Faith: The Foundation of Our Spiritual Journey
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter the challenge of understanding and simplifying the vastness of the Bible and its teachings. Today, we began a series called "The Big Three," focusing on three enduring elements: faith, hope, and love. These are not just abstract concepts but foundational pillars that guide our spiritual walk. We started with faith, exploring its essence and how it operates in our lives.
Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see. In a world driven by scientific proof and tangible evidence, faith stands as the evidence of things unseen. We live by faith daily, often without realizing it, whether it's trusting a chair to hold us or believing in the wind we cannot see. Similarly, our faith in God is about trusting in His presence and His work, even when we cannot physically see Him.
The relationship between faith and science is not one of opposition but of coexistence. Science seeks to understand the intricacies of creation, which ultimately points back to the Creator. Many renowned scientists, both historical and contemporary, have found that their scientific pursuits have deepened their faith. This understanding encourages us to ask questions and seek truth, knowing that God is not afraid of our inquiries.
Faith is essential to our relationship with God. It is not about blind belief but about building a bridge of understanding through evidence and experience. As we gather these evidences, our leap of faith becomes a step of faith, grounded in trust and relationship with God. This journey requires us to take steps of faith, trusting God in the unknown and allowing our faith to grow through experience and practice.
As we continue this series, we will delve into hope and love, exploring how these elements intertwine with faith to create a robust spiritual life. Let us pray for faith, take steps to practice it, and trust in God's presence and guidance in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith as Evidence of the Unseen: Faith is the assurance of things we hope for and the evidence of things not seen. In a world that demands proof, faith invites us to trust in God's presence and work, even when we cannot see Him directly. Like the wind, we see the effects of God's movement in our lives. [11:40]
- Faith and Science Coexist: Science and faith are not enemies but allies. Science seeks to understand the world God created, and many scientists have found that their discoveries enhance their faith. This relationship encourages us to ask questions and seek truth, knowing that God welcomes our inquiries. [12:55]
- Building a Bridge of Faith: Faith is not about blind belief but about building a bridge of understanding through evidence and experience. As we gather evidences, our leap of faith becomes a step of faith, grounded in trust and relationship with God. [20:06]
- Praying for Faith: If faith is a struggle, we can pray for it. Like the father in Mark 9, we can ask God to help us overcome our unbelief. This simple prayer invites God to strengthen our faith and guide us in our spiritual journey. [23:29]
- Taking Steps of Faith: Practicing faith involves taking steps into the unknown, trusting that God will guide and support us. As we take these steps, our faith grows, and we begin to see God's work in our lives more clearly. [24:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:06] - The Big Three Introduction
- [02:00] - Simplifying the Bible
- [04:38] - Love God, Love People
- [09:14] - Faith in Everyday Life
- [10:50] - Seeing the Unseen
- [11:40] - Evidence of God's Presence
- [12:55] - Faith and Science
- [14:14] - Science as a Path to Understanding God
- [16:16] - Modern Scientists and Faith
- [18:34] - Questioning and Seeking Truth
- [20:06] - Building a Bridge of Faith
- [22:38] - Praying for Faith
- [24:29] - Taking Steps of Faith
- [28:23] - Testing and Strengthening Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Big Three: Faith"
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
- Mark 9:20-24
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined in the Bible? How does this definition relate to the examples given in the sermon about everyday faith, like trusting a chair to hold us? [09:14]
2. What does Hebrews 11:3 say about the creation of the universe, and how does this relate to the coexistence of faith and science as discussed in the sermon? [12:55]
3. In Mark 9:24, what does the father's plea to Jesus reveal about his faith, and how does this relate to the idea of praying for faith when it is a struggle? [23:29]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of faith being the evidence of things unseen, using the analogy of the wind? [10:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that faith and science can coexist, and what examples from history or contemporary times support this idea? [14:14]
2. What does it mean to build a "bridge of faith" through evidence and experience, and how does this differ from blind faith? [20:06]
3. How does the story of the father in Mark 9:24 illustrate the process of growing in faith, and what does this suggest about the nature of faith as a journey? [23:29]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is essential to our relationship with God, and how does this relate to the idea of taking steps of faith? [24:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in something you couldn't see, like the wind. How can this experience help you understand and strengthen your faith in God? [10:50]
2. The sermon mentions that faith is not about blind belief but about building understanding through evidence. What steps can you take to gather evidence and experiences that strengthen your faith? [20:06]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of praying for faith into your daily routine, especially during times of doubt or struggle? [23:29]
4. Think of a situation in your life where you need to take a step of faith. What is one practical step you can take this week to trust God in that situation? [24:29]
5. The sermon discusses the relationship between faith and science. How can you engage with scientific discoveries in a way that enhances your faith rather than challenges it? [14:14]
6. Consider the analogy of the bridge of faith. What are some "evidences" or experiences in your life that have helped you build this bridge, and how can you continue to add to it? [20:06]
7. Reflect on the story of the father in Mark 9:24. How can you relate to his plea for help with unbelief, and what specific prayer can you offer to God to strengthen your faith? [23:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as the Evidence of the Unseen
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. In a world that often demands tangible proof, faith invites us to trust in God's presence and work, even when we cannot see Him directly. Just as we trust the wind's existence by observing its effects, we can perceive God's movement in our lives through the changes and blessings we experience. This understanding of faith challenges us to look beyond the visible and trust in the divine orchestration of our lives. [11:40]
Hebrews 11:1-3 (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. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you struggle to see God's hand. How can you begin to trust in His unseen presence and work today?
Day 2: Faith and Science Coexist
The relationship between faith and science is not one of opposition but of coexistence. Science seeks to understand the intricacies of creation, which ultimately points back to the Creator. Many renowned scientists have found that their scientific pursuits have deepened their faith, as they uncover the wonders of the universe. This relationship encourages us to ask questions and seek truth, knowing that God welcomes our inquiries and is not afraid of our search for understanding. [12:55]
Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world."
Reflection: Think of a scientific discovery or natural phenomenon that amazes you. How does this deepen your understanding and appreciation of God's creation?
Day 3: Building a Bridge of Faith
Faith is not about blind belief but about building a bridge of understanding through evidence and experience. As we gather these evidences, our leap of faith becomes a step of faith, grounded in trust and relationship with God. This journey requires us to take steps of faith, trusting God in the unknown and allowing our faith to grow through experience and practice. By doing so, we create a strong foundation for our spiritual lives, where faith is both a journey and a destination. [20:06]
James 2:18-20 (ESV): "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. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!"
Reflection: Identify a small step of faith you can take today. How can this action help you build a stronger relationship with God?
Day 4: Praying for Faith
If faith is a struggle, we can pray for it. Like the father in Mark 9, we can ask God to help us overcome our unbelief. This simple prayer invites God to strengthen our faith and guide us in our spiritual journey. By acknowledging our doubts and seeking divine assistance, we open ourselves to the transformative power of faith, allowing God to work in and through us. [23:29]
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV): "And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with unbelief? How can you invite God into this struggle through prayer today?
Day 5: Taking Steps of Faith
Practicing faith involves taking steps into the unknown, trusting that God will guide and support us. As we take these steps, our faith grows, and we begin to see God's work in our lives more clearly. This process of stepping out in faith is not always easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. By embracing the unknown and trusting in God's guidance, we allow our faith to flourish and become a powerful force in our lives. [24:29]
2 Corinthians 5:7-9 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision or situation where you felt uncertain. How can you take a step of faith in this area, trusting in God's guidance and support?
Quotes
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. It gives us assurance about faith things we cannot see. Through their faith the people in the days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. [00:06:10] (23 seconds)
Proving it takes away faith, right? Once you've proved something, there's no more faith to it. But you live in a world that even though in fifth grade you were dissecting animals to prove something that you learned from a book, you still live every day with faith. For example, you got in a vehicle with somebody or yourself and you drove here tonight. [00:09:22] (26 seconds)
Faith and science can and should and do coexist. Like science is not the enemy of faith. The writer of Hebrews, we don't actually know who it is. He says, hey, we have faith that the universe exists. That was written 2,000 years ago. You know, to this day, we can't prove the beginning of the universe. No scientist can. [00:12:55] (24 seconds)
What evidences do is you begin to seek out truth, testing is God who he says he is. Is Jesus really God? As you build evidences and you go, oh yes, actually, okay, this makes sense. Jesus said that. I understand it now. That makes sense. Actually, I see scientifically this. It's almost like building a bridge. [00:19:50] (17 seconds)
Just, God, help me have faith. That's all you got to pray. Pray that every day. God, help me have faith. God, help me to believe that what you say is true. God, I'm struggling. You're even real. God, would you show me that you're real? Pray that. It's okay. God, help me to have faith. And then see what he does. [00:24:05] (17 seconds)
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