sarah's journey from doubt to faith illustrate the process of coming to trust in God's promises? [24:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is not about wish fulfillment but about trusting in God's promises? [22:20]
3. How does the concept of receiving power through faith, as seen in Sarah's story, apply to the challenges faced by believers today? [12:23]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a promise from God that you find difficult to believe. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's faithfulness, as Sarah did? [24:30]
2. Consider a situation where you feel powerless. How can you apply the principle of receiving power through faith to this situation? [06:14]
3. The sermon encourages asking more from God. What is one specific area in your life where you need to ask God for strength or provision? [31:24]
4. How can you ensure that your faith is grounded in God's promises rather than your own desires? What practical steps can you take to align your prayers with God's will? [22:20]
5. Think of a time when you felt alone or unsupported. How can the assurance of God's presence and strength, as experienced by Paul, encourage you in similar situations? [11:52]
6. Identify a promise from the Bible that you want to claim by faith this week. How will you remind yourself of this promise daily? [35:01]
7. How can you encourage someone else in your life to trust in God's promises, especially if they are struggling with doubt or disbelief? [27:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as a Channel for Divine Power
Faith is the means by which we receive power from God to accomplish what seems impossible. Just as Sarah received the power to conceive, we too can receive strength, peace, and provision through faith. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and He stands with us, providing the support we need. [06:14]
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Ephesians 3:14-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel powerless? How can you invite God to strengthen you in this area today through faith?
Day 2: Anchoring Faith in God's Promises
Faith rests on the promises of God. It is not about wish fulfillment but about trusting God to fulfill His promises. Sarah’s faith was anchored in the specific promise God made to her, and our faith should similarly be grounded in the promises God has given us. [20:23]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a promise from God that you find difficult to trust. What steps can you take to anchor your faith more deeply in this promise today?
Day 3: Knowing God's Character to Strengthen Faith
Knowing God’s character is essential for faith. Sarah came to believe God’s promise because she considered Him faithful. As we come to know God more deeply, our faith in His promises grows stronger, enabling us to receive what He has promised. [24:30]
"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10, ESV)
Reflection: How well do you know God's character? What is one attribute of God you can meditate on today to strengthen your trust in Him?
Day 4: Faith's Role in Advancing God's Purposes
Faith advances the purposes of God. Sarah’s faith led to the birth of Isaac, through whom God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled. Our faith can have far-reaching impacts, advancing God’s purposes in ways we may not fully comprehend. [29:30]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation where your faith could advance God's purposes. What is one step you can take today to act in faith and contribute to God's work?
Day 5: Encouragement to Ask and Receive
We are encouraged to ask more from God and to trust in His promises. By faith, we can receive what we lack, whether it be forgiveness, strength, provision, or peace. God’s promises are sure, and by faith, we can receive all that He has promised to us. [31:24]
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you need from God today? How can you boldly ask Him for it, trusting in His promise to provide?
Quotes
By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Now notice the word "received" in this verse. That really is the key word. By faith, Sarah herself received. Faith receives from God. Faith, in other words, brings you into the possession of that which you did not have before. [00:01:05]
God gave Sarah the power to conceive in her old age, and I want you to notice that the special emphasis here is on the fact that the miracle took place in Sarah. It was Sarah herself who received this power. Now later in the book of Genesis, we're told that after Sarah died, Abraham married again, and in his even older age, he had six other children with his second wife, Keturah. [00:06:30]
So here's the principle that we're learning and that we must apply to ourselves today: God is able to give you the strength you need to meet the challenge that you face. And this theme of receiving power runs all the way throughout the New Testament scriptures. You remember that the Lord Jesus commissioned 11 men to make disciples of all nations. [00:08:00]
Now the Bible is very clear that faith is the means by which we receive from the very hand of God. James makes this especially clear. James chapter 1 and verse 5: If any of you lacks wisdom, what have you to do? Let him ask of God. But then immediately after saying that, James says, but let him ask in faith with no doubting. [00:12:55]
Faith rests on God's promise. Now you will have met people who say, well, you know, all things are possible with God. Jesus says, ask anything in my name, and I will do it. So what do you want? Name it, claim it. Nothing is impossible with God. The only limitation is your faith. [00:21:00]
Biblical faith rests on God's promise. God had made a particular promise to Sarah. That promise was that Sarah, in her old age, would have a child. That promise was given to Sarah. That promise is not given to every person. God has not promised that every woman will have a child. God has not promised that every sickness will be healed. [00:21:23]
Faith in the Bible is not wish fulfillment. Faith in the Bible is not some kind of creative act by which from some power inside of us we bring into being what we wish was. Faith in the Bible is the means by which we receive what God has promised to give. [00:22:14]
Faith is not trusting God to fulfill your dreams. Faith is trusting God to fulfill His promises. Faith is tied to the promise. Now here's the question that comes up next: How then did Sarah come to believe the promise? Because remember from the story in Genesis, she didn't believe it straight away. [00:23:45]
Sarah realized the person who made this promise knows everything about me, even my secret private unbelieving thoughts, and He's making a promise to me. Bruce says it was not a mere man who was dealing with her, neither was it an angel, for angels cannot see our innermost thoughts. [00:26:15]
God advances His purpose by means of people who receive from His hand because they believe His promise. Now here's then what I'm taking from God's words today, and I hope that you will join me in seeking to take it to heart yourself as well. I need to ask more from God. [00:31:02]
Do you need to receive forgiveness? Listen to this wonderful promise from God. He says to you in Christ, your sins and your iniquities I will remember no more. Now that's a promise, and by faith, you can ask, and you can receive, and know yourself by faith to be forgiven. [00:32:54]
Do you need to receive strength? Are you finding yourself in some situation of life simply wearied? Let me give you this promise of God today: Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles. It's a promise, and by faith, you can ask, and you can receive. [00:33:27]
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