STAND FIRM

Greater Outcomes From Greater Faith

Pastor Doug Heisel – July 27, 2025

Hebrews 11:6 — And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

What The Bible Teaches Me About Faith

1. Biblical faith is a SHIELD against the lies and accusations the Devil is shooting at me.   

Ephesians 6:16 — In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

2. The shield of faith is not faith in FAITH, it is trust in JESUS and His WORD.

Psalm 28:7 — The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.

John 10:9 — I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved…

3. My trust in Jesus can be LITTLE or GREAT, and that choice changes what I experience.    

Matthew 8:26 — He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 8:10 — When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

A Story That Illustrates This: Numbers 13:25-14:9

When I stand firm in faith …

I see the goodness and power of GOD.

Numbers 14:3 — Fear said … “Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?"

Numbers 14:9 — Faith said: “Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us…"

I SEE myself and others from God’s perspective.

Numbers 13:33 — Fear said: “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Numbers 14:9 — Faith said: “Do not be afraid of these people for we will shallow them up…”

I experience the FUTURE God had for me.

Numbers 13:31 — Fear said: “We can’t…”

Numbers 13:30 — Faith said: “We should…”

Numbers 14:30 — Not one of you will enter the Land…except Caleb…and Joshua…

APPLICATION:

I will put my full trust in JESUS and His WORD, over and over and over.

Mark Your Calendars Now:

Special Guest:

Pat Gelsinger (Former CEO of Intel)

August 17 - 9AM & 10:45AM

Next Water Baptism:

August 10 - 9AM & 10:45AM

Register Below

Life Group Discussion & Questions

BREAKING THE ICE:

Describe where you are on your faith journey. Is this brand new, have you been walking with Jesus for more than a decade, or is it somewhere in between? Explain.

DIGGING IN:

1. Faith is a shield but also the action step of choosing the ultimate shield, Jesus, and His ways over any other ways. Read the two stories in Mathew 8:5-17 where two levels of faith are described. What stands out to you about either story?

2. Read the story from Numbers 13:25-14:9 In that story, twelve people see exactly the same things, but come back with two very different conclusions. It was the difference between faith and fear. Where is a place in your life that fear often tries to get in? Explain.

3. Review the lessons from these notes that came from the story in Numbers 13 and 14. It is a contrast between letting fear or faith have your focus. Afterwards, share what stands out most to you, and why.

BRINGING IT HOME:

Take the application step of trusting Jesus now (and over and over and over). Doing that will at times keep you safe from lies and accusation. Sometimes doing that causes us to step up or step out and do something the Lord is inviting you into. Either way, the better story is the greater outcomes that come from greater faith.