Faith That Follows Series

Live Volume 3: Get Going — Week 2:

Faith That Follows

Text: John 1:19–34 (NLT)

Theme: Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission: to prepare the way, stay the course, and point people to Jesus. When we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even ordinary moments can become divine appointments that change lives.

INTRODUCITON

Good morning,

Last week we started our new series, Get Going, talking about what it means to have a faith that floats—a faith that trusts God even when the winds and waves around us get rough. And this week, we’re taking that same faith a step further. Because real faith doesn’t just float—it follows.

Perfect — I’m so glad you love that one! It fits your Gateway congregation beautifully — real, Alaskan, Assemblies of God heritage, and deeply tied to the heart of “Faith That Follows.”

[Opening Story / Attention Grabber]

In the early 1950s, an Assemblies of God pastor named Ralph Hiatt , based out of Delta Junction, traveled by dogsled and snow machine across Alaska to preach the gospel. One winter, he got stranded overnight somewhere between Delta and Tok—temperatures dropped to nearly fifty below. He could have turned back, but he later said, “God didn’t call me to comfort—He called me to obedience.”

That night, while waiting for daylight, he prayed, “Lord, if I’m still breathing tomorrow, help me reach one more person for You.”

He made it through, and eventually reached Tanacross, where he shared Christ with a small group of people. That little home gathering became one of the earliest Assemblies of God congregations in Alaska’s Interior.

Ralph didn’t know what God would do through his obedience—but he embraced his role. He simply said yes. And God took that simple faith and used it to plant seeds that are still growing across Alaska today.

That same spirit of obedience carried on through others—people like Robert and Cary Moring, who ministered here in Tok before a church was even officially formed, and Agnes Rodli, who founded Tok Chapel, Assembly of God in 1965 .

So, in a very real way, our own church—now Gateway Christian Community—was born out of that same kind of faith: faith that follows.

[Transition / Theme Introduction]

That’s what Faith That Follows looks like. It’s not about having the biggest platform or the clearest plan—it’s about saying, “God, wherever You send me, I’ll go.”

Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission: to prepare the way, stay the course, and point people to Jesus. When we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even ordinary moments can become divine appointments that change lives.

[Scripture Reading]

Let’s read together from John 1:19–34 (NLT).

John the Baptist is out in the wilderness—preaching, baptizing, and preparing people’s hearts for the Messiah. Religious leaders come from Jerusalem asking, “Who are you? Are you the Messiah? Elijah? The Prophet?” And John says, “No—I’m not any of those.”

He says, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

And when Jesus finally walks toward him, John declares, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

That’s what faith that follows looks like.

It listens, obeys, and points others to Jesus.

1) Faith that Follows Prepares the Way

John’s whole life was centered on this one mission: to prepare the way for Jesus.

He didn’t ask for fame. He didn’t chase titles. He simply made space for God’s glory to be revealed.

And friends, I believe that’s what God still calls each of us to do—to make room for Him to move in the lives of others.

That might mean praying before you head into work, “Lord, use me today.”

It might mean being kind to that coworker who constantly pushes your buttons.

It might mean speaking hope to someone who’s been beaten down by life.

In a small community like Tok, you might be the only Jesus someone sees this week.

[Illustration: Alaska + Assemblies of God connection]

Years ago, I heard the story of a missionary couple in Alaska—Assemblies of God workers stationed in the village of Tanana . They weren’t famous, didn’t have a big following, and sometimes they went months without seeing another minister. But they faithfully served—hosting youth nights, sharing meals, showing love.

One day, a young man came to them after years of drinking and said, “You’re the only ones who’ve ever made me feel like I mattered.” That young man eventually became a pastor himself—reaching villages they never could.

That’s faith that follows. You may not see the fruit right away, but you keep preparing the way—because God uses faithfulness more than flashiness.