Fearless Faith

Message Outline: Fearless Faith

Opening Illustration: The Thai Cave Rescue

In 2018, the world watched as twelve boys from a soccer team and their coach were trapped deep inside an underwater cave in Thailand due to sudden flooding. The cave was complex, narrow, and flooded with murky water, making it nearly impossible for ordinary rescuers to reach them. As days passed, their chances of survival grew slim.

In a moment of desperation, experts from around the world, including tech innovators like Elon Musk, sprang into action to provide solutions. Musk developed a mini-submersible, hoping to use it to navigate the cave's tight underwater passages to rescue the children. Although the submersible wasn’t used in the end, the willingness to think creatively, take risks, and try unconventional solutions helped in the success of the overall rescue mission. Eventually, expert divers braved the impossible conditions, demonstrating extraordinary courage, skill, and determination to bring each boy to safety.

Many gave up hope, wrote the situation off as impossible. But the will to keep trying could not be quenched. Why> Because the desire to succeed outweighed the acceptance of hopelessness. When faced with adversity we can either give up or innovate to our desired outcome.

In our world we have two options either to make excuses to not continue or create solutions for success.

Fearless Faith in Action: Over coming barriers

- Context: Jesus is teaching, the house is packed, and people have come from all over to hear Him. Can you imagine? Jesus has been wandering and preaching from place to place, healing, and casting out demons. News of what is happening is gripping the countryside. The crowds came whenever Jesus stopped. Luke shares this story with Mark’s Gospel. Mark’s Gospel states that their indeed four friends carrying this paralyzed man. These folks are carrying their friend to Jesus. The picture is surreal. We don’t know the ins and outs of what is transpiring in their hearts but something visceral has moved them to undergo such exhausting task. They get their companion their, carrying him on a mat but to their utter shock and disappointment, they can’t get close. Jesus was the only hope for their loved one and all seemed lost. They could not pierce the crowd. by all accounts how many of us would have thrown our hands up and said, well we tried but it just didn’t work out. Maybe it just wasn’t part of the plan. There was a wall an impossible barrier between their hopes and dreams and their current reality. They had a crisis moment, to either give up or innovate.

There was going to be a risk. They had a decision to make. They were going to get a lot of people angry with them. You see sometimes

Fearless faith takes committing to the irrational and unconventional. It is doing what doesn’t make sense in order to get their friend close to Jesus. Craig Groeschele of Life Church says it best “We will do anything short of sin to get people to Jesus”

Overcoming Barriers with Fearless Faith

Text Focus: Luke 5:18-19 – "They went up on the roof and lowered him through the tiles."

What motivated them to do such an act? These friends believed Jesus was the only answer and so there was no turning back. When belief is driving action it creates a powerful commitment to success.

The friends saw the barriers but looked for solutions. Every problem has a solution if we just imagine what is possible. The question you must ask yourself is “What are you willing to do short of sin to bring someone the Jesus?”

Key Question: What obstacles are we willing to overcome for the sake of others?

Imagine the scene: a packed house, no room to get in. Instead of giving up, the friends choose the unconventional and risky approach of going through the roof.

- Fearless faith is willing to break through barriers—physical, social, and emotional—to get people closer to Jesus.

Application: What are the "roofs" in our lives that we need to break through? Barriers of fear, doubt, tradition, or even complacency that prevent us from helping others encounter Christ.

"Fearless faith breaks through barriers! Don’t let obstacles keep you from helping others encounter Jesus. #FearlessFaith #Luke5"

Luke 16: Parable of the Shrewd Manager, what lengths are we willing to go to so for the Gospel to come to someone’s life?

Faith That Acts on Behalf of Others

Text Focus: Luke 5:20 – "When Jesus saw their faith..."

The Bible tells us the power of a people of faith. Jesus is amazed at their faith in him, so much they stopped at nothing. They caused a scene, a disruption of the worship service, of the lesson so that someone could be healed.

It’s hard, we don’t want to put ourselves out there and risk looking peculiar or wrong, or foolish, but Christ calls us to radical fearless faith. Faith that makes an impact.

- Key Question: What does our faith prompt us to do for others?

- Jesus saw *their* faith—not just the paralyzed man’s faith, but the faith of his friends who acted on his behalf.

- Fearless faith isn't just about personal belief—it’s about acting on behalf of those who can’t come to Jesus on their own. The friends didn’t just believe in Jesus’ power; they took action that directly led to their friend’s healing.

- Application: How are we showing fearless faith by standing in the gap for others? Through prayer, service, and practical help, we can be the conduit for someone else’s breakthrough.

Faith That Acts on Behalf of Others Faith isn't just what you believe—it's what you do for others. Stand in the gap and act! #FaithInAction #Luke5"

A Faith That Receives and Reveals God's Glory

Text Focus: Luke 5:25-26 – The man was healed, glorified God, and the people were amazed.

- Key Question: *How does fearless faith reveal God’s power and glory?

- The man receives healing not just physically but spiritually (forgiveness of sins). His life becomes a living testimony of the power of Jesus.

- The onlookers are filled with awe, and the healing glorifies God. Fearless faith not only impacts individuals but also draws others to recognize God’s glory.

- Application: When we act in faith, we create space for God to move powerfully. Are we living in such a way that our faith points others to the greatness of God?

"Fearless faith invites God's power and reveals His glory. Let your faith be a testimony! #GodsGlory #Luke5"

At Grace Church we want to be a people committed to a Fearless Faith: A Faith That Makes An Impact. That is why we work tirelessly to touch lives and work to build a community. Why because someone who receives healing from finding Jesus is worth it. It is my primary motivation. I know who Christ is and what he has done for me. I am sure many of you do as well. We are changing lives. That is why Grace Church is worth investing in. We are making a difference. People are finding Jesus because of what we are doing. Check out these stories from those who are sitting next to you each week.

Cardboard Testimony Video

Conclusion: Call to Fearless Faith

Tie-in: Fearless Faith that Makes an Impact

Like the rescuers who went to great lengths, using bold, creative, and risky measures to save the boys, the friends of the paralytic in Luke 5:17-26 were willing to risk everything and do whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus. Despite the crowded house and the physical obstacles, their faith led them to break through the roof—an unconventional and risky act of love and hope.Just as the rescuers knew they had to reach the boys because their lives depended on it, the friends knew that only Jesus could heal their friend, and they refused to let anything stop them.

This real-world example highlights fearless, determined faith and parallels the perseverance of the paralytic’s friends in the Gospel story. It emphasizes the theme that sometimes faith requires bold and risky actions to make a life-changing impact.

You can create an excuse or create a solution. Excuses allow us to remain unbothered and unimpaired. Solutions allow us to move forward. One will never be influential while the other can change the world.

- Recap the key points: Fearless faith overcomes barriers, acts on behalf of others, and reveals God’s glory.

- Challenge: How will we live out a fearless faith that makes an impact? What steps of boldness is God calling us to take in our families, communities, and church?

- Closing Prayer: A prayer for the congregation to embrace fearless faith, breaking through barriers, and making an impact for the kingdom of God.

Movement 1: Overcoming Barriers with Fearless Faith

*"Fearless faith breaks through barriers! Don’t let obstacles keep you from helping others encounter Jesus. #FearlessFaith #Luke5"

Movement 2: Faith That Acts on Behalf of OthersFaith isn't just what you believe—it's what you do for others. Stand in the gap and act! #FaithInAction #Luke5"

Movement 3: A Faith That Receives and Reveals God's Glory

"Fearless faith invites God's power and reveals His glory. Let your faith be a testimony! #GodsGlory #Luke5"

What is standing in your way to make a big impact on people?