Manhattan Church of Christ Podcast

When God Refuses the Deal: "A Thorn, A Cloud of Witnesses, and Transactional Faith"

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Faith was never meant to be a deal. In this sermon, Carl Garrison challenges the belief that if we pray hard enough or behave faithfully enough, God will give us the outcomes we want. Paul’s unanswered prayer and the witnesses who “did not receive what was promised” show that God’s grace can’t be reduced to a transaction. We do not have to win to be faithful, control God to trust God, or earn grace before extending it.

📖 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Hebrews 11:32-40, Hebrews 12:1-2