### **INTRODUCTION: A Faith That Shapes Us Deeply**
Video Ill.: Sermon bumper 3
****Mother’s Day Moment (Briefly Acknowledged)**
Today is a special day in our country, where we pause to honor and appreciate the women in our lives—mothers, grandmothers, spiritual mothers—whose faith has shaped us in countless ways.
It is quite appropriate to remember the influence and teachings these women have had on our lives, especially as we are talking about having a transformative faith.
Many of us are who we are today because the quiet, steady, prayerful faith of our mothers, grandmothers, and other women in our lives. Their faith left an imprint on our lives.
So, as we continue our study this morning, I would encourage the moms, grandmothers, and other women in our lives to continue to be an example of the transformative faith that we as followers of Jesus have been called to have.
No matter, though, who we are or from where we come, here is heart of the truth: Faith is not just something we believe. It’s something that changes who we become.
### **Series Recap:**
Over the past two weeks, we have been exploring what it truly means to have a transformative faith—a faith that goes beyond belief and actually reshapes our lives.
In week one, we talked about how faith changes the way we respond to the world. It is easy to claim belief in God, but true faith shows up in how we treat others—how we handle frustration, conflict, and pain. We looked at how our reactions reveal the presence of Christ within us—or the absence of transformation.
Last week, we focused on how faith gives us a new purpose. We are not just here to sit in pews and attend services. God created each of us with unique gifts and a calling to serve. We learned that the church is not an event to attend; it is a mission to live.
This morning, too often, people believe in God but never let that belief transform them.
The Bible makes clear—faith is not about agreeing with ideas. It is about becoming someone new.
### **1: Faith Begins with Seeking God, Not Just Knowing About Him**
#### **Illustration: Get in the Wheelbarrow**
Based on Get In The Wheelbarrow!
By Dr. Larry Petton
SermonCentral.com
On June 30, 1859, a crowd of 25,000 gathered to witness Charles Blondin do something no one had done before—walk a tightrope stretched 1,100 feet across Niagara Falls, with no safety net beneath him. And he did it. The crowd erupted.
But Blondin was not done.
On a later attempt, he upped the stakes—pushing a wheelbarrow across the rope. The crowd watched in breathless anticipation. Before beginning, he turned and asked, “Do you believe I can do this?”
The crowd cheered, “Yes!”
He then turned to a nearby reporter and asked, “Do you believe I can cross this rope with the wheelbarrow?”
The reporter said, “Absolutely. I believe!”
Blondin looked him square in the eyes and said, “Then get in the wheelbarrow.”
Belief became a little harder at that moment.
That is the difference between believing something and having faith in someone and trusting them.
It is the difference between saying we believe in God and actively pursuing a relationship with Him that transforms our lives.
The Hebrew writer says in Hebrews 11:6:
6 …[I]t is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. (Hebrews 11, NLT)
There are two parts to faith that pleases God:
1. Believing that He exists.
That is the easy part. Many people believe in a higher power, or even that the God of Scripture is real.
2. Sincerely seeking Him.
This, on the other hand, is not so easy. But when we earnestly, sincerely, and humbly seek Him, that is where transformation begins.
It is not enough to simply say we believe.
Real faith climbs into the wheelbarrow.
Real faith says, “I trust You with everything.”
#### 🧒🏼 **Illustration: A Child and the Arms of a Parent**
Think about a small child. They do not just know their parents exist—they run to them. They cling to them. They cry out when they are scared or hurt or tired.
And in that seeking, a relationship forms. Trust is built. Dependence is learned.
It is not the knowledge that changes the child’s life—it is the pursuit of the parent.
#### **Application**
This morning, how many of us are standing on the banks, cheering for Jesus... but unwilling to get in the wheelbarrow?
Are we simply aware of God?
Do we believe He’s real but keep Him at arm’s length?
Or are we sincerely and urgently seeking Him?
Faith is not passive belief. It is active pursuit.
It is only when we start truly seeking God that transformation begins to take root.
Not just in what we think... but in who we are.
So this morning, are we standing on the edge, applauding God’s power… or are we stepping into faith and letting Him carry us along each day, ultimately to the other side?
### **2: Faith Is the Catalyst for Real Change**
Faith is not just about believing differently—it is about becoming someone new.
And let us be clear: true transformation is not a microwave moment.
It is not instant, convenient, or surface-level.
It is slow, deep, spiritual work that God does in us—when we surrender our old selves and let Him create something brand new.
#### **Illustration: “Just Add Water!”**
Russian Comedian Discovers American Grocery Stores
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/september/3092412.html
Source: Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker, (Zondervan, 2011), pp. 134-135
Remember Russian Comedian Yakov Smirnoff?
Back in the 1980s, he made several appearances on the old show, “Night Court”.
He tells the story that when he first immigrated to the United States, said one of the things that amazed him the most was American grocery stores.
One day, he was walking down an aisle and saw powdered milk:
“Just add water—and you get milk!”
Then powdered orange juice:
“Just add water—instant orange juice!”
Then he saw baby powder… and thought to himself: “What a country!”
We laugh because the logic is absurd—but many approach faith the same way.
Just read one Bible verse and expect peace.
Just attend church once and expect instant joy.
Just pray a little and expect everything to change overnight.
Faith in Jesus, though, is not about quick fixes.
It is not “just add Jesus and stir.”
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul talks about the significance of truly knowing Jesus — not just believing, but being fully confident in the promises of God. In verse 17, he writes:
17 …[A]nyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5, NLT)
Notice what Paul says here:
We have become a “new person”.
“A new life has begun.”
Not just a new behavior. Not a self-improvement project.
A new creation—that is being completely transformed from the inside out.
Paul echoes these thoughts in Galatians 2:20:
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2, NLT)
That is not “add some Jesus to your old life.”
That is not just believe and all is well.
That is lay your life down—and let Christ raise you up new.
#### **Application**
So the question this morning is: Are we trying to sprinkle Jesus into our routines…or are we truly letting Him transform us?
Real change takes time.
Real transformation comes from seeking and pursuing God — by surrender ourselves to Him.
Real faith lets go of the old life—and steps fully into the new one.
Real faith is not about behavior modification. It is about spiritual transformation.
Do not settle for a powdered faith.
Let God do the full work of making you new.
### **3: Faith Shapes Our Story, One Obedient Step at a Time**
95-Year-Old Veteran Gives Young Boy a Lesson in Courage
Source: Steve Hartman, “On the diving board, 95-year-old veteran gives young boy a lesson in courage,” CBSNews.com (8-17-18)
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2020/august/95-year-old-veteran-gives-young-boy-lesson-in-courage.html
Copied from Preaching Today
All summer long four-hear-old Dylan Stitch was afraid to dive off the diving board. Dylan's mom, Marla said, “He had no interest in it, ever. We were just saying, 'Hey, you want to give it a shot? You want to give it a try?’”
Enter 95-year-old Daniel Biss, who was in the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. He knows a thing or two about fear and bravery. So, when he saw a neighbor kid at a family pool party, and heard everyone trying to coax him off the board, he knew exactly what Dylan needed.
Daniel said, “Just needed some convincing, I guess. I was going to try." So, Daniel borrowed a swimsuit, and with cane in hand stepped up to set the example. The great-grandfather hadn't been on a diving board in 50 years. Yet he stood up on one, ready to teach a lesson in courage, which nearly turned into a lesson in first aid.
Marla said, “Everyone kind of held their breath and got real nervous like, ‘Oh, was this a bad idea?’” Daniel said, “I was up there that far, I figured I may as well go through with it.” So, at the age of 95, he dove for Dylan.
It wasn't the prettiest dive, but he couldn't have done better--because shortly after Daniel took his last jump off a diving board, Dylan took his first. Marla said, “It was really neat that that inspired him to do it. It was a neat moment." Today Dylan jumps with no problem. Hopefully his courage will now inspire you, with whatever leap you need to make.
Sometimes we need the examples of others to inspire us in our walk of faith.
That is exactly what the writer of Hebrews gives us—real examples of real people who responded with faith. Picking up in Hebrews 11, we read:
7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
|| 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith— || for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
|| 24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the || treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
|| 31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. (Hebrews 11, NLT)
And then, in Hebrews 12:1, the author brings it all home:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12, NLT)
Noah built. Abraham obeyed. Moses walked away from privilege. Rahab risked everything.
These were not perfect people.
Noah did everything right — until the flood was over. Then he drank too much, passed out in his tent, and caused shame in his own family. (Genesis 9:20-21)
Abraham was a liar. He lied twice about his relationship to Sarah to protect himself, and then took maters into his own hands instead of trusting God to give him a son. (Genesis 12, 16, 20)
Moses killed an Egyptian and ran for his life. (Exodus 2:11-12)
And Rahab, well, she had a past about which most people would rather not talk — her profession was far from godly. (Joshua 2)
And yet, these folks were faithful.
These are the people God chose to highlight as examples of faith.
God is not looking for perfection. He is looking for trust.
Transformation does not happen in a flash. It happens over time — through many small, faithful steps.
When Noah picked up the first board….
When Abraham took that first step out of Ur….
When Moses turned his back on privilege….
When Rahab opened her door to the spies….
These were not acts of perfection. They were acts of trust.
And God honored that. God has honored them as examples for us.
### ** Application **
On this Mother's Day, we see that faith is rarely built in one grand act. Most of the time, it is shaped by quiet, steady faithfulness.
Think about the women of faith who shaped your life. Chances are, they were not superheroes.
They probably didn’t perform miracles or lead revivals.
But they prayed. They showed up. They loved you when you were unlovable. They kept the faith — through hardship, disappointment, and ordinary days.
Their steady walk with Jesus left footprints for you to follow.
#### **Challenge**?
This morning, consider this: our life of faith may be the foundation upon which someone else is building.
How is our faith in God shaping our lives today? What faithful steps do we need to take today?
Maybe it is time to stop chasing perfection and start walking in obedience.
Maybe it is time to believe that our past does not disqualify us from being used by God.
Maybe it is time to be reminded that we do not need to leap into greatness — we need to just take one step forward in faith.
May we run our race today — not flawlessly, but faithfully.
That is the kind of faith that will not only transform our lives, but the lives of those who are watching us.
### **Conclusion: One Step at a Time**
This morning, we are not called to admire Jesus. We are called to be changed by Him.
Faith is not something we simply believe. It is something that shapes who we become.
It is not about having all the answers.
It is not about being perfect.
It is about trusting God enough to take the next step.
Faith seeks God with urgency—not just casually acknowledges Him.
Faith changes us from the inside out—forming a new creation in Christ.
Faith walks one obedient step at a time—even when the path is unclear.
And like the great crowd of witnesses we just read about—Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab—we are invited to keep running our own race. Not perfectly. But faithfully.
They were not remembered because they had spotless pasts.
They were remembered because they trusted and obeyed.
### **Mother’s Day Tie-In**
Maybe this morning, you are here because someone else had that kind of steady faith—a mother, a grandmother, a teacher, a mentor.
She did not try to be impressive. She was simply faithful.
And her faith helped shape yours.
Now, the question is: Whose faith will your life shape next?
### **Closing Scripture & Challenge**
The Hebrew writer encouraged us at the beginning of Hebrews 12:
1 … [L]et us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12, NLT)
Today, what is the next step in your race?
Maybe it is to believe—really believe—and begin pursuing God.
Maybe it is to surrender—to stop trying to manage your own transformation and let Christ live in you.
Maybe it is to obey—to step out, serve, lead, or love someone with the gifts God has given you.
You do not have to leap into greatness.
You just have to trust God enough to take the next step.
So today—do not just sit in belief. Walk in faith.
Let the transformation begin in your life today.
