Trusting God's Purpose and Promises in Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak and sharing a personal anecdote about fasting during a cruise, emphasizing the importance of dedication in one's faith. The pastor then delves into the story of Abram (later known as Abraham) from Genesis 13, focusing on Abram's journey from Egypt to the South. The pastor emphasizes Abram's wealth and the altar he had built, highlighting the significance of calling on the name of the Lord. The pastor then explores Abram's faith journey, emphasizing that when God calls someone, it is for a purpose bigger than themselves, and He gives them a big vision to fulfill.
The pastor reflects on Abram's journey from the slums of Seattle to the land of Canaan, emphasizing that Abram failed a test of faith when he decided to go down to Egypt during a time of famine, even though God had instructed him to go to the land of Canaan. The pastor emphasizes the importance of trusting God's promises even when it seems impossible, as faith needs to mature and grow. The pastor also highlights the difference between knowing the acts of God and knowing the ways of God, stating that those who know God's ways can praise Him even before the act is done.
The pastor then emphasizes the power of God's touch and the purpose that He has for each individual's life. The congregation is urged to worship and call upon God to bring them out of bondage and deliver them once more. The pastor reassures the congregation that they have purpose and promise over their lives, and that God will make a way for them. They are encouraged to lead others to the Lord and not to be delayed or influenced by those who do not support them, as God is on their side.
The pastor emphasizes the presence of purpose and anointing in the lives of the congregation, encouraging those who are not at the altar to join in worship. The pastor declares that God has a purpose over their lives and urges them to resist the attempts of the devil to break their hearts and make them give up. The pastor concludes by urging everyone to worship, emphasizing that nobody is watching and that it is a time for personal connection with God.
The pastor concludes the sermon by emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in God. He encourages the congregation to walk with God and trust that He will make a way even in difficult situations. The pastor reminds the listeners that God not only blesses them individually but also those connected to them. He mentions a significant blessing of $18 million that the church is connected to, highlighting the favor and abundance that comes from being connected to God.
Key Takeaways:
- God calls individuals for a purpose bigger than themselves and gives them a big vision to fulfill. This calling is not aimless but is intended to take them somewhere. Trusting in God's promises, even when it seems impossible, is crucial as faith needs to mature and grow ([12:45]).
- The touch of God has the power to change lives forever. When God touches an individual, they are forever changed. The touch needed is ultimately from the Holy Ghost, and when this happens, individuals are encouraged to lead others to the Lord ([24:30]).
- God has a purpose over the lives of believers, and they are urged to resist the attempts of the devil to break their hearts and make them give up. Worship is a time for personal connection with God, and everyone is encouraged to participate, not just observe ([36:15]).
- God not only blesses individuals but also those connected to them. A significant blessing of $18 million that the church is connected to highlights the favor and abundance that comes from being connected to God. Faith must be tested, and even though believers may face challenges, they are encouraged to trust in God's promises ([48:20]).
- The importance of faith and trust in God is emphasized throughout the sermon. Believers are encouraged to walk with God and trust that He will make a way even in difficult situations. The pastor reminds the congregation that God's promises will come to pass, urging them to trust in Him and believe that whatever God has promised will happen ([59:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 13:1-4: "And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD."
2. Genesis 12:1-3: "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
3. 2 Corinthians 1:20: "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key events that happened in Abram's journey from Egypt to the South as described in Genesis 13:1-4?
2. In Genesis 12:1-3, what were the specific instructions and promises God gave to Abram?
3. What does 2 Corinthians 1:20 reveal about the nature of God's promises?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Abram's wealth and the altar he built in Genesis 13:1-4 reflect his faith and relationship with God?
2. What does God's command and promise to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 suggest about God's purpose for Abram's life and the role of faith in fulfilling this purpose?
3. How does 2 Corinthians 1:20 relate to the concept of trusting in God's promises even when it seems impossible?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Abram's journey, can you recall a time when you felt God was leading you somewhere specific, but the path seemed difficult or unclear? How did you respond?
2. In what ways have you experienced the difference between knowing the acts of God and knowing the ways of God in your own faith journey?
3. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's promises, even though it seems impossible? What is one step you can take this week to grow in this area of trust?
4. Think of a person in your life who does not yet know the Lord. What is one way you can lead them to God this week?
5. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 1:20, what is one promise of God that you need to claim in faith this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Grand Vision
God calls each of us for a purpose that is larger than our individual lives. This divine calling is not aimless but is intended to guide us to a specific destination. Trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible, is crucial as our faith needs to mature and grow. [12:45]
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Reflection: Reflect on your life's journey so far. Can you identify a time when you felt God was calling you towards a larger purpose? How did you respond?
Day 2: Experiencing the Transformative Touch of God
The touch of God has the power to change our lives forever. When God touches us, we are forever changed. This divine touch is ultimately from the Holy Ghost, and when this happens, we are encouraged to lead others to the Lord. [24:30]
Acts 9:17 - "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: Can you recall a moment when you felt the transformative touch of God in your life? How did it change you, and how can you use that experience to lead others to the Lord?
Day 3: Resisting the Devil's Attempts to Break Us
God has a purpose for our lives, and we are urged to resist the attempts of the devil to break our hearts and make us give up. Worship is a time for personal connection with God, and everyone is encouraged to participate, not just observe. [36:15]
James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: What are some ways the devil has tried to break your heart and make you give up? How can you resist these attempts and draw closer to God through worship?
Day 4: Embracing the Blessings of Connection
God not only blesses us individually but also those connected to us. A significant blessing that our church is connected to highlights the favor and abundance that comes from being connected to God. Faith must be tested, and even though we may face challenges, we are encouraged to trust in God's promises. [48:20]
Proverbs 11:25 - "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
Reflection: Can you identify a blessing in your life that has also positively impacted those connected to you? How can you continue to trust in God's promises, even when faced with challenges?
Day 5: Walking in Faith and Trust
The importance of faith and trust in God is emphasized in our spiritual journey. We are encouraged to walk with God and trust that He will make a way even in difficult situations. We are reminded that God's promises will come to pass, urging us to trust in Him and believe that whatever God has promised will happen. [59:10]
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."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are finding it difficult to trust God? How can you surrender this area to Him and trust that He will make a way?
Quotes
"Usually when God uses you and calls you, it's for something that's bigger than just you... He gives you big promises, he gives you a big Vision because if the vision that you have you can do it, it did not come from..." #!!01:15:16!!#
"A faith that is not tested is a faith that cannot be trusted because in church we have a lot of faith with the saints that when everything is going good they come to church when the money is in the bank they can praise God but that's not real Faith real faith is when there is no money in the bank he's still God real faith is when I don't have gas money I'll find another way to get to church faith faith faith is an action word you just can't say that you have faith you have to exhibit that you have faith you have to walk by faith." #!!01:18:26!!#
"The prerequisite for Walking with God is to have faith and you have to learn how to trust God even when you can't see him when you can't feel him and when what he's promised you and where you're at are diametrically opposed you still hold on to the unchanging hand of God and say watch this now though he slay me yet will I trust him there's about nine of you in the building on today that God has made you some promises they have not manifested yet but you came here to church dressed up because you know even though it hasn't happened yet you can trust God because he's not a man that he should lie if he said it it's going to happen." #!!01:17:08!!#
"There's a big difference between knowing the acts of God opposed to the ways of God because if you only know the acts of God, you only praise him when an act is done. But when you know the ways of God, you don't have to wait for the act to happen, you praise him because you know his ways." #!!01:25:09!!#
"God has purpose over your life... the reason why the devil tries to get you out of church and away from the house of God is to destroy your purpose... you have purpose over your life right now you're operating out of purpose." #!!01:45:32!!#
"I'm going to bless you beyond your measures and Your Wildest Dream and everybody that's connected to you that's the blessing that you ought to give God praise." #!!01:21:24!!#
"God because when God gives you something it is beyond your scope hope of ability because it's not by might nor by power but it is by his spirit and so when God gives you something he's going to give you something that's so large that you can't do it like the $18 million that God's going to bring in here and going to finance the church watch since now it ain't nobody going to lose their house their car or their job trying to make it happen it's going to happen." #!!01:15:50!!#
"When God delivers you and brings you from a particular place, he is taking you somewhere... He brings them out of her of Jes to take him somewhere... He's on his way." #!!01:13:15!!#
"I came here to let you know that when God gives you something it doesn't matter how many other people say it's there how many other people want it it's yours... whatever God has for you it's yours." #!!01:39:34!!#
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