Living Faith: Trusting God Beyond Our Comfort Zones

 

Summary

Today, I began by expressing my excitement about the tools we use to communicate in our church, like slides and social media, which help us stay connected and informed. I shared a humorous thought about how even in heaven, we might be using PowerPoint to present glorious truths. I welcomed our visitors and announced upcoming events, including Friday Fun Night and a men’s retreat, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and community.

I then discussed the results of a recent survey that provided insights into our church community. It was revealing to see the feedback, especially the active participation from our newer members, which is a healthy sign of a vibrant church. I encouraged more participation from our men and younger members, extending the survey period to ensure everyone's voice is heard.

Moving into the core of my message, I delved into the concept of faith, using biblical examples to illustrate what true faith looks like. I spoke about Abraham, who demonstrated faith by obeying God’s command to leave his homeland without knowing the destination, and later, when he was tested, he agreed to sacrifice his son Isaac, trusting God’s plan above his own understanding.

I also highlighted the story of Mary, who exhibited great faith when she accepted the call to be the mother of Jesus despite the potential social repercussions. Her response to the angel, "May it be done to me according to your word," reflects a heart fully surrendered to God’s will.

Peter’s story of stepping out of the boat to walk towards Jesus on water was another powerful example of faith in action. It shows us that faith involves taking risks and stepping out of our comfort zones, trusting in Jesus’ power to do the impossible.

I connected these stories to our daily lives, encouraging everyone to live by faith, stepping into the unknown with confidence in God’s guidance. I emphasized that faith is not just belief but action—it's stepping into what we believe God has called us to, even when it's challenging or doesn't make sense.

In conclusion, I reminded everyone that faith grows through hearing and responding to God’s Word. It’s about moving from knowledge to deep conviction, allowing what we believe to transform how we live. As we continue to engage with Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, our faith will strengthen and become evident in our actions.

### Key Takeaways

1. Faith as Response to Divine Instruction: True faith involves not only believing in God’s promises but actively responding to His instructions. Abraham’s readiness to leave his homeland and later to sacrifice Isaac exemplifies this obedience. Faith requires us to move beyond our comfort zones and trust in God’s sovereign plan. [50:24]

2. Faith in Daily Surrender: Mary’s acceptance of her role as the mother of Jesus illustrates faith as daily surrender to God’s will. This kind of faith embraces God’s plans wholeheartedly, even when they disrupt our own. It challenges us to trust God’s purposes over our understanding. [47:04]

3. Faith Involves Risk: Peter’s decision to step out of the boat onto the water highlights that faith often calls us to take risks. True faith compels us to leave behind the familiar and step into the unknown, focusing on Jesus who calls us forward rather than the storms around us. [52:17]

4. The Nurturing of Faith through Scripture: Engaging with the Bible is crucial for faith development. Scripture is not only a record of God’s fidelity but also a living conversation with Him today. It is through the Word that we hear God’s voice, guiding and affirming our steps of faith. [26:26]

5. Community and Faith: The survey feedback underscores the importance of community in nurturing our faith. By sharing our journeys, participating in church activities, and providing feedback, we create a vibrant community that supports each member’s faith journey. [03:55]

### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
00:02:54 - Community Engagement and Feedback
00:13:39 - Introduction to Faith and Scripture
00:24:23 - Historical and Theological Context of Faith
00:42:28 - Understanding the Fear of the Lord
00:56:43 - The Power of Faith in Action
01:08:13 - The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Growth
01:18:48 - Defining Faith in Our Lives
01:34:19 - Faith as Adventure into the Unseen
01:47:04 - Faith Exemplified by Mary
01:52:17 - Peter’s Example of Faith

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
2. Genesis 12:1-4 - "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.' So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran."
3. Matthew 14:28-29 - "Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."

### Observation Questions
1. What did Abraham do when God commanded him to leave his homeland? (Genesis 12:1-4)
2. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith?
3. What was Peter’s initial reaction when he saw Jesus walking on water, and what did he do next? (Matthew 14:28-29)
4. According to the sermon, what are some examples of faith in action from the Bible? [27:07]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Abraham’s willingness to leave his homeland considered an act of faith? How does this relate to trusting God’s plan over our own understanding? (Genesis 12:1-4)
2. How does the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 challenge our everyday understanding of faith? What does it mean to have "assurance of things hoped for" and "conviction of things not seen"?
3. In what ways does Peter’s act of stepping out of the boat illustrate the concept of taking risks in faith? How does this apply to stepping out of our comfort zones? (Matthew 14:28-29)
4. The sermon mentioned that faith involves action and not just belief. How do the stories of Abraham, Mary, and Peter exemplify this principle? [27:07]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you apply Abraham’s example of immediate obedience in your life? [50:24]
2. Mary accepted God’s plan for her life despite the potential social repercussions. Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender your plans to God’s will? How can you embrace this kind of faith? [47:04]
3. Peter took a risk by stepping out of the boat to walk on water. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take a risk? How can you trust in Jesus’ power to do the impossible? [52:17]
4. The sermon emphasized that faith grows through hearing and responding to God’s Word. What specific steps can you take to engage more deeply with Scripture this week? [25:39]
5. The survey feedback highlighted the importance of community in nurturing faith. How can you actively participate in your church community to support and be supported in your faith journey? [03:55]
6. Think about a situation where you need to trust God’s plan over your own understanding. How can you apply the examples of Abraham, Mary, and Peter to this situation? [27:07]
7. The sermon mentioned that faith involves moving from knowledge to deep conviction. What is one belief you hold that you need to act on more consistently? How can you make this belief evident in your daily actions? [27:07]

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience Beyond Comfort
True faith often requires stepping beyond comfort zones into the unknown, trusting in God's sovereign plan. Abraham's story is a profound example of this, as he left his homeland and later agreed to sacrifice his son Isaac, not knowing the outcome but trusting in God's promise. This kind of faith challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where God is calling us to step out in trust, even when the path is not clear. It's about moving from a passive belief to active, sometimes challenging, obedience to God's instructions. This is not merely about accepting God's plans but actively engaging in them, which can sometimes lead us into uncomfortable or unfamiliar territories. [50:24]

Genesis 12:1-4 ESV
"Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him."

Reflection:
What is one specific area in your life where God is asking you to step out in faith? How can you begin to take that step this week?

---

Day 2: Embracing God's Plans Wholeheartedly
Faith is not just about believing in God but also surrendering to His will completely, as demonstrated by Mary when she accepted the call to be the mother of Jesus. This act of surrender involved significant risk and trust, especially considering the social repercussions she faced. True faith involves embracing God's plans with our whole heart, even when they disrupt our personal desires or understanding. It's about trusting that God's purposes are greater than our fears and that His plans are always for our good. [47:04]

Luke 1:38 ESV
"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her."

Reflection:
In what ways might God be calling you to embrace His plans for your life more wholeheartedly? What fears do you need to surrender to Him?

---

Day 3: Faith Calls Us to Take Risks
Stepping out in faith often means leaving the safety of the familiar to embrace the potential of the unknown. Peter's decision to walk on water towards Jesus is a vivid illustration of this. True faith compels us to focus on Jesus and His power rather than the storms around us. It involves taking risks and stepping out in faith, trusting that He will hold us up as we move towards Him. This kind of faith is active and dynamic, pushing us to trust in God's ability to do the impossible. [52:17]

Matthew 14:28-31 ESV
"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him."

Reflection:
What is one risk you feel called to take in your faith journey? How can you begin to step out in faith towards this calling?

---

Day 4: Engaging with Scripture to Nurture Faith
The development of our faith is deeply connected to our engagement with Scripture. The Bible is not just a historical document but a living conversation with God that guides, challenges, and affirms our faith. By regularly reading and reflecting on Scripture, we allow God's voice to shape our understanding and actions. This process helps us move from mere knowledge of biblical events to a deeper, transformative conviction that influences how we live every day. [26:26]

Hebrews 4:12 ESV
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection:
How can you make reading and reflecting on Scripture a more consistent part of your daily routine? What specific time of day can you set aside for this practice?

---

Day 5: Building a Faith-Filled Community
The feedback from the church survey highlighted the importance of community in nurturing our faith. Engaging in church activities, sharing our faith journeys, and providing feedback are all ways we contribute to a vibrant community. This communal aspect of faith not only supports individual members but also strengthens the collective faith of the church. By participating actively, we help create an environment where faith can grow and flourish among all members. [03:55]

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection:
What is one way you can contribute more actively to your church community? How can you encourage or support someone in your community this week?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I like slides. I think in heaven, we're going to be looking at PowerPoint. It's going to be something like this, okay? I'm telling you, there's going to be PowerPoint. If Jesus, when he walked the earth and there was PowerPoint, I guarantee he would use it." [02:54]( | | )

2. "Growing up, my summer always consisted of getting in the Ford Fairmont 1981. Station Wagon with the wood panels and driving from Northern California by San Francisco down the five to go visit family in L.A., San Diego, and Tijuana every single summer. 1985 was the year. 88 cents for gas." [14:53]( | | )

3. "I was in a new restaurant in Torrance. And I walked into the bathroom. And on the walls, they had all their reviews. And then as I was looking at it, it was actually all of their one-star reviews. The whole wall, the whole bathroom was just their one-star reviews." [04:45]( | | )

4. "How many of you guys like vacations? How many of you guys like adventures? Now, what's the difference between a vacation and an adventure? A vacation, right, is meant to be relaxing, minimal work, little bit of physical exertion. But an adventure usually involves some physical or mental exertion." [16:13]( | | )

5. "The Christian experience is an adventure. It's not a vacation. However, if you do it correctly, this journey with God, you will find supernatural rest, you will find supernatural peace, you will find lots of joy, and you will find lots of refreshing." [17:58]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Faith is not just belief but action—it's stepping into what we believe God has called us to, even when it's challenging or doesn't make sense." [56:43]( | | )

2. "Faith grows through hearing and responding to God’s Word. It’s about moving from knowledge to deep conviction, allowing what we believe to transform how we live." [26:26]( | | )

3. "True faith involves not only believing in God’s promises but actively responding to His instructions. Abraham’s readiness to leave his homeland and later to sacrifice Isaac exemplifies this obedience." [50:24]( | | )

4. "Faith in daily surrender: Mary’s acceptance of her role as the mother of Jesus illustrates faith as daily surrender to God’s will. This kind of faith embraces God’s plans wholeheartedly, even when they disrupt our own." [47:04]( | | )

5. "Faith involves risk: Peter’s decision to step out of the boat onto the water highlights that faith often calls us to take risks. True faith compels us to leave behind the familiar and step into the unknown, focusing on Jesus who calls us forward rather than the storms around us." [52:17]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?