Transformative Power of Faith in Our Lives

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the transformative power of faith and how it shapes our lives and our relationship with God. We began by acknowledging that God meets us wherever we are, whether we are new to faith or have been followers for decades. However, He doesn't leave us in our current state; He draws us closer to His heart. This journey of faith is not just about believing in what we cannot do but also involving God in what we can do. Faith is not merely a tool for the impossible but a way to invite God into every aspect of our lives, trusting Him with both the big and small things.

We explored Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," which provides examples of individuals whose faith led to extraordinary outcomes. These stories remind us that faith is not just a concept but a way of life that turns our attention to what could and should be, rather than what is. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is about having a confidence in God's promises and character, which allows us to walk differently, with our spiritual chests out and our heads held high.

Moreover, faith turns conviction into action. It is not just about holding beliefs but living them out boldly. The examples of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah illustrate how faith leads to actions that align with God's will, even when circumstances seem impossible. Faith brings God joy because it reflects our trust in Him and our willingness to partner with Him in His purposes.

As we move forward, we are encouraged to stretch our faith, to live with a spiritual confidence that God is with us and for us. We are invited to partner with God in His vision, to be generous, and to make a difference in our communities and beyond. This is not about what we can do alone but what we can achieve together with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Meets Us Where We Are: God meets us in our current state, whether we are filled with doubt or faith. He draws us closer to His heart, transforming us through our journey with Him. This journey is about trusting God with both the impossible and the possible, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives. [23:29]

2. Faith as Assurance and Conviction: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is about having confidence in God's promises and character, which allows us to walk differently, with spiritual confidence and assurance in His word. [47:48]

3. Faith Turns Conviction into Action: True faith leads to action. It is not just about holding beliefs but living them out boldly. The examples of biblical figures show us that faith leads to actions that align with God's will, even when circumstances seem impossible. [53:54]

4. Faith Brings God Joy: Our faith pleases God because it reflects our trust in Him. While God is not intimidated by our doubts, He is overjoyed by our faith. This faith journey transforms skepticism into a deep understanding of God's heart and character. [01:02:31]

5. Partnering with God Through Faith: Our faith allows us to partner with God in His purposes. It is about being generous, making a difference, and living out God's vision for our lives and communities. This partnership is not about what we can do alone but what we can achieve together with God. [01:12:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [23:29] - God Meets Us Where We Are
- [24:50] - Community Connection
- [25:47] - Welcoming Newcomers
- [27:15] - Focus on the Next Generation
- [28:47] - Celebrating Student Ministry
- [29:56] - Generosity and Giving
- [32:38] - Introduction to Faith Filled Series
- [35:11] - Understanding Faith
- [36:30] - Seeing Through Spiritual Eyes
- [40:17] - Knowing God vs. Knowing About God
- [42:18] - Involving God in All Aspects
- [45:01] - Hebrews 11: Hall of Faith
- [47:48] - Assurance and Conviction
- [53:54] - Conviction Leading to Action
- [01:02:31] - Faith Brings God Joy
- [01:12:08] - Partnering with God Through Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Transformative Power of Faith

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:1-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Hebrews 11:1 describe as the essence of faith, and how does this definition set the stage for the examples that follow in the chapter?
2. According to the sermon, how does God meet us in our current state, and what does He do from there? ([23:29])
3. What are some of the actions taken by biblical figures like Noah and Abraham that demonstrate their faith, as mentioned in the sermon? ([57:52])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and God's joy? ([01:02:31])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of faith as "the assurance of things hoped for" challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith? ([47:48])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith should influence our daily actions and decisions? ([53:54])
3. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that faith is not just about believing in the impossible but also involving God in what we can do? ([42:18])
4. What does the sermon imply about the connection between knowing God and having faith? How does this relationship affect one's spiritual journey? ([40:17])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God met you where you were, whether in doubt or faith. How did that experience shape your relationship with Him? ([23:29])
2. The sermon encourages us to walk with spiritual confidence. What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's promises more fully, and how can you start doing that this week? ([50:46])
3. Consider the biblical examples of faith leading to action. What is one step of faith you feel called to take in your life right now, and what might be holding you back? ([57:52])
4. How can you involve God more in the things you can do, not just the things you can't? Identify a specific task or decision this week where you can invite God to guide you. ([42:18])
5. The sermon mentions that faith brings God joy. How can you cultivate a faith that pleases God in your daily life, especially in moments of doubt or uncertainty? ([01:02:31])
6. Think about the idea of partnering with God in His purposes. What is one way you can contribute to your community or church that aligns with God's vision? ([01:12:08])
7. The sermon talks about stretching our faith. What is one practical way you can challenge yourself to grow in faith this month, and who can support you in this journey? ([01:07:40])

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Meets Us Where We Are
Faith is a journey that begins with God meeting us exactly where we are, whether in doubt or belief. This journey is not static; it is transformative, drawing us closer to God's heart. Faith involves trusting God with both the impossible and the possible, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives. It is about recognizing that God is present in our current state and desires to lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. As we open our hearts to this journey, we allow God to work in and through us, transforming our lives and our perspectives. [23:29]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel distant from God? How can you invite Him into that space today?

Day 2: Faith as Assurance and Conviction
Faith is not just a belief but a deep assurance and conviction in the promises and character of God. It allows us to walk with spiritual confidence, knowing that what we hope for is grounded in God's truth. This assurance transforms our perspective, enabling us to see beyond our current circumstances to what could and should be. By holding onto this conviction, we align our lives with God's vision and purpose, trusting that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. [47:48]

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

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's promises more fully? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?

Day 3: Faith Turns Conviction into Action
True faith is not passive; it compels us to act. It is about living out our beliefs boldly, even when circumstances seem impossible. The examples of biblical figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah demonstrate how faith leads to actions that align with God's will. These actions are not just about achieving personal goals but partnering with God in His purposes. By stepping out in faith, we reflect our trust in God and our willingness to be used by Him for His glory. [53:54]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to align your actions with God's will? How can you live out your convictions more boldly?

Day 4: Faith Brings God Joy
Our faith pleases God because it reflects our trust in Him. While God is not intimidated by our doubts, He is overjoyed by our faith. This faith journey transforms skepticism into a deep understanding of God's heart and character. By choosing to trust God, we bring Him joy and deepen our relationship with Him. Faith is not just about what we can achieve but about who we become as we walk with God. [01:02:31]

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you express your trust in God today in a way that brings Him joy? What doubts do you need to surrender to Him?

Day 5: Partnering with God Through Faith
Faith allows us to partner with God in His purposes, enabling us to be generous and make a difference in our communities and beyond. This partnership is not about what we can do alone but what we can achieve together with God. By aligning our lives with His vision, we become instruments of His love and grace in the world. As we step out in faith, we join God in His mission, impacting lives and bringing hope to those around us. [01:12:08]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can partner with God to make a difference in your community today? How can you use your gifts to serve others?

Quotes

1) "I believe the church isn't just coming together on Sundays. I think that's vitally important to connecting together and growing together and getting filled up. But I believe the church is what happens outside of the walls. I believe it's not just what happens here but outside of the walls. And so the way that you serve over the past week and a half, and I know it's not over. I know you're going to continue doing that. But not only that, the way you show up for Serve Saturdays, the way that you show up during the week to serve on different opportunities, you matter week every year. It's just so much. We believe as a church that our job is to impact people where they are and just love them right where they are, meet needs right where they are." [33:14] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "I believe that the opposite of faith is not unbelief. I believe the opposite of faith is sight. 2 Corinthians says this, we live by faith and not by? Why? Because often what I know and believe is not what I see. Here's what I know. I know God is good and I know God is loving and I know God is caring, but if I only focus on what I see, everything I see in the world can deter my faith. The world's crazy today. Can we just be honest, right? And I'm not even just talking about like the political season. God forbid, I wish that would just go away, right? Or social media, one of the two, that'd be awesome, right? But the reality, I know y'all are like, you're getting tight today. No, I do. Because if we focus only on what we see, we will begin to determine or we will begin to be distracted by what we believe." [35:45] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Faith is not just believing God for the things you can't do. Oftentimes when we hear the word faith, we're like, well, I can't do that so I'll trust God to do that. I would submit to you that faith is not just believing God for the things that you can't do, although it is that. It is also involving God in the things that you can. Because here's the truth. You can get the promotion. Work hard enough. Suck up to the boss a little bit. Right? Do your job. Turn things in on time. Be respectful. Be loving. Treat people well. There's a corporate way that you can go about this and get the promotion. But what if it was faith to go, God, I know I can do this, but I'm going to submit it to you and let you take control." [42:18] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God. So that what is seen was not made out of the things which are visible. In other words, you can't comprehend what God made and how he made it. As much as we try, our human minds cannot comprehend it. We don't get it. I know, I know. You've got it all figured out. Except we don't. Because it's not made out of things that are visible to us." [45:01] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Faith turns our attention to what could be and what should be. Faith turns our attention towards what could and should be. Look at the first part of verse one. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The assurance of things hoped for. The assurance of things hoped for. Assurance is the key word in this whole thing. The word assurance means this. It means promise. Confidence. Or conviction. It means this. Let me read it like this. Now faith is the confidence. The promise. The conviction of things hoped for. I don't know about you but everything I hope for I don't have yet. Right? And so it's this idea that I have this confidence that I may not have it in my hand yet but God's bringing it." [47:48] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Faith turns conviction into action. Watch the second part of verse one. It's now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The conviction of things not seen. Let me clarify something. Conviction is not just the feeling you get in the pit of your stomach. Whenever you've done something you know you shouldn't do. That's not just conviction. That is corrective conviction. It's God's correction. It's God going hey. Let's not do that again. Alright. Let's go in the opposite direction. Let's change that behavior. Let's change that discipline. Let's change that. That is conviction as well. But true conviction is this. It's defined as a firmly held belief. And so what happens is when I have a firmly held belief. And I really believe it. And I really hold it strong. I begin to live it boldly." [53:54] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Faith brings God joy. It says this in verse 2. For by it. Being the faith. Men of old gained approval. Now if we read that as. I gotta gain. And I gotta work for. And I gotta be a part. Like it's by works. And all that stuff. We'll go see. See works. Are approval. But the writer in verse 6 explains it more. And he says. And without faith. It is impossible to please him. It doesn't say. Without your perfect attendance. Without your life group. Without the. All of that is incredibly important. Incredibly. I think we should all be a part of that. But it says. Without faith. Without the confidence in who he is. Without the firmly held belief and conviction. Of what he says. Without faith. It is impossible to please him." [01:01:19] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "While God is not intimidated by your doubts. He is absolutely overjoyed by your faith. And the hope. The hope of a spiritual journey with Christ. Is this idea. That we can go from skepticism. And pessimism. And doubt. And hurt. And trauma. And pain. And we can take this journey. That now takes us to where I know the heart of God. I know the character of God. I know the one that loves me. I know the one that forgives me. I know the one that walks with me. I know the one that talks with me. I know the one. And because I know the one. And because I know him I got faith. And all of a sudden God just begins to smile. He's like man they get it. They believe that it's not just their work. They believe it's not just their ways. They believe it's not just them. But it is faith in God that brings God joy." [01:02:31] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?