Faith Makes a Move
Faith isn’t fruitful until you make a move.
Passages
Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 10:9–10 (NIV) – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
James 2:17 (NIV) – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Matthew 14:22–33 (NIV) – Full passage with verse numbers.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Matthew 14:22–33 (NIV)
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Points for Slides
Faith in the Mind → Fueled by God thoughts (Romans 12:2)
Faith in the Mouth → “Faith is voice-activated” (Romans 10:9–10)
Faith in the Movement → Faith isn’t fruitful until you make a move
Verse
James 2:17 (NIV) – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Point 1 – God Has a Destination for You
Matthew 14:22 – “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side.”
Point 2 – Storms Will Come
Matthew 14:24 – “But the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.”
Matthew 14:27 – “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Point 3 – A Little Faith Is Enough
Matthew 14:28 – “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
Matthew 14:29 – “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
Faith moves on the command, not the conditions.
James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Point 4 – Faith in the Storm Is Greater Than Faith After the Storm
Matthew 14:33 – “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
