Unshakable Faith: Trusting in God's Unchanging Character
Summary
Faith is not a vague feeling or a fleeting emotion, but a confident trust rooted in the unchanging character of God. God’s faithfulness is the foundation for our trust—He was faithful then, and He will be faithful now. We are invited to approach God as a loving Father, to receive from Him, and to walk in the life He offers. Our faith is not built on shifting trends, institutions, or even our own moods, but on the solid ground of Scripture and the grace of Jesus Christ. This is what makes faith unshakable: it is anchored in something—and Someone—who cannot be moved.
Every person, whether they realize it or not, puts their faith in something. The real question is not whether we have faith, but what or whom we trust. Faith that is unshakable is not just a matter of knowing facts about God, but of receiving His revelation and acting on it. Knowledge alone is not enough; faith is demonstrated when we walk out what we have received. Ignorance is not knowing, but foolishness is knowing and not doing. We are called to be people who both know and live out the truth, not just for ourselves, but so we can help others find freedom and avoid being taken captive by the empty philosophies and spiritual scams of our age.
Faith also asks. It is not passive, but active—turning to God in our need, trusting that He is a good Father who delights to give good gifts to His children. When we ask, we are rooted, built up, and established in Him. This is not about faking strength, but about honestly bringing our needs and doubts to God, knowing He welcomes us. Even when our faith feels small, the act of asking is itself an expression of faith, and God honors it by giving us what we truly need—His Spirit, His life, His presence.
Finally, faith responds with abounding trust and thanksgiving. When we realize that Jesus has triumphed over every threat and filled us with His fullness, we are freed from fear and scarcity. We can live generously, gratefully, and obediently—not out of obligation, but out of overflow. Faith is not just the root of our relationship with God; it is the source of our growth, our freedom, and our joy. In every circumstance, we can declare: Jesus, You are enough.
Key Takeaways
- Faith is rooted in God’s unchanging character, not in our feelings or circumstances. When everything else is shaken, God remains faithful, and this is the foundation for a life that cannot be moved. Our trust is secure because it is anchored in who He is, not in what we experience day to day. [01:40]
- True faith is both knowledge received and action taken. It is not enough to simply know about God or believe certain facts; faith is proven when we walk out what we have received. Ignorance is not knowing, but foolishness is knowing and not doing—so we are called to continually receive, believe, and live out the truth. [13:14]
- Everyone puts their faith in something, but only faith in Jesus is truly unshakable. The world offers many counterfeit foundations—philosophies, traditions, even our own reasoning—but these can all be shaken. Only by rooting our confidence in Christ can we avoid being taken captive by lies and find true freedom. [15:46]
- Faith is not passive; it asks boldly and persistently. God invites us to come to Him as a good Father, to ask for what we need, and to trust that He will provide. Even when our faith feels weak, the very act of asking is an act of faith, and God responds by rooting, building, and raising us up in Him. [23:56]
- Overflowing trust and thanksgiving are the fruit of unshakable faith. When we know that Jesus has triumphed over every threat and filled us with His fullness, we are freed to live generously and gratefully. Obedience flows not from fear or scarcity, but from the abundance we have received in Christ. [39:12]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Praying the Lord’s Prayer: Approaching God as Father
[01:40] - Rooted in God’s Faithfulness
[02:36] - Unshakable Faith: Built on Scripture and Grace
[04:47] - Faith and Disappointment: The Detroit Tigers Analogy
[08:47] - What Does Faith Look Like? Knowing and Walking
[13:14] - Ignorance vs. Foolishness: Living Out What We Know
[14:53] - The Danger of Being Taken Captive by Lies
[15:46] - Spiritual Scams and the Need for Discernment
[18:07] - Teaching the Next Generation to Be Wise
[19:02] - Returning to the Father After Failure
[22:02] - Faith Asks: Rooted, Built Up, and Established
[23:56] - Bold Asking and God’s Generosity
[28:52] - Roots That Support Growth: The Sequoia Analogy
[30:29] - Healthy People Ask for What They Need
[32:04] - Learning from Those Who Came Before
[39:12] - Overflowing Trust and Thanksgiving
[41:01] - Responding in Worship: Jesus Is Enough
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Unshakable Faith
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### Bible Reading
Colossians 2:6-15 (ESV)
> 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
> 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
> 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
> 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
> 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
> 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
> 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
> 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Luke 11:9-13 (ESV)
> 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
> 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
> 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
> 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
> 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
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### Observation Questions
1. In Colossians 2:6-7, what two actions are believers called to do after receiving Christ Jesus as Lord?
2. According to Colossians 2:8, what are some of the things that can “take us captive” if we’re not careful?
3. In Luke 11:9-13, what does Jesus say about asking, seeking, and knocking? What is promised to those who do these things?
4. The sermon mentions that “faith is not just knowing, it starts with knowing” but must be walked out. What does it look like to “walk in him” according to the passage and the sermon? [[08:47]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “Faith is not a vague feeling or a fleeting emotion, but a confident trust rooted in the unchanging character of God.” Why is it important that our faith is rooted in God’s character rather than our own feelings or circumstances? [[01:40]]
2. The pastor draws a distinction between ignorance and foolishness: “Ignorance is not knowing something... Foolishness is knowing and then not doing it.” How does this distinction challenge the way we respond to what we learn about God? [[13:14]]
3. The sermon warns about being “taken captive by the empty philosophies and spiritual scams of our age.” What are some modern examples of these “spiritual scams” or empty philosophies, and how can we guard against them? [[15:46]]
4. The sermon says, “Faith is not passive; it asks boldly and persistently.” Why do you think God wants us to keep asking, even when we feel weak or unsure? [[23:56]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Every person, whether they realize it or not, puts their faith in something.” What are some things (other than Jesus) that you have been tempted to put your trust in? How can you shift your trust back to Christ this week? [[04:47]]
2. The pastor shared that “faith is demonstrated when we walk out what we have received.” Is there a truth about God you know but have not yet acted on? What is one step you could take to live it out this week? [[08:47]]
3. The sermon encourages us to “ask boldly and persistently.” Is there a need, doubt, or desire you have been hesitant to bring to God? What would it look like for you to honestly ask God for what you need right now? [[23:56]]
4. The pastor said, “Healthy people ask for what they need. The healthiest thing you can do is ask the one who can give it.” Are there areas in your life where you have been trying to “fake strength” instead of asking God or others for help? What’s one way you can practice asking this week? [[30:29]]
5. The sermon talks about “overflowing trust and thanksgiving” as the fruit of unshakable faith. When was the last time you thanked God for something specific He has done? How can you make gratitude a regular part of your faith walk? [[39:12]]
6. The pastor said, “Obedience flows not from fear or scarcity, but from the abundance we have received in Christ.” Are there areas where you are obeying God out of fear or obligation rather than out of gratitude? How can you shift your motivation? [[39:12]]
7. The sermon encourages us to help others “find freedom and avoid being taken captive.” Who in your life might need encouragement or help to build their faith on Jesus? What is one way you can support or point them to Christ this week? [[14:53]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, asking God to help them root their faith in His unchanging character, to give them courage to ask boldly, and to fill them with gratitude and trust in every circumstance.
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Receives and Walks Out What It Knows
Faith is not just about knowing facts or having beliefs; it is about receiving the truth of Jesus and then walking it out in daily life. True faith begins with knowledge—knowing who Jesus is and what He has done—but it does not stop there. It leads to action, to living differently because of what has been received. Just as roots anchor and nourish a tree, our faith is meant to anchor us in Christ and support our growth as we live out what we know. You cannot live out what you do not know, so continually return to the truth of Jesus, receive it afresh, and let it shape your steps each day. [13:14]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What is one truth about Jesus you know but have not yet acted on? How can you take a step today to walk it out in your life?
Day 2: Faith Guards Against Being Taken Captive
When we do not stand firm in the truth of Christ, we are vulnerable to being taken captive by empty philosophies, deceit, and the shifting trends of culture. Faith always has an object, and if it is not rooted in Jesus, it will be shaken by the lies and emptiness that surround us. Knowing Jesus and His Word protects us from being led astray, and when we do stumble or feel trapped, we can always return to our Father, who welcomes us back with grace. No matter how far you feel you have wandered, you are never too far gone to come back to God and put your trust in Him again. [19:02]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Where in your life do you sense the pull of empty promises or deceptive voices? What would it look like to return to the truth of Jesus today?
Day 3: Faith Asks Boldly and Trusts God’s Goodness
Faith is not about faking strength or pretending to have it all together; it is about turning to God in our need and asking Him for what only He can give. Jesus invites us to approach God as a good Father, to ask, seek, and knock, trusting that He delights to give us what we truly need—especially the gift of His Holy Spirit. Even when we feel our faith is small, the very act of asking is an expression of faith, and God honors it by rooting, building, and raising us up in Him. Healthy, growing faith is not silent; it boldly asks and keeps on asking, confident in God’s goodness. [23:56]
Luke 11:9-13 (ESV)
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Reflection: What is one area where you need God’s help or provision? Will you take a moment today to boldly ask Him for it, trusting He is a good Father?
Day 4: Faith Responds with Overflowing Trust and Thanksgiving
When we truly trust Jesus and believe He is enough, our lives begin to overflow with thanksgiving. Thankfulness is not just politeness—it is the evidence of who we trust and who we believe deserves the credit for all we have. As we receive more of Jesus, His fullness fills us to overflowing, and gratitude spills out in our words, actions, and generosity. We are freed from fear and scarcity, able to live open-handedly because we know our source is unshakable. Faith that abounds in thanksgiving is faith that trusts Jesus is more than enough in every circumstance. [39:12]
Colossians 2:9-10, 15 (ESV)
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority... He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust that Jesus is enough? How can you practice gratitude today as an act of faith?
Day 5: Faith Is Rooted in Christ and Grows in Community
Faith is not meant to be lived out in isolation; like the roots of giant sequoias, our faith grows strong when it is interconnected with others and nourished by the truth. We are called to be rooted and built up in Christ, established in the faith just as we were taught—not always chasing the next new thing, but returning to the foundational practices of prayer, Scripture, and community. When doubts or hardships come, faith says, “Where else would we go? Jesus, you have the words of eternal life.” Even when we do not understand, we keep coming back to Him, asking questions, and growing together. [32:04]
John 6:67-69 (ESV)
"So Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you want to go away as well?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'"
Reflection: Who in your life helps you stay rooted in Christ? How can you intentionally connect with them or encourage someone else in faith this week?
Quotes
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