Faith into Action

Exercising Your Faith

Putting Faith Into Practice

Introduction — Faith Is More Than Something We Believe

When we hear the word faith, we often think about believing in God. And certainly, faith begins with belief.

But biblical faith was never intended to remain something we simply believe in our heads. Faith is something we live out with our lives.

Think about physical exercise.

You can own a gym membership. You can have workout clothes. You can watch videos about exercising. You can know exactly what exercises you should be doing.

But none of that makes you stronger.

You have to exercise.

The same thing is true spiritually.

You can know Scripture. You can attend chapel. You can listen to sermons. You can sing worship songs. You can say, “I trust God.”

But eventually, our faith has to move from what we know to what we do.

James puts it this way:

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22

Faith becomes stronger when we exercise it.

Today I want us to ask:

What does it actually mean to exercise our faith?

1. Faith Must Be Put Into Action

One of the clearest passages about this is James 2.

James says:

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17

James isn’t saying that we earn salvation by our good works.

The Bible is very clear that salvation is by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.”

But then verse 10 says:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”

We’re not saved by good works.

We’re saved for good works.

That’s an important distinction.

Faith produces action.

If I tell you I believe that a chair will hold me up, eventually I’m going to sit in it.

If I say I believe God will provide, eventually I’m going to have to trust Him when I don’t know how things are going to work out.

If I say I believe God’s Word is true, eventually I’m going to have to obey it when obedience is difficult.

Faith isn’t merely believing God can do something. Faith is trusting God enough to respond to what He says.

Hebrews 11 is filled with examples.

Noah believed God, so he built the ark.

Abraham believed God, so he went.

Moses believed God, so he returned to Egypt.

The Israelites believed God, so they stepped toward the Red Sea.

Faith always moves.

Here’s the question:

What is your faith asking you to do?

Maybe God is asking you to forgive someone.

Maybe He’s asking you to apologize.

Maybe He’s asking you to become accountable.

Maybe He’s asking you to stop making excuses.

Maybe He’s asking you to serve somebody.

Maybe He’s asking you to trust Him with your future.

Faith says:

“I don’t have everything figured out, but I trust God enough to take the next step.”

2. Exercise Your Faith Through Obedience

One of the greatest ways we exercise faith is through obedience.

Jesus said:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

Sometimes we want God to give us more revelation when we haven’t obeyed what He’s already revealed.

We say:

“God, show me Your will.”

And God says:

“I’ve already shown you what to do.”

We don’t need another Bible verse telling us to forgive.

We don’t need another sermon telling us to tell the truth.

We don’t need another chapel telling us to stay away from temptation.

We need to practice what we’ve already learned.

That’s exercising faith.

Faith says:

“God said it, so I’m going to do it.”

Even when I don’t feel like it.

Even when it’s uncomfortable.

Even when nobody else is doing it.

Even when obedience costs me something.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Notice the progression:

Trust → acknowledge → follow.

Faith isn’t simply saying, “I trust God.”

Faith says, “Because I trust God, I will obey God.”

3. Exercise Your Faith When You Don’t See the Outcome

This is where faith becomes real.

It’s easy to have faith when everything is going well.

It’s easy to say:

“God is good!”

when the bills are paid, relationships are good, your program is going well, and everything seems to be working out.

But what happens when you don’t understand?

What happens when God doesn’t answer the prayer the way you expected?

What happens when you can’t see the future?

That’s where faith gets exercised.

Hebrews 11:1 says:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Faith operates when we can’t see everything.

Think about physical exercise again.

Muscles grow when they’re challenged.

And spiritually, our faith often grows when we’re placed in situations where we have to trust God instead of ourselves.

Sometimes God allows us to face situations we cannot control because He wants to teach us that He is trustworthy.

Proverbs 3:5 doesn’t say:

“Trust the Lord when everything makes sense.”

It says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

You don’t have to understand everything to trust God.

You just have to take the next step.

4. Exercise Your Faith Through Prayer

Prayer is one of the greatest ways we practice faith.

Why?

Because prayer is an acknowledgment that we need God.

Philippians 4:6–7 says:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Prayer says:

“God, I can’t do this on my own.”

That’s not weakness.

That’s faith.

Jesus Himself demonstrated dependence upon the Father.

He regularly withdrew to pray.

Luke 5:16 says:

“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

If Jesus intentionally made time to pray, how much more do we need to?

Practical faith exercise:

Before you react, pray.

Before you make a decision, pray.

Before you respond in anger, pray.

When you’re tempted, pray.

When you’re afraid, pray.

When you don’t know what to do, pray.

Instead of immediately saying:

“What am I going to do?”

learn to say:

“God, what do You want me to do?”

That’s exercising faith.

5. Exercise Your Faith by Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Faith requires movement.

There is a difference between knowing God can use you and actually allowing God to use you.

Sometimes exercising faith means doing something uncomfortable.

Maybe it’s sharing your testimony.

Maybe it’s praying for someone.

Maybe it’s volunteering to serve.

Maybe it’s taking responsibility instead of blaming somebody else.

Maybe it’s walking away from an old relationship or environment.

Maybe it’s having a difficult conversation that needs to happen.

2 Timothy 1:7 says:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Fear often says:

“Don’t do it.”

Faith says:

“If God is leading me, I’ll trust Him.”

Peter demonstrated this when he stepped out of the boat in Matthew 14.

As long as Peter remained in the boat, he didn’t need much faith.

But when Jesus said, “Come,” Peter had a decision.

Stay where it’s comfortable?

Or step into what Jesus was calling him toward?

Peter stepped out.

Was he perfect?

No.

He eventually became afraid and began sinking.

But here’s something important:

Peter experienced Jesus in the water because he was willing to get out of the boat.

Sometimes we want God to strengthen our faith while we’re sitting comfortably in the boat.

But faith grows when we respond to God’s invitation.

6. Exercise Your Faith Through Small Daily Decisions

We sometimes think exercising faith means doing something huge.

But most of the time, faith is exercised through small decisions repeated every day.

Galatians 6:9 says:

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Faith looks like:

Getting up and spending time with God when you don’t feel like it.

Opening your Bible instead of your phone.

Telling the truth when a lie would be easier.

Asking for forgiveness when pride says you shouldn’t.

Forgiving someone who hurt you.

Choosing accountability instead of secrecy.

Walking away from temptation.

Serving someone without expecting anything in return.

Encouraging somebody who’s struggling.

Showing up when you said you would.

Keeping your word.

Doing the right thing when nobody is watching.

Those may seem like small things.

But small acts of obedience build a life of faithfulness.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10:

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”

Don’t underestimate the spiritual power of small obedience.

7. Exercise Your Faith Together

Faith isn’t meant to be lived out alone.

Hebrews 10:24–25 says:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.”

We need each other.

There will be days when your faith is strong and someone else’s is weak.

And there will be days when your faith is weak and you need someone else to encourage you.

That’s why community matters.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says:

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”

Don’t isolate yourself when you’re struggling.

Tell somebody.

Ask for prayer.

Receive correction.

Encourage somebody else.

Get involved.

Serve.

Your faith becomes stronger when you practice it with other believers.

Practical Ways to Exercise Your Faith This Week

Let’s make this extremely practical.

Don’t leave chapel today simply saying:

“That was a good message.”

Ask:

“What am I going to do differently?”

Here are seven faith exercises you can begin immediately.

1. Pray before you react.

When something frustrates you, pause.

Pray first. Respond second.

2. Obey something God has already shown you.

Don’t wait for a new revelation.

Look at Scripture and ask:

“What do I already know I’m supposed to do?”

Then do it.

3. Take one uncomfortable step of faith.

Have the conversation.

Ask for forgiveness.

Share your testimony.

Volunteer.

Serve.

Do the thing God has been putting on your heart.

4. Practice gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Instead of focusing entirely on what’s wrong, intentionally recognize what God has done.

5. Serve someone.

Jesus said in Mark 10:45:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”

Find someone you can help today.

6. Choose accountability.

Galatians 6:1–2 teaches believers to help carry one another’s burdens.

Don’t hide your struggles.

Bring them into the light.

7. Do the next right thing.

You don’t have to know what your entire future looks like.

You don’t have to have everything figured out.

Just take the next faithful step.

Closing — Faith Is a Muscle

Let me bring this back to where we started.

If you want to become physically stronger, you have to exercise.

You can’t build muscle by simply thinking about exercise.

You have to put resistance against the muscle.

You have to keep showing up.

You have to remain consistent.

And eventually, you become stronger.

The same is true spiritually.

Faith is exercised through obedience.

Faith is exercised through prayer.

Faith is exercised through serving.

Faith is exercised through trusting God when you can’t see the outcome.

Faith is exercised through stepping outside your comfort zone.

Faith is exercised through community.

And faith is exercised through the small decisions we make every day.

James 1:22 says:

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

So don’t just hear about faith.

Exercise it.

Don’t just say you trust God.

Trust Him.

Don’t just say you believe His Word.

Obey it.

Don’t just say you want to change.

Take a step.

Don’t just pray for God to strengthen your faith.

Give Him opportunities to exercise it.

And remember:

You don’t exercise faith because you are strong.

You exercise faith because God is faithful.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

You may not see the whole road.

You may not understand everything God is doing.

You may not know exactly where the next step will lead.

But you know who is leading you.

So take the step.

Final Challenge

Ask yourself three questions today:

1. What is God asking me to trust Him with?

2. What is God asking me to obey?

3. What is my next step of faith?

Don’t wait until tomorrow.

Don’t wait until you feel ready.

Exercise your faith today.

Because faith that never moves is faith that never gets exercised.

Let’s put our faith into practice.