Sermon Synopsis 12/14/25

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Prayer:

God, we thank You for worshippers.

We thank You that we can proceed now into the revelation You have for our lives.

I pray today that this word will permeate every heart—every hard place, every tough place.

Give us clarity. Give us direction. Give us marching orders.

Let us see not only where we are, but what the end is going to be.

For Your anointing that destroys every yoke, we give You glory and praise.

Let somebody’s life be changed—and let it begin with me.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

I.            INTRODUCTION

1. Faith is one of those words we use often, but many of us have never truly slowed down long enough to understand what faith really is.
2. We say we have faith.
3. We say we walk by faith.
4. We say we stand in faith.
5. But when life hits hard—and life will hit hard—faith gets tested on a different level.
6. Faith is not passive optimism.
7. Faith is not wishful thinking.
8. Faith is not hoping things magically turn around.

4. Faith is active trust in God.

1. It is standing on what God said, even when your situation has not yet caught up with His Word.
2. Faith believes before it sees.
   1. Some people trust God only when it feels good.
3. Faith trusts God when life hurts.
4. Faith is not about ignoring reality.
5. Faith is about holding onto a greater reality—that God is still in control.
6. Hebrews 11:1 says now faith.
7. Not later faith.
8. Not someday faith.
9. Not faith when everything lines up.
10. Faith is relevant right now.
11. That word now is not accidental.
    1. It disrupts delay.
    2. It challenges hesitation.
    3. It confronts procrastination.
12. Faith does not wait for perfect conditions.
13. Faith moves in imperfect moments.

• Somebody needs to hear this clearly today:

Your miracle is not tomorrow.

Your breakthrough is not later.

When faith is activated, it works now!

II.            FAITH IS CONFIDENT

A.  It Stands on God’s Word

1. Faith, first of all, is confident.
2. Confidence in faith is not arrogance.
3. It is assurance rooted in God’s character.

1. I don’t get to choose when it shows up. I just have to believe that what God said will come to pass.
2. Faith is not about controlling outcomes. Faith is about resting in the One who is already in control.
3. The reason your life has not collapsed under pressure is not because you are strong—it’s because your foundation is strong.
4. That foundation is the Word of God.
5. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, which means if you want strong faith, you have to feed it.
6. Feed your faith. Starve your doubt.
7. God’s Word is not just inspirational—it is foundational.
8. His promises are yes and amen.
9. His Word does not return void.
10. When God releases a word, it is already on the way.
11. It’s like standing at an airport gate. You line up even though the plane hasn’t arrived yet—not because you see it, but because you trust what was
12. What God has already released from heaven is in route to your life.
13. Let people call you crazy. You’re not crazy—you’re in
14. Throughout Scripture:

• David said, Your word is a lamp unto my feet.
• Joshua was told, Be strong and courageous.
• Jesus fought temptation by saying, It is written.

10. You don’t respond to pressure with opinions. You respond with the Word.
11. You didn’t come today to be entertained.
12. You came to the sanctuary or you are reading this, because you need a word—because the Word is your

B.  It Sees With God’s Vision

1. Faith doesn’t just stand—it sees.
2. If you stay locked into the natural, you will stay discouraged.
3. Faith sees beyond what’s visible.
4. Faith sees victory in the valley.
5. Faith sees abundance while still in lack.
6. Faith sees restoration when life looks broken.
7. Stop letting people diagnose your situation and define your future.
8. It may look bad—but I see how God sees.
9. Faith vision says:

• I see myself healed.
• I see myself delivered.
• I see myself at another level.

7. It’s all about perspective.
8. If you look at your situation crazy, it will look back at you crazy.
9. Faith says, I see you in my future.

III.            FAITH IS CONVINCING

A.  It Holds to Hope

1. Faith is the evidence of things not seen.
2. Evidence is proof—even before
3. You’ve never seen the wind, but you’ve seen what it moves.
4. You may not have seen God face-to-face, but look at your life compared to five years ago.
5. Where is the evidence?
6. Delay is not denial.
7. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
8. Faith operates in real time—now faith.
9. Faith is like an emergency power switch.
10. You don’t think about it until everything goes dark.
11. When the lights go out, it activates immediately.
12. You don’t need next week’s faith. You need right now faith:

• When the doctor brings unexpected news
• When the bills arrive before the money does
• When relationships fall apart
• When doors go silent

7. Faith stabilizes you in the present.

B.  It Trusts Beyond Sight

1. Some seasons are not renovation seasons—they are revelation
2. Renovation gives you plans, timelines, and blueprints.
3. Revelation gives you a promise and says, walk with Me.
4. Renovators need materials, Creators just need a
5. If you don’t know the who, what, when, or how—congratulations! You are exactly where faith

IV.            FAITH IS COMPELLING

A.  It Pushes Us Forward

1. Faith moves you to action.
2. Faith without works is dead.
3. Faith compelled:

• Noah to build before rain existed
• Abraham to leave without knowing the destination
• Moses to confront Pharaoh despite fear

4. Faith refuses to let you quit. Even with headwinds, faith keeps you moving.
5. Faith is a holy push.
6. Some of you are tired, depleted, and running on fumes, but you didn’t come eleven months just to quit in the twelfth.
7. There are promises God made earlier this year that He still intends to fulfill.
8. Don’t stop now.

B.  It Positions Us for Favor

1. Favor is not random. Favor meets you where faith places you.
2. The enemy attacks hope because hope fuels faith.
3. Fear paralyzes—but faith
4. This is your step-out season.
5. Step out before applause.
6. Step out before confirmation.
7. Step out before it makes sense.
8. Faith has a proven track record.
9. You sit on a pew without checking it.
10. You board a plane without interviewing the pilot.
11. You eat food without inspecting the kitchen.
12. Why? Because trust is built on

C.  Conclusion

God says: Keep walking toward what I told you.

My assignment is not to impress—it’s to build faith.

Faith doesn’t come by hollering.

Faith comes by hearing, processing, and walking it out.

And that foundation—That foundation has kept you, held you, and sustained you.

Faith is confident.

Faith is convincing.

Faith is compelling.

And faith works—now!