Faith with Feeling: Practicing God’s Presence Through Emotion

10.13.25 |Al Rossi

Linked Scripture References

Key Topics
Faith, Worship, Discipleship, Emotions, Wisdom, The Holy Spirit

Full Synopsis
In this sermon from the “Practicing God’s Presence” series, Pastor Al examines the relationship between faith, emotion, and God’s ongoing presence in our lives. Building on previous weeks’ themes—confession, worship, and daily awareness of God—he turns to the often-neglected spiritual reality that emotions are not enemies of faith but evidence of being created in God’s image.

He begins by addressing the misconception that emotion and spirituality are incompatible. Many Christians, especially men, suppress emotional expression, equating it with weakness. Yet Scripture reveals a deeply emotional God—one who loves passionately, grieves over sin, and rejoices over His people. From Old Testament examples of heartfelt devotion to Jesus’ emotional life in the Gospels—His tears, anger, compassion, and joy—emotion is shown as an authentic reflection of God’s nature.

Pastor Al teaches that humanity mirrors this divine triad: intellect (knowing), will (choosing), and emotion (feeling). All three must be redeemed and directed toward God. While emotions can be distorted by sin (“the heart is deceitful above all things,” Jeremiah 17:9), they remain a vital means by which we relate to the Lord. Ignoring or vilifying them leads to spiritual apathy—something far more dangerous than emotional expression.

Moving to Romans 12, he emphasizes that transformation begins with the renewal of the mind, which in turn retrains the emotions. Presenting ourselves as “living sacrifices” to God is both intellectual and emotional worship—a full-bodied devotion driven by gratitude and mercy, not obligation. Through disciplined thought and submission to Scripture, believers learn to align their feelings with truth, gaining stability amid life’s instability.

He concludes with practical reflections: the church must form emotionally healthy disciples grounded in biblical truth, equipped to navigate a world of confusion and cultural distortion. Quoting Ephesians 4, Pastor Al stresses that mature believers, rooted in God’s Word, will not be “tossed by every wind of doctrine” or emotional impulse. Communion then becomes the tangible reminder of Christ’s emotional and sacrificial love—a moment to realign heart, soul, and mind in worship.

Memorable Lines & Takeaways

  • “Emotions are valid because we are created in the image of an emotional God.”
  • “If in your ministry you are only engaging intellect and will, you might as well quit.”
  • “God can handle our emotions—what He cannot abide is apathy.”
  • “A living sacrifice is not stoic religion; it’s passionate worship fueled by mercy.”
  • “When thinking is changed, emotions are affected.”

Bible Study Discussion Questions

  1. How does understanding God as an emotional being change the way you think about your own emotions?
  2. What are some ways sin has distorted our emotions, and how can Scripture help realign them with truth?
  3. Romans 12:1–2 calls believers to offer themselves as “living sacrifices.” What might that look like emotionally, not just intellectually?
  4. How can we avoid both emotional apathy and emotional impulsivity in our faith journeys?
  5. In what areas of your life are you tempted to “do it your way,” as Pastor Al illustrated, instead of offering it to God?
  6. How can the local church help cultivate emotional maturity alongside spiritual maturity?
  7. Reflect on a moment when you “poured out your heart” before God. How did that deepen your experience of His presence?

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