Why Is Faith Important to God? | Looking For A Sign
Looking for a Sign: “It doesn’t get more practical than this.”
Matthew 10:16-31, Mark 4:38-41
How do you AMAZE Jesus?
Why is your FAITH so important to Jesus?
Disciples: BELIEVED Jesus was who He CLAIMED to be. Put into PRACTICE what Jesus was TEACHING.
v.18 “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as WITNESSES to them and to the gentiles.”
v.19 “But WHEN they ARREST you, DO NOT WORRY about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be GIVEN what to say.”
v.20 “For it will not be YOU speaking, but the SPIRIT of your Father SPEAKING THROUGH you.”
v.22 “You will be HATED by everyone, because of ME…”
v.28 “Do not be AFRAID of those who kill the BODY but cannot kill the SOUL. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
v.30 “…even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be AFRAID; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
‘Fear not, for I am WITH you’ Isaiah 41:10
Faith: Confidence the God who can protect my SOUL in spite of what someone might do to my BODY is with me.
“Teacher, don’t you CARE if we DROWN?”
Mark 4:38
Mark 4:38
“Jesus said to the disciples, why are you so AFRAID? Do you still have no FAITH?
Mark 4:40
I can be in TERRIFYING fearful CIRCUMSTANCES and still not FEAR.
Jesus knows, in this life uncertainty is UNAVOIDABLE. But faith is what allows fearful to be OPTIONAL.
Questions:
1. How do you typically respond to uncertainty? Do you try to control your circumstances, or do you get overwhelmed and shut down?
2. Read Matthew 10:28-31. What are some reasons it can be difficult for us to live as though God values us so much that He’s numbered the hairs on our heads?
3. What are some circumstances you’re facing right now that you need to entrust to your Heavenly Father? Who can support you in that?