Living and Giving by Faith: Trusting God's Provision

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of living and giving by faith, drawing lessons from Hebrews 11 and the story of Noah. Faith is not merely a feeling or belief; it is the conviction that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He promises. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, as stated in Hebrews 11:6. This foundational truth challenges us to examine our walk with God, ensuring that it is rooted in faith rather than mere sight or routine.

The story of Noah exemplifies a life lived by faith. Noah's obedience in building the ark, despite the absence of visible evidence of the impending flood, demonstrates his unwavering trust in God's word. His faith was not passive; it was active and sacrificial. After the flood, Noah's first act was to build an altar and offer sacrifices to God, an act of faith that acknowledged God's provision and sovereignty. This sacrifice was not just a ritual; it was a profound statement of trust, as it involved giving up resources that were crucial for his family's survival and the repopulation of the earth.

We also delved into the importance of giving by faith, emphasizing that God is our provider. Our giving is not about fulfilling a religious obligation but about aligning our hearts with God's purposes. Jesus spoke extensively about money because it often holds our hearts captive. By giving, we release our grip on material possessions and declare our trust in God's provision. This act of faith not only impacts our lives but also extends to others, as seen in the ripple effects of Noah's sacrifice and the historical impact of figures like William Tyndale, whose work was supported by faithful patrons.

Ultimately, giving by faith is a response to encountering God. When we experience His mercy and provision, our natural response should be to offer ourselves and our resources back to Him. This is not about equal giving but equal sacrifice, where each person honors God with the first and best of their income, trusting Him to multiply it for His kingdom purposes.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith as the Foundation: Faith is the assurance that God is who He says He is and will fulfill His promises. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, as it requires us to trust beyond what we can see or feel. This foundational truth challenges us to live a life anchored in faith, not just in sight or routine. [02:30]

- Noah's Example of Faith: Noah's obedience in building the ark, despite the lack of visible evidence, exemplifies a life lived by faith. His sacrificial offering after the flood was a profound act of trust, acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty. This teaches us that faith is active and often requires us to step out in obedience, even when it seems illogical. [09:50]

- God as Provider: Our giving is a declaration of trust in God as our provider. By releasing our grip on material possessions, we align our hearts with God's purposes. This act of faith not only impacts our lives but also extends to others, creating a ripple effect of blessing and provision. [18:53]

- Impact of Faithful Giving: Faith-filled giving affects more than just us. Like Noah's sacrifice, our giving can have far-reaching impacts, influencing generations and advancing God's kingdom. This challenges us to view our resources as tools for God's purposes, trusting Him to multiply our offerings for His glory. [22:56]

- Encountering God Through Giving: Giving by faith is a response to encountering God's mercy and provision. When we experience His goodness, our natural response should be to offer ourselves and our resources back to Him. This is not about equal giving but equal sacrifice, where each person honors God with the first and best of their income. [27:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:30] - Faith as the Foundation
- [04:45] - The Role of Worship
- [06:20] - Definition of Faith
- [09:50] - Noah's Example of Faith
- [12:15] - The Story of Noah
- [15:30] - The Ark's Construction
- [18:53] - God as Provider
- [22:56] - Impact of Faithful Giving
- [27:13] - Encountering God Through Giving
- [30:00] - Personal Testimonies
- [32:45] - Encouragement to Test God
- [35:17] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living and Giving by Faith

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:6-7
- Genesis 6:9-22
- Malachi 3:10

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Hebrews 11:6 say about the necessity of faith in pleasing God? How does this relate to the overall theme of the sermon? [09:50]

2. In the story of Noah, what specific actions did Noah take that demonstrated his faith, according to Genesis 6:9-22? [09:50]

3. How does Malachi 3:10 challenge believers in their approach to giving, and what promise does it contain? [18:53]

4. What was the significance of Noah building an altar and offering sacrifices after the flood, as described in Genesis 8:20? [09:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11:6-7 challenge the way believers typically approach their relationship with God? [09:50]

2. In what ways does Noah's obedience in building the ark serve as a model for living by faith today? Consider the implications of acting on God's instructions without visible evidence. [09:50]

3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith and giving, particularly in the context of trusting God as a provider? [18:53]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the impact of faithful giving on both the giver and the broader community? [22:56]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God without seeing immediate results. How did that experience shape your faith? How can you apply this lesson to a current situation in your life? [09:50]

2. Noah's faith led him to take significant action despite the lack of evidence. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? What practical steps can you take this week to act on that calling? [09:50]

3. The sermon emphasizes giving as an act of faith and trust in God's provision. How does your current approach to giving reflect your trust in God? What changes might you consider to align more closely with this principle? [18:53]

4. Consider the idea of "equal sacrifice" rather than "equal giving" mentioned in the sermon. How can this perspective change the way you view your contributions to God's work? [27:13]

5. The sermon highlights the ripple effect of faithful giving. Can you identify a time when your giving had a positive impact beyond your immediate circle? How does this motivate you to continue giving by faith? [22:56]

6. Reflect on the statement that encountering God's mercy and provision should lead to a natural response of offering ourselves and our resources back to Him. How have you experienced God's provision in your life, and how can you respond to it this week? [27:13]

7. The sermon encourages believers to test God in their giving, as stated in Malachi 3:10. What steps can you take to test God's promise in this area, and what are you hoping to see as a result? [18:53]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as the Assurance of God's Promises
Faith is the assurance that God is who He says He is and will fulfill His promises. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, as it requires us to trust beyond what we can see or feel. This foundational truth challenges us to live a life anchored in faith, not just in sight or routine. [02:30]

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 struggle to trust God fully? How can you take a step of faith today to trust Him more in that area?


Day 2: Noah's Active and Sacrificial Faith
Noah's obedience in building the ark, despite the lack of visible evidence, exemplifies a life lived by faith. His sacrificial offering after the flood was a profound act of trust, acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty. This teaches us that faith is active and often requires us to step out in obedience, even when it seems illogical. [09:50]

Genesis 6:22 (ESV): "Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him."

Reflection: Consider a situation where God is calling you to act in faith. What steps can you take today to obey, even if it seems illogical or challenging?


Day 3: Trusting God as Our Provider
Our giving is a declaration of trust in God as our provider. By releasing our grip on material possessions, we align our hearts with God's purposes. This act of faith not only impacts our lives but also extends to others, creating a ripple effect of blessing and provision. [18:53]

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: What material possession or financial concern are you holding onto tightly? How can you release it to God and trust Him as your provider today?


Day 4: The Ripple Effect of Faithful Giving
Faith-filled giving affects more than just us. Like Noah's sacrifice, our giving can have far-reaching impacts, influencing generations and advancing God's kingdom. This challenges us to view our resources as tools for God's purposes, trusting Him to multiply our offerings for His glory. [22:56]

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (ESV): "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."

Reflection: Think of a way you can use your resources to bless someone else this week. How can you trust God to multiply your offering for His kingdom?


Day 5: Encountering God Through Sacrificial Giving
Giving by faith is a response to encountering God's mercy and provision. When we experience His goodness, our natural response should be to offer ourselves and our resources back to Him. This is not about equal giving but equal sacrifice, where each person honors God with the first and best of their income. [27:13]

2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

Reflection: Reflect on how you can offer your first and best to God today. What does equal sacrifice look like for you in your current season of life?

Quotes

"And without faith, it is impossible to please him. And time out. We'll finish that verse in a little bit. But without faith, it is impossible to please God. It's not that without faith, you might please God. No, it's without faith, it's impossible to please God. And so I would submit to you today that if this Christianity thing or this walk with God feels like it's maybe not doing it for you, it could be that you're not walking by faith." [00:01:18] (26 seconds)


"Faith is believing that God is who he says he is and that he'll do what he says that he'll do. See, faith isn't just belief, right? Faith is not a feeling. Faith is not, ooh, I feel like really into this today. That's not what faith is. That's a feeling, and Boston said that it's more than a feeling, and so that faith also is more than a feeling. Now, feelings do come with it, and I thank God that he has emotions." [00:03:42] (26 seconds)


"So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. And when everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, go into the boat with all your family for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous. Seven days from now, I will make the rains pour down on the earth and it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights until I have wiped from the earth all the living things that I created. So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him." [00:08:12] (27 seconds)


"And there he sacrificed his burnt offerings, the animals and the birds that had been approved for that purpose. And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. And then God said, I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures for all generations to come." [00:10:22] (28 seconds)


"Romans 12 .1, Paul says this, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship. It's one of my favorite scriptures, but I don't want you to miss this. In view of God's mercies, meaning don't lose sight of what God has done. What has he done in your life? Because of the view of that, I urge you to offer, to give, to give him your life, give him everything." [00:27:59] (33 seconds)


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Transcript
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