What Faith Is and What Faith Does

Moses: A Man of Faith

Our lives are often shaped by a few critical decisions. Looking back, we can usually identify moments when one choice changed the course of everything that followed. In our text, we meet a man whose life was marked by such decisions. Moses repeatedly chose faith when other options seemed easier, safer, and more attractive. His story reminds us that every believer must choose whether to trust God and follow Him by faith. To the Jewish people, Moses was the greatest human figure in their history. "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deuteronomy 34:10) When Hebrews tells Moses' story, the focus is not on his miracles or leadership, but on his faith. This morning, we will look at four characteristics of a man who lived by faith and discover what his example teaches us about trusting God today.

One Week Can Change Everything

How many of us can point back to a single week that changed our life forever? Most weeks pass quietly, but every so often one comes that marks a turning point, when life is redirected in a way that is only fully understood in hindsight. Tomorrow, a group of teenagers and sponsors will leave for youth camp with different expectations and hopes, but the possibility remains that this could be one of those defining weeks. Scripture reminds us that God is still in the business of changing lives, and Mark 5 shows us a man whose life was completely transformed by an encounter with Jesus.

Where Bad Theology Comes From

People often believe things about God simply because they have heard them repeated enough times. Statements may sound spiritual or convincing, but that does not necessarily make them true. That is why it is so important for believers to know what God’s Word actually says. What we believe about God shapes the way we live. False teaching often sounds spiritual and may even contain elements of truth, but somewhere along the way, something has been distorted or added to what God has said. That is why believers must learn to recognize truth from error and remain grounded in sound doctrine.

The Ingredients of a Life of Faith

Many people have different ideas about what it takes to please God. Some believe God is pleased by good works, religious activity, effort, or sincerity. But Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear: “But without faith it is impossible to please him...” Faith is not simply optimism, emotion, or wishful thinking; it is confident trust in God and in what He has said. There are really only two ways to live: by sight or by faith. Most people live by what they can see, understand, and control, but biblical faith chooses to trust God even without having all the answers. Through Abraham’s life we see what real faith requires. Faith is not easy or comfortable, but it is the only way to live a life that truly pleases God.

Striving Together in Prayer

Prayer is not meant to be a shallow routine or casual habit. In Romans 15:30, Paul describes prayer as something we are to “strive” in together. That word speaks of effort, labor, and spiritual struggle. Real prayer is spiritual work. And not only are we called to pray, we are called to pray together. Prayer was never meant to be only an individual practice, but something God’s people engage in collectively. We are not simply individuals who pray, we are meant to be a church that prays.