Walking in Faith, Not by Sight

by webmaster

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”

Introduction:

Start with a warm greeting and an opening prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide our time together.
Introduce the theme of the sermon: Walking in Faith, Not by Sight. Emphasize that in our journey with God, faith is the foundation that guides us through uncertainties, even when we cannot see the way ahead.
Share a brief personal story or example that highlights the challenge of trusting in what we cannot see.

I. The Meaning of Walking by Faith

Define what it means to walk by faith. It’s about trusting in God’s promises and His character, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
Reference Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Explain that walking by faith means relying on God’s Word and His guidance, rather than our own understanding or what we can perceive with our senses.

II. The Example of Abraham

Use Abraham as a key example of someone who walked by faith. God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place he had never seen. Abraham obeyed, even though he didn’t know where he was going.
Reference Genesis 12:1-4, where God calls Abraham to step out in faith. Despite the uncertainty, Abraham trusted God’s promise.
Highlight that Abraham’s journey was not without challenges and doubts, but his faith grew stronger as he trusted God through each step.

III. The Challenges of Walking by Faith

Acknowledge that walking by faith is not always easy. It often means stepping into the unknown, facing fears, and enduring difficulties without clear answers.
Discuss the natural human tendency to rely on what we can see, touch, and understand. However, faith calls us to trust in God’s unseen hand.
Reference 2 Corinthians 4:18, which encourages us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Share examples from the Bible (like Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:28-31) and from contemporary life where faith was required to move forward despite uncertainties.

IV. The Role of Faith in Our Daily Lives

Encourage the congregation to apply faith in their everyday decisions. Whether it’s a career choice, a relationship, or a difficult situation, faith should guide our steps.
Reference Proverbs 3:5-6, which instructs us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Discuss practical ways to cultivate a life of faith: through prayer, reading Scripture, surrounding ourselves with a community of believers, and remembering God’s past faithfulness.

V. The Reward of Walking by Faith

Emphasize that walking by faith is not just about enduring; it’s about experiencing the fullness of life that God has for us.
Reference Hebrews 11:6, which says that “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.”
Encourage the congregation to trust that God’s plans for us are good, even when they are hidden from our sight. When we walk by faith, we are aligning ourselves with God’s greater purpose and trusting in His timing.

Conclusion:

Recap the main points: Walking by faith means trusting God even when we cannot see the way ahead. It’s a journey that requires courage, but it leads to a deeper relationship with God and a life filled with His peace and purpose.
Challenge the congregation to take a step of faith this week in an area where they’ve been relying too much on what they can see or control.
Close with a prayer, asking God to strengthen our faith, help us to trust Him more fully, and guide our steps as we walk in faith and not by sight.