Growing Faith Through Dreams and Life's Challenges
Summary
In reflecting on 40 years of ministry, I wanted to distill the essence of what I've learned into a single, impactful principle: how God grows our faith. This is a journey that begins with a simple yet profound prayer, "Lord, increase our faith," a prayer that God is always eager to answer. Faith is the key to pleasing God and unlocking His blessings in our lives. It is the door to our future, and according to our faith, it will be done unto us.
God grows our faith in two primary ways: through His Word and through life's circumstances. Immersing ourselves in Scripture is the easy way, as faith comes from hearing the Word of God. However, God often relies more on the second method—testing our faith through life's challenges. Just as muscles grow through resistance, our faith grows when it is stretched and tested.
One of the most significant tests of faith is the dreams God places in our hearts. These dreams are often daunting, requiring us to rely on God because they are too big to accomplish on our own. They are designed to help others and to be so grand that they necessitate divine intervention. The journey of Saddleback Church began with such a dream, a vision that seemed impossible but was realized through faith and perseverance.
Another test of faith is the delay between the dream and its fulfillment. God's timing is perfect, and while delays can be frustrating, they are part of the process of building our faith. During these times, we must remember that God is in control and that He acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
As we look to the future, I encourage you to dream big and trust God to bring those dreams to fruition. Our best days are ahead, and together, we can make a significant impact for God's kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith as the Foundation: Faith is essential to pleasing God and accessing His blessings. It is the foundation upon which our spiritual journey is built, and it is through faith that we can see God's hand at work in our lives. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and it is through faith that we unlock the doors to our future. [01:36]
- The Role of Scripture: Immersing ourselves in God's Word is crucial for growing our faith. The Bible is our spiritual nourishment, and the more we engage with it, the stronger our faith becomes. If our faith is weak, it is often because we are not spending enough time in Scripture. [04:13]
- Testing Through Circumstances: God often grows our faith through life's challenges. Just as muscles grow through resistance, our faith is strengthened when it is tested and stretched. These tests are opportunities for growth and are essential for developing a robust and enduring faith. [05:22]
- Dreams as Faith Builders: God places dreams in our hearts that are often too big to accomplish on our own. These dreams require us to rely on Him and are designed to help others. They are a test of our faith, pushing us to trust God for the impossible. [08:43]
- Embracing Delays: Delays are a natural part of the journey toward fulfilling God's dreams for our lives. They are opportunities to build patience and trust in God's perfect timing. During these times, we must remember that God is in control and that He acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. [34:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Challenge of Summarizing 40 Years
- [01:03] - How God Grows Our Faith
- [01:23] - The Importance of Faith
- [02:10] - Faith as the Door to Your Future
- [03:40] - Two Ways God Grows Faith
- [05:04] - Testing Through Circumstances
- [06:53] - Dreams as Faith Builders
- [09:32] - The Birth of Saddleback Church
- [13:18] - Trusting God in Fear
- [15:54] - Moving Forward Without Peace
- [21:27] - The Dream of Saddleback Church
- [25:12] - A Season of Harvest
- [31:41] - The Test of Delays
- [34:22] - God's Perfect Timing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 17:5 - "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'"
2. 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."
3. Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the disciples' request in Luke 17:5, "Lord, increase our faith"? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on faith as a foundation? [01:23]
2. According to Hebrews 11:6, why is faith essential in our relationship with God? How does this align with the sermon’s message about faith being the key to pleasing God? [01:36]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Scripture in growing our faith? What specific actions are suggested to strengthen faith through the Word? [04:13]
4. What are the two primary ways God grows our faith according to the sermon? How are these methods similar to physical exercise? [05:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that dreams can serve as tests of faith? How might these dreams require reliance on God? [08:43]
2. How does the sermon explain the purpose of delays in the fulfillment of God’s promises? What might be the spiritual benefits of these delays? [34:41]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the relationship between faith and God’s timing, particularly in the context of personal dreams and goals? [36:06]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the connection between faith and action, especially when facing fear or uncertainty? [15:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a personal dream or goal that seems too big to achieve on your own. How can you begin to trust God more in this area? What steps can you take this week to move forward in faith? [08:43]
2. Consider a time when you experienced a delay in achieving something important. How did you respond, and what did you learn about God’s timing? How can you apply this lesson to your current situation? [34:41]
3. How often do you engage with Scripture, and how does it impact your faith? What changes can you make to ensure you are spiritually nourished by God’s Word regularly? [04:13]
4. Identify a current challenge or circumstance that is testing your faith. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback? [05:22]
5. Think about a fear that has been holding you back from pursuing a God-given dream. What practical steps can you take to overcome this fear and act courageously? [15:18]
6. How can you support others in your small group or community who are waiting on God’s promises? What specific actions can you take to encourage them in their faith journey? [36:06]
7. Reflect on the idea that God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God’s control over your life’s circumstances? [36:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as the Foundation
Faith is the cornerstone of our spiritual journey, essential for pleasing God and accessing His blessings. It is through faith that we can perceive God's work in our lives and unlock the doors to our future. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and it is through faith that we can see His hand at work. Faith is not just a belief but a trust that God is in control and that He will fulfill His promises. [01:36]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you take a step of faith today to trust Him more in that area?
Day 2: The Role of Scripture
Immersing ourselves in God's Word is crucial for growing our faith. The Bible serves as our spiritual nourishment, and the more we engage with it, the stronger our faith becomes. If our faith is weak, it is often because we are not spending enough time in Scripture. By regularly reading and meditating on the Bible, we allow God's truths to shape our thoughts and actions, leading to a deeper and more resilient faith. [04:13]
Romans 10:17 (ESV): "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more time in Scripture into your daily routine this week? What specific steps will you take to ensure this happens?
Day 3: Testing Through Circumstances
God often grows our faith through life's challenges. Just as muscles grow through resistance, our faith is strengthened when it is tested and stretched. These tests are opportunities for growth and are essential for developing a robust and enduring faith. When faced with trials, we are invited to rely on God and trust in His plan, knowing that He uses these circumstances to refine and mature our faith. [05:22]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did it test your faith, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness through it?
Day 4: Dreams as Faith Builders
God places dreams in our hearts that are often too big to accomplish on our own. These dreams require us to rely on Him and are designed to help others. They are a test of our faith, pushing us to trust God for the impossible. By pursuing these God-given dreams, we not only grow in faith but also become instruments of His love and grace in the world. [08:43]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: What is a dream God has placed in your heart that seems too big to achieve on your own? How can you take a step of faith towards it today?
Day 5: Embracing Delays
Delays are a natural part of the journey toward fulfilling God's dreams for our lives. They are opportunities to build patience and trust in God's perfect timing. During these times, we must remember that God is in control and that He acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. Embracing delays with faith allows us to grow in character and prepares us for the fulfillment of God's promises. [34:41]
Isaiah 64:4 (ESV): "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."
Reflection: How do you typically respond to delays in your life? What can you do to cultivate patience and trust in God's timing during these periods?
Quotes
"Without faith, it is impossible to please God. That's why you want your faith to increase because without faith, it is impossible to please God. God does not respond to my complaints, God does not respond to my worries, God does not respond to my bitterness or whatever, but God moves heaven and earth when I trust him. He always responds to faith." [00:01:41]
"Faith is like a muscle and the only way you grow a muscle is by stretching it, by testing it, putting some weight on it, by putting some resistance. You don't grow muscle without resistance, you don't grow muscle without being stretched, you don't grow muscle without it being tested by a weight or some kind of exercise of some kind, the same is true with faith." [00:05:30]
"God tests and grows our faith through dreams. You said, what do you mean by that Rick? I'm saying that God gives you a dream in your heart, He gives you a vision in your mind of what he wants to do with your life and this is a test. Everybody's had a dream at some point in their life, everybody's had a dream." [00:06:42]
"Two ways, one, it's gonna help some somebody. If your dream doesn't help somebody, it's not from God. Because God is not interested in just you live in a self-centered life. Does that make sense? God isn't interested in you living in self-centered life. So whatever dream you give, it's gonna help somebody out there either a product or a service or an idea or a thought or a book or a service of some kind that you give." [00:07:57]
"When God gives you a dream, you can't do it in your own power. It is so big that you go, there's no way I could do that. And God goes, right that's why you're gonna have to depend on me because if you don't have to depend on me, you don't need any faith and without faith, it is impossible to please God." [00:08:47]
"God tests grows our faith through delays. No dream is instantly fulfilled. All those things that I wrote down in that first day, it took 40 years, it didn't happen the next day. Here's the biggest problem you do, you set your goals too low and you try to accomplish them too quickly. We underestimate, we overestimate what we can do in a year but we underestimate what we can do in 10 or 20." [00:31:58]
"These things that I plan for you, is good plans that Jeremiah talked about, they won't happen right away but steadily, slowly, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair for these things will surely be fulfilled. Just be patient, they will surely come to pass. Just be patient, they will not be overdue a single day." [00:34:23]
"If God has given you a dream and it hadn't come to true yet, don't despair. The delays are part of the process, the obstacles are part of the journey. Because God is building your faith, He's strengthening that muscle, He's testing you and he builds your faith through, not just dreams that are scary, but delays that take time. There's always a delay between the dream and the fulfillment." [00:35:19]
"Never let an impossible situation intimidate you, keep you from your dream. Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you, motivate you to pray more, to believe more, to trust more, to wait more, to expect more, to depend on God more. Because when you do that, it is inevitable. What God starts in your life, he's gonna finish." [00:37:11]
"Nothing is impossible with God. Satan's favorite phrase in your life, do you know what it is? You can't do that, you can't do that. Who do you think you are? You know your past, what makes you think you could be a man of God? The promises of God. What makes you think you could be a woman of God? Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." [00:38:49]
"That's what this church is all about. Doesn't matter where you've been, doesn't matter what direction your feet have been, what matters is what direction your feet are headed right now. So I invite you to join us. In the next decade, it's gonna be our greatest decade. I want your life to be an embarrassment to the devil, I want our church family together as a family, brothers and sisters, I want our church family to be an embarrassment for the devil." [00:39:24]
"All they know how to do is just trust God, they believe him for the impossible, they go after big goals. They do things that nobody else even attempt or even thinks things doing, why? They're stupid enough to trust God. Yep. That's exactly right. So, I'm asking you, give your life to Christ, get connected to a family, get connected to this family, we welcome you here but just find a church and make the rest of your life count." [00:39:58]
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