Faith: The Key to Victory in Christ
Summary
The sermon, part of a series titled "Distinctives for Disciples," focuses on the importance of faith in the Christian life. The speaker begins by expressing the joy of being on "team Jesus" and emphasizes that our victory is always found in Him. The sermon then delves into the concept of faith, described as the key that unlocks God's provision and promises in our lives. The speaker references Hebrews chapter 11, known as the faith chapter, and highlights that the Bible itself is a book of faith.
The speaker emphasizes the concept of repentance and receiving Christ into one's life as the transaction of salvation. They explain that when Jesus died on the cross, his cry of "it is finished" was not a cry of defeat but a cry of victory. The victory at the cross paid the price for sin and brought salvation. The speaker also mentions that Jesus ascended and now reigns as the king of kings and Lord of lords. They highlight that because Jesus won, believers also win and share in his victory.
The speaker then discusses the heroes of faith mentioned in the Old Testament, starting with Abel, who offered a more acceptable sacrifice by faith, and continuing with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and other great champions of faith mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11. The common thread among these individuals is that they lived by faith and experienced the release of God's power in their lives. The speaker emphasizes that the same powerful God is still able to work miracles in the lives of believers today if they trust and believe in Him.
The speaker also emphasizes the importance of having faith in God's provision and trusting in His ways. They encourage the audience to believe in the wonderful things that God can do in their lives when they pray, ask, and trust in Him. The speaker references the Old Testament and the New Testament as examples of God's faithfulness and miraculous works. They highlight the role of faith in recognizing God's presence, releasing His power, and understanding His purpose for our lives.
Towards the end of the sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of Jesus to break every chain and overcome addiction and challenges in life. They encourage listeners to come to Jesus and believe in him for salvation. For those who are already believers, the speaker invites them to join the church and be a part of sharing their faith with the world. They also offer the opportunity for individuals to rededicate their lives to Jesus and restore their relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is the key that unlocks God's provision and promises in our lives. It is through faith that we can experience the victory that Jesus won on the cross and share in His victory. ([49:32])
- The heroes of faith in the Old Testament lived by faith and experienced the release of God's power in their lives. The same powerful God is still able to work miracles in the lives of believers today if they trust and believe in Him. ([26:06])
- Faith plays a crucial role in recognizing God's presence, releasing His power, and understanding His purpose for our lives. It is through faith that we can experience God's faithfulness and miraculous works. ([29:33])
- Jesus has the power to break every chain and overcome addiction and challenges in life. Believers are encouraged to come to Jesus and believe in him for salvation, and to rededicate their lives to Jesus and restore their relationship with God. ([39:53])
- Faith is not complicated and can be childlike and simple. Believing in Jesus Christ is the key to salvation. Faith gives us hope, which is the certain and sure confidence that our future is in God's hands. ([09:56])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 (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... 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."
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
> "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
3. Romans 10:17 (ESV)
> "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described? What are the two key elements mentioned?
2. What does Hebrews 11:6 say is necessary to please God? Why is this significant for believers? [05:36]
3. In Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the relationship between grace, faith, and works in the context of salvation?
4. How does Romans 10:17 explain the origin of faith? What role does the word of Christ play in this process?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the author of Hebrews emphasizes that faith is the "assurance of things hoped for" and the "conviction of things not seen"? How does this definition challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith?
2. The sermon mentioned that faith is the key that unlocks God's provision and promises. How does this concept align with the passages in Hebrews and Ephesians? [02:00]
3. Reflect on the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. How did their faith lead to the release of God's power in their lives? What can we learn from their examples? [23:56]
4. The sermon highlighted that Jesus' victory on the cross allows believers to share in His victory. How does this understanding of faith and victory influence your daily life and spiritual walk? [14:02]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the importance of having faith in God's provision and trusting in His ways. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust God more? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in this area? [26:51]
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's power in your life through faith. How did this experience shape your understanding of faith and God's presence? How can you share this testimony with others to encourage their faith? [23:56]
3. The speaker mentioned that faith can be childlike and simple. How can you cultivate a childlike faith in your daily life? Are there any specific practices or habits you can adopt to nurture this kind of faith? [07:08]
4. Jesus has the power to break every chain and overcome addiction and challenges in life. Is there a particular challenge or addiction you are facing that you need to bring to Jesus? How can your small group support you in this journey? [36:58]
5. The sermon encouraged believers to rededicate their lives to Jesus and restore their relationship with God. Is there an area in your life where you feel distant from God? What steps can you take to rededicate your life to Him and restore that relationship? [37:32]
6. The speaker invited listeners to join the church and be a part of sharing their faith with the world. How can you actively participate in your church's mission to share the gospel? Are there specific opportunities or ministries you feel called to join? [36:58]
7. Faith gives us hope, which is the certain and sure confidence that our future is in God's hands. How can you hold onto this hope in times of uncertainty or difficulty? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's faithfulness and promises? [09:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Unlocking God's Promises Through Faith
Faith is the key that opens the door to God's provision and promises in our lives. It is through faith that we can experience the victory that Jesus won on the cross and share in His victory. This victory is not just a historical event, but a present reality that we can live in every day. [49:32]
Romans 5:1-2 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are holding onto today? How does your faith in Jesus give you confidence in this promise?
Day 2: Living by Faith Like the Heroes of Old
The heroes of faith in the Old Testament lived by faith and experienced the release of God's power in their lives. They trusted God in the face of impossible circumstances and saw Him work miracles. The same powerful God is still able to work miracles in the lives of believers today if they trust and believe in Him. [26:06]
Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Reflection: Who is a hero of faith in the Bible that you admire? What is one step you can take today to live by faith like they did?
Day 3: Recognizing God's Presence Through Faith
Faith plays a crucial role in recognizing God's presence, releasing His power, and understanding His purpose for our lives. It is through faith that we can experience God's faithfulness and miraculous works. Faith is not just about believing in God, but about trusting Him in every area of our lives. [29:33]
2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we live by faith, not by sight."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more? How can you exercise your faith in this area today?
Day 4: Breaking Chains Through Jesus
Jesus has the power to break every chain and overcome addiction and challenges in life. Believers are encouraged to come to Jesus and believe in him for salvation, and to rededicate their lives to Jesus and restore their relationship with God. Jesus is not just a Savior who saves us from sin, but a Lord who leads us into freedom. [39:53]
Galatians 5:1 - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one chain or addiction that you need Jesus to break in your life? How can you surrender this area to Him today?
Day 5: Embracing Childlike Faith
Faith is not complicated and can be childlike and simple. Believing in Jesus Christ is the key to salvation. Faith gives us hope, which is the certain and sure confidence that our future is in God's hands. This childlike faith is not about understanding everything, but about trusting God in everything. [09:56]
Matthew 18:3 - "And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a childlike faith in your relationship with God? What is one way you can express your trust in Him today?
Quotes
"Faith is described as the golden key that unlocks all of the provision and promises of God in our lives." #!!02:00!!#
"By faith we believe the creation was made by the word of God, an awesome wonder. By faith we recognize God's Presence, by faith we realize God's power, by faith we understand and realize God's presence and purpose." #!!28:52!!#
"God released power in their lives wonderwork power Miracle working power and did you know that same God who is all powerful who can do anything but fail is still able to release his power in your life and mine... God works in response to Faith when we take God at his word when we believe God..." #!!24:44!!#
"When Jesus died on the cross he exclaimed to #!!13:13!!# testy it is finished that was not the Cry of defeat it was the Cry of Victory when Jesus said it is finished he wasn't nearly finished s Satan was finished salvation's plan was finished to tell Esty the victory is one when you see our Texas Ranger Evan Carter wearing a Jesus one shirt that's what that means it's not that the Rangers won or we won it's that Jesus won the victory at the cross paid the price took the penalty took the sin the shame the death the hell he died for us he went to the Grave on the third day he came out of the Grave he ascended on high He Reigns as #!!14:02!!# king of kings and Lord of lords he is coming again in great glory to take us all to Heaven Jesus won and therefore we win therefore we win because we are in Christ and we share in his victory."
#!!13:13!!#
"Saturate your mind with God's word as I said faith comes by hearing and God's word and so if you want to be a man a woman of Faith get into the word of God and let the word of God get into you because God's word is the tool that builds our faith and then dedicate yourself completely to Christ right on the heels of chapter 11 in Hebrews chap 12:2 it says looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith looking away and unto Jesus that's commitment to Jesus Jesus Christ that you would completely trust him because when you do your faith is going to go and it's going to grow all the way to glory amen and one day it will be worth it all when you see Jesus to live by faith one day we're going to see it by sight po Peter said though we haven't seen him we love him I don't mind telling you you're looking at a man who loves Jesus I love him and one day we're going to see him" (#!!32:17!!#)
"Hope is the certain, the sure confidence that our future is in his hands... We believe that our future is better and brighter than our past." #!!09:13!!#
"Let's make it the best nine weeks we can possibly imagine, the greatest nine weeks of your life. Believe it, believe it. You say well I'm struggling right now Pastor, start believing God, start trusting God for what he can do in your life and watch him work." #!!41:39!!#
"Our faith is too good to keep to ourselves, don't just keep the faith, give it away." #!!36:58!!#
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