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.
[Application]
So let me ask you—where is God asking you to prepare the way?
Who in your life might need you to be that steady voice, that light in their wilderness?
Because following Jesus means stepping into moments that don’t always feel convenient or comfortable.
John had to live in the desert to fulfill his calling.
You and I may just need to step out of our comfort zones—into someone’s story.
(Pause)
Read Hebrews 12:1-4
Part of that means clearing the road so others can see Jesus through us.
2) Faith that Follows Stays the Course
When those religious leaders came to John, they questioned his authority, his identity, his motives.
“Who do you think you are?” they asked.
And John could have gotten defensive. He could’ve tried to prove himself. But he didn’t.
He simply said, “I’m just a voice.”
That humility is powerful. Because when you know who you are in Christ, you don’t have to fight to be something else.
Faith that follows isn’t distracted by comparison—it stays focused on obedience.
[Illustration]
A few winters ago, I was driving down the Tok Cutoff during one of those nights where it’s pitch black by 4 p.m. The road was covered with snow, no tire tracks, no reflectors visible—just white. I remember thinking, “If I don’t stay on this path, I’ll end up in the ditch.”
So I slowed down, kept my eyes on the faint line ahead, and trusted the direction even when I couldn’t see the full road.
That’s what following God often feels like. You don’t always see far ahead—but you trust the One who called you.
[Application]
John stayed faithful even when it didn’t make sense.
He didn’t quit when people doubted him.
He didn’t give up when crowds left to follow Jesus.
Can I tell you something? Sometimes obedience will feel like loss.
But every time you choose to stay the course, heaven notices.
Galatians 6:9 says, “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Maybe you’ve been praying for someone for years and nothing’s changing. Stay the course.
Maybe you’ve been serving quietly behind the scenes. Stay the course.
Maybe you’ve been wondering if your role even matters. Stay the course.
Faith that follows doesn’t measure success by results—it measures it by obedience.
3) Faith that Follows Points People to Jesus
When Jesus approached the Jordan River, John didn’t say, “Look what I’ve built!”
He said, “Look—the Lamb of God.”
That’s the heart of the gospel: to take the spotlight off ourselves and point it toward Jesus.
Every conversation, every act of love, every prayer—we do it to direct hearts toward Him.
[Illustration: Assemblies of God Alaska story]
Back in 1948, Assemblies of God missionary Don McCandless and his wife arrived in Alaska to plant churches. They faced impossible conditions—Flying bush planes, traveling by dogsled, traveling by riverboats and even canoes, preaching in 40-below temperatures, and living on next to nothing. He would often say, “If there’s a soul to reach, there’s a way to get there.”
One night, in a small cabin in Fairbanks, a young man asked Don, “Why would you come all this way just to talk about Jesus?”
Don smiled and said, “Because He came all the way from heaven to reach me first.”
That young man was Bill McAlister. In 1951 he received his License to Preach from the Assemblies of God. In 1953, he started a small group meeting for worship in prayer that would later become Fairbanks First Assembly of God, now called True North Church —all because someone pointed him to Jesus.
[Application]
You might not be traveling by dogsled, boat or bush plane, but you are called to carry the same message:
“Look—the Lamb of God.”
Whether it’s your coworkers, your kids’ teachers, or your neighbors shoveling snow—people are watching how you live.
Matthew 5:16 says, In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Point people to Jesus—not by preaching louder, but by loving deeper.
That’s what Paul meant when he said, 2 Corinthians 5:21 We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” When we point people to Jesus, heaven’s message is heard through our lives.
Faith that follows leaves a trail others can trace back to Christ.
[Closing Challenge]
So let’s come full circle.
Week one was Faith That Floats—trusting God when life feels unstable.
This week is Faith That Follows—obeying God when life feels uncertain.
Both require surrender. Both require courage. Both require the Holy Spirit’s power at work in us.
And maybe today, God’s whispering to your heart:
“It’s time to go. It’s time to step into the role I’ve created for you.”
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to follow.
Just like John the Baptist—prepare the way, stay the course, and point people to Jesus.
?? Altar & Worship Response — “Faith That Follows”
Before we go any further this morning, I want to pause right here.
Because for some, Faith That Follows begins with simply saying yes to Jesus.
Maybe you’ve believed in Him, but you’ve never really followed. Maybe you’ve tried to carry faith on your own terms—but this morning, God’s whispering to your heart, “It’s time to surrender.”
If that’s you, you don’t have to have it all together. You don’t have to have every question answered. You just have to say, “Jesus, I’m ready to follow You.”
So right where you are, I want to give you a moment. If you need to give your life to Jesus—or come back to Him—just whisper this prayer in your heart:
“Jesus, I believe You came for me. You died and rose again to give me new life.
I surrender my heart, my plans, my past, and my future to You.
Lead me, and I’ll follow You from this day forward.”
(Pause briefly)
Now for others in this room—you already believe, but you’ve been waiting on the shoreline, wondering when it’s your turn to move. Maybe you’ve questioned your purpose, or felt like your role was too small to matter.
But the truth is—every step of obedience matters.
John the Baptist didn’t have fame or comfort; he had obedience.
And that’s what Faith That Follows looks like—ordinary people saying yes to an extraordinary God.
Maybe there’s someone God’s put on your heart to reach this week. Maybe it’s a friend, a co-worker, a student, a neighbor. Maybe God’s stirring you to step out in faith—to serve, to lead, to simply say, “Lord, use me.”
This morning, these altars are open—not just for repentance, but for commissioning.
If you’re ready to say, “God, I want my life to point people to Jesus,” I want you to come.
Don’t wait for the perfect plan; just take the next step.
Because Faith That Follows doesn’t stay seated—it moves when God moves.
(Begin worship softly — “Oceans”)
As we worship, let this be your prayer:
“Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters—wherever You would call me.”
Come on, church—let’s respond together.
This is a moment to move, to step into what God is calling you to.
You can come and kneel at these altars, or you can stand right where you are in worship—but don’t stay still. Respond to His call.
Maybe this is your “yes” moment—your moment to say, “God, I’m ready to follow wherever You lead.”
Let’s lift our voices, let’s open our hearts, and let’s have a faith that follows.
[Benediction]
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
And may you walk this week with a faith that follows—trusting that God’s Spirit is sending you to prepare the way for Jesus, right where you are.
Amen.
**Pastors if you are using my message, drop a comment. I would love to pray for you and your church as you are preaching it.
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i. Assemblies of God U.S. Missions Archives, Alaska District Historical Records (Anchorage: Alaska Ministry Network). See also: The Alaska Ministry Network: 100 Years of Pentecostal Ministry in Alaska (Anchorage: Alaska Ministry Network, 2017), pp. 35–36, detailing the ministry of Ralph and Ruth Hiatt, early Assemblies of God pastors in Delta Junction and Interior Alaska during the early 1950s, who helped establish congregations in Tanacross, Tok, and Northway.
ii. Nieman, Fey. Ministry Gold: The Untold Stories of Alaska’s Assemblies of God Pioneers. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Ministry Network Press, 2009.
iii. Assemblies of God U.S. Missions Archives, Alaska District Historical Records (Anchorage: Alaska Ministry Network), entries on Harold and Mary Krier, pioneering Assemblies of God missionaries in Tanana, Alaska, 1950s–1960s. See also: The Alaska Ministry Network: 100 Years of Pentecostal Ministry in Alaska (Anchorage: Alaska Ministry Network, 2017), pp. 42–43.
iv. Assemblies of God U.S. Missions Archives, Alaska District Historical Records (Anchorage: Alaska Ministry Network). See also: Fey Nieman, Ministry Gold: The Untold Stories of Alaska’s Assemblies of God Pioneers (Anchorage, AK: Alaska Ministry Network Press, 2009), pp. 27–29, recording the founding of Fairbanks First Assembly of God in 1954 under Rev. Bill McAlister following Don McCandless’s early Interior missionary work.
