Walking by Faith: Trusting God Beyond Circumstances

 

Summary

Walking by faith is a journey that challenges us to trust God beyond our immediate circumstances and understanding. It involves giving when we don't have it, believing when we don't see it, and trusting even when we don't get what we desire. Faith is not just a mental exercise but a practical, lived experience that often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. The Bible is filled with promises about giving, more than any other subject, because God wants us to be like Him—a giver. God uses finances to test our faith, and giving in faith means trusting God to provide, even when it seems impossible. Abel's offering, mentioned in Hebrews 11, was not about the amount but the attitude of faith with which he gave.

Faith also means thanking God before we receive what we have prayed for. The story of Jericho illustrates this principle, where the Israelites thanked God in advance for the victory before the walls fell. Faith is believing that God is working, even when we don't see immediate results. It is about trusting God's timing and His plan, knowing that He has all of eternity to fulfill His promises.

Moreover, faith is trusting God even when we don't get what we want. Not everyone in God's hall of fame received what they were promised in their lifetime, yet they were commended for their faith. God answers prayers in different ways—yes, no, wait, or in ways we might not expect. Real faith is developed in the valleys of life, through pain and suffering, where we learn to trust God more deeply.

Ultimately, faith is about a relationship with God, trusting in His goodness and character, even when life doesn't make sense. It's about leaning into God during the darkest times and allowing Him to shape us through our experiences.

Key Takeaways:

- Giving in Faith: True faith involves giving even when it seems impossible. It's not about the amount but the attitude of trust and reliance on God. Abel's offering was accepted because of his faith, not the quantity he gave. This teaches us that God values our heart's posture over the material value of our gifts. [02:17]

- Thanking God in Advance: Faith is expressed by thanking God before receiving the answer to our prayers. The Israelites' victory at Jericho exemplifies this, as they praised God before the walls fell. This act of faith demonstrates trust in God's promises and His timing. [12:27]

- Trusting God Without Immediate Answers: Not all prayers are answered in the way we expect. Hebrews 11 shows that many faithful individuals did not receive what was promised in their lifetime, yet they trusted God. This teaches us that faith is about trusting God's bigger plan, even when we don't see immediate results. [19:39]

- Faith in the Valleys: Real faith is developed through life's challenges and suffering. It's in these moments that we learn to rely on God more deeply, understanding that He is with us even in the darkest times. This perspective helps us grow spiritually and strengthens our relationship with God. [22:44]

- The Eternal Perspective of Faith: God has all of eternity to fulfill His promises. Our faith journey is not limited to this life but extends into eternity. This understanding helps us trust God beyond our current circumstances, knowing that His plans are far greater than we can imagine. [37:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Walking by Faith
- [00:33] - Faith is Giving When I Don't Have It
- [01:35] - Abel's Offering and Faith
- [02:43] - Giving by Reason vs. Revelation
- [04:03] - Personal Stories of Faith and Provision
- [06:39] - You Can't Outgive God
- [08:09] - The Joy of Sacrificial Giving
- [09:21] - Trusting God with Finances
- [11:06] - Thanking God Before Receiving
- [12:27] - The Battle of Jericho
- [13:41] - Faith is Thanking God in Advance
- [16:06] - God's Faithfulness Across Generations
- [18:10] - Trusting God If I Don't Get It
- [19:39] - Faith in the Face of Unanswered Prayers
- [22:44] - Learning Through Pain and Suffering
- [37:24] - The Eternal Perspective of Faith
- [38:10] - Summary and Self-Evaluation
- [40:02] - Building Faith Through God's Word
- [42:33] - Closing and Acknowledgments

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Walking by Faith

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:4 - "By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings."
2. Hebrews 11:30 - "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days."
3. Hebrews 11:39-40 - "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the key difference between Abel's offering and Cain's, according to Hebrews 11:4? How does this relate to the concept of giving in faith? [02:17]

2. In the story of Jericho, what specific action did the Israelites take that demonstrated their faith before the walls fell? [12:27]

3. According to Hebrews 11:39-40, what does it mean that the faithful did not receive what was promised in their lifetime? How does this reflect on the nature of faith? [19:39]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and giving, particularly in terms of attitude versus amount? [02:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Abel's offering in faith challenge the common perception of giving based on quantity rather than the heart's posture? [02:17]

2. What does the act of thanking God in advance, as seen in the story of Jericho, teach about the nature of faith and trust in God's promises? [12:27]

3. How can the experiences of those in Hebrews 11 who did not receive what was promised in their lifetime inform our understanding of God's timing and plan? [19:39]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that real faith is developed through life's challenges and suffering? How does this align with the biblical examples provided? [22:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you gave something significant in faith. How did that experience shape your understanding of trust and reliance on God? [02:17]

2. Consider a current situation where you are waiting for an answer to prayer. How can you practice thanking God in advance for His provision, as the Israelites did at Jericho? [12:27]

3. Have you ever experienced a situation where your prayers were not answered in the way you expected? How did you respond, and what did you learn about trusting God's bigger plan? [19:39]

4. Think about a challenging time in your life. How did that experience deepen your faith and reliance on God? What lessons did you learn that you can apply to future difficulties? [22:44]

5. How can you cultivate a heart of giving that prioritizes faith and trust over the material value of your gifts? What steps can you take to align your giving with God's principles? [02:17]

6. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness in the past to strengthen your faith in the present and future? Consider practical steps you can take to build this habit. [14:49]

7. How does understanding that God has all of eternity to fulfill His promises change your perspective on current challenges or unanswered prayers? [37:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Giving with a Heart of Faith
True faith involves giving even when it seems impossible. It's not about the amount but the attitude of trust and reliance on God. Abel's offering was accepted because of his faith, not the quantity he gave. This teaches us that God values our heart's posture over the material value of our gifts. When we give in faith, we are acknowledging that God is the ultimate provider and that He can do more with our little than we can with much. This act of faith challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God to meet our needs. [02:17]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to give more generously? How can you trust Him to provide for you as you step out in faith?


Day 2: Praising God Before the Breakthrough
Faith is expressed by thanking God before receiving the answer to our prayers. The Israelites' victory at Jericho exemplifies this, as they praised God before the walls fell. This act of faith demonstrates trust in God's promises and His timing. When we thank God in advance, we are declaring our belief in His faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises. It is a powerful expression of faith that aligns our hearts with God's will and prepares us to receive His blessings. [12:27]

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one prayer you are waiting for God to answer? How can you begin to thank Him today for what He is going to do?


Day 3: Trusting God's Plan Beyond Our Understanding
Not all prayers are answered in the way we expect. Hebrews 11 shows that many faithful individuals did not receive what was promised in their lifetime, yet they trusted God. This teaches us that faith is about trusting God's bigger plan, even when we don't see immediate results. It requires us to surrender our desires and expectations to God, believing that His ways are higher than ours. Trusting God without immediate answers is a journey of faith that deepens our relationship with Him and strengthens our character. [19:39]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to see God's plan? How can you surrender your expectations to Him and trust His timing?


Day 4: Finding Faith in Life's Valleys
Real faith is developed through life's challenges and suffering. It's in these moments that we learn to rely on God more deeply, understanding that He is with us even in the darkest times. This perspective helps us grow spiritually and strengthens our relationship with God. When we face trials, we have the opportunity to experience God's presence and power in new ways. Our faith is refined and strengthened as we learn to trust Him in the valleys of life. [22:44]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did it impact your faith, and how can you use that experience to trust God more deeply in future trials?


Day 5: Embracing the Eternal Perspective of Faith
God has all of eternity to fulfill His promises. Our faith journey is not limited to this life but extends into eternity. This understanding helps us trust God beyond our current circumstances, knowing that His plans are far greater than we can imagine. Embracing an eternal perspective allows us to live with hope and purpose, knowing that our faith is part of a larger story that God is writing. It encourages us to focus on what truly matters and to invest our lives in things of eternal significance. [37:24]

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of eternity with God change the way you view your current struggles? What steps can you take to focus more on eternal values in your daily life?

Quotes



Walking by faith also means giving when I don't have it. It's easy to give when you got it but giving when I don't have it is giving in faith. Giving and faith go together so much did you know that the Bible stocks there are more promises about giving in the Bible than any other subject why because God wants us to be like himself God is a giver God so loved the world that he gave you can give without loving you cannot love without giving giving and faith go together and God uses finances I'm absolutely convinced God uses finances to test your faith more than any other subject. [00:45:41]

It was faith that made Abel's offering to God a better sacrifice than Cain's through his faith God approved of his giving now I want you to notice in that verse if you're looking at it it's not what he gave it please God it's how he gave it it's not the amount he gave it's the attitude that he gave it with most people think that God looks at how much you give he doesn't God doesn't look at how much you give you know what he looks at how much is left over how much did you give compared to how much he's already given to you. [00:120:56]

When we first got married um we were in seminary we were making less money than it cost for us to be there and we were pretty committed to not take on debt to get through seminary and at the same time we made a commitment when we got married we're we're gonna tithe that's never a question first tenth of what we get goes back to God and there was this season where I was watching the amount of money that we had in the checking account go down down down down down it was the end of the semester and there was this one day and these are sometimes these are the stories that are most precious in the formation of our faith. [00:244:48]

You don't really know what joy is till you understand the joy of sacrificial giving and faith when you step out way out on the on the limb and go there's no way we could afford to give this and it's scaring you to death if you haven't ever been afraid and yet said this is the right thing to do you've never experienced the joy of God bailing you out when Kay and I got married we decided God gets first first 10 we raise it every year you know that we're now reverse tithers we give away 91 percent and and live on nine. [00:461:60]

Walking by faith is thanking God before I receive it thanking God before I receive it you know a good illustration of this sixth point is uh the victory over Jericho look at this verse Hebrews 11 30. by faith the people walked there's walking again by faith the people walked around the walls of Jericho for seven days and the walls came crashing down now what's going on here they're coming out of Egypt they're coming into the promised land God says it's your land but you're going to have to fight for the land Jericho was the most fortified city in the entire world at this time highest deepest thickest walls. [00:685:68]

Faith is not believing God can do something faith is not believing hoping God will do something faith is believing God is working expressing thanks in advance look at this verse Mark 11 24 this is Jesus when you pray and ask for something believe that you have received it notice past tense circle that believe that you have received it and you will be given what you ask for wait a minute you mean I got to believe a thing as so even though it isn't so in order that it might become so yep that's called faith when you thank God for an answer to your prayer after it's been answered that's called gratitude when you thank God for an answer to prayer before it's answered that's called faith. [00:766:56]

Faith is trusting if I don't get it that's the seventh thing we get from Hebrews 11 the faith chapter trusting God if I don't get it not everyone listed in God's hall of fame in Hebrews 11 had a miracle some of them were beheaded some of them were imprisoned some of them got sick and died not everybody in God's hall of fame had every prayer answered the way they wanted a lot of people suffered for being faithful when you see someone suffering and you say well you're just not living right there's a word for that you're the friend of Job and God says Job's friends were wrong Job had done nothing wrong he was just sick because God had allowed it God had allowed that illness not every sickness is a sin. [00:1094:96]

They were all talking about heroes of the faith they were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what had been promised you know what I love about the Bible it's so gut honest it doesn't say it's all pie in the sky it doesn't say everybody will be healed because we're not it doesn't say everybody will be a millionaire because we won't be it says none of the those people in that list received what had been promised God had planned something better now let me say this fact number one God always hears and always answers every single prayer fact number two he doesn't always answer every prayer the way you want. [00:1169:44]

Real faith walking in faith faith walking means you're going to develop that kind of real faith in the valleys of life i i learned more about faith in Matthew's death than anything else in my lifetime the death of a son living by faith does not exempt you from problems 43 years of our example proves that sometimes we pray for God to remove a problem instead he gives us the strength to go through it and I would just say personally because I'm going to let everybody else talk about this the hurts that I've prayed about most to be removed in my life have never been answered the way I want him to and those very things taught me the most in leadership. [00:1281:44]

I learned nothing through fame I learned nothing through pleasure I learned nothing through prosperity everything I learned in my life I learned through pain the Bible says Jesus was made perfect through suffering how do you think you're going to be made perfect the Bible says Jesus learned obedience through suffering how do you think you're going to learn obedience now let's talk about this for just a minute faith is trusting God when God doesn't say yes when when you don't get the answer you want. [00:1341:36]

God has all of eternity to keep his promises yeah he is not limited to just here and now there is more to life than just here and now this is not all there is to the story the story will be for eternity and God has all of eternity to keep his promises to you what we're talking about in this series the adventure of faith walking is the most important thing we can talk about without faith it is impossible to please God whatsoever is not a faith is sin the just shall live by faith according to your faith that will be done unto you. [00:2231:599]

Faith comes from hearing the word of God you're not going to get faith built on social media it will never build your faith you're not going to get your faith built watching television or Netflix you're not going to get your faith built any other way except by feeding on the word of God heaven and earth shall pass away but my word will never pass away the grass withers and the flower fades but the word of God abides forever man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God it is this book and what has kept me solid for 52 years in faith is being in this book being it every day get in it all the time. [00:2357:76]

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Transcript
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