Walking in Faith: Embracing God's Transformative Journey
Summary
In my sermon, I began by introducing myself as Captain Rex, the Christian sailor, and shared my testimony of transformation from a mean, short-tempered pirate to a follower of Jesus who now seeks real treasure in God's word ([00:36]). I emphasized the importance of knowing the truth about ourselves as defined by God, not by the labels others may place on us, using examples like Moses, Thomas, and Peter to illustrate how God refines us through our mistakes ([01:38]).
I then introduced my crew, including my family and church members, each with their unique roles and contributions to our spiritual journey ([04:22]). I shared the joy of expecting a grandchild and the affectionate nicknames we've chosen for ourselves as grandparents ([05:31]).
The sermon transitioned into a discussion about the words of treasure from Hebrews 12:13, which promise healing as we walk on God's paths ([15:38]). I used a playful interaction with a character named Coconut to help the congregation memorize this verse ([17:39]).
I shared a story of a runner in the Olympics who fell but got up and continued running, drawing a parallel to our spiritual walk where we must keep going even when we stumble ([25:12]). I recounted the biblical story of Joshua and the Israelites at the Jordan River, highlighting that God often asks us to take steps that don't make sense to our natural understanding, such as walking into a river that hasn't yet parted ([27:28]).
I explained the concept of rhema, the anointed spoken word of God, and shared a personal story of how my wife, LaDonna, received her rhema word during a health crisis ([35:48]). I emphasized the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions for our lives, even when they defy logic or previous experiences ([38:23]).
I shared testimonies from various members of the congregation, each with their unique desires and the seemingly illogical steps God was asking them to take to achieve their goals ([43:08]). I encouraged the congregation to plant seeds by making things happen for others, trusting that God will reciprocate in our lives ([44:52]).
I concluded by sharing my own experience of losing our house and offices, and how God led us to build a ministry complex on skids, which didn't make sense at the time but proved to be divinely inspired ([55:18]). I shared how, despite financial challenges during the pandemic, God provided miraculously for the construction of a barn dominium, teaching us to trust Him and keep walking in obedience ([58:58]).
Key Takeaways:
1. Our identity in Christ is not defined by our past mistakes but by the truth of God's word. Like Moses, Thomas, and Peter, we must allow our experiences to refine us and lead us to our God-given destiny. This process of transformation is a testament to the power of God's grace in our lives ([01:38]).
2. The words of treasure from Hebrews 12:13 remind us that as we walk in obedience to God's paths, even when we stumble, we will be healed. This promise encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that God is actively working in our lives to bring about restoration and wholeness ([15:38]).
3. The story of Joshua at the Jordan River teaches us that God's instructions may challenge our understanding, but obedience leads to miraculous outcomes. When faced with obstacles, our faith is strengthened as we take steps into the unknown, trusting God to fulfill His promises ([27:28]).
4. Receiving a rhema word from God is crucial for our spiritual journey. It is the specific, spoken word that gives us direction and assurance in times of need. When we align our actions with this divine guidance, we position ourselves to experience God's power and provision ([35:48]).
5. God's ways often defy human logic, and His instructions can seem counterintuitive. However, as we follow His lead, even in the face of financial scarcity or daunting challenges, we witness His faithfulness in providing for our needs and fulfilling His promises in our lives ([55:18]).
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 12:13 - "For as you keep walking on God's paths, all your stumbling ways will be healed."
2. Joshua 3:3-4 - "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before."
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
#### Observation Questions
1. What transformation did Captain Rex experience after accepting Jesus into his heart? ([01:05])
2. How does Hebrews 12:13 describe the result of walking on God's paths?
3. What was the specific instruction God gave Joshua and the Israelites at the Jordan River, and how did it differ from Moses' experience at the Red Sea? ([27:28])
4. What rhema word did LaDonna receive during her health crisis, and how did it impact her recovery? ([35:16])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Captain Rex's transformation from a pirate to a follower of Jesus illustrate the concept of identity in Christ? ([01:05])
2. In what ways does Hebrews 12:13 encourage believers to persevere in their faith journey despite stumbling?
3. Why might God choose to give different instructions to Joshua at the Jordan River compared to Moses at the Red Sea? What does this teach us about God's ways? ([27:28])
4. How can receiving a rhema word from God provide direction and assurance during challenging times? ([35:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you allowed past mistakes to define you. How can you shift your focus to let God's truth refine you instead? ([01:38])
2. Hebrews 12:13 promises healing as we walk on God's paths. What specific steps can you take this week to walk more closely in obedience to God's guidance?
3. Think of a situation in your life where God's instructions seemed illogical or counterintuitive. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([27:28])
4. Have you ever received a specific word or promise from God that guided you through a difficult time? How did it change your perspective or actions? ([35:16])
5. Captain Rex shared testimonies of people taking seemingly illogical steps to achieve their goals. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is asking you to take a step of faith. What is holding you back, and how can you overcome it? ([43:08])
6. How can you plant seeds in others' lives by making things happen for them, trusting that God will reciprocate in your own life? ([44:52])
7. Captain Rex shared his experience of losing his house and offices but trusting God to provide. How can you apply this lesson of trust and obedience in your current financial or personal challenges? ([55:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Identity Rooted in Divine Truth
Our true identity is not a reflection of our past errors but a testament to the transformative power of God's grace. Like the biblical figures of Moses, Thomas, and Peter, each person has the potential to evolve beyond their mistakes and into their God-given destiny. This transformation is not an overnight occurrence but a journey that involves self-discovery through the lens of divine truth. It requires a willingness to shed the labels and limitations imposed by oneself or others and to embrace the identity that God has declared. This process is not without its challenges, as it often involves confronting uncomfortable truths about oneself, but it is through this refining fire that one's true character and purpose are revealed. The beauty of this transformation lies in the realization that one's past does not dictate their future; rather, it is the truth of God's word that shapes and defines who they are meant to be [01:38].
"Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." - Psalm 51:6
Reflection: Reflect on a past mistake that has shaped how you see yourself. How can you reframe this part of your story through the lens of God's truth about who you are?
Day 2: Perseverance on God's Path
The journey of faith is akin to a marathon, not a sprint. It is filled with moments of both triumph and stumbling, yet the promise of Hebrews 12:13 assures us that healing and strength are found as we walk in obedience to God's paths. This divine assurance encourages believers to persevere, even when the road ahead is uncertain or fraught with challenges. It is a reminder that God's presence accompanies each step, offering restoration and wholeness. The act of walking in faith is not passive; it requires active engagement, a conscious decision to move forward, and a trust in God's guidance. As believers navigate their spiritual walk, they may encounter setbacks, but these are not endpoints. Instead, they are opportunities for growth and a deeper reliance on God's sustaining power [15:38].
"And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." - Hebrews 12:1-2
Reflection: When have you experienced a stumble in your spiritual walk, and how did you find the strength to continue moving forward?
Day 3: Obedience Beyond Understanding
The biblical account of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River serves as a powerful illustration of obedience that transcends human logic. God's instructions often challenge our understanding and require steps of faith into the unknown. This obedience is not blind; it is rooted in the knowledge of God's character and His history of faithfulness. When believers are called to take action that defies their natural reasoning, it is an invitation to witness the miraculous. It is in these moments that faith is not only tested but also strengthened. The act of stepping into a river that has not yet parted is a metaphor for the risks and leaps of faith that believers are sometimes called to take, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be none [27:28].
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days." - Hebrews 11:30
Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is asking you to take a step of faith that doesn't make sense to your natural understanding?
Day 4: The Power of Rhema
The concept of rhema, the anointed spoken word of God, is a profound aspect of the believer's spiritual journey. It is through rhema that individuals receive specific direction and assurance from God, particularly in times of need. This divine communication is not a general message but a personalized word that speaks directly to the circumstances and heart of the receiver. When one aligns their actions with this rhema word, they position themselves to experience the fullness of God's power and provision. It is a reminder that God is intimately involved in the details of each life, and His guidance is tailored to lead each person to their divine purpose and destiny [35:48].
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you received a specific word from God that gave you direction or comfort? How did it impact your decisions and actions?
Day 5: Trusting God's Provision in Uncertainty
The ways of God are often mysterious and can defy human logic. His instructions may seem counterintuitive, especially during times of scarcity or daunting challenges. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that believers are called to demonstrate their trust in God's faithfulness. The testimony of God leading the construction of a ministry complex on skids, despite financial challenges, is a testament to His provision and guidance. When God's people follow His lead, even when it doesn't make sense, they open the door to witness His miraculous provision. This trust is not passive; it is an active reliance on God, a confidence that He will fulfill His promises and provide for every need, even in the most unexpected ways [55:18].
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you need to trust God's provision, even though the path forward seems unclear or illogical?
Quotes
"But don't let our mistakes define us. Let them be like Moses and refine you. Take off those labels of murdering Moses and become Moses the deliverer. Not doubting Thomas. I'm Thomas the apostle. I'm going to take the gospel further than any of the other disciples." [02:17]
"Keep on walking. Even when those obstacles are outside of the river. Outside of the banks, that river is worse than you've ever seen before. You should start getting excited. Why? Because you know your promised land is on the other side." [30:49]
"God's going to do things in a different way. I discovered this this year. This summer, I felt that we were supposed to go on tour. With just me and LaDonna. That's not typical. Typically, I have a big crew who does everything, you know, right? But I felt now we need to go on tour, just me and her." [31:39]
"God is supernatural. And he is asking you to do things you may not understand. You got to do what he says for you to do, even when it doesn't make sense. You know, for three years ago, we lost our house and our offices were no longer available for us." [55:18]
"And during this whole time before that, I had bought other people houses. I didn't even have a house myself. And here I am buying houses for other people. But it's what God told me to do. You got to be obedient even when it doesn't make sense." [58:58]
"That don't make sense. But what do you do? You sow during famine. I'll say that again. You sow during famine. I learned that from Dr. Savelle. So if you don't like it, don't take it up with me. Right? It doesn't make sense. I know. You got to do what God tells you to do." [01:00:35]
"The sword of the spirit isn't the logos. It's the rhema. But the rhema will come out of the logos. Got it? So, that was good. That revelation about the belt. I didn't see that. And you said that today. And I was like, I got something new." [35:48]
"Keep on walking. Obedience, even when it doesn't make sense. Obedience to what God has told you to do. Step into the water. Oh, God, do it like you did with Moses. No. God's put promises in your heart. He's given you dreams." [42:32]
"Keep on walking. You got to keep on walking. My bank account, it still says red, negative. Whatever, whatever. Keep on giving. Keep on praying. Keep on praising. Keep on walking. It doesn't make sense. I know. That's why you got to keep on walking." [41:56]
"Keep on walking. And as they walked into the river, bam, the river parted. And they got to possess the promised land. So don't get discouraged when the river is outside of its banks. Don't get discouraged when there's that big obstacle in front of you on the other side of the promised land." [30:49]
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