Mountains That Move | How a Step of Faith Changes Everything

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is the Only Way Through Every Terrain

No matter what season or terrain you find yourself in, there are countless voices offering different paths and solutions. Yet, Jesus makes it clear that there is only one way that truly leads to life—Himself. When you face mountains, valleys, or deserts in your journey, remember that the path to true life is not found in shortcuts or the wisdom of the world, but in following Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Trusting Him means choosing His path, even when it is narrow or difficult, because only He can lead you to the fullness of life God intends. [02:14]

John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to look for an easier path than following Jesus, and what would it look like to choose His way today, even if it’s harder?

Day 2: Mountain-Moving Faith Begins With a Mustard Seed Step

When you encounter a mountain in your life—an obstacle that feels immovable—Jesus invites you to exercise faith, not by conjuring up perfect certainty, but by taking a single step forward. Mountain-moving faith is not about having it all figured out or being 100% sure; it’s about trusting God enough to move, even if it’s just an inch. As you take that step, no matter how small, God meets you in your movement and begins to shift what once seemed impossible. [23:47]

Mark 11:23-24 (ESV)
“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Reflection: What is one small, concrete step you can take today toward the mountain in your life, trusting God to meet you as you move?

Day 3: Faith Is Not Certainty—It’s Risk and Movement

Faith is not measured by how certain you feel, but by your willingness to act in the face of uncertainty. Even a mustard seed-sized faith is enough for God to work with, because faith is about embracing risk and moving forward, not waiting for all doubts to disappear. The most faithful moments are often when you feel least certain, but still choose to trust God and take the next step. God honors movement, not indecision, and He calls you to step out, even when you can’t see the whole path ahead. [25:45]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: Where in your life are you waiting for certainty before acting, and how can you take a step of faith today despite your doubts?

Day 4: God Meets You on the Mountain, Not in the Gift Shop

The life of faith is not about comfort or playing it safe; it’s about climbing the hard paths where God is found. The crowds gather where it’s easy, but the breakthroughs, the awe, and the encounters with God happen at the top of the mountain—after the strenuous climb. God is not trying to save you steps or make your life easy; He’s inviting you to become a mountain climber, to meet Him in the places that require courage, perseverance, and risk. [27:40]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Reflection: What “gift shop” comforts or distractions are keeping you from pursuing the hard climb with God, and what would it look like to leave them behind and seek Him on the mountain?

Day 5: Speak God’s Promise Over Your Mountain

The journey up the mountain begins with changing what you say about it. Instead of declaring defeat or hopelessness, agree with God’s promise that by His Spirit, the mountain can become a plain. It’s not by your might or power, but by God’s Spirit that obstacles are overcome. Start today by speaking God’s truth over your mountain, trusting that as you step forward in faith, He will move what stands in your way. [36:06]

Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV)
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain.”

Reflection: What is one negative or hopeless statement you’ve been repeating about your mountain, and how can you replace it today with God’s promise and speak it out loud?

Sermon Summary

The journey of faith is not meant to be static or safe; it is an adventure that calls us to move, to risk, and to trust God as we face the mountains in our lives. God did not create a flat, easy world—He carved it with valleys, mountains, and deserts, and uses these terrains as metaphors for the seasons and challenges we encounter. The call to revival is not so we can remain comfortable, but so we can go—so we can step into the adventure for which we were born.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are always on the move, often facing literal and figurative mountains. Jesus Himself, in Mark 11, speaks of mountain-moving faith, but not as a magic formula for instant results. He points to a specific mountain—the Herodian, a man-made symbol of oppressive power that loomed over His entire life. We all have mountains like this: obstacles that have been with us for as long as we can remember, things that seem immovable and define the landscape of our lives.

Jesus’ words about moving mountains are often misunderstood. Many have been taught that if we just muster enough certainty, God will do whatever we ask. But faith is not about achieving 100% certainty or “manifesting” our desires. That kind of thinking is not only unbiblical, it’s destructive—because it puts the burden on us, and when the mountain doesn’t move, we’re left with guilt and shame. Instead, Jesus honors even mustard-seed-sized faith—the smallest step forward, even in the midst of doubt.

The Greek word for “doubt” in this passage means “to be indecisive.” Mountain-moving faith is not about erasing all uncertainty, but about committing to a course of action, taking a step forward, however small, in the face of risk. Faith is not the absence of risk; it is the willingness to move forward when the outcome is unclear, trusting God to meet us in the climb.

God is not interested in saving us steps or making life easy. He is interested in making us mountain climbers—people who encounter Him at the top, after a strenuous journey. The crowds gather at the gift shop, but the breakthrough, the view, and the encounter with God are found on the mountain. Faith does not deny the mountain or expect it to disappear; faith defies the mountain, speaks God’s promises over it, and takes the next step.

So, what is your mountain? What step of faith, however small, is God calling you to take? The promise is not that the mountain will instantly vanish, but that as you trust God and move forward, what once loomed over you will become a memory behind you.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is movement, not mere certainty Faith is not about achieving perfect confidence or erasing all doubt. It is about taking a step forward, however small, even when you are uncertain. The most faithful moments are often those when you act despite your doubts, trusting God to meet you in the risk. [25:45]
2. God meets us on the mountain, not in comfort The life of faith is not about seeking safety or avoiding risk. God calls us to climb, to take on challenges, and to meet Him in the strenuous journey. The crowds gather where it’s easy, but the real encounter with God happens on the mountain, after the hard climb. [27:57]
3. Mountain-moving faith starts with a mustard seed Jesus honors even the smallest step of faith. You don’t need to be certain or have it all together; you just need to move forward, even if it’s only an inch. God can do the impossible with your willingness to act, not with your ability to be sure. [21:53]
4. Faith defies the mountain by speaking God’s promises Instead of letting the mountain define you, faith begins by speaking God’s truth over your obstacle. It’s not about denying the reality of the mountain, but about declaring that God is greater and trusting Him to make a way as you step forward. [35:14]
5. God is not trying to save us steps, but to make us climbers God’s goal is not to make life easy or to remove all obstacles. He is shaping us into people who can climb, who can persevere, and who encounter Him in the process. The journey itself is where transformation and intimacy with God are found. [32:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Why Revival? Born for Adventure
[01:26] - God’s Purpose in the Terrain
[02:14] - Many Voices, One Way
[03:26] - The Story of Stupid Tyler
[07:23] - Mountains and Valleys: Series Overview
[08:35] - Jesus’ Promise: Moving Mountains
[10:47] - What Kind of Mountain?
[13:47] - The Herodian: A Lifelong Obstacle
[15:16] - Personal Mountains and Family Patterns
[16:59] - Misunderstanding Faith and Certainty
[18:23] - The Dangers of “Manifesting”
[20:03] - Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty
[22:55] - Doubt, Indecision, and the Mustard Seed
[24:32] - Jesus Moves Over the Mountain
[26:09] - Faith as Risk and Movement
[27:57] - Crowds at the Gift Shop, God on the Mountain
[29:22] - Praying for Courage, Not Certainty
[30:52] - Paul, Moses, and Climbing Mountains
[32:06] - God Makes Us Mountain Climbers
[33:15] - The Hard Path Leads to Life
[34:33] - Taking the First Step of Faith
[35:14] - Speaking God’s Promise to Your Mountain
[36:46] - Personalizing the Promise
[38:03] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**Mark 11:22-24 (ESV)**
> And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

**Mark 9:21-24 (ESV)**
> And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

**Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV)**
> Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain.”

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### Observation Questions

In Mark 11, what specific mountain was Jesus referring to when he said, “whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea’”? What was significant about that mountain? [13:47]
According to Mark 9, how did the father of the demon-possessed boy express his faith to Jesus? What was Jesus’ response to his mixture of belief and unbelief? [21:00]
In Zechariah 4, what does God say will flatten the mountain before Zerubbabel? Is it by human strength or something else? [36:06]
The sermon mentions that God often meets people on the mountain, not in places of comfort. What are some biblical examples given of people encountering God on mountains? [32:34]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus pointed to a specific, man-made mountain (the Herodian) when talking about mountain-moving faith, instead of just using a generic metaphor? What does this say about the kinds of obstacles we face? [13:47]
The Greek word for “doubt” in Mark 11 means “to be indecisive.” How does this understanding change the way we think about faith and doubt? [22:55]
In the story from Mark 9, the father admits to both belief and unbelief. What does Jesus’ response teach us about the kind of faith God honors? [21:33]
The sermon says, “God is not trying to save us steps, but to make us climbers.” What does this mean about God’s purpose for the challenges we face? [32:06]

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### Application Questions

The sermon asks, “What is your mountain?” Is there an obstacle in your life that has been there for as long as you can remember, something that feels immovable? What would it look like to name it honestly in this group? [15:16]
Have you ever felt pressure to be 100% certain in your faith before God would act? How has this affected your relationship with God, especially when prayers seem unanswered? [18:47]
The sermon says that faith is not about having perfect certainty, but about taking a step forward, however small, even in the midst of doubt. What is one small, risky step you sense God might be inviting you to take right now? [25:45]
Instead of denying the reality of your mountain, the sermon encourages speaking God’s promises over it. What is one promise from Scripture you could declare over your current challenge? [35:14]
The crowds gather at the gift shop, but the real encounter with God happens on the mountain after the hard climb. Where in your life are you tempted to settle for comfort instead of stepping into the adventure God is calling you to? [27:57]
The sermon mentions that God meets us in the climb, not at the bottom. Can you share a time when you experienced God’s presence or breakthrough only after taking a difficult step of faith? [32:06]
Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.” In what area of your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and start trusting God’s Spirit to move the mountain? [36:06]

Sermon Clips

Notice this. When Jesus is walking, he says these words. Matthew, or sorry, Mark 11. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, this mountain. Notice Jesus doesn't say any mountain in your life. If you have a mountain called lack of a Lamborghini, just ask God to give you a Lamborghini, and boof! If you have a mountain called can't dunk, just ask God to make you six, seven, and boof! Oh, it didn't work. It didn't work. It's not what he's saying. He said this mountain. [00:11:50] (35 seconds)

Now that's not biblical theology. I would call that humanistic fantasy. It has a name and it's very popular right now. It's called manifesting. But you will not find it in the Bible and it's not consistent with the character of Jesus. In fact, it's incredibly destructive in its opposite faith. Why? For two reasons. One, because if it works, who gets the credit? Not God. You. Because you did it. God had the healing and the power the whole time. It wasn't about him. It was about you. [00:18:04] (33 seconds)

If you've ever wondered that, if you've ever heard that taught to you, I'm here to tell you that is not true. It is not the character of God. He does not withhold healing until you're positive. That's not what he's about. That's not who he is. In fact, there's a story, two chapters, two chapters before he talks about moving the mountain. Mark chapter nine, where Jesus has this interaction with a father who's anything but certain. He comes to Jesus with one of these mountains, an issue that's plagued his son for as long as they can remember, making it exactly the, this kind of mountain that moves. [00:19:53] (36 seconds)

So what does Jesus mean when he says, do not doubt? Well, the Greek word for doubt is diakreno. And what it literally means is don't be indecisive. See, indecision is when you and I come up to a mountain and we decide we're going to do something about it. You know, I'm going to go this way. I'm going to take a step here. I'm going to tell. No, I'm not going to tell somebody. I'm going to confess the thing. I'm not going to confess the thing. I'm going to make a step. I'm not going to make. I'm going to trust God in the thing he said. I'm not going to trust. [00:22:48] (30 seconds)

See, what mountain moving faith is, is taking this step the size of a mustard seed forward up your mountain. This is mountain moving faith. One inch. You and I think it's about 100% certain. You know, it's about a one inch movement. It's not what happens up here between your ears. It's about what happens down here with your feet. See, the mountains will move in your life when you have enough faith to start to climb them. When you trust God enough to take a step forward, no matter how small that step seems, you'll see the mountain move. [00:23:35] (32 seconds)

Faith, faith is not a one for one with certainty. Faith is embracing risk and going forward anyway. The most faithful moment of your life will not be the moment you're most certain of God and therefore act. It'll be the moment where you're least certain of God and you still act. That's the most faithful moment of your life, always has been, always, always, always will be. Faith is risk. It's going on the hard path of the mountain, clinging to the chain of God, going, if you don't hold me, I'm dead. [00:25:45] (31 seconds)

As a pastor, people will oftentimes ask me to pray for them. And if that's you, I'd love to pray for you. I'd be happy to pray for you. Just a warning, though. There's one thing I won't pray for for you. And that is to take the risk away. A lot of people ask me to do this. Pray away the risk. And no one ever says that. They're not like, Kyle, would you pray away the risk in my life? No, they don't say that. But they use code words. They say, Kyle, would you pray that God would make it clear to me what to do next? [00:28:24] (29 seconds)

If you're waiting for God to poof your mountain away, God would say, I'm waiting for you to take a step up. You'll find me on the mountain. And you might go, man, that sounds hard. Kyle, I thought Jesus was here to make my life easy. Well, sorry to disappoint you. Here's his words in Matthew 7. He says, enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide in the way or the path through the terrain is easy that leads to destruction. And those who enter by it are many. [00:33:00] (30 seconds)

See, the life of faith is not taking the path of least resistance. Faith does not make life easier. Faith makes the impossible possible. And if you're interested in that happening in your life, good news, Jesus says, you can say to that mountain, move and it will move. Good news, he says, if you'll start to trust him and start to climb, you can see it move. [00:33:41] (26 seconds)

Aren't you tired of living in the shadow? Aren't you tired of that thing dominating your field of view? Aren't you tired? Aren't you tired of it keeping you stuck? What would it mean to take the first step of faith, the size of a mustard seed? Would it be to tell someone about what's really been going on? Would it be to confess the addiction to someone? Would it be to share, finally share what really happened to you as a kid that's been holding you back and keeping you stuck for your whole life? [00:34:08] (33 seconds)

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