Living by Faith: Trusting God Through Trials
Summary
The theme of today's message is centered around living a life of faith, as inspired by Paul's words in Galatians 2:20: "The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." This scripture challenges us to consider the duality of our lives—the worldly life we once lived and the life of faith we are called to live in Christ. It's not just a one-time transition at salvation but a daily choice to live by faith, regardless of circumstances.
Paul's experience in Acts 16, where he and Silas were imprisoned, serves as a powerful illustration of this principle. Despite being in chains, they chose to pray and sing hymns, demonstrating their unwavering faith. Their faith was rewarded with a miraculous earthquake that freed them, showing that God can intervene in our darkest moments. This story reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and His miracles often come when we least expect them.
The message also touches on the reality that following God's will doesn't always lead to smooth paths. Paul faced numerous challenges, even when he was sure of God's direction. Similarly, personal anecdotes were shared about facing unexpected trials while following God's call, emphasizing that faith is not about avoiding difficulties but trusting God through them.
Living by faith means maintaining a deep, personal knowledge of God's love for us, even when circumstances seem contrary. It's about choosing to praise and trust God, knowing that closed doors can be as much a part of His plan as open ones. The call is to keep faith alive, to praise God in all situations, and to trust in His love and timing.
Key Takeaways:
1. Daily Choice of Faith: Living by faith is a daily decision, not just a one-time event at salvation. We must continually choose to trust in God's love and His plan for us, even when circumstances are challenging. This choice is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of Christ's love. [01:27:19]
2. God's Timing in Miracles: The story of Paul and Silas in prison teaches us that God's miracles often come at unexpected times. We must remain faithful and patient, trusting that God will act in His perfect timing, even when we feel trapped or hopeless. [01:35:16]
3. Closed Doors as Miracles: Sometimes, closed doors are as much a part of God's plan as open ones. We should not be discouraged by obstacles but see them as opportunities for God to work in ways we might not understand. [01:40:31]
4. Faith Amidst Trials: Following God's will does not guarantee an easy path. Like Paul, we may face trials even when we are sure of God's direction. Our faith is tested in these moments, and we must hold onto the truth of God's love and promises. [01:44:23]
5. The Power of Praise: In difficult times, maintaining a spirit of praise and prayer can lead to breakthroughs. Paul and Silas's story shows that praising God in the midst of trials can lead to miraculous outcomes, reinforcing the power of faith and worship. [02:00:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:05] - Introduction and Greetings
- [00:10] - Worship and Healing Ministry
- [00:20] - Testimonies of Healing
- [00:30] - The Power of Saying Yes
- [00:40] - Alpha Course Introduction
- [00:50] - Testimony of Faith and Giving
- [01:00] - The Life I Now Live
- [01:10] - Paul's Imprisonment and Faith
- [01:20] - God's Timing in Miracles
- [01:30] - Personal Testimony of Trials
- [01:40] - The Role of Praise in Breakthroughs
- [01:50] - Closed Doors as Miracles
- [02:00] - Conclusion and Call to Faith
- [02:10] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 2:20 - "The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."
2. Acts 16:25-26 - "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God"? How does this reflect a daily choice rather than a one-time decision? [01:27:19]
2. In Acts 16, how did Paul and Silas respond to their imprisonment, and what was the outcome of their actions? [01:35:16]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's timing in performing miracles, particularly in the story of Paul and Silas? [01:35:16]
4. What role did praise and worship play in the story of Paul and Silas, and how did it affect their situation? [02:00:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the duality of living a worldly life versus a life of faith manifest in our daily decisions, according to the sermon? [01:27:19]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's timing and intervention in our lives, especially during difficult times? [01:35:16]
3. How can closed doors be perceived as part of God's plan, and what does this mean for our understanding of faith and trust in God? [01:40:31]
4. In what ways does the sermon challenge the assumption that following God's will leads to an easy path? How does this relate to Paul's experiences? [01:44:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a daily choice to live by faith. How did that decision impact your life, and what challenges did you face? [01:27:19]
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt trapped or hopeless? How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your response? [01:35:16]
3. Think of a recent closed door in your life. How can you view this as part of God's plan, and what steps can you take to trust in His timing? [01:40:31]
4. How do you maintain a spirit of praise and worship during trials? Share a specific instance where praise led to a breakthrough in your life. [02:00:35]
5. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the principle of living by faith, as Paul did, to navigate this situation? [01:27:19]
6. Identify an area in your life where you feel God's will is not leading to an easy path. How can you hold onto faith and trust in God's love and promises during this time? [01:44:23]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper personal knowledge of God's love for you, especially when circumstances seem contrary? What practical steps can you take this week? [01:27:19]
Devotional
Day 1: The Daily Decision to Live by Faith
Living by faith is not a one-time event but a daily choice. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to trust in God's love and His plan for us. This decision to live by faith is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of Christ's love. It requires us to actively choose to rely on God's promises, even when circumstances are difficult or unclear. By making this choice daily, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His guidance and strength. [01:27:19]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to make a conscious decision to trust God today? How can you remind yourself to choose faith in this area throughout the day?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
The story of Paul and Silas in prison illustrates that God's miracles often come at unexpected times. Despite their dire circumstances, they remained faithful, and God intervened in a miraculous way. This teaches us to be patient and trust in God's perfect timing, even when we feel trapped or hopeless. God's plans are often beyond our understanding, and His timing is always perfect. By maintaining faith and patience, we allow God to work in our lives in ways we might not anticipate. [01:35:16]
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you practice patience and trust in His timing today?
Day 3: Embracing Closed Doors as Part of God's Plan
Sometimes, closed doors are as much a part of God's plan as open ones. We may encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable, but these can be opportunities for God to work in ways we might not understand. Instead of being discouraged by these challenges, we should see them as part of God's divine plan. By trusting that God is in control, we can find peace and assurance that He is guiding us, even when the path is not clear. [01:40:31]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent closed door in your life. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for God to work in unexpected ways?
Day 4: Holding onto Faith Amidst Trials
Following God's will does not guarantee an easy path. Like Paul, we may face trials even when we are sure of God's direction. These moments test our faith and challenge us to hold onto the truth of God's love and promises. By trusting God through difficulties, we demonstrate our commitment to His will and our belief in His goodness. Faith amidst trials is about relying on God's strength and wisdom, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [01:44:23]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is a current trial you are facing? How can you actively choose to trust in God's love and promises during this time?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Praise
In difficult times, maintaining a spirit of praise and prayer can lead to breakthroughs. The story of Paul and Silas shows that praising God in the midst of trials can lead to miraculous outcomes. Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God's power and faithfulness. It reinforces our faith and opens the door for God to work in our lives. By choosing to praise God in all situations, we invite His presence and power into our circumstances. [02:00:35]
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." (Philippians 4:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, especially during challenging times? What specific ways can you choose to praise God today?
Quotes
"The Life I Now Live. So I've taken this directly from the writings of Paul in Galatians there where he says, The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. So we can look at that and think there are two lives that we can choose. And I don't think we change from one life to the next at the moment of salvation." [01:30:14] (34 seconds)
"And we change from living a selfish, worldly life at the moment of salvation. But I do believe it's a daily option for us in every situation to say, I'm going to still believe that. The life I now live, I live by faith. Not by a feeling. Not by, oh, this has gone wrong. I'm going to give up on all that. I'm living by faith. And I'm living by faith with the knowledge that God's Son, Jesus, loves me." [01:31:33] (30 seconds)
"In every day, in every situation, loves me and gave his life for me. I believe that if I was the only person alive on this earth, that Jesus would have come and died on the cross just for me. That's the way I view it. And I know it and I live it. The life I now live. However, I've had a little challenge about that recently and I'll let you know in a minute." [01:32:43] (25 seconds)
"What do we do when we feel like the doors have slammed shut? We can't move in the things of God. We know what God wants us to do. We desire it, we believe it. Most of us have had prophetic words about what we're going to do, especially firefall. It'll happen again in breakthrough. Here is Paul locked. These doors are shut. He's actually unable to move and unable to go forward." [01:33:24] (29 seconds)
"There's a tension always in our lives, in our day-to-day lives, between what we feel God wants us to do, the pictures we have when we have individual prophecies, what we feel we want, what we feel we should be doing in God's will, and what we actually are doing. And it's that tension that sits there. And it's that in-between place somehow of what the call of God is and what we should be doing and what we actually are doing." [01:34:35] (37 seconds)
"There's a timing to God's miracles. It's his timing. It's his timing. We can't dictate this. We can't have moved that earthquake any earlier. God did it. God opened the doors for them. God moved for them. And the chains fell off. This is a test for Paul, I do believe, because in that prison, what was he going to do about the very words he had written in Galatians 2 verse 20?" [01:36:51] (35 seconds)
"You know, I mentioned it at the very beginning, but I just want to mention it in context here. There really is a difference between life that's lived by faith or life that is not lived by faith. There is a real difference. There's a real difference between our lives that are lived with a generalized knowledge that God loves the world and the knowledge and revealed knowledge that God loves me and God loves you." [01:38:52] (36 seconds)
"In this one act of crucifixion so that the whole world might be saved, Paul said that. He said, I've given, you're not seeing my life, my words, it's Christ who's living in me coming out. And indeed, it was that knowledge that caused him and mate Silas in those moments to sing and to pray and to praise until the midnight hour, until there was an earthquake from nowhere and every door was open and every chain loosed from them in Jesus' name." [01:39:32] (37 seconds)
"A closed door, my people, this morning, is as much a miracle as what an open door is. As much a miracle. Don't forget that. A closed door in your life is as much a miracle as what an open door was. This, what's happened, yes. Come on. Come on. This, what happened to Paul being put in jail and locked in there, was as much a miracle as an open door that happened at the stroke of midnight." [01:41:20] (35 seconds)
"Would he have got out of there? Would the earthquake have ever come? We don't know. But I do know that God can do miracles when we actually hold true to praise, hold true to prayer, hold true to singing the word of God out loud, as loud as you can, because within the songs that we sing are the very truth and the very word of God. And at that stroke of midnight, those doors were open, and that can happen for every one of us in this room and watching us online." [02:05:30] (35 seconds)
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