Showing Up for the Fight of Faith

Summary

On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we gather to reflect on the profound question: "How are you showing up for the fight?" Thanksgiving is not just a day but a daily posture of gratitude, recognizing that each day we wake up, we have already won the lottery of life. As we delve into the fight of faith, we are reminded that this is not a battle of physical might but a spiritual one, where faith is our weapon. Faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is about believing the truth of God's word over the facts of our circumstances.

The fight of faith is a good fight, as Paul describes in 1 Timothy 6:12, and it requires us to contend earnestly, as Jude 1:3 urges. This fight is not about casualties or failures but about standing firm in the truth of God's promises. The story of David and Goliath serves as a powerful illustration of this fight. Goliath came armed with the facts—his size, his experience, his weapons. But David came armed with the truth—the truth of the blood covenant, the testimony of God's past deliverances, and the power of God's name.

David's victory was not just about his skill with a sling but his unwavering faith in God. He showed up for the fight with the truth of the blood, recognizing the covenant he had with God. He showed up with the testimony of past victories, knowing that the God who delivered him from the lion and the bear would deliver him from Goliath. And he showed up with the power of God's name, declaring that the battle belongs to the Lord.

In our own lives, we face giants—circumstances that seem insurmountable. But like David, we are called to show up for the fight with faith, not focusing on the facts but on the truth of God's word. We must speak to our giants, declaring God's promises and standing firm in faith. There is no such thing as a silent fight of faith. We must continually speak the truth, allowing it to supersede the facts of our circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith Over Facts: Faith is believing the truth of God's word over the facts of our circumstances. It requires us to focus on God's promises rather than the challenges we face. This perspective empowers us to see beyond the immediate and trust in God's ultimate plan. [05:03]

- The Fight of Faith: The fight of faith is a good fight, not one of casualties or failures. It is about contending earnestly for the faith, standing firm in the truth, and trusting in God's power to deliver us. This fight requires perseverance and a steadfast belief in God's promises. [10:18]

- David's Example: David's victory over Goliath illustrates the power of showing up for the fight with the truth. He relied on the blood covenant, the testimony of past deliverances, and the power of God's name. This example encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness and to speak boldly against our giants. [18:33]

- Speaking the Truth: There is no such thing as a silent fight of faith. We must continually speak the truth, declaring God's promises and standing firm in faith. This active engagement with God's word empowers us to overcome the challenges we face. [27:52]

- Empowered by the Truth: To move from being overwhelmed by the facts to being empowered by the truth, we must remember God's past deliverances, recognize His greatness, and refuse to let the loud voice of the facts silence the truth. This mindset shift enables us to live victoriously in faith. [34:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:50] - Thanksgiving and Gratitude
- [05:03] - Understanding Faith
- [10:18] - The Fight of Faith
- [12:36] - David and Goliath: Facts vs. Truth
- [18:33] - The Power of the Blood
- [23:27] - The Testimony of Deliverance
- [27:52] - Speaking the Truth
- [30:30] - The Name of Jesus
- [32:57] - Overcoming the Facts
- [34:39] - Empowered by the Truth
- [36:01] - Faith in Action
- [37:55] - Real-Life Testimony
- [42:36] - Truth Supersedes Facts
- [46:45] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1
2. 1 Timothy 6:12
3. 1 Samuel 17:42-47

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described, and what does this imply about the nature of faith? [05:03]

2. In 1 Timothy 6:12, what does Paul mean by calling it a "good fight of faith," and how does this relate to the challenges believers face? [10:18]

3. How did David's approach to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 differ from the typical battle strategy, and what does this reveal about his faith? [12:36]

4. What were the key elements that David relied on when facing Goliath, as mentioned in the sermon? [18:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "faith over facts" challenge the way believers typically respond to difficult circumstances? [05:03]

2. What does the story of David and Goliath teach about the importance of relying on God's promises rather than our own strength? [12:36]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that speaking the truth of God's word can impact our fight of faith? [27:52]

4. How can believers today apply the example of David's reliance on the blood covenant and the name of God in their own spiritual battles? [18:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a current challenge in your life. How can you apply the principle of "faith over facts" to this situation? What specific promises from God's word can you declare over it? [05:03]

2. Consider a time when you faced a "giant" in your life. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now, knowing the story of David and Goliath? [12:36]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of speaking God's truth. What are some practical ways you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [27:52]

4. Identify a past victory in your life where you saw God's deliverance. How can remembering this testimony strengthen your faith in current struggles? [23:27]

5. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of worship and meditation on God's word, similar to David, to prepare for future battles of faith? [46:45]

6. Think of a situation where the facts seem overwhelming. How can you remind yourself that God is bigger than these facts, and what steps can you take to reinforce this belief? [34:39]

7. How can you ensure that your words align with God's truth, especially in moments of doubt or fear? What changes might you need to make in your speech or thought patterns? [42:36]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Transcends Circumstances
Faith is not merely a belief in the unseen; it is a conscious decision to trust in God's promises over the apparent realities of our lives. This perspective allows us to see beyond our immediate challenges and trust in God's ultimate plan. Faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It requires us to focus on God's promises rather than the challenges we face. By choosing faith over facts, we empower ourselves to live with hope and assurance, knowing that God's truth is greater than any obstacle we encounter. [05:03]

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

Reflection: What current situation in your life seems overwhelming, and how can you choose to focus on God's promises instead of the facts?

Day 2: The Good Fight of Faith
The fight of faith is a spiritual battle that requires perseverance and steadfast belief in God's promises. It is not a fight marked by casualties or failures but one where we stand firm in the truth of God's word. As Paul describes in 1 Timothy 6:12, it is a good fight, and Jude 1:3 urges us to contend earnestly for the faith. This fight involves trusting in God's power to deliver us and requires us to engage actively with our faith, speaking God's truth over our circumstances. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His victory in our lives. [10:18]

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stand firm in faith, and how can you actively engage in this spiritual battle today?

Day 3: David's Victory Through Truth
David's triumph over Goliath is a powerful example of showing up for the fight with the truth. Armed not with physical weapons but with the truth of the blood covenant, the testimony of past deliverances, and the power of God's name, David faced his giant. His victory was not just about his skill with a sling but his unwavering faith in God. This story encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness and to speak boldly against our giants, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord. By relying on God's truth, we can overcome any challenge that seems insurmountable. [18:33]

"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" (1 Samuel 17:45, ESV)

Reflection: What "giant" are you facing today, and how can you rely on God's truth to confront it?

Day 4: The Power of Speaking Truth
There is no such thing as a silent fight of faith. We must continually speak the truth, declaring God's promises and standing firm in faith. This active engagement with God's word empowers us to overcome the challenges we face. By speaking the truth, we allow it to supersede the facts of our circumstances, aligning ourselves with God's will and experiencing His power in our lives. This practice of declaring God's promises is essential in the fight of faith, as it strengthens our resolve and deepens our trust in God's faithfulness. [27:52]

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." (Psalm 107:2, ESV)

Reflection: What truth from God's word do you need to declare over your life today, and how can you make this a daily practice?

Day 5: Empowered by God's Truth
To move from being overwhelmed by the facts to being empowered by the truth, we must remember God's past deliverances, recognize His greatness, and refuse to let the loud voice of the facts silence the truth. This mindset shift enables us to live victoriously in faith. By focusing on God's truth, we can overcome the challenges we face and experience His power in our lives. This empowerment comes from a deep trust in God's faithfulness and a commitment to living according to His word, allowing us to navigate life's difficulties with confidence and hope. [34:39]

"Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered." (1 Chronicles 16:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's past faithfulness today, and in what ways can this empower you to face current challenges?

Quotes

1) "Thanksgiving is not just a Sunday it is every day I said Thanksgiving is when every day I get up I have life yeah I mean I already won the lottery I don't play the lottery I don't buy lottery tickets but if you really want to win the lottery you have to win the lottery you have to win the lottery just wake up every day giving praise and thanks to God you already won hallelujah you already won so on a Thanksgiving Sunday today I'm thanking God for his word I'm thanking God for his the blood of Jesus and I'm thanking God for the name of Jesus will you do that with me as well so the question I asked is how are you showing up for the fight you know when you show up when you go to a fight you need to go prepared am I right" [02:10] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Faith is believing what? The truth of God's word over the facts of our circumstances. Hallelujah. Faith is no longer focusing on the lack. No longer facing, it hasn't worked. So many years have gone by. Oh, it hurts so bad. The symptoms are so terrible. It's impossible. The doctors have said it's impossible. It's never been done before. Are you hearing me? Isn't that what the facts are telling you? But what did we say faith is? Believing the truth of God's word over the facts of our circumstances." [05:03] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "It's a fight of faith, and praise the Lord, 1 Timothy 6, 12 tells us it's a good fight. I said it's a fight, but it's a good fight. It's not a fight of casualties. It's not a fight of failures. 1 Timothy 6, 12 says, fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. You got saved, and you started to tell everybody, praise the Lord, I found Jesus. Praise the Lord, he's changed my heart." [10:18] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "David showed up for the fight with faith and confidence in what? The blood covenant. The blood covenant that the patriarch Abraham cut with God. What did God say? He said, God cut that covenant with Abraham. Look, I am your exceedingly great reward. Anybody that faces you, faces me. Oh, hallelujah. And he said, the sign of the covenant is every male in Israel. Must be circumcised. Praise the Lord. So when David showed up, did he say, who is this big guy who is mouthing off? What did he call him? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine? This guy does not have a covenant with God. I get backing. Hallelujah. I get backing. I have a covenant with God. God says, when I show up, he shows up. Hallelujah. When I show up, the blood speaks." [18:33] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "The second thing that David showed up to the fight with was the truth of the testimony wow what was David's testimony go back to first samuel 17 32 to 37 and he said verse 32 then David said to saul let no man's heart fail because of him your servant will go and fight with his philistine hey 17 year old boy my goodness And so, by the way, he's talking to King Saul. And King Saul was the tallest man in the nation. The king was head and shoulders taller than every man in Israel. So, if there's a Goliath facing the nation, who should fight? Who should fight Goliath? That same Saul. Where was Saul? Sitting in his palace. So, 17 -year -old boy who is not as tall as the king, says, let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servants will go and fight with this Philistine." [23:27] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "The third thing that David showed up to his fight with was with the truth of the name. He showed up for the fight. What? With the blood, the word of his testimony and the name. First Samuel 17 verse 45. Then David said to the Philistine, you come to me with a sword and a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you how? In the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Who are you to speak against my God? You have no covenant and yet you're mouthing off at God. Then what does he say in verse 46? Everybody say with me this day, this day, not tomorrow, this day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand and I will strike you and I will take your head from you." [30:30] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Facts are real and facts are hard but truth changes even the worst of facts I said Goliath showed up for the fight what with the facts but what did David show up with the truth I said the facts may be real the facts may be hard you may be a giant but I'm taking you down because I have God on my side I have his blood I have his name I have his word hallelujah when you stay there God said these words to me you know truth does not deny facts truth supersedes facts just like the law of a lift that makes an airplane to squirt off the ground does not deny gravity but the law of lift supersedes the law of gravity and I'm telling you when you operate in the truth of God's word you will supersede and saw over every fact" [42:36] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "My people victory house there's no such thing as a silent fight of fight of faith I said there's no such thing as a silent fight of faith some of us like my people I said there's no such thing as a silent fight of faith myself included are given to introspection we have a tendency to think and to be moody and to you know to get you know to to to wallow in the situation am I communicating with anybody but there is no such thing as what a silent fight of faith are you talking to your giant are you talking to your like David did night and day David never stopped talking back you must never stop talking back what are you saying did you notice what are you seeing and what are you saying" [46:45] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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