Unwavering Faith: Trusting God's Promises Through Trials
Summary
In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of unwavering faith and belief in God's promises, even when faced with adversity. Drawing from personal experiences, the pastor shares instances of faltering faith due to double-mindedness and encourages the congregation to demonstrate their faith through actions that reflect their belief. The pastor also addresses the scattered 12 tribes, urging them to find joy in trials as these test their faith and produce patience. The importance of seeking wisdom from God is highlighted, with a warning against wavering faith.
The sermon further underscores the significance of perseverance and a forward-looking mindset. The pastor acknowledges the difficulties of the journey towards the kingdom of heaven but stresses the need to keep moving forward. The congregation is reminded that as long as they keep plowing, God will continue to plant and bring increase. The pastor also highlights the mind of Christ as a resolved and focused mind that remains steadfast in the face of trials, betrayals, and doubters.
The pastor discusses the importance of a sold-out mentality to God, expressing that mere belief in God is not enough to reach the destination that God has for individuals and the church. The congregation is encouraged to have a resolute mission, just like Jesus did when he was determined to die on the cross. The pastor concludes by reminding the congregation that God is the one who initiates and completes the good work in their lives.
The pastor also addresses the danger of becoming more focused on visions and angels than on having a personal relationship with Jesus. The congregation is warned against being deceived by false teachings, even if they come from angels, and encouraged to seek God's presence and communicate with Him directly. The pastor also highlights the purpose of trials, explaining that they reveal where individuals turn to for help and that through patience and reliance on God, they can become whole and lacking nothing.
Finally, the pastor shares a personal experience of wrestling with a dream that God had given him. He expresses his uncertainty and asks God to take the dream away if it is not from Him. However, after crying out to God, he receives assurance that the dream is indeed from Him. This experience tests the pastor's resolve and he emphasizes the importance of seeking assurance from God in difficult situations.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of unwavering faith and belief in God's promises, even in the face of adversity. He encourages the congregation to demonstrate their faith through actions that reflect their belief. This is a reminder that faith is not just about believing, but also about living out that belief in our daily lives. ([12:45])
- The pastor underscores the importance of perseverance and a forward-looking mindset. He acknowledges the difficulties of the journey towards the kingdom of heaven but stresses the need to keep moving forward. This serves as a reminder that the Christian journey is not always easy, but perseverance is key to spiritual growth and maturity. ([24:30])
- The pastor discusses the importance of a sold-out mentality to God, expressing that mere belief in God is not enough to reach the destination that God has for individuals and the church. This challenges us to examine our commitment to God and to strive for a deeper, more resolute faith. ([36:15])
- The pastor addresses the danger of becoming more focused on visions and angels than on having a personal relationship with Jesus. This serves as a warning against idolatry and a reminder to seek God's presence and communicate with Him directly. ([48:50])
- The pastor shares a personal experience of wrestling with a dream that God had given him. This serves as a reminder that God often uses our struggles and uncertainties to test our faith and draw us closer to Him. It also emphasizes the importance of seeking assurance from God in difficult situations. ([59:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:6-8 #!!23:52!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does James mean when he says "let him ask in faith, nothing wavering"?
2. How does James describe a person who wavers in their faith?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of wavering faith relate to the trials and challenges we face in life?
2. What does it mean to be double-minded according to James, and how does this affect our relationship with God?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation where you wavered in your faith during a trial? How did it affect the outcome?
2. How can you apply the principle of asking in faith and not wavering in a current challenge you are facing?
3. What practical steps can you take to avoid being double-minded in your faith journey?
4. How can you ensure that your source of wisdom during trials is God and not the world?
5. Can you identify an area in your life where you have been double-minded? How can you address this to become more stable in your faith?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Belief
Belief is not a fleeting thought or a momentary conviction, but a steadfast faith that shapes our actions and decisions. It is the driving force that propels us forward, even in the face of trials and tribulations. When we truly believe in God's promises, we live in a way that reflects this belief, and our actions become a testament to our faith ([27:17]).
James 1:6 - "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did your belief in God's promises influence your actions and decisions during this time?
Day 2: The Anointing of Finishing
God has placed dreams and visions in our hearts, and He has given us the strength and resolve to see them through to completion. However, we must fully believe in these promises and pursue them with unwavering faith. God is releasing an anointing of finishing, empowering us to fulfill our God-given missions ([53:18]).
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: What is a God-given mission or dream that you have yet to complete? How can you apply the anointing of finishing to this task?
Day 3: The Power of Communication in Trials
Trials can either bring us closer to God or tear us apart from Him, depending on how we choose to communicate. When we face trials, we should turn to God and communicate with Him, allowing the trial to strengthen our relationship with Him ([19:38]).
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: Reflect on a recent trial. How did you communicate with God during this time? How did this communication affect your relationship with Him?
Day 4: The Resolve to Move Forward
When we commit to serving God, we must resolve to move forward, regardless of the challenges we face. Looking back or standing still will not help us; we must continue to plow forward, trusting that God is planting seeds of growth and blessing in our lives ([43:04]).
Luke 9:62 - "Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up on your commitment to serve God. How did you find the resolve to move forward?
Day 5: The Mind of Christ
The mind of Christ is focused and resolute, undeterred by trials, betrayals, or doubters. It is a mind that is committed to fulfilling its mission, regardless of the obstacles. As followers of Christ, we are called to adopt this mindset, to remain steadfast in our faith and our mission, even when faced with opposition ([44:22]).
Philippians 2:5 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced opposition or doubt. How did you strive to adopt the mind of Christ during this time?
Quotes
"Your trial will tell on you because it's there to strengthen your resolve. No matter how much this is hurting, no matter how much I'm bleeding, no matter how bad this feels, I still believe in what God has spoken to me." [30:13]
"Looking back no man that puts his hand to the plow and looks back as fit for the kingdom of heaven...you might as well go forward because standing still ain't gonna help you and going backward ain't gonna help you." [43:04]
"The mind of Christ is a resolved mind, a focused mind...no trial, no betrayal, no one that turns his back on him can stop him from his mission." [44:22]
"The only way we're gonna get there is when we have a cell sold out mentality to him where we say God we're going with you all the way... I made up my mind that I'm going all the way... I'm going all the way no turning back." [46:29]
"God, if this dream is not of you, take it out of me. I don't want it anymore." [37:26] This quote reflects the speaker's willingness to surrender their own desires and ambitions to God's will, prioritizing serving Him above all else.
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