Our Capacity To Seek Him
Faith That Moves Through the Dark: Finding God When the Power Goes Out
The Receipt in Your Pocket
Have you ever walked out of Walmart only to have someone check your receipt? They're not questioning your honesty—they're confirming the transaction. What's in your bags should match what's on that slip of paper. It's proof of purchase, evidence of an exchange that took place.
In Hebrews 11:1, the writer gives us a powerful definition: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Dr. Avery Finch, filling in for Dr. Richard Price at Schrader Lane Church of Christ, unpacked this verse with a stunning insight: our faith is like that receipt. It's the confirmation of a spiritual transaction, and the receipt we hold is Christ who died on the cross.
The Greek word for "substance" means assurance—literally "to stand under." Our faith positions us under God's authority, standing beneath the cross where Jesus secured our salvation. This isn't passive belief; this is active trust that anchors everything we do.
By Faith and Through Faith: The Product and the Process
Dr. Finch drew a crucial distinction between two phrases in Hebrews 11:2-3. When Scripture says "by faith," it speaks of the product of our faith—the visible outcomes and works that result from believing. The elders obtained a good report by their faith because people could see the evidence.
But "through faith" describes the action and movement of faith. It's the journey from one point to another, the process of understanding spiritual realities we cannot see with physical eyes. Genesis 1 illustrates this perfectly: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." We weren't there when God spoke creation into existence, but through faith, we understand and accept this truth.
The question we must ask ourselves: What does our evidence look like? When people observe our lives, can they see the product of our faith? And are we actively moving through circumstances with trust in God's power?
Walking With God in the Power Outage
Dr. Finch shared a painfully relatable illustration from recent winter storms that devastated Nashville's electrical infrastructure. Homes went dark. Heat disappeared. Gas fireplaces that required electricity to ignite became useless decorations. For days, the city struggled without power.
Here's where the sermon cut deep: "Some people allow their circumstances to put their faith to the side. When we get in our circumstances, it's funny how we pack our faith up."
Picture it: We're living in our faith, wearing it confidently, building it up—until three days without electricity. Then we fold it up neatly and tuck it away like winter clothes in spring. But that's precisely when we need to wear our faith boldly in the dark.
Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us about Enoch, who "walked with God" and pleased Him so deeply that God took him without experiencing death. The connection is clear: pleasing God requires walking with Him consistently, not compartmentalizing our faith for convenient times.
Three Ways Faith Operates During Trials:
- Faith Activates When We Remember Who God Is – The same God who spoke creation into being (Genesis 1) is still speaking into your situation. Before we can activate our faith, we must understand God's nature and power.
- Faith Produces Visible Works – Dr. Finch celebrated the Schrader Lane church family who opened their homes, cleared fallen trees from driveways, delivered food to those in need, and actively served during the crisis. That's faith creating tangible results.
- Faith Moves Us Through Circumstances – The "through faith" action means we don't get stuck in our trials. We move from despair to hope, from fear to trust, from confusion to understanding—all while trusting God's provision.
The Impossible Made Possible
Hebrews 11:6 states emphatically: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him." Not difficult. Not challenging. Impossible.
This verse establishes two prerequisites for receiving God's reward:
- You must come to God – This is a choice. The original Greek indicates we have agency in this decision. God invites, but we must choose to approach Him.
- You must believe that He is – More than acknowledging God's existence, this means understanding His character, His promises, and His active engagement in your life.
Dr. Finch shared a powerful testimony: A woman who had been intubated and unresponsive in the hospital began talking and responding after he and his father prayed with her at St. Thomas Medical Center. Others in the congregation faced cancer diagnoses, treatments, and—praise God—were declared cancer-free. These aren't coincidences; they're the rewards God gives to those who diligently seek Him.
Investigating God in Every Aisle
The word "seek" in Hebrews 11:6 means to seek out or investigate. Dr. Finch illustrated this with a story about losing twenty dollars at school. He traced his steps from the third floor to the second, then the first, outside to his car in twenty-degree weather, back inside, checking seats, compartments, even trash cans. He looked everywhere.
That's how we should seek God—not casually when convenient, but investigating His presence in every circumstance:
- In the darkness of your powerless home, God is working on your behalf
- At empty grocery store shelves, God knows your needs
- When the paycheck system malfunctions and you can't see your pay stub, trust that God's provision doesn't depend on your ability to verify it
- In hospital beds and cancer treatments, God hears your prayers
"Do not allow your circumstances to convince you that God is not actively engaged in your life." This is the core challenge of the Christian walk.
A Word to Young Believers
Dr. Finch spoke directly to students and young people: "Just because you get an L on that test you studied hard for doesn't mean you give up."
Faith requires going through something to get the by product. That failing grade can become an A when you:
- Study harder with renewed determination
- Ask teachers the questions you need answered
- Seek extra help without shame
- Trust God to give you insight and understanding
Don't lose your faith in the cafeteria. Don't pack it away because of social media pressures. Guard yourself, persist through challenges, and watch your faith work as you move from setback to success.
Are You a Part-Time Christian?
This question cuts to the heart of the matter: "Are you a part-time Christian serving a full-time God?"
God doesn't work only on Sundays or when circumstances are comfortable. He's actively engaged 24/7, working on your behalf even when you can't see or feel it. The question is whether your faith is compartmentalized—brought out for church services and Bible studies but packed away during the week.
True, biblical faith is a lifestyle. It's the substance that undergirds every decision, every challenge, every dark moment. It's standing under God's authority when the lights go out, trusting His provision when shelves are empty, believing His promises when medical reports are grim.
Living This Out
Where is God calling you to wear your faith boldly in the dark this week?
Perhaps you're facing:
- Financial uncertainty that tempts you to trust your bank account more than your Provider
- Health challenges that make you question God's goodness
- Relationship struggles that test your patience and grace
- Professional setbacks that threaten your confidence
- Daily frustrations that reveal how quickly you pack your faith away
Remember: Before you get the reward, you must choose to come to Him. You must believe that He exists and that He actively rewards those who diligently seek Him. Your seeking doesn't end at the church building's exit. It continues in your home, your workplace, your car, your hospital room, your grocery store aisle.
Investigate God's presence everywhere. Look for His handiwork in the community members who open their homes. See His provision in the elders who actively serve. Recognize His power in answered prayers. Trust His timing when systems fail and circumstances disappoint.
Faith isn't something we speak; it's something we show through our work. It's not passive belief; it's active trust that moves us from darkness to light, from doubt to assurance, from fear to confidence.
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Watch the full sermon: Our Capacity to Seek Him - Dr. Avery Finch
Explore related resources at Barry's Bureau: Interactive Bible study tools, quizzes, and devotional materials to deepen your understanding of active faith.
Reflection Question: In what specific area of your life have you "packed your faith away" during difficulty? What would it look like to wear it boldly in that darkness this week?
Barry's Bureau | Inspired by Dr. Avery Finch's sermon at Schrader Lane Church of Christ
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Our Capacity to Seek Him
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