Faith: Trusting God Through Trials and Imperfections

Today, we gathered to worship Christ, to sing, to read, and to meditate on the Word, centering our hearts on the glory and worthiness of God. Our focus was on Hebrews 11, where we see a sweeping panorama of faith—how it is defined, how it is lived, and what it produces in the lives of God’s people. The text reminds us that faith is not just a vague optimism or a religious feeling, but a deep trust in the character and promises of God. The examples given—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, and many others—show us that faith is both the anchor and the engine of a life that pleases God.

We explored three main truths about faith. First, true faith brings incredible things to pass. The stories of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets are not just ancient tales, but living testimonies of what God can do through those who trust Him. These men and women saw kingdoms conquered, justice enforced, promises obtained, and even the dead raised. Yet, the point is not the greatness of their faith, but the greatness of the God in whom they placed their faith. The object of our faith—Christ Himself—is what matters most, not the intensity or quantity of our faith.

Second, true faith invites suffering. The same faith that brings victory also brings us into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. The text does not shy away from the reality that many endured torture, mockings, imprisonment, and even death. Suffering is not a sign of God’s absence, but often the context in which faith is refined and proven genuine. Faith does not thrive at ease; it grows in adversity. If we only trust God when things go well, we have not truly trusted Him at all.

Third, true faith does not require perfection. The heroes of faith were deeply flawed—Gideon doubted, Barak hesitated, Samson was impulsive, Jephthah made rash vows, David sinned grievously. Yet, God commended them for their faith, not their perfection. This is liberating: God uses ordinary, broken people who cling to Him. We are in an even better position than they were, for we know Christ, the fulfillment of all God’s promises.

As we came to the Lord’s Table, we were reminded that the greatest miracle of faith is salvation itself. The bread and cup are not just rituals, but powerful symbols of Christ’s sacrifice and our union with Him. We come to the table not because we are strong, but because we are clinging to Christ, the true object of our faith.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The object of faith is more important than the amount of faith. Fixing our eyes on Christ, rather than obsessing over the strength of our own belief, is what brings spiritual vitality and assurance. Even a mustard seed of faith, when placed in the right Person, is enough for God to work wonders. [47:53]
• 2. Suffering is a necessary ingredient for spiritual growth. Faith does not thrive in comfort and ease; it is refined and proven in adversity. If we only trust God when life is smooth, we have not truly surrendered to His lordship. True faith persists even when God’s ways are mysterious or painful. [58:54]
• 3. God uses deeply flawed people to accomplish His purposes. The “heroes” of Hebrews 11 were not spiritual superstars, but ordinary people with doubts, failures, and sins. Their inclusion in the “hall of faith” is a testimony to God’s grace and the sufficiency of Christ, not human achievement. [66:57]
• 4. We are in a better position to live by faith than those who came before Christ. Unlike the Old Testament saints who looked forward in hope, we look back to the finished work of Jesus and have the full revelation of God’s promises. This should embolden us to trust God even more fully in our own generation. [69:01]
• 5. Trials and setbacks are gifts that build endurance and prepare us for greater things. Rather than resenting difficulties, we are called to receive them as opportunities for God to display His power and for our faith to be strengthened. God often exceeds our expectations when we trust Him through the unknown. [72:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [07:39] - Ministry Expo Thanks & Upcoming Events
• [09:53] - Exploring Membership & Announcements
• [14:28] - Opening Prayer & Scripture Reading
• [30:44] - Review of Hebrews 11: Faith Defined
• [32:54] - Faith Brings Incredible Things to Pass
• [38:41] - Old Testament Examples of Faith
• [41:55] - Personal Stories of God’s Provision
• [44:12] - The Object of Faith: Christ, Not Ourselves
• [46:36] - Jesus’ Teaching on Faith’s Object
• [49:25] - The Blood of the Lamb: Assurance in Christ
• [53:38] - Faith Invites Suffering
• [55:42] - Stories of Suffering for Faith
• [58:54] - Suffering as a Pathway to Growth
• [62:54] - Faith Does Not Require Perfection
• [68:02] - We Have Something Better: Christ
• [70:22] - Application: Walk in the Footprints of the Faithful
• [72:16] - Trials as Gifts for Endurance
• [75:33] - The Lord’s Table: Remembering Christ
• [78:56] - Invitation to the Table & Closing Prayer
• [81:03] - Communion: Clinging to Christ
• [88:48] - Benediction & Dismissal

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:32–40 (ESV) —
> 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
>
> 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Observation Questions

1. What kinds of victories and miracles are listed in Hebrews 11:32–35 as results of faith?
2. According to the passage, what kinds of suffering did people of faith endure?
3. What does the author say about the “perfection” or completion of the people listed in Hebrews 11?
4. In the sermon, what point was made about the importance of the object of our faith versus the amount of faith we have? ([47:53])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the author of Hebrews includes both stories of victory and stories of suffering in the same list of faithful people?
2. The sermon said, “True faith does not require perfection.” How does this challenge the way we often think about what it means to be a “hero of faith”? ([01:06:57])
3. The pastor said, “If we only have faith when things go well, we really don’t believe in God.” What does this reveal about the nature of genuine faith? ([58:54])
4. The passage says that God “provided something better for us.” According to the sermon, what is this “something better,” and how does it change the way we live by faith today? ([01:09:01])

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that the object of our faith—Christ—is more important than the amount of faith we have. Is there an area in your life where you are more focused on your own doubts or “not enough faith” than on who Jesus is? What would it look like to shift your focus to Christ this week? ([47:53])
2. Think about a time when you experienced suffering or disappointment. Did it challenge your faith, or did it deepen it? How might you view current or future trials differently if you saw them as opportunities for your faith to grow? ([58:54])
3. The “heroes” in Hebrews 11 were deeply flawed people. Is there a failure or weakness in your own life that makes you feel disqualified from being used by God? How does their example encourage you? ([01:06:57])
4. The sermon said we are in a better position to live by faith than those who came before Christ, because we know the finished work of Jesus. How does this truth give you confidence or boldness in your walk with God? ([01:09:01])
5. The pastor shared personal stories of God’s provision and answered prayer, but also acknowledged times when prayers weren’t answered as hoped. How do you respond when God’s answers don’t match your expectations? What helps you keep trusting Him? ([41:55])
6. Trials and setbacks were described as “gifts that build endurance.” Is there a current challenge you’re facing that you can begin to see as a way for God to strengthen your faith? What practical step can you take to trust God in it? ([01:12:16])
7. The Lord’s Table was described as a time to “cling to Christ.” When you come to communion, do you come feeling strong, or do you come “staggering,” as the pastor said? How can you use this time to renew your trust in Jesus, no matter how you feel? ([01:21:03])