Active Faith: Trusting and Living Christ's Teachings

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, the essence of salvation lies in truly trusting Jesus Christ. This trust goes beyond merely acknowledging His existence or the historical events of His life. It requires a deeper commitment to believe not only in Him but also to believe Him and embrace what He believed. This progression is crucial for entering the kingdom of God. It involves aligning our beliefs with His, trusting in His teachings, and allowing those beliefs to shape our actions and decisions.

To truly follow Christ, we must fix our minds upon Him, allowing His life and teachings to guide us. This means living out our faith actively, not passively. It is about making His beliefs count in our daily lives, acting on them, and letting them influence our thoughts and behaviors. This active faith is what brings us closer to the kingdom of God and transforms our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Trusting Jesus Christ involves more than acknowledging His existence; it requires believing in His teachings and aligning our beliefs with His. This deeper trust is essential for entering the kingdom of God. [00:12]

- Many people believe in Christ but do not believe Him. To truly follow Him, we must embrace His teachings and let them guide our lives. This means living out our faith actively and allowing His beliefs to shape our actions. [00:30]

- The progression into the kingdom of God involves not just believing in Christ but also believing what He believed. This requires a commitment to trust His teachings and let them influence our thoughts and behaviors. [00:42]

- Fixing our minds upon Christ is crucial for living out our faith. By focusing on His life and teachings, we can allow them to guide us and transform our lives. This active faith brings us closer to the kingdom of God. [00:42]

- Making Christ's beliefs count in our daily lives involves acting on them and letting them influence our decisions. This active faith is what transforms our lives and brings us closer to the kingdom of God. [00:42]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Trusting Jesus Christ
[00:30] - Believing in Christ vs. Believing Christ
[00:42] - Progression into the Kingdom
[00:42] - Fixing Our Minds on Christ
[00:42] - Living Out Our Faith
[00:42] - Making Christ's Beliefs Count

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 14:1 - "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
2. James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
3. Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean to "believe in Christ" versus "believing Christ," as discussed in the sermon? [00:12]
2. How does the sermon describe the progression into the kingdom of God? [00:30]
3. According to the sermon, what role does fixing our minds on Christ play in our faith journey? [00:42]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how Christ's beliefs can influence our daily decisions? [00:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of believing what Christ believed challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith? [00:30]
2. In what ways might actively living out one's faith differ from a passive belief in Christ? [00:42]
3. How can fixing our minds on Jesus, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:2, transform our daily lives and decisions?
4. What might it look like to let Christ's teachings shape our actions and behaviors in practical terms? [00:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might it have been different if you had fully embraced and acted on Christ's teachings? [00:42]
2. Identify one belief of Christ that you find challenging to align with. What steps can you take this week to better align your actions with this belief? [00:30]
3. Consider a situation where you tend to act passively in your faith. What is one specific action you can take to live out your faith more actively in that context? [00:42]
4. Is there a particular teaching of Jesus that you struggle to trust? How can you work on trusting and applying this teaching in your life? [00:12]
5. Think of a time when you felt distant from God. How might fixing your mind on Christ have changed that experience? [00:42]
6. Choose one area of your life where you want to see transformation. How can you let Christ's beliefs guide your actions in that area this week? [00:42]
7. What is one practical way you can remind yourself daily to focus on Jesus and His teachings? [00:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting Jesus Beyond Acknowledgment
To truly trust Jesus Christ means moving beyond simply acknowledging His existence or the historical facts of His life. It involves a profound commitment to believe in His teachings and align our beliefs with His. This deeper trust is essential for entering the kingdom of God. Trusting Jesus requires us to embrace what He believed and let those beliefs shape our actions and decisions. It is not enough to merely know about Jesus; we must actively trust in His words and allow them to guide our lives. This trust is a dynamic and ongoing process that transforms our hearts and minds, drawing us closer to God. [00:12]

"For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end." - Hebrews 3:14 (ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you merely acknowledging Jesus rather than actively trusting Him? How can you begin to deepen your trust in His teachings today?


Day 2: Believing Christ, Not Just Believing in Him
Many people believe in Christ but do not truly believe Him. To genuinely follow Him, we must embrace His teachings and let them guide our lives. This means living out our faith actively, not passively. It involves allowing His beliefs to shape our actions and influence our decisions. Believing Christ means trusting in His promises and living in a way that reflects His teachings. It is about making a conscious effort to align our lives with His example and letting His words transform us from the inside out. [00:30]

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" - Luke 6:46 (ESV)

Reflection: Are there teachings of Jesus that you struggle to believe or act upon? What steps can you take to start living out those teachings more fully in your daily life?


Day 3: Progression into the Kingdom of God
The journey into the kingdom of God involves not just believing in Christ but also believing what He believed. This requires a commitment to trust His teachings and let them influence our thoughts and behaviors. It is a progression that calls for a deeper understanding of His message and a willingness to let it transform us. By aligning our beliefs with His, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His words and draw closer to the kingdom of God. This progression is a lifelong journey of faith and growth. [00:42]

"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." - Hebrews 6:1 (ESV)

Reflection: What beliefs of Jesus do you find challenging to embrace? How can you begin to align your thoughts and actions with those beliefs today?


Day 4: Fixing Our Minds on Christ
Fixing our minds upon Christ is crucial for living out our faith. By focusing on His life and teachings, we can allow them to guide us and transform our lives. This active faith brings us closer to the kingdom of God. It involves a deliberate effort to keep our thoughts centered on Him and to let His example influence our daily choices. By fixing our minds on Christ, we open ourselves to His guidance and allow His presence to shape our lives in meaningful ways. [00:42]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

Reflection: What distractions are keeping you from fixing your mind on Christ? How can you refocus your thoughts and priorities to align more closely with His teachings?


Day 5: Making Christ's Beliefs Count in Daily Life
Making Christ's beliefs count in our daily lives involves acting on them and letting them influence our decisions. This active faith is what transforms our lives and brings us closer to the kingdom of God. It requires a conscious effort to live out His teachings in practical ways and to let His beliefs shape our interactions with others. By making His beliefs a central part of our daily lives, we allow His presence to guide us and bring about lasting change in our hearts and communities. [00:42]

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you make Christ's beliefs more central in your daily decisions and interactions? What specific actions can you take today to live out His teachings more fully?

Quotes

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Transcript
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