We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight - Zac Poonen
Summary
The central message is that Christians must walk by faith, not by what they see, drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:7. The speaker emphasizes that human senses and intellect can deceive us, citing examples like the sun's apparent path and the Earth's rotation. True belief comes from hearing and internalizing the Word of God, which requires divine revelation, as demonstrated by Peter's confession to Jesus.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believedJesus teaches Thomas that believing without seeing physically is more blessed, and true faith comes by hearing God's word rather than physical sight.John 20:29
Old Covenant sight versus New Covenant faithUnder the Old Covenant, people believed and praised God only after seeing physical enemies defeated, whereas New Covenant believers walk by faith before seeing the outcome.Psalm 106:15
Faith comes by divine revelation, not human scholarshipReligious scholars in Jerusalem studied the Scriptures thoroughly yet missed Jesus because they lacked revelation, while Peter recognized Christ through the Father revealing it to him.
Preaching in the power of God rather than human wisdomPaul refused to rely on persuasive human wisdom so that people's faith would rest on the power of God rather than the reasoning of men.1 Corinthians 2:4–5
Demons have an intellectual faith that does not saveDemons possess an intellectual belief in biblical doctrines and tremble, proving that mere mental assent to facts about God is not saving faith.
Trusting the Lord with the heart instead of leaning on human clevernessProverbs warns believers not to lean on their own understanding or intelligence, because human cleverness is often the greatest enemy to true heart faith.Proverbs 3:5
The last days will mirror the days of Noah and LotJesus warned that the last days would resemble the corruption, violence, and sinfulness found in the days of Noah and Lot.Luke 17:26
Escaping deception by loving the truth and wanting to be saved from sinPeople are spiritually deceived because they do not receive the love of the truth, but those who honestly face themselves and long to be saved from sin will be protected.2 Thessalonians 2:10–11
God hides spiritual truth from the clever and reveals it to infantsJesus praised the Father for hiding spiritual truths from the wise and intelligent while revealing them to humble babes who possess childlike humility.Matthew 11:25
Jesus prayed that Peter's faith would not fail at rock bottomEven when God permits severe trials or personal failure to strip away human pride, Jesus intercedes so that the believer's faith does not fail.Luke 22:32
God is a loving father who gives good giftsA foundational mark of faith is knowing that God is a loving father who only commands and provides good things for His children.
The surpassing greatness of God's power seen in the resurrectionThe ultimate display of God's power is the resurrection of Christ, which conquered death and ensures that believers can live as more than conquerors.Ephesians 1:18–19
Believing in the heart that God raised Jesus from the deadSaving faith involves confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the heart that God raised Him from the dead to secure our full salvation from sin.Romans 10:9
Faith is resting in God like a branch in a treeFaith is not a painful struggle to accomplish works, but a state of rest where the believer draws spiritual life directly from God just as a branch draws sap from a tree.
