Moving Mountains: The Power of Faith in Action

 

Summary

In reflecting on the teachings of Jesus about mountains, we are reminded of the profound symbolism they hold in our lives. Mountains often represent the formidable obstacles and challenges we face. They are towering, seemingly insurmountable, and require effort and perseverance to overcome. In Matthew 17, Jesus uses the metaphor of a mountain to illustrate the power of faith. He tells His disciples that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, emphasizing that faith, not unbelief, is the key to overcoming life's challenges.

Jesus' message is clear: with God, all things are possible. The mountains in our lives—those daunting circumstances that appear unchangeable—can indeed be moved if we trust in God. This trust is not passive; it requires action. Faith is not just a feeling but a commitment to act as if God is telling the truth. When we trust God with our actions, not just our emotions, we open the door for Him to work in our lives in miraculous ways. We may begin to see changes in situations we thought were permanent, as God moves the mountains we believed were immovable.

The challenge for us is to identify the mountains in our lives and to approach them with faith. We are called to trust God fully, to believe in His promises, and to act on that belief. As we do, we can expect to see the impossible become possible, the unchangeable transformed, and the immovable moved. Let us trust Him and watch as He moves the mountains in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Overcomes Unbelief: Jesus teaches that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains. This illustrates the power of faith over unbelief, which can keep us from experiencing God's miracles in our lives. Trusting God requires us to act as if His promises are true, which can lead to transformative changes in our circumstances. [00:43]

2. Identifying Your Mountains: We all face mountains—challenges that seem insurmountable. Jesus encourages us to identify these obstacles and approach them with faith. By recognizing the mountains in our lives, we can begin to trust God to move them, knowing that with Him, all things are possible. [01:18]

3. Active Trust in God: Faith is not just a feeling but an active trust in God. It involves taking steps that demonstrate our belief in His promises. When we trust God with our actions, we invite Him to work in our lives, leading to the movement of mountains we thought were unmovable. [01:37]

4. God's Truth and Our Response: Acting like God is telling the truth is the essence of faith. This means living in a way that reflects our belief in His promises, even when circumstances seem unchanged. Our response to God's truth can lead to the collapse of obstacles we thought were permanent. [01:55]

5. Witnessing Miracles: As we trust God and act on our faith, we can witness the miraculous. Mountains that seemed immovable begin to shift, and situations we thought were unchangeable start to transform. This is the power of faith in action, as we watch God move in our lives. [02:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Mountains as Obstacles
- [00:43] - The Power of Faith
- [01:01] - Faith Like a Mustard Seed
- [01:18] - Identifying Your Mountains
- [01:37] - Trusting God with Action
- [01:55] - Acting on God's Truth
- [02:17] - Witnessing Miracles

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 17:20 (NIV): "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 17:20, what does Jesus say about the size of faith needed to move mountains? How does this relate to the challenges we face in life? [01:01]
2. According to the sermon, what role does unbelief play in preventing mountains from moving in our lives? [00:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and action? What does it mean to trust God with your feet, not just your feelings? [01:55]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What might Jesus mean when He says that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains? How does this challenge common perceptions of faith? [01:01]
2. How does the sermon suggest we identify the "mountains" in our lives? What are some examples of these mountains? [01:18]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that acting on God's truth can lead to the collapse of obstacles? How does this relate to the concept of active trust? [01:55]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current challenge in your life that feels like a mountain. How can you begin to approach it with faith, even if your faith feels small? [01:18]
2. Consider a time when unbelief has kept you from experiencing change. What steps can you take to replace unbelief with faith in that area? [00:43]
3. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your trust in God's promises, even if your circumstances haven't changed yet? [01:37]
4. Identify a promise from God that you struggle to believe. How can you act as if that promise is true in your daily life? [01:55]
5. Think of a situation you once thought was unchangeable but has since transformed. How did faith play a role in that transformation, and how can you apply that experience to current challenges? [02:17]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of trusting God with your actions, not just your emotions, in your daily routine? [01:55]
7. What is one practical way you can encourage someone else to have faith in the face of their own mountains this week? [02:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Catalyst for Change
Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, holds the power to transform our lives. In Matthew 17, Jesus emphasizes that faith can move mountains, symbolizing the challenges and obstacles we face. This teaching highlights the importance of faith over unbelief, which can prevent us from experiencing God's miracles. Trusting God requires us to act as if His promises are true, leading to transformative changes in our circumstances. By embracing faith, we open ourselves to the possibility of witnessing God's power in action. [00:43]

"For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific challenge in your life that seems insurmountable. How can you begin to trust God with this situation today, acting as if His promises are true?


Day 2: Recognizing the Mountains in Your Life
We all encounter mountains—challenges that seem insurmountable. Jesus encourages us to identify these obstacles and approach them with faith. By recognizing the mountains in our lives, we can begin to trust God to move them, knowing that with Him, all things are possible. This process involves acknowledging the difficulties we face and inviting God to work in those areas. As we do, we can expect to see the impossible become possible, the unchangeable transformed, and the immovable moved. [01:18]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific "mountain" in your life that you need to identify and bring before God? How can you actively invite Him to work in this area today?


Day 3: Active Trust in God's Promises
Faith is not just a feeling but an active trust in God. It involves taking steps that demonstrate our belief in His promises. When we trust God with our actions, we invite Him to work in our lives, leading to the movement of mountains we thought were unmovable. This active trust requires us to live in a way that reflects our belief in God's truth, even when circumstances seem unchanged. By doing so, we open the door for God to work in miraculous ways. [01:37]

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one action you can take today that demonstrates your trust in God's promises, even if your circumstances haven't changed yet?


Day 4: Living as if God's Truth is Real
Acting like God is telling the truth is the essence of faith. This means living in a way that reflects our belief in His promises, even when circumstances seem unchanged. Our response to God's truth can lead to the collapse of obstacles we thought were permanent. By aligning our actions with our faith, we demonstrate our trust in God's power to transform our lives. [01:55]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to start living as if God's promises are true? What practical steps can you take to align your actions with this belief today?


Day 5: Witnessing the Miraculous through Faith
As we trust God and act on our faith, we can witness the miraculous. Mountains that seemed immovable begin to shift, and situations we thought were unchangeable start to transform. This is the power of faith in action, as we watch God move in our lives. By maintaining our faith and trust in God, we open ourselves to experiencing His miraculous work in ways we never imagined. [02:17]

"And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.'" (Mark 9:23, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed God's miraculous work in your life or the life of someone you know. How can this experience encourage you to trust God with your current challenges?

Quotes


Jesus is telling his disciples about the power of faith while at the same time explaining the detriment of underneath and that their unbelief was keeping mountains from moving in their lives that Jesus goes on to say that if you would have the faith of a grain of mustard seed you could even speak to a mountain that is an unmovable circumstance or situation in your life and that mountain will move. [00:36:57]

What Jesus was teaching us was the power of faith that unbelief can keep a mountain while faith can move a mountain so the question is what kind of mountain is in your life what kind of circumstance looks impossible Jesus made it clear with God all things are possible and yet many times in our existence things look like they are uncommon. [00:72:11]

But if you will trust God and act like God is telling the truth which is the core of faith you might see some rumblings in your circumstance you might see some collapsing of things that you thought could never be changed because when you trust God with your feet not just with your feelings he can move a mountain that you thought could never be shaken trust him and let's watch the mountains move. [00:97:33]

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Transcript
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