From Doubt to Belief: Activating Our Faith
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves in a place where we need to move from "if" to "can." This transition is crucial for activating our faith fully. The story of the man who approached Jesus with his son, who was suffering from seizures, illustrates this point. The man had enough faith to seek Jesus but struggled to believe in His power to heal. Jesus challenged him to move beyond doubt, emphasizing that everything is possible for those who believe. This shift from doubt to belief is essential for experiencing the miraculous in our lives.
Faith and belief, though interconnected, are distinct. Faith is a spiritual power, a noun, while belief is the action, the verb, that puts faith into motion. When we act on our faith, the impossible becomes possible. However, many seek proof before stepping out in faith, a concept that contradicts the very nature of belief. Faith requires us to trust in the unseen, to believe without tangible evidence. Jesus Himself said that those who seek signs will not find them because belief cannot coexist with proof.
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when we place our limited resources in Jesus' hands. The disciples were instructed to feed the multitude, despite their lack of resources. When they obeyed, not only was everyone fed, but there were leftovers, symbolizing God's abundant provision. This teaches us that when we give what we have, no matter how little, to serve others, we are placing it in Jesus' hands, and He multiplies it.
Peter's experience of walking on water further illustrates the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus. When Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. This teaches us that when we focus on the challenges and fears around us, we lose sight of Jesus and our faith falters. Instead, we must keep our eyes on Him, trusting that He will sustain us.
Ultimately, our faith journey is about seeing Jesus in every situation and understanding that our actions, when done in love and service, are for Him. By loving others and serving them, we are fulfilling our calling and experiencing the blessings of God in our lives and communities.
Key Takeaways:
1. Transition from "If" to "Can": Moving from doubt to belief is essential for activating our faith. Like the man who sought Jesus for his son's healing, we must shift from questioning God's ability to trusting in His power. This transition opens the door to experiencing the miraculous in our lives. [01:26]
2. Faith vs. Belief: Faith is a spiritual power, while belief is the action that puts faith into motion. Acting on our faith makes the impossible possible. Seeking proof before believing contradicts the essence of faith, which requires trust in the unseen. [03:00]
3. God's Abundant Provision: The story of feeding the 5,000 teaches us that when we give our limited resources to Jesus, He multiplies them. Serving others with what we have, no matter how little, places it in Jesus' hands, leading to abundant provision. [09:40]
4. Focus on Jesus, Not the Storm: Peter's experience of walking on water shows the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus. When we focus on challenges and fears, our faith falters. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we trust Him to sustain us through life's storms. [19:53]
5. Seeing Jesus in Service: Our faith journey involves seeing Jesus in every situation and understanding that our actions, when done in love and service, are for Him. By loving and serving others, we fulfill our calling and experience God's blessings in our lives and communities. [27:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - From "If" to "Can"
[03:00] - Faith vs. Belief
[04:16] - The Call for Proof
[05:09] - Belief Without Proof
[06:04] - The Test of Faith
[08:03] - Feeding the 5,000
[09:40] - Giving What We Have
[11:01] - Exercising Faith
[12:21] - Jesus on the Mountainside
[13:14] - Knowing When Others Need Help
[14:12] - Seeing Potential in Others
[15:14] - Navigating Our Paths
[16:14] - The Turning Point
[17:11] - The Fourth Watch
[19:53] - Peter Walks on Water
[24:20] - Seeing Wind
[26:24] - Keeping Focus on Jesus
[27:11] - Loving and Serving Others
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 9:17-24 - The story of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son.
2. Matthew 14:22-33 - Peter walking on water.
3. John 6:1-14 - Jesus feeding the 5,000.
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 9:17-24, what was the father's initial approach to Jesus regarding his son's condition, and how did Jesus respond to his doubt? [01:26]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His power and provision in the story of feeding the 5,000 in John 6:1-14? What was the initial reaction of the disciples to the situation? [09:40]
3. In Matthew 14:22-33, what was Peter's reaction when he saw the wind while walking on water, and how did Jesus address his fear? [19:53]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between faith and belief, and how are they related? [03:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the father's plea in Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief," reveal about the nature of faith and doubt in a believer's life? [01:26]
2. How does the miracle of feeding the 5,000 illustrate the concept of God's abundant provision, and what does it teach about the role of faith in scarcity? [09:40]
3. In the context of Peter walking on water, what does the sermon suggest about the importance of maintaining focus on Jesus amidst life's challenges? [19:53]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between seeking proof and exercising faith, and what implications does this have for believers today? [05:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you are currently in the "if" stage. What steps can you take to move towards the "can" stage, trusting in God's power? [01:26]
2. Consider a time when you felt you had limited resources. How can you apply the lesson from the feeding of the 5,000 to trust God with what you have and serve others? [09:40]
3. Identify a specific fear or challenge that distracts you from focusing on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to keep your eyes on Him? [19:53]
4. How can you actively put your faith into action in your community, even when you don't have all the answers or proof? What small step can you take this week? [05:09]
5. Think of someone in your life who is struggling with doubt. How can you support them in their faith journey, helping them to see Jesus in their situation? [27:11]
6. Reflect on your current service to others. How can you ensure that your actions are done in love and for Jesus, fulfilling your calling? [27:11]
7. What is one specific way you can demonstrate God's love to someone in your community this week, seeing Jesus in them and serving them wholeheartedly? [27:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Transitioning from Doubt to Trust
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves at a crossroads between doubt and trust. The story of the man who approached Jesus for his son's healing illustrates this pivotal moment. He had enough faith to seek Jesus but struggled to fully trust in His power. Jesus challenged him to move beyond doubt, emphasizing that everything is possible for those who believe. This transition from questioning God's ability to trusting in His power is essential for experiencing the miraculous in our lives. By embracing this shift, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's promises and the wonders He can perform. [01:26]
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: Identify an area in your life where doubt lingers. How can you actively choose to trust in God's power today, even if you don't see immediate results?
Day 2: Faith in Action
Faith and belief, though interconnected, are distinct. Faith is a spiritual power, a noun, while belief is the action, the verb, that puts faith into motion. When we act on our faith, the impossible becomes possible. However, many seek proof before stepping out in faith, a concept that contradicts the very nature of belief. Faith requires us to trust in the unseen, to believe without tangible evidence. Jesus Himself said that those who seek signs will not find them because belief cannot coexist with proof. Embracing this understanding allows us to live boldly, trusting in God's unseen hand at work. [03:00]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you are waiting for proof before acting. What step of faith can you take today, trusting in what you cannot yet see?
Day 3: Offering Our Limited Resources
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when we place our limited resources in Jesus' hands. The disciples were instructed to feed the multitude, despite their lack of resources. When they obeyed, not only was everyone fed, but there were leftovers, symbolizing God's abundant provision. This teaches us that when we give what we have, no matter how little, to serve others, we are placing it in Jesus' hands, and He multiplies it. By trusting God with our resources, we witness His ability to provide abundantly beyond our expectations. [09:40]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: What is one small resource or talent you can offer to God today? How might He use it to bless others?
Day 4: Keeping Focus Amidst Life's Storms
Peter's experience of walking on water illustrates the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus. When Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. This teaches us that when we focus on the challenges and fears around us, we lose sight of Jesus and our faith falters. Instead, we must keep our eyes on Him, trusting that He will sustain us. By maintaining our focus on Jesus, we find the strength to navigate life's storms with confidence and peace, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [19:53]
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: What distractions or fears are causing you to lose focus on Jesus? How can you realign your attention to trust Him more fully today?
Day 5: Serving with Love and Purpose
Ultimately, our faith journey is about seeing Jesus in every situation and understanding that our actions, when done in love and service, are for Him. By loving others and serving them, we are fulfilling our calling and experiencing the blessings of God in our lives and communities. This perspective transforms our daily interactions and tasks into acts of worship, as we recognize the divine purpose in serving others. Embracing this calling allows us to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life dedicated to God's service. [27:11]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Who is someone you can serve today with love and purpose? What specific action can you take to demonstrate God's love to them?
Quotes
"We see a man who has enough faith in Jesus to come to him, but not enough to actually believe that he can do it. He's in this tepid space, this lukewarm condition, and God wants us to be on fire for him. He wants all of our hearts, all of our minds, all of our souls in full faith. Why? Because then we're in a position where we can apply that faith to do miracles in our own environs. And so moving from if to can is paramount for us to have a full and active faith." [00:01:29]
"Faith is basically a noun for you English majors. Very good. So faith is something you have, and it's a spiritual power, but belief is the implementation of that power. And so when Jesus says everything is possible for those who believe, what he's really saying, is when faith is put into action, the impossible becomes possible." [00:02:24]
"Now, the irony of all this is so many people want to have some proof. They want to have some proof before stepping out in faith. Some evidence, some safety net, some logical process. And, of course, my experience in the sciences, I heard that all the time, you know, because what they would say in science is, Ed, I want you to prove God. Give me some proof." [00:03:00]
"So you cannot go to God through the material. You go to God spiritually. And then the spiritual can, at that vantage point, now impact and influence the physical. So we're trying to understand spiritual things with natural. And the twain will not meet in that way because God is not material. He is immaterial." [00:04:32]
"So when we're talking about spiritual things, when we're talking about faith, this is why Jesus says everybody wants a sign. In other words, everybody wants proof. He says there's not going to be a sign. There's not going to be a sign. You see, you can't exercise belief if you have proof." [00:05:09]
"Can you believe when you haven't seen? In other words, can you see Jesus spiritually, not naturally? And so I maintain that the doorway to a faith that transforms everything, that a doorway to a faith that can call things that are not as though they were, a doorway to a faith that makes the impossible possible, is being able to spiritually see Jesus in the midst." [00:07:14]
"They don't have the resource, but when they take what they have, put it in Jesus' hands, right? There were five loaves. boy had two fish. They gave it to Jesus. They put it in his hands. He gave thanks to God. But not only was everyone fed, but there were 12 basketfuls left over, that 12 representing the chosen, whether it be 12 disciples, 12 tribes. So in other words, the church gets what it needs when it first gives out of whatever resource it has." [00:09:49]
"And so the magical, powerful, illogical, almost from a natural sense, way out of a church that is struggling, is to exercise your faith. exercise faith, that exercising of the faith is that belief, and the proof of the belief is the decision to do ministry independent of your resource. That doesn't mean being irresponsible." [00:11:08]
"When you are in love with God and when you are in love with your brother and sister, you somehow know that they are in trouble. My son. My son in the ministry. I have a few, but one of them, you know, there were people who didn't like him. They didn't like him because, you know, he was a little rough and off the street and all this kind of stuff." [00:13:11]
"And I loved this man. He was a godly man. People just didn't understand. They didn't understand that God has the power to change people. He has the power to heal people. God can take whomever he wants and use that person to do great things. So they were judging him by his past and judging him by his package. But they didn't see Jesus in him. I did." [00:14:31]
"Now I've seen trees Bend I've seen leaves fly I've seen the newspapers roll I've you know you had my umbrella turned inside out I've seen the effects of wind but I've never actually seen wind and so it says that Peter saw wind was afraid was this next thing and then he sank so what's happening is we're seeing effects of things and we're filling in the blanks." [00:20:26]
"But it's so hard to find things that are about peace, about love, about joy, about unity, about giving, about hope. About love. About service to others. That is seeing Jesus. So when Jesus holds Peter, and it's only appropriate that he's going into the water, because the illustration that Jesus gives for salvation is throwing the net on the right side of the boat and pulling the fish out of the water, it's only appropriate. That's correct, yeah. Okay?" [00:24:53]
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