The Substance Of Faith Part 1

WARM-UP

Have you been to the “Why Avenue: “Why this is happening to me?” “Why did I get fired?” “Why did my husband leave me?” “Why is our business losing money?” “Why are my kids rebelling?” “Why is my best friend trying to destroy me?” Did it get to a point that you question your faith in God?

ONE BIG IDEA

Jesus want us to remember: When there’s a storm, don’t look at it, look at ME.

STUDY (Acts 3:1-11)

“35As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?” 39When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!””

LEARN
REMEMBER THAT WHEN WINDSTORMS COME:
THEY ARE UNAVOIDABLE.

As long as you are living, storms will hit you. You can try and name anyone who has never experienced a problem and rest assured, he or she is not a real person. Along with abundant life, exceeding joy, and incomprehensible peace that passes all understanding, we are told to expect crushing, pressing, squeezing, and stressful circumstances.

THEY ARE TEMPORARY.

No matter how strong the typhoon is, it will surely end because it is only temporary. Stormy days come and go but they are not permanent.

“17The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles… 19The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:17, 19 (NIV)

THEY ALWAYS TEACH US LESSONS.

A person who has never stumbled is one who has never attempted to walk. Sometimes, God allows us to undergo
windstorms in life because of our sin; HE wants us to learn from our mistakes and correct them.

“…For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.” Isaiah 26:9b (NLT)

Keep in mind: Your windstorm carries a gift. Make sure you unwrap it even while you weep. Learn from lessons brought by the windstorm.

THEY REVEAL WHO WE ARE.

Windstorms reveal who we are and what we are made of. Christians often brag about their faith until the windstorms come. You’ll only be able to know that your faith is strong when the windstorms come and you’re still standing strong. They can’t be considered strong and matured with their memorized Bible verses but only when they actually apply them.

THEY ALLOW US TO ENCOUNTER GOD FIRSTHAND.

Until you are deathly sick and experience God’s power first hand, you will never meet Jesus the Healer! Until you are surrounded with people who are committed to destroy you, you won’t know Jesus the Deliverer! The first substance of faith is courage. Faith is courageous! Faith embraces with foresight what can only be understood in hindsight. There is no telling what God can do until you come through to the other side.