Living by Faith: Trusting God's Promises in Uncertainty

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Assurance and Conviction

Faith is the bedrock of the Christian life, described in Hebrews as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is not a vague belief in a higher power but a deep trust in the specific character and promises of God. This kind of faith allows believers to perceive and hold onto God's promises, even when they are not visible to the natural eye. It is through this faith that Christians can navigate life's uncertainties, knowing that God's promises are true and reliable. [20:44]

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 promise of God that you find difficult to trust in fully? How can you begin to hold onto this promise with assurance and conviction today?

Day 2: The Dynamic Journey of Faith

The Christian journey is not static; it requires growth and progress. Faith should lead believers to greater maturity and Christ-likeness. The danger of shrinking back from faith is real and carries severe consequences, as it leads to spiritual destruction. Christians are called to examine their lives to ensure they are not drifting away from their first love or becoming complacent in their spiritual walk. This dynamic journey of faith is about continually moving forward, growing in trust and obedience to God. [06:23]

2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV): "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life have you become complacent? What is one step you can take this week to grow in that area?

Day 3: Transformative Examples of Faith

Hebrews 11 provides powerful examples of how faith transforms lives. Individuals like Abel, Noah, and Moses acted on God's promises, even when the outcomes were unseen. Their lives were marked by actions that demonstrated their trust in God's promises. These examples challenge believers to live by the same faith, trusting in the unseen realities of God's kingdom. It is a call to action, to live lives that reflect a deep trust in God's promises, regardless of visible circumstances. [38:20]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Think of a specific promise of God that you believe in. How can you demonstrate your trust in this promise through a specific action this week?

Day 4: Faith as a Divine Gift

Faith is a gift from God, enabling believers to see beyond the visible and trust in His promises. It calls Christians to live radically, make sacrifices, and pursue eternal rewards. This kind of faith should be evident in actions and decisions, reflecting a life that is aligned with God's will. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing God's kingdom over temporary, worldly concerns. [32:13]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more deeply? How can you begin to live more radically in that area, reflecting your faith in God's promises?

Day 5: Living by Faith in the Unknown

Living by faith means trusting in God's promises and stepping out in obedience, even when the path is uncertain. Believers are called to live lives that reflect their trust in God's promises, knowing that their faith preserves their souls and pleases God. This involves a willingness to step into the unknown, confident that God is faithful and His promises are true. It is a call to live courageously, trusting that God is with them every step of the way. [48:11]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain about the future? How can you take a step of faith in that area, trusting that God will guide and support you?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound and essential nature of faith as described in Hebrews 10 and 11. Faith is not merely a belief in a higher power but a deep-seated trust in the character and promises of God. It is the foundation upon which our Christian lives are built, and it is crucial for our spiritual endurance and growth. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. This means that faith allows us to perceive and hold onto the promises of God, even when they are not visible to the natural eye.

We are reminded that the Christian life is not static; it is a journey of growth and progress. Our faith should be dynamic, leading us to greater maturity and Christ-likeness. The danger of shrinking back from faith is real, and it carries severe consequences. The text warns us that without faith, it is impossible to please God, and those who shrink back are on a path to destruction. This is a call to examine our lives and ensure that we are not drifting away from our first love or becoming complacent in our spiritual walk.

The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 serve as a powerful testimony of how faith transforms lives. These individuals, from Abel to Moses, lived by faith and were commended for it. Their lives were marked by actions that demonstrated their trust in God's promises, even when the outcomes were unseen. This chapter is not just a historical account but a call to us to live by the same faith, trusting in the unseen realities of God's kingdom.

Faith is a gift from God, enabling us to see beyond the visible and trust in His promises. It is a call to live radically, to make sacrifices, and to pursue the eternal rewards that God offers. As we reflect on our own lives, we are challenged to consider what we are doing by faith. Are we living in a way that reflects our trust in God's promises? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? Let us be encouraged to hold fast to our faith, knowing that it preserves our souls and pleases God.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is foundational to the Christian life, serving as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is not about believing in a vague higher power but trusting in the specific character and promises of God. [20:44]
2. The Christian journey is dynamic, requiring growth and progress. We must guard against shrinking back from our faith, as this leads to spiritual destruction. Our faith should lead us to greater maturity and Christ-likeness. [06:23]
3. The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 demonstrate how faith transforms lives. These individuals acted on God's promises, even when the outcomes were unseen. Their lives challenge us to live by the same faith, trusting in the unseen realities of God's kingdom. [38:20]
4. Faith is a gift from God, enabling us to see beyond the visible and trust in His promises. It calls us to live radically, make sacrifices, and pursue eternal rewards. Our faith should be evident in our actions and decisions. [32:13]
5. Living by faith means trusting in God's promises and stepping out in obedience, even when the path is uncertain. We are called to live lives that reflect our trust in God's promises, knowing that our faith preserves our souls and pleases God. [48:11]
** [48:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Faith and Love
[00:31] - Turning to Hebrews 10
[01:07] - The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
[02:38] - Shrinking Back and Destruction
[03:32] - The Dynamic Christian Life
[05:22] - Progress and First Love
[06:23] - The Danger of Shrinking Back
[07:48] - Faith and Prayer
[09:17] - The Soul-Preserving Nature of Faith
[11:18] - The Perils of Unbelief
[13:21] - Holding Fast to Our Confidence
[17:37] - The Good Fight of Faith
[20:04] - Four Truths About Faith
[38:20] - The Examples of Faith in Hebrews 11
[48:11] - Living by Faith in the Unknown

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 10:36-39
- Hebrews 11:1-2, 6

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Observation Questions:

What does Hebrews 10:38 mean when it says, "My righteous one shall live by faith"? How is this concept introduced before chapter 11? [01:07]
In Hebrews 11:1, faith is described as the "assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." How does this definition of faith differ from a simple belief in God? [20:04]
According to Hebrews 11:6, why is faith essential to please God? What must one believe about God to draw near to Him? [20:44]
How does the sermon describe the consequences of "shrinking back" from faith, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:39? [02:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the dynamic nature of the Christian journey, and why is it important to avoid becoming complacent in faith? [06:23]
The sermon mentions that faith is a gift from God that allows us to see beyond the visible. How does this perspective challenge the way we live our daily lives? [32:13]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and the unseen realities of God's kingdom? How does this impact our understanding of faith's role in our lives? [30:19]
How do the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 serve as a call to action for believers today? What specific actions are encouraged by these examples? [38:20]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel you might be "shrinking back" from faith? What steps can you take to address this? [06:23]
Consider a promise of God that you find difficult to trust. What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen your faith in that promise? [20:44]
The sermon challenges us to live radically by faith. Identify one area of your life where you can make a bold decision based on faith rather than fear. What will you do differently? [32:13]
Think about a time when you acted on faith despite uncertainty. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's faithfulness? How can you apply that lesson to a current situation? [48:11]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and progress. What is one specific way you can pursue greater maturity in your faith this month? [05:22]
Identify a person in your life who exemplifies living by faith. What qualities do they possess that you admire, and how can you incorporate those qualities into your own life? [38:20]
Reflect on the unseen realities of God's kingdom. How can you remind yourself of these truths daily to strengthen your faith and guide your actions? [30:19]

Sermon Clips

"Faith is not about faith. Faith is looking outside yourself to that which is outside of you. It is looking to this Christ. That's the idea. You shrink back, well, it's not shrink back and you're all taken up with your faith. Brethren, the shrinking back of faith, this drifting of faith is when we fall back from who Christ is and what he's promised." [00:13:28]

"Faith is the evidence of things unseen. Faith is that god-given organ that gives me the ability to see what lost men cannot see. I see a reality that they don't behold, and if you got true faith here, that's exactly what's happened to you." [00:34:11]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Now here, hope has to do with what's future. Faith not only focuses on what's presently real yet unseen, faith also is the assurance of things that are hoped for, that are yet future and unseen. We hope for what we don't have yet." [00:34:48]

"Faith gives us the ability to see realities in abundance that aren't seen, that are invisible, that are outside this dimension, beyond. The truth of verse three just thunders with this reality. Look at it, 11:3, by faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." [00:31:10]

"Faith is clearly founded in who God is. That's what's so essential about it, on what God is like. This is not just the idea of believing that there is some supreme being or higher power. Faith has the idea we've got to believe that God is who God is." [00:21:01]

"True faith frees people from a preoccupation with wealth and money and riches. Think about all the other things Moses could have had in leadership in the greatest political power on the face of the Earth. He could have had harms, jewels, whatever his heart desired, boats, military might." [00:25:50]

"Faith is a gift of God. Ephesians teaches us that. But what is it that God gives us? It's like he gives us another sense. I have eyes, I can see with them. I have ears, I can hear with them. I have fingers, I can feel with them. I have a nose, I can smell with that. But God gives another sense." [00:32:10]

"Faith is the conviction of things not seen. What freed Moses from those embracing arms of the world was that he saw what other men could not see. He saw the reward. There was an unseen reality, there was an unseen city, there was an unseen kingdom, there was an unseen Messiah, there was an unseen God." [00:29:37]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. This means that faith allows us to perceive and hold onto the promises of God, even when they are not visible to the natural eye." [00:34:48]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." [00:31:10]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." [00:31:10]

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." [00:31:10]

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Living by Faith: Trusting God's Promises in Uncertainty

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Assurance and Conviction

Day 2: The Dynamic Journey of Faith

Day 3: Transformative Examples of Faith

Day 4: Faith as a Divine Gift

Day 5: Living by Faith in the Unknown

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living by Faith: Trusting God's Promises in Uncertainty

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