Faith: The Power of Substance Over Emotion
Summary
Faith is a powerful force that can yield great results when it is anchored in the right substance. The essence of faith is not about the quantity but the quality of the substance to which it is attached. Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. To grow in faith, one must focus on the substance, which is the object of faith, rather than merely trying to increase faith itself. The more certain the substance, the stronger the faith becomes.
Faith is not an emotion or a feeling. One can feel faithless yet be full of faith, or feel full of faith and have none. Emotions are not reliable indicators of faith because they lack intellect and are subject to change based on new information. True faith is tied to a substance that is not yet seen or experienced with the senses but is believed to be real based on the integrity of the one who calls for faith—God.
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not just one of the things needed to experience God; it is the key element. Living a life without faith is displeasing to God because it challenges His integrity. Faith is essentially acting as though God is telling the truth. When we live by faith, we align ourselves with God's truth and demonstrate our trust in His promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not about the amount but the substance it is attached to. A small amount of faith in a sure substance can yield great results, while a large amount of faith in an insufficient substance will not. The key is to focus on the quality of the substance, which is the object of faith. [00:14]
- Emotions are not a reliable measure of faith. One can feel faithless yet be full of faith, or feel full of faith and have none. Faith is not an emotion but a conviction based on the integrity of God, who calls for faith. [01:21]
- Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is tied to a substance that is not yet experienced with the senses but is believed to be real. This belief is based on the integrity of God. [01:58]
- Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not just one of the things needed to experience God; it is the key element. Living a life without faith is displeasing to God because it challenges His integrity. [02:34]
- Faith is acting as though God is telling the truth. It is a lifestyle and a modus operandi that aligns us with God's truth and demonstrates our trust in His promises. [03:50]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - The Power of Substance in Faith
[00:31] - Assurance and Evidence
[00:50] - Understanding Faith's Substance
[01:05] - What Faith is Not
[01:21] - Faith vs. Emotions
[01:40] - The Nature of Emotions
[01:58] - Faith Beyond the Senses
[02:14] - The Subject of Faith
[02:34] - Pleasing God Through Faith
[02:49] - Faith as a Lifestyle
[03:04] - The Importance of Faith
[03:22] - Challenging God's Integrity
[03:50] - Acting on God's Truth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:6
- Hebrews 11:1
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between faith and the substance it is attached to? How does this affect the results of faith? [00:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of emotions in relation to faith? Why are emotions considered unreliable indicators of faith? [01:21]
3. What does Hebrews 11:6 say about the necessity of faith in pleasing God? How is this emphasized in the sermon? [02:34]
4. What is the formal definition of faith given in the sermon, and how does it relate to God's truth? [03:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the quality of the substance to which faith is attached be more important than the quantity of faith itself? How does this understanding challenge common perceptions of faith? [00:14]
2. In what ways can emotions mislead someone about the state of their faith? How can one discern true faith beyond their feelings? [01:21]
3. How does living a life without faith challenge God's integrity, according to the sermon? What implications does this have for a believer's relationship with God? [03:22]
4. What does it mean to act as though God is telling the truth, and how can this perspective transform a believer's lifestyle? [03:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt faithless but later realized you were full of faith. What was the substance of your faith during that time, and how did it sustain you? [01:21]
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be relying more on emotions than on faith. How can you shift your focus to the substance of your faith in that area? [01:21]
3. Consider a promise of God that you find difficult to trust. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in that promise, focusing on the integrity of God? [02:14]
4. How can you make faith a more integral part of your daily life, rather than something you "visit" occasionally? What changes might this require in your routine or mindset? [02:49]
5. Think of a situation where you need to act as though God is telling the truth. What practical actions can you take this week to demonstrate your trust in God's promises? [03:50]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to focus on the quality of their faith's substance rather than the quantity of their faith? What role can you play in supporting their faith journey? [00:14]
7. Reflect on Hebrews 11:6 and its emphasis on faith as essential to pleasing God. How does this verse challenge you to reevaluate your current faith practices? [02:34]
Devotional
Day 1: The Substance of Faith Matters More Than Its Size
Faith is not about the amount but the substance it is attached to. A small amount of faith in a sure substance can yield great results, while a large amount of faith in an insufficient substance will not. The key is to focus on the quality of the substance, which is the object of faith. Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. To grow in faith, one must focus on the substance, which is the object of faith, rather than merely trying to increase faith itself. The more certain the substance, the stronger the faith becomes. [00:14]
Hebrews 11:1-2 (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."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have placed faith in something uncertain? How can you shift your focus to a more reliable foundation today?
Day 2: Faith Is Not an Emotion
Emotions are not a reliable measure of faith. One can feel faithless yet be full of faith, or feel full of faith and have none. Faith is not an emotion but a conviction based on the integrity of God, who calls for faith. Emotions are not reliable indicators of faith because they lack intellect and are subject to change based on new information. True faith is tied to a substance that is not yet seen or experienced with the senses but is believed to be real based on the integrity of the one who calls for faith—God. [01:21]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when your emotions led you away from trusting God. How can you practice grounding your faith in God's truth rather than your feelings?
Day 3: Faith Sees Beyond the Senses
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is tied to a substance that is not yet experienced with the senses but is believed to be real. This belief is based on the integrity of God. Faith is essentially acting as though God is telling the truth. When we live by faith, we align ourselves with God's truth and demonstrate our trust in His promises. [01:58]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Identify one promise of God that you struggle to believe because you cannot see it. How can you begin to trust in this unseen reality today?
Day 4: Faith Is Essential to Please God
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not just one of the things needed to experience God; it is the key element. Living a life without faith is displeasing to God because it challenges His integrity. Faith is essentially acting as though God is telling the truth. When we live by faith, we align ourselves with God's truth and demonstrate our trust in His promises. [02:34]
James 2:26 (ESV): "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are not living by faith. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with your faith in God?
Day 5: Faith as a Lifestyle
Faith is acting as though God is telling the truth. It is a lifestyle and a modus operandi that aligns us with God's truth and demonstrates our trust in His promises. Living by faith means consistently choosing to trust God's word and His promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. This lifestyle of faith is a testament to our belief in God's integrity and His ultimate plan for our lives. [03:50]
Habakkuk 2:4 (ESV): "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith."
Reflection: What is one daily habit you can develop to reinforce living by faith as a lifestyle? How will this habit help you trust in God's promises more fully?
Quotes
a little faith insignificant substance produces great results a lot of faith in insufficient substance will produce no results because what makes faith faith is the substance to which it is attached faith is the assurance of the things the substance hoped for and it is the evidence of something that your eyes have not yet laid eyes on but that you know is real [00:00:00]
if you want to grow your faith don't go faith growth hunting get a better substance the surer the substance the more solid the faith so to understand faith you have to look at the substance of things hoped for that is what the object is and the evidence of things not seen [00:00:35]
faith is not how you feel faith is not let me put in a word necessarily how you feel you can feel faith less but be full of faith you can feel full of faith and have no faith because faith is not first and foremost an emotion emotions do not have intellect emotions don't think that's what emotions are it's how you feel [00:01:08]
emotions do not have intellect emotions don't think that's what emotions are it's how you feel and feelings shift based on the information received faith is tied to substance that is not yet seen or experienced with the five senses but that you are convinced is real based on the integrity of the subject who is calling for the faith [00:01:40]
without faith it is impossible to please god faith is not one of the things you need it is the key thing you need if you want to experience god because without it it says you are displeasing to god so all of us here today who don't roll by faith we talk about visiting faith on occasion [00:02:19]
where faith is not your modus apparently and lifestyle that's not how you normally flow or living a life displeasing to god so if you're not living by faith you're not pleasing god if you're not pleasing him you're displeasing him why is god getting all upset about whether i have faith or not [00:02:49]
because when you don't exercise faith you are challenging god's integrity so let me give you or remind you again of the formal definition of faith boiling it all down faith is simply acting like god is telling the truth [00:03:15]
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