Transforming Faith: Moving Mountains with God's Promises
Summary
In today's message, we embarked on a journey to explore the profound concept of faith as outlined in Hebrews chapter 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith." This chapter is a treasure trove of insights into the lives of men and women who exemplified great faith, and our goal is to grow in our own faith by learning from their experiences. We all face mountains in our lives—obstacles that seem insurmountable. Yet, Jesus taught us that with faith, we can speak to these mountains and see them move. This series aims to help us develop a faith that transforms the impossible into the possible.
We began by understanding that everyone starts with a measure of faith, a gift from God. This measure is not just for salvation but is meant to be nurtured and grown. Our responsibility is to exercise this faith, allowing it to expand and influence our lives. We also delved into the distinction between faith and belief, emphasizing that true faith is rooted in a relationship with Jesus and the finished work of the cross. It's not a generic belief but a specific, saving faith that transforms lives.
Faith is not something we earn; it is received through hearing the Word of God. The Holy Spirit breathes life into the written Word, turning it into a living, spoken Word that ignites faith within us. This faith is characterized by a confident expectation of what is to come, a certainty that transcends our physical senses. It is the evidence of things not seen, a title deed to the promises of God.
Moreover, faith has a vocabulary. It speaks life, aligns with God's Word, and declares His promises over our lives. As we confess what we believe, spiritual realities begin to change. Faith fully believes what God has promised, and it moves us toward Jesus with diligence and persistence. Even in the presence of doubts and fears, great faith chooses to move forward, trusting in God's promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Measure of Faith: Every person is given a measure of faith, a divine gift that serves as the foundation for salvation and spiritual growth. This faith is not static; it is meant to be exercised and expanded, influencing our lives and the world around us. [04:06]
- Faith vs. Belief: True faith is distinct from mere belief. It is a specific, saving faith rooted in a relationship with Jesus and the finished work of the cross. This faith transforms lives and is not just a generic belief in a higher power. [09:07]
- Faith Comes by Hearing: Faith is received, not earned. It comes through hearing the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit breathes life into, turning it into a living, spoken Word that ignites faith within us. [11:03]
- Faith's Vocabulary: Faith speaks life and aligns with God's Word. It declares His promises over our lives, and as we confess what we believe, spiritual realities begin to change. [20:27]
- Faith and Action: Great faith is not the absence of doubts and fears but the decision to move forward despite them. It is characterized by diligence, persistence, and a willingness to take the next step toward Jesus, even in the face of challenges. [29:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Introduction and Prayer
[04:06] - Measure of Faith
[06:27] - Grace and Faith
[09:07] - Faith vs. Belief
[11:03] - Faith Comes by Hearing
[13:41] - Confident Expectation
[15:59] - Faith in Finances
[18:06] - Biblical Hope
[20:27] - Faith's Vocabulary
[22:23] - Thankfulness and Faith
[24:23] - Applying Promises
[27:03] - Generational Mindsets
[29:12] - Faith and Action
[31:34] - Small Group Leaders
[33:42] - Crying Out to Jesus
[36:52] - Bartimaeus' Faith
[39:54] - Taking the Next Step
[42:02] - Personal Testimony
[43:28] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1-6
2. Romans 12:3
3. Romans 10:17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is necessary to please God, and what does this imply about the nature of faith? [00:29]
2. In Romans 12:3, Paul talks about a "measure of faith" given to each person. How does this concept relate to the idea that faith is a gift from God? [04:06]
3. The sermon mentioned that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. How does Romans 10:17 support this idea, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? [11:03]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the difference between faith and belief, and how does this distinction impact one's relationship with Jesus? [09:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "measure of faith" challenge or affirm your understanding of faith as something that can grow and be nurtured? [04:06]
2. The sermon emphasized that faith is not just belief but is rooted in a relationship with Jesus. How does this understanding affect the way one lives out their faith daily? [09:07]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith has a "vocabulary," and how can this influence the way believers speak about their circumstances and God's promises? [20:27]
4. The sermon described faith as a confident expectation of what is to come. How does this perspective help believers face challenges and uncertainties in life? [13:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the "measure of faith" you believe you have been given. How can you actively nurture and grow this faith in your daily life? [04:06]
2. Consider a specific "mountain" or challenge in your life. How can you apply the principle of speaking to this mountain with faith, as Jesus taught? [00:29]
3. The sermon highlighted the importance of aligning one's words with God's promises. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure your speech reflects faith and not doubt? [20:27]
4. Think about a time when you experienced doubt or fear. How can you move forward in faith despite these feelings, as the sermon suggests? [29:12]
5. Identify a promise from the Bible that resonates with you. How can you apply this promise to your current situation, and what steps will you take to stand on it? [24:23]
6. The sermon mentioned that faith involves taking action. What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in a tangible way? [27:03]
7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in turning the written Word into a living, spoken Word. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to breathe life into your Bible reading and prayer time? [11:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gift of Faith
Faith is a divine gift given to every person, serving as the foundation for salvation and spiritual growth. This measure of faith is not static; it is meant to be nurtured and expanded, influencing our lives and the world around us. As we exercise our faith, it grows and becomes a powerful force that can transform the impossible into the possible. This growth requires intentionality and a willingness to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. By recognizing faith as a gift, we are encouraged to steward it wisely, allowing it to shape our actions and decisions. [04:06]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you can intentionally exercise your faith today, trusting in God's promises despite the challenges you face?
Day 2: Distinguishing Faith from Belief
True faith is distinct from mere belief. It is a specific, saving faith rooted in a relationship with Jesus and the finished work of the cross. This faith is transformative, going beyond a generic belief in a higher power to a personal trust in Jesus Christ. It is through this relationship that our lives are changed, as we experience the power of the cross and the resurrection in our daily walk. This faith calls us to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for us, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. [09:07]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today, moving from a generic belief to a transformative faith that impacts your daily life?
Day 3: Faith Comes by Hearing
Faith is received, not earned, and it comes through hearing the Word of God. The Holy Spirit breathes life into the written Word, turning it into a living, spoken Word that ignites faith within us. This process requires us to be attentive to God's voice, allowing His Word to penetrate our hearts and minds. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our faith is strengthened, and we gain a confident expectation of what is to come. This assurance transcends our physical senses, providing us with a spiritual foundation that is unshakeable. [11:03]
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word, allowing it to strengthen your faith?
Day 4: The Vocabulary of Faith
Faith has a vocabulary that speaks life and aligns with God's Word. It declares His promises over our lives, and as we confess what we believe, spiritual realities begin to change. This language of faith is not merely positive thinking but a declaration of God's truth and promises. By aligning our words with His Word, we participate in the transformation of our circumstances, speaking life into situations that seem hopeless. This practice requires intentionality and a commitment to speak words that reflect God's heart and purposes. [20:27]
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, ESV)
Reflection: What words are you speaking over your life and circumstances today? How can you align your vocabulary with God's promises?
Day 5: Faith in Action
Great faith is not the absence of doubts and fears but the decision to move forward despite them. It is characterized by diligence, persistence, and a willingness to take the next step toward Jesus, even in the face of challenges. This active faith requires us to trust in God's promises and to act on them, even when we cannot see the outcome. By choosing to move forward in faith, we demonstrate our trust in God's faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises. This journey of faith is marked by a continual reliance on God's strength and guidance. [29:12]
"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, trusting in God's promises and moving forward despite any doubts or fears you may have?
Quotes
"You know, it's interesting in the heart of the Father, He has something in His heart for all of us. Isn't that amazing? In the midst of a crowd of a couple thousand people or whatever, He hears your song, knows what you're walking through, and He has something specific that He wants to share with you. And He has the capacity to touch each one of us, speak to every one of us." [00:00:29] (21 seconds)
"And I know this about probably almost all of us today. You're facing some kind of mountain in front of you. And when Jesus said you could speak to the mountain, he was talking about those immovable obstructions, the impossibilities you see in front of you. Maybe that's a son or daughter who's far from God and he just can't see the salvation coming yet. Maybe it's a marriage that's really on the rocks or whatever it might be, a financial thing, an addiction, some kind of mountain." [00:02:17] (25 seconds)
"Everyone starts with a measure of faith and the measure is a gift. Let's read Romans 12, three. For by the grace given to me, I say, to everyone among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, just good, healthy self-awareness there, but to think with sober judgment. Look at this. Each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." [00:04:06] (23 seconds)
"So God gives to every man a measure, something that knows it's bigger than me. There's a God out there somewhere. Now what you do with that measure of faith determines your position of either being saved or unsaved, and then the path of your life, because God gives the measure, but then it's our responsibility to exercise that faith and to see it grow." [00:04:50] (23 seconds)
"The reason I want to touch on this for just a moment is we're talking about a specific kind of faith that you were given and that you grow in. Hebrews chapter six, verses one and two is the foundations of our faith. And it says this, foundationally is faith toward God. So it's not faith in an object. It's not faith in a religion." [00:07:35] (19 seconds)
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the rhema, that which has been uttered by the living voice, the thing spoken. And so we have a book full of logos right here. And this is what God has said. This is what has been written. What the Holy Spirit does, it breathes upon the logos and it becomes rhema. See, faith doesn't come simply by reading or studying." [00:10:38] (24 seconds)
"Great faith works in the presence of fears and doubts. Great faith is not an absence of doubts, fears, and unbelief, but a decision to move forward despite them. And so that's the kind of faith we want to have. And maybe for you, let's lower the bar from water walking a little bit." [00:31:12] (22 seconds)
"Enough faith to keep crying out to Jesus that's it just enough to lift up your voice and cry out to be vocal about it you know one afternoon Jesus was walking through Jericho and if you've seen or been there it's a very small city with a lot of people in it it was a it was a major major city in their day and so there would have been crowds of people and as Jesus was walking along there was a blind guy alongside the road you've heard of him Bartimaeus is his name." [00:34:12] (30 seconds)
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