Trusting God: Embracing Faith in Uncertainty
Summary
Faith often requires us to step into the unknown, trusting in God even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming. This journey of faith can feel like a risky endeavor because it involves believing in a God we cannot see and a Savior who is not physically present with us. Yet, despite these challenges, we are called to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust in His promises. The essence of faith is to believe when it seems unbelievable, to step out in trust when we are unsure of the outcome.
In our daily lives, we take risks all the time. We trust that a plane will safely reach its destination, or that the stock market will yield returns. These are risks we take in the natural realm, often without much thought. If we are willing to take these risks, how much more should we be willing to take risks in the supernatural realm, where God is in control? God is worthy of our trust and the risks we take in faith are never in vain. When we choose to bet on God, we are making a bet worth taking, for He is faithful and His promises are true.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith in Uncertainty: Faith often requires us to trust God in the midst of uncertainty and chaos. It is in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we learn to trust in His plan, even when we cannot see the outcome. [00:31]
2. The Nature of Risk: Risk is a part of life, whether in the natural or supernatural realm. We are accustomed to taking risks in our daily lives, and this should encourage us to take risks in our spiritual journey as well. Trusting God is the ultimate risk worth taking. [01:19]
3. Believing in the Unseen: Faith involves believing in a God we cannot see and a Savior who is not physically present. This belief challenges us to rely on the unseen and trust in the promises of God, knowing that He is always with us. [00:49]
4. God's Worthiness: The question of whether God is worthy of our trust is central to our faith journey. By reflecting on His faithfulness and sovereignty, we can confidently place our trust in Him, knowing that He is worthy of the risk. [01:51]
5. Betting on God: When we choose to bet on God, we are making a decision that is grounded in faith and trust. This is a bet that is always worth making, as God is faithful and His promises never fail. [02:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - The Risk of Faith
[00:31] - Keeping Eyes on Jesus
[00:49] - Believing in the Unseen
[01:03] - The Challenge of Faith
[01:19] - Everyday Risks
[01:37] - Natural vs. Supernatural Risks
[01:51] - God's Worthiness
[02:06] - Betting on God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we live by faith, not by sight."
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some examples of risks we take in our daily lives, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:19]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of faith when it comes to believing in a God we cannot see? [00:49]
3. According to the sermon, what is the central question we must answer about God in our faith journey? [01:03]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between natural and supernatural risks? [01:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Hebrews 11:1 relate to the idea of faith being a risk, as discussed in the sermon? [00:49]
2. In what ways does 2 Corinthians 5:7 challenge believers to live differently in uncertain circumstances? [00:31]
3. How might Proverbs 3:5-6 provide guidance when facing decisions that require faith and trust in God? [01:51]
4. What does the sermon imply about the worthiness of God in relation to the risks we take in faith? [02:06]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had to trust God despite uncertainty. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [00:31]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take a risk. What steps can you take to move forward in faith? [01:19]
3. Consider the natural risks you take daily. How can you apply the same willingness to take risks in your spiritual journey? [01:37]
4. Is there a promise of God that you find difficult to believe? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in that area? [00:49]
5. Think of a time when you felt God was not physically present. How did you maintain your faith, and what can you learn from that experience? [00:49]
6. How can you practically "bet on God" in your current circumstances, trusting that He is worthy of the risk? [02:06]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to keep your eyes on Jesus, especially when facing challenges? [00:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God Amidst Uncertainty
Faith often requires us to trust God in the midst of uncertainty and chaos. It is in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we learn to trust in His plan, even when we cannot see the outcome. [00:31]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one uncertain situation in your life right now where you need to trust God more? How can you actively choose to keep your eyes on Jesus in this situation today?
Day 2: Embracing the Risk of Faith
Risk is a part of life, whether in the natural or supernatural realm. We are accustomed to taking risks in our daily lives, and this should encourage us to take risks in our spiritual journey as well. Trusting God is the ultimate risk worth taking. [01:19]
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a spiritual risk you have been hesitant to take. What steps can you take today to embrace this risk, trusting that God will act on your behalf?
Day 3: Believing in the Unseen
Faith involves believing in a God we cannot see and a Savior who is not physically present. This belief challenges us to rely on the unseen and trust in the promises of God, knowing that He is always with us. [00:49]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to believe in the unseen. How can you remind yourself of God's promises and presence in this area today?
Day 4: Recognizing God's Worthiness
The question of whether God is worthy of our trust is central to our faith journey. By reflecting on His faithfulness and sovereignty, we can confidently place our trust in Him, knowing that He is worthy of the risk. [01:51]
"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a past experience where God proved His faithfulness to you. How does this memory encourage you to trust Him with your current challenges?
Day 5: Betting on God's Faithfulness
When we choose to bet on God, we are making a decision that is grounded in faith and trust. This is a bet that is always worth making, as God is faithful and His promises never fail. [02:06]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness as you navigate your daily life?
Quotes
Faith can be risky business because we're asked to believe God and trust God and sometimes the weirdest of circumstances. I will admit for myself and I know you've been there too when things are tumultuous when there's no answer in sight and Jesus wants us to keep our eyes focused on him and believe when it looks like it's unbelievable. [00:11:36]
To take a step out on God when we're not sure whether we can stay up, yep faith is a risk and what makes the big risk is we're believing in a God we don't see, a Savior who's in heaven and not physically with us, in a circumstance we don't understand. Boy you put all that together and it even sounds riskier. [00:40:48]
The question that we have to answer since God is God is he worthy of the risk. You see we take risk all the time in our lives don't we. We risk on the plane getting to its destination we take a risk on the stock market continuing going up over time. We take a risk when we do things that are for the first time and we're nervous about it. [00:68:88]
Risk-taking is not unusual to us. If we are willing to take a risk on things that are in the natural realm, then we ought to be willing to take a risk on the things that are in the supernatural realm, since God is overseeing that realm and he is worthy of risk-taking. If you're going to bet, bet on God because that is a bet worth making. [00:101:119]
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