Walking By Faith and Not Sight - Ajay Chakravarthy - February 16, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/walking-faith-not-sight River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that Christian faith must be grounded in the objective facts of God's Word rather than being dictated by fluctuating feelings. The speaker uses an enactment to illustrate how relying on feelings—such as guilt, anxiety, or discouragement—can lead to spiritual paralysis, whereas resting on scripture provides stability. True maturity in faith is demonstrated by continuing to walk with God's Word even when feelings are negative or when external affirmations are absent.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Should we listen to feelings of discouragement and condemnation?When facing guilt and condemnation, we often listen to our feelings instead of remembering that God is faithful to forgive confessed sin.
How do we handle anxiety over future exams and work?Anxiety tries to overwhelm us with daunting tasks, but God's Word provides wisdom and intelligence for every challenge.Daniel 1:17
What is the truth when trials pile up?When multiple burdens accumulate and make us feel bound, the fact is that the Lord is with us to make us prosper.
Does God love us despite our failures?Feelings tell us our lives are a complete waste, but God's eternal love and loving-kindness draw us to Himself.Genesis 12:2
Choosing to anchor our hope in God's WordWe must consciously decide to stop being driven by feelings and instead rest our faith on the unchanging promises and forgiveness found in Scripture.
Moving from spiritual childhood to maturityHaving feelings is not wrong, but being controlled by them spiritually paralyzes us; true maturity means relying less on external feelings and more on God's truth.
How did Paul endure the storm?During a dangerous voyage where others despaired, Paul stood firm because he belonged to and served God.Acts 27:21
Seeing him who is unseenMoses was able to leave Egypt without fearing the king's wrath because he endured by seeing the unseen God.
Did God ever let his disciples down?Jesus asked His disciples if they lacked anything when sent out without provisions, and they confirmed that the Lord took complete care of them.Luke 22:35
Why is a good conscience essential for hearing God?To hear the Lord guiding us like an air traffic controller, we must maintain a good conscience, as rejecting it leads to shipwrecked faith.1 Timothy 1:19
What was Noah's attitude of faith?Noah focused entirely on obeying God's precise instructions for building the ark, leaving the outcome and the flood entirely in God's hands.
Do all things work together for good for everyone?God causes all things to work together for good specifically for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose to become like Christ.Romans 8:28
Why is Christ's yoke easy and His burden light?God handles the hard, impossible parts of existence and salvation, while giving us the light responsibility of trusting and obeying Him.Matthew 11:28–29
Overcoming emotional resistance to the crossWhen Jesus spoke of going to the cross, Peter reacted out of human emotion, prompting Jesus to rebuke him for setting his mind on man's interests rather than God's.Matthew 16:18
Will we value the body of Christ enough to pay the price?Just as Paul pressed on to Jerusalem despite weeping friends, and just as Simeon recognized the salvation of the Lord, we must treasure the church and be willing to bear the cross for it.Acts 21:11
