Living Open-Handed Faith: Trust, Obedience, and Generosity

Today was a celebration of family, community, and the power of open-handed trust in God. As we dedicated a precious child to the Lord, we were reminded that it truly takes a village to raise the next generation, and as a church, we are committed to being that village—praying, supporting, and loving each family as they walk out God’s purpose for their lives. This is not just a symbolic gesture; it’s a declaration that we are in this together, trusting God for His protection, direction, and peace over every household.

We also took time to reflect on the importance of worship—not just singing songs, but truly glorifying God with our hearts, voices, and lives. When we worship, God is enthroned in our midst, and His presence changes everything. No matter what burdens we carry, when we lift Him up, He meets us right where we are.

As we continued our “Mountain Movers” series, we focused on the idea of “open-handed trust.” Faith believes God can, but trust believes God will. The intersection of faith and trust is where God moves most powerfully in our lives. Too often, we are taught to grip tightly to our time, talent, and treasure, believing that control brings security. But true trust is about releasing control—living with open hands so that God can do what only He can do.

We explored the impact of generosity, not just as a concept, but as a lifestyle. Research shows that if Christians lived generously with their time, talent, and treasure, communities would flourish, personal joy would increase, the Great Commission would advance, our witness would be undeniable, and we would leave a legacy of blessing for future generations. Yet, statistics reveal that only a small percentage of believers actually live this way. The benefits are celebrated, but the sacrifice is often avoided.

Drawing from Exodus 7, we saw how Moses and Aaron listened to God, obeyed His instructions, and then stepped back to let God work. The miracle didn’t come from their own power, but from their willingness to trust and obey. In the same way, we are called to listen for God’s voice, obey what He says, and then let Him do what only He can do. We must take off the superhero cape, stop trying to fix everything ourselves, and trust God with every area of our lives.

Imagine what would happen if we, as a church, flipped the statistics—if the majority of us served, gave, and lived open-handedly. Our communities would be transformed, and the kingdom of God would advance in ways we can’t even imagine. It all starts with surrender at the cross and a daily commitment to live with open hands.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Open-handed trust releases God’s blessing When we loosen our grip on our time, talent, and treasure, we invite God to move in ways we could never manufacture on our own. Open-handed living is not just about giving things away; it’s about surrendering control and trusting God to use what we offer for His greater purpose. This posture of trust allows God’s blessing to flow freely in and through our lives. [44:32]
• 2. Listening to God requires intentional stillness Hearing God’s voice is not accidental; it comes from spending consistent, intentional time with Him. In a world full of noise and distraction, we must cultivate the discipline of being still, tuning our hearts to recognize His voice above all others. The more we listen, the more we know His character and direction for our lives. [59:35]
• 3. Obedience is the bridge between faith and trust Knowing what God wants is not enough; true trust is demonstrated in our willingness to obey, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense. Obedience is costly, but it is the pathway to experiencing God’s promises and power. Listening without obedience is disobedience, and it often means forfeiting the blessings God wants to give. [62:44]
• 4. Letting God work means taking off the cape We are not called to be the savior or the fixer of every problem. There is freedom in acknowledging our limitations and allowing God to do what only He can do. When we step back and let God work, we see His miracles swallow up our best efforts, and His glory is revealed in our weakness. [70:47]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [21:46] - Child Dedication & Church Family Commitment
• [24:45] - Worship: Glorifying God Together
• [41:13] - Vision: End of Year Offering & Generosity
• [44:32] - Living with Open Hands
• [47:28] - The Five Impacts of Generosity
• [50:28] - The Reality of Christian Generosity
• [53:46] - The Challenge of Sacrifice
• [56:12] - Exodus 7: The Story of Open-Handed Trust
• [59:35] - Listening for God’s Voice
• [62:44] - Obedience: Trust in Action
• [64:36] - Faithful with Little, Faithful with Much
• [67:54] - Letting God Work: God’s Miracles vs. Ours
• [70:47] - Taking Off the Superhero Cape
• [73:44] - Responding to God: Surrender and Prayer

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living with Open Hands

---

### Bible Reading

Exodus 7:8-12 (NASB)
> Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and so they did just as the Lord had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.

John 10:27 (NASB)
> My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

Psalm 37:23-24 (NASB)
> The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Exodus 7:8-12, what specific instructions did God give to Moses and Aaron, and how did they respond?
2. According to John 10:27, what are the two things Jesus says His sheep do?
3. In Psalm 37:23-24, what does it say about how God is involved in the steps and falls of a person?
4. The sermon described the difference between faith and trust: “Faith believes God can, but trust believes God will.” How did the story of Moses and Aaron illustrate this difference? ([56:12])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God asked Moses and Aaron to do something as unusual as throwing down a staff to become a serpent? What might this teach us about obedience and trust? ([56:12])
2. The sermon said, “Listening without obedience is disobedience.” What are some reasons people might hear God’s voice but still not obey? ([01:02:44])
3. The pastor shared that “open-handed trust releases God’s blessing.” How does letting go of control actually invite God to work in our lives? ([44:32])
4. The message talked about taking off the “superhero cape” and letting God work. What are some signs that someone is trying to “fix everything” themselves instead of trusting God? ([01:10:47])

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “loosen our grip” on our time, talent, and treasure. Which of these three is hardest for you to release to God, and why? ([44:32])
2. The statistics shared in the sermon showed that only a small percentage of Christians serve or give generously. What is one practical step you could take this month to serve your church or community more generously? ([50:28])
3. The pastor said, “Hearing God’s voice is not accidental; it comes from spending consistent, intentional time with Him.” What is one way you can create more intentional stillness in your week to listen for God’s voice? ([59:35])
4. Think about a time when you obeyed God even though it didn’t make sense. What was the outcome? Is there an area in your life right now where God is asking you to obey, even if it’s difficult? ([01:02:44])
5. The message encouraged us to “take off the superhero cape” and let God work. Is there a situation in your life where you need to stop trying to fix everything and trust God instead? What would it look like to step back and let God move? ([01:10:47])
6. The sermon described the impact of generosity: flourishing communities, increased joy, advancing the Great Commission, a powerful witness, and a legacy for future generations. Which of these outcomes motivates you most, and how can you take a step toward it this week? ([47:28])
7. The pastor said, “It all starts with surrender at the cross and a daily commitment to live with open hands.” What does daily surrender look like for you? Is there something specific you need to surrender to God today? ([01:13:44])