Active Faith: Living Out God's Presence and Purpose
Summary
Today is a day to celebrate the living, active presence of God among us—a God who is still moving, healing, and answering prayers. We’ve seen testimonies of healing and restoration in our own congregation, reminders that God is not finished working in our lives. But as we rejoice in these miracles, we are also called to remember that our faith is not just for our own benefit; it is meant to overflow into action, to touch the world around us. The call is not to seek miracles, but to seek the Miracle Worker Himself, trusting that wherever He is, His power and compassion follow.
Drawing from James 2:14-26, we are confronted with the reality that faith, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Saving faith is never alone; it is always accompanied by works that reflect the heart of God. Faith is not a vague feeling or mere intellectual agreement—it is confidence in God’s Word and conviction that acting on that Word brings His blessing. True faith is not just believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequences. Whether we are at the top of the mountain or at rock bottom, God is working to draw us closer, sometimes through circumstances that challenge us to trust Him more deeply.
James challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Is it merely intellectual, or does it move us to compassion and service? Is it emotional, stirred by moments of conviction, but lacking in transformation? Or is it dynamic—a faith that involves our mind, emotions, and will, resulting in a changed life and visible fruit? Abraham and Rahab are given as examples: one a patriarch, the other a prostitute, both justified by faith that acted. God is no respecter of persons; what matters is a faith that breathes, moves, and serves.
We are called to a faith that is visible, a faith that can be seen in how we love, serve, forgive, and give. Faith and works are inseparable, like chocolate syrup stirred into milk—they cannot be separated once truly combined. The world is watching, and the evidence of our faith is not in what we say, but in how we live. The challenge is simple but profound: Is there enough evidence in your life to convict you of being a follower of Jesus? Let us not settle for dead, dormant faith, but pursue a dynamic faith that puts God’s goodness on display for all to see.
Key Takeaways
- Faith is not passive belief but active trust in God’s character and promises. True faith is demonstrated not by what we say, but by what we do—especially when it costs us something or requires us to step out in risk. When we act in faith, even in the face of uncertainty, we invite God’s power to work through us and for us. [01:29:44]
- Intellectual agreement or emotional response alone is not saving faith. Even demons believe and tremble, but they do not obey. Saving faith involves the whole person—mind, emotions, and will—resulting in a life that is transformed and increasingly aligned with God’s purposes. [01:16:47]
- Compassion without contribution is contradiction. It is not enough to feel sympathy or pray for someone in need; genuine faith compels us to act, to meet practical needs, and to serve others as Christ has served us. Our actions are the evidence of the love and faith we profess. [01:11:22]
- God honors faith that is willing to take risks for His glory. Sometimes, stepping out in faith means moving before we see the outcome, trusting that God is already at work ahead of us. This kind of faith is not reckless, but it is bold—willing to call things that are not as though they are, believing for healing, restoration, and breakthrough. [01:30:51]
- Faith and works are inseparable; they are the dynamic duo of the Christian life. Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. Our faith becomes complete when we trust God enough to act, even when it is uncomfortable, costly, or risky. The world will know we are Christ’s not by our words alone, but by the visible fruit of our lives. [01:36:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[26:00] - Prayer for the Nation and Testimonies of Healing
[46:26] - The Power of Believing Prayer
[01:00:06] - Faith: Confidence and Conviction
[01:03:42] - Faith Obeys Despite Consequences
[01:06:29] - Dead Faith: When Belief Lacks Action
[01:09:11] - Counterfeit Faith and True Compassion
[01:11:22] - Compassion Without Contribution
[01:12:37] - Faith Must Be Seen: The Evidence of Deeds
[01:16:47] - Saving Faith Transforms
[01:18:15] - Faith on God’s Terms
[01:19:01] - Faith Requires Movement
[01:20:30] - Real Faith is Visible
[01:25:11] - Abraham and Rahab: Dynamic Faith in Action
[01:29:44] - Risky Faith and God’s Honor
[01:33:06] - Call to Action: Living Out Your Faith
[01:36:03] - Faith and Works: The Inseparable Pair
[01:41:04] - Responding to God: Surrender and Alignment
[01:45:00] - Prayer for Dynamic Faith and Closing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Faith That Works
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### Bible Reading
James 2:14-26 (ESV)
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James, what is the result of faith that is not accompanied by action? (James 2:17, [01:06:29])
2. What practical example does James use to illustrate the difference between real faith and empty words? ([01:06:29])
3. Who are the two Old Testament figures James uses as examples of living, active faith, and what did they do to demonstrate their faith? ([01:25:11])
4. How does James describe the relationship between faith and works in verse 26? ([01:26:43])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think James is so strong in saying that “faith without works is dead”? What is he trying to warn the church about? ([01:06:29])
2. The sermon mentioned that even demons believe and shudder, but do not obey. What does this teach us about the difference between intellectual belief, emotional response, and saving faith? ([01:16:47])
3. The pastor said, “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequences.” How does this definition challenge common ideas about faith? ([01:03:42])
4. Why do you think James chose both Abraham (a patriarch) and Rahab (a prostitute) as examples of dynamic faith? What does this say about who can have real, living faith? ([01:25:11])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to ask: “Is there enough evidence in your life to convict you of being a follower of Jesus?” If someone watched your life this week, what would they see? ([01:36:45])
2. Think of a recent situation where you felt compassion for someone but didn’t act. What kept you from acting, and what could you do differently next time? ([01:11:22])
3. The pastor shared stories of people in the church who experienced healing and restoration. How can you step out in faith this week, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? ([01:29:44])
4. Are there areas in your life where your faith is mostly intellectual or emotional, but not resulting in action? What is one step you could take to move from belief to obedience? ([01:16:47])
5. The sermon said, “Compassion without contribution is contradiction.” Is there a practical need you are aware of right now that you could help meet? What would it look like to respond in faith? ([01:11:22])
6. The pastor mentioned that sometimes faith means trusting God enough to act before you see the outcome. Is there a situation in your life where you need to take a step of faith before you know how it will turn out? ([01:30:51])
7. The world is watching how we live, not just what we say. What is one way you can make your faith visible this week—at work, at home, or in your community? ([01:20:30])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you move from passive belief to active trust, and to show you specific ways to put your faith into action this week. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of “dead faith” and to fill you with boldness to serve, love, and give as Jesus did.
Devotional
Day 1: Saving Faith Is a Serving Faith
True saving faith is always accompanied by action.
Description: Saving faith is not just a matter of intellectual agreement or verbal confession; it is a living, active trust in God that naturally results in acts of love, service, and obedience. When faith is genuine, it moves beyond words and compels believers to meet the needs of others, reflecting the heart of Christ. If faith does not lead to action, it is empty and dead, no matter how eloquently it is professed. God desires that our faith be visible through our deeds, showing the world His goodness and love. [01:06:29]
James 2:14-17 (ESV):
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life right now whose need you can meet this week—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—and how will you let your faith move you to action for them?
Day 2: Real Faith Can Be Seen
Faith is invisible until it is revealed through action.
Description: Faith is not something that can be hidden away in the heart; it is made visible by the way we live, love, and serve. Just as a lifeguard’s belief in a swimmer’s ability is meaningless without jumping in to help, so too is our faith meaningless if it does not result in tangible acts of compassion and service. Real faith is evident to those around us, not because we announce it, but because it is displayed in our daily choices and sacrifices. [01:20:30]
James 2:18 (ESV):
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Reflection: If someone observed your life this week without hearing a word from you, what would your actions reveal about your faith?
Day 3: Faith Requires Total Surrender, Not Just Emotion or Intellect
Faith is more than mental agreement or emotion; it is surrender to God’s terms.
Description: It is possible to have correct theology and even be emotionally moved by spiritual things, yet still lack true saving faith. Demons believe and shudder, but they do not obey. True faith is not about coming to God on our own terms or being stirred emotionally; it is about surrendering our will, mind, and heart to God, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. Faith that does not lead to a changed life is not genuine. [01:18:15]
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV):
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have been holding back from full surrender to God—perhaps relying on knowledge or emotion instead of obedience? What step of surrender can you take today?
Day 4: Dynamic Faith Is Faith That Acts, Even When It’s Costly
Living faith breathes, moves, and serves, even when it’s risky or uncomfortable.
Description: Dynamic faith is the kind of faith that Abraham and Rahab demonstrated—faith that hears God’s word, is moved in the heart, and responds with obedience, even when it is costly or risky. God honors those who step out in faith, trusting Him enough to act, even when the outcome is uncertain. This kind of faith is complete and brings God’s promises to life in us and through us. [01:29:44]
James 2:21-24 (ESV):
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Reflection: What is one risky or uncomfortable step of faith you sense God prompting you to take this week, and how will you trust Him enough to act?
Day 5: Faith and Works Cannot Be Separated
True faith is proven by obedience and love in action.
Description: Faith and works are inseparable, like chocolate syrup stirred into milk—they cannot be divided once combined. Belief without obedience is not saving faith; it is only when faith is expressed through love, forgiveness, and service that it becomes real and dynamic. God calls us to a faith that is fruitful, visible, and transformative, so that others may see His goodness through our lives. [01:36:45]
Galatians 5:6 (ESV):
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Reflection: What is one specific act of love or service you can do today that will make your faith visible and point others to Jesus?
Quotes
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