Faith Like A Goat

“Faith like a Goat”

January 5, 2025

LINDA…. GARFIELD POSTER

Explanation and Discussion

Are you able to see beyond what you are capable of or even realize that you can do what you didn’t realize you could do? God has created each one of us, amazingly and wonderfully, in such a way as to work perfectly for His plan.

Have you ever taken time to consider what your talents and giftings are? Better yet, have you ever found yourself doing something you weren’t aware you could do? We are all capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. We are all able to do more than we realize but we must be willing to make the effort. You have all heard the phrase “taking a leap of faith”, RIGHT?

LINDA…Indiana Jones video clip

Are there any fans of this series that can tell me the name of this movie…… (that’s the 3rd instalment called)? This is “Indiana Jones, and the Last Crusade” where they are in search of the Holy Grail, which is the believed to be WHAT…. Anybody know? The cup that Jesus and his disciples drank from during the Last Supper and legend says that it was used by Joseph of Arimathea to collect Jesus’ blood at the crucifixion.

***Talk about the scene and its significance to having faith and believing even when it’s difficult. What exactly IS Faith? According to Websters dictionary faith is……

“The belief in the facts and truth of the Scriptures, with a practical love of them; especially, that confiding and affectionate belief in the person and work of Christ, which affects the character and life, and makes a man a true Christian, - called a practical, evangelical, or saving faith.”

Faith is defined as

• Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

• Believing in something that is true and committing our lives to it.

• Unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence

What words come to mind when you think about the saying “leap of faith”??

Trust, willingness, commitment…. Maybe obedience? Isn’t taking a “leap of faith” all about trusting in the possibility of the unknown? Isn’t it about letting go and believing in something when you don’t know if it’s the right choice or know what the result will be or even if it’s possible? Isn’t this what faith is….

Now hear me out… Our faith is set in the existence of an invisible, inaudible, untouchable presence called God.

We believe in a book inspired by God and written by human hands, which many have challenged the validity of, that has been poked and prodded at for hundreds of years.

We believe in a living man named Jesus, who we are told, in scripture, is the human existence of God, ​​ who was born of a virgin through immaculate conception by the Holy Spirit, who lived and died, who rose from the grave and defeated death… something completely unimaginable, and we have a trust in the belief that if we truly believe in this and give our lives to Christ as followers and believers, that when we pass from this earth we will have an eternal home in a place called heaven………..forever!!

Do you have that type of faith today??

LETS PRAY

We are going to look at some of the people that truly trusted, believed and devoted themselves to God and lived by faith that the Lord would hold true to his word as the creator of the heavens & Earth as well as all of humanity.

***LINDA PICTURE  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 1st…..Abram and Sarai  ​​ ​​​​ 

Pastor Stuart is currently giving us a lot of information regarding them as we are working through the book of Genesis. Their story begins in Chapter 12 and runs through Chapter 23 but doesn’t end with that. Abram & Sarai who would later be called Abraham & Sarah, their names collectively appear in the bible over 300 times, which is a testament to their faith in God and how it would impact all the nations that would follow. As we understand, Abraham would be called and commanded to go to Canaan, by God, ensuring to "make of him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, bless those who blessed him, and curse "him" that curses him." (Genesis 12:2) …. And he obeyed.

Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise to have a son named Isaac. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90. This is an example of their patience and trusting that God would provide and faithfulness in His word.

The website, Enduring Word gives us insight to the faith of Abraham

God’s command to Abraham and his response.

God tests the faith of Abraham.

***CHRISTIAN…(Keira reads) Genesis 22:1-2

​​ Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

This was not so much a test to produce faith, as it was a test to reveal faith.

Now…lets understand that there is a difference between those types of faith.

*Producing faith means “having” confidence and trust in who God is and what He says. It is trust, assurance, and belief in God, knowing that all things come from Him. 

*Revealing faith means “living” according to faith, being "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). It involves trust in God based on a true understanding of who He is, as revealed in the Bible.

God built Abraham slowly, piece by piece, year by year, into a man of faith. This test would reveal the faith God had built into Abraham.

Charles Spurgeon says…. “I cannot imagine a greater test than that which the Lord applied to Abraham. The Jews usually say that Abraham was tried ten times. Surely on this occasion he was tried ten times in one.”

Imagine the type of faith it takes…..Talk about it

LINDA PICTURE  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ 2nd….. Daniel  ​​​​ 

Who was Daniel,

According to the Hebrew Bible, Daniel was a noble Jewish youth of Jerusalem taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, serving the king and his successors with loyalty and ability until the time of the Persian conqueror Cyrus, all the while remaining true to the God of Israel.

We are all aware of or have heard the story of Daniel in the lion’s den…. but within this story we are shown Daniel’s great faith in who he trusted and gave all honor and praise…God!

BUT…. there was something that would challenge Daniel in his faith

***CHRISTIAN… (Rachael reads) ​​ Daniel 6:7

The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel's response to this decree is striking in its simplicity and courage:

​​ ***CHRISTIAN…. (Silas reads) Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

NOW…..(Talk about his boldness)

Daniel never turned from his faith or praising God regularly and with full commitment. How committed are we in our time of prayer and praise? Do we look adversity in the face and turn to God or will we shy away from taking a stance in ALL situations.

**Talk about our Sunday school class conversations on thankfulness and gratitude in ALL things.

***CHRISTIAN….(Alston reads)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17: 

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Daniels example of faith should inspire us all to never be afraid in any circumstance to turn to God.

(Sadie reads) Daniel 6:17, 20-22

A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. The next morning, when he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.

Now… King Darius was overjoyed and wrote this to all people, languages and to all lands

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

The God of Daniel was with him and gave the king faith in who He was.

LINDA PICTURE  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ #3…. David (Harp w/ Sheep)

Who is David, and what can his story tell us about faith?

King David is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible. He is known for his bravery, piety or reverence for God, and leadership and is considered one of Israel's greatest kings.

King David is known for his military conquests, including the capture of Jerusalem, which he made the capital of Israel. He also established a strong central government and made many reforms to help the people of Israel. David is also known for his poetry and music. He wrote many of the Psalms in the Bible, which are still used in worship today in songs such as, “Psalms 23” (Shane & Shane), “Goodness of God” (Bethel Music), “Come to the Table” (Sidewalk Prophets) and “It is Well”. David’s music was said to be so beautiful that it could soothe King Saul's troubled spirit.

But beyond what I’ve just told you, David was much more than this.

***CHRISTIAN (Lily reads)

David came from the non-elite family of Jesse from Bethlehem. As the youngest of eight sons, David was responsible for tending his family’s sheep out in the lonely pastures. This modest upbringing shaped his character and dependency on God from an early age. Though David seemed an unlikely candidate for greatness, the prophet Samuel saw David’s inner qualities when anointing him, saying “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”

Now….as this would be what do we know about David’s heart and what was his relationship with God? Despite David’s youth when called and used by God in mighty ways, he consistently proved himself as an able leader who trusted fully in God rather than outward appearances or credentials alone. David’s lifelong submission to God’s plans from early life onward led him to achieve incredible victories. WHICH leads us to the well-known story of David and Goliath. BUT…hold on, what about this story has anything to do with faith?

First, what does his faith look like…..

David grew up tending the sheep and fighting off predators like lions and bears…

1 Samuel 17:34b-35 says, When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock,  I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it and killed it.

He would have had to have great faith in himself to go attack this animal…right?

David’s faithfulness to Saul

***CHRISTIAN  ​​ ​​ ​​​​ (Dylynn reads)

1 Samuel 16:14-16

Now, the Lord’s Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Saul’s officials told him, “An evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Your Majesty, why don’t you command us to look for a man who can play the lyre well? When the evil spirit from God comes to you, he’ll strum a tune, and you’ll feel better.”

David, who was the 8th son of Jesse, was chosen by Saul to play and sing to help with this torment.

***CHRISTIAN  ​​ ​​​​ (Rachael reads)

1 Samuel 16:21-23

Yet…..this didn’t bother David one bit. David believed he could take on the Philistine and win…right? Let’s talk about this….

 David said to Goliath, "You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I'm coming against you in the name of the LORD who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He's the one you have dared to fight against. "This very day the LORD will hand you over to me. I'll strike you down. I'll cut your head off. This very day I'll feed the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air. I'll feed them to the wild animals. Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel. "The LORD doesn't save by using a sword or a spear. And everyone who is here will know it. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us."

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