Aligning Faith with Action: Following Jesus Authentically
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound question Jesus asked in Luke 6:46: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" This question challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the alignment between our words and actions. We began by reflecting on the importance of engaging our minds and allowing God to shape us into who He created us to be. Through the parable of the good and bad trees, we learned that our actions and words are a reflection of what is stored in our hearts.
We then delved into the story of the youth hike to Mount Revelstoke, which served as a metaphor for following Jesus. Just as the students wandered off despite agreeing to follow the leader, we often declare Jesus as Lord but fail to follow His teachings. Jesus' question invites us to consider three aspects: who we are following, how we are following, and where we are going.
Firstly, we must evaluate whose influence we are under. In a world filled with voices from social media, advertising, and other sources, Jesus calls us to listen to His voice and follow Him. Secondly, we need to assess how we are following Jesus. Are we merely paying lip service, or are we putting His words into practice? The parable of the builders illustrates that a solid foundation in Jesus' teachings is crucial for a stable and fulfilling life. Lastly, we must ask ourselves where we are going. Are we drifting through life, or do we have a vision and purpose aligned with God's kingdom?
Jesus invites us to a life of genuine faith, where our actions match our declarations. This involves continuous self-examination and a willingness to let Jesus guide us in every aspect of our lives. Whether we are young or old, new to faith or seasoned believers, Jesus calls us to live out His teachings and build our lives on the solid foundation of His word.
### Key Takeaways
1. Authenticity in Faith: Jesus' question in Luke 6:46 challenges us to align our actions with our declarations of faith. It's not enough to call Him Lord; we must also do what He says. This requires a deep, introspective look at our lives to ensure that our actions reflect our professed beliefs. [30:58]
2. Influence and Followership: In a world filled with competing voices, Jesus calls us to follow Him exclusively. This means discerning whose influence we allow into our lives and ensuring that Jesus' teachings are the primary guide for our actions and decisions. [40:25]
3. Building on a Solid Foundation: The parable of the builders teaches us the importance of a strong foundation in Jesus' teachings. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, a life grounded in Jesus' words remains stable amidst life's challenges. This involves not just hearing His words but actively putting them into practice. [43:35]
4. Vision and Purpose: Jesus invites us to live with a clear vision and purpose aligned with His kingdom. This means regularly evaluating where we are going in life and ensuring that our goals and actions are in line with God's will. It's about more than just surviving; it's about thriving in a way that reflects the kingdom of God. [55:55]
5. Continuous Growth and Learning: Regardless of our age or stage in faith, Jesus calls us to continuous growth. This involves being open to learning new ways to love and serve others, allowing Jesus to shape our actions and perspectives continually. It's a lifelong journey of becoming more like Him. [52:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:25] - Engaging Our Minds
[30:17] - The Parable of the Trees
[30:58] - Jesus' Question: Why Do You Call Me Lord?
[31:47] - The Youth Hike Metaphor
[35:51] - Jesus' Kingdom Message
[37:42] - Who Are You Following?
[40:25] - Influence and Followership
[43:35] - Building on a Solid Foundation
[55:55] - Vision and Purpose
[52:05] - Continuous Growth and Learning
[01:08:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 6:43-49 (NIV)
> "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus compare to a good tree and a bad tree in Luke 6:43-45?
2. According to Luke 6:46, what question does Jesus ask about calling Him 'Lord'?
3. In the parable of the builders (Luke 6:47-49), what are the two different foundations mentioned, and what happens to each house when the flood comes?
4. How does the story of the youth hike to Mount Revelstoke illustrate the importance of following Jesus' directions? [31:47]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for our actions to reflect what is stored in our hearts, as mentioned in Luke 6:45?
2. How can we discern whose influence we are under in our daily lives, especially with the many voices from social media and advertising? [40:25]
3. Why is it crucial to build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings, according to the parable of the builders? [43:35]
4. How does having a clear vision and purpose aligned with God's kingdom affect our daily decisions and actions? [55:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily actions and words. Do they align with your declaration of faith in Jesus? What specific changes can you make to ensure they do? [30:58]
2. Identify the primary influences in your life. Are they leading you closer to Jesus or away from Him? How can you prioritize Jesus' teachings as your main influence? [40:25]
3. Think about a recent challenge you faced. Did you rely on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings to navigate it? How can you better prepare yourself to stand firm in future challenges? [43:35]
4. Evaluate your current life goals and vision. Are they aligned with God's kingdom? What steps can you take to ensure your purpose is in line with God's will? [55:55]
5. Continuous growth is essential in our faith journey. What new ways can you learn to love and serve others this week? How can you allow Jesus to shape your actions and perspectives continually? [52:05]
6. Consider a specific area in your life where your actions do not match your words. What practical steps can you take to bring them into alignment? [49:50]
7. How can you actively engage in self-examination to ensure you are following Jesus' teachings genuinely and not just paying lip service? [49:50]
Devotional
### Day 1: Authenticity in Faith
Jesus' question in Luke 6:46 challenges us to align our actions with our declarations of faith. It's not enough to call Him Lord; we must also do what He says. This requires a deep, introspective look at our lives to ensure that our actions reflect our professed beliefs. Jesus' words are a call to examine the authenticity of our faith. Are we merely saying the right things, or are we living them out in our daily lives? Authentic faith is not just about verbal declarations but about a heart transformed by Jesus, leading to actions that reflect His teachings.
In a world where it is easy to say one thing and do another, Jesus' question serves as a mirror, reflecting the true state of our hearts. It is a reminder that our faith should be evident in our actions, not just our words. This authenticity is crucial for a genuine relationship with Jesus and for being a true witness to others. Reflect on how your actions align with your declarations of faith and seek to live out what you profess.
Luke 6:46: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"
Reflection: Think of one area in your life where your actions do not align with your declarations of faith. What steps can you take today to bring them into alignment? [30:58]
### Day 2: Influence and Followership
In a world filled with competing voices, Jesus calls us to follow Him exclusively. This means discerning whose influence we allow into our lives and ensuring that Jesus' teachings are the primary guide for our actions and decisions. The voices of social media, advertising, and even well-meaning friends can often drown out the voice of Jesus. It is crucial to be intentional about whose influence we are under and to prioritize Jesus' teachings above all else.
Following Jesus means more than just acknowledging Him; it means actively choosing His way over others. This requires a conscious effort to filter out the noise and focus on His voice. Reflect on the influences in your life and consider how they align with Jesus' teachings. Make a deliberate choice to follow Him and let His words guide your actions and decisions.
John 10:27: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
Reflection: Identify one influence in your life that competes with Jesus' teachings. How can you minimize this influence and focus more on following Jesus? [40:25]
### Day 3: Building on a Solid Foundation
The parable of the builders teaches us the importance of a strong foundation in Jesus' teachings. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, a life grounded in Jesus' words remains stable amidst life's challenges. This involves not just hearing His words but actively putting them into practice. A solid foundation in Jesus' teachings provides stability and resilience, enabling us to navigate life's difficulties with confidence and faith.
Building on a solid foundation requires intentional effort and commitment. It means regularly engaging with Jesus' teachings, reflecting on them, and applying them to our lives. This process strengthens our faith and equips us to face challenges with a firm and unwavering trust in Jesus. Reflect on how you can build a stronger foundation in Jesus' teachings and take practical steps to deepen your faith.
Matthew 7:24-25: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can actively put Jesus' teachings into practice today to build a stronger foundation in your life? [43:35]
### Day 4: Vision and Purpose
Jesus invites us to live with a clear vision and purpose aligned with His kingdom. This means regularly evaluating where we are going in life and ensuring that our goals and actions are in line with God's will. It's about more than just surviving; it's about thriving in a way that reflects the kingdom of God. Having a vision and purpose rooted in Jesus' teachings gives direction and meaning to our lives, guiding us toward fulfilling God's plan for us.
Living with vision and purpose involves setting goals that align with God's kingdom and taking intentional steps to achieve them. It requires a willingness to seek God's guidance and to be open to His leading. Reflect on your current goals and aspirations, and consider how they align with God's vision for your life. Make a commitment to pursue a purpose that reflects His kingdom.
Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one goal or aspiration you have that may not align with God's vision for your life? How can you adjust it to reflect His kingdom purpose? [55:55]
### Day 5: Continuous Growth and Learning
Regardless of our age or stage in faith, Jesus calls us to continuous growth. This involves being open to learning new ways to love and serve others, allowing Jesus to shape our actions and perspectives continually. It's a lifelong journey of becoming more like Him. Continuous growth means never becoming complacent in our faith but always seeking to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to grow in our understanding of His teachings.
This journey of growth requires humility and a willingness to be taught. It means being open to new insights and being willing to change and adapt as we learn more about Jesus and His ways. Reflect on areas where you can grow in your faith and take steps to pursue continuous learning and growth. Embrace the journey of becoming more like Jesus every day.
2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Reflection: Identify one area in your faith journey where you feel stagnant. What steps can you take today to pursue growth and learning in that area? [52:05]
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I think it's good when we engage our minds and allow God to change our minds and shape us into who he created us to be." [29:25] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus is showing us that we're all invited to be a part of his kingdom as active and equal followers of this new way of living." [35:51] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says, why do you call me Lord, Lord? Why do you say I am a preeminent and respectable teacher in your life and then not do what I say? When he's asking us this question, it's like he's inviting us to consider who we are truly following." [42:55] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus is inviting us to dig deeper, to establish our faith in actions that are stable and that match the declaration of our heart, to build our lives on something that will last." [55:13] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus is inviting us to lives that are more than a simple declaration of Christian faith. He's inviting us to live a life of faith. He's inviting us to live lives that truly embody the principles of this new kingdom he's introducing." [01:01:04] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you say you're going to be a follower of Jesus, you actually have to follow Jesus. This is usually where in church, what we do is we start with the guilt trip thing. I'm not sure how long you've been in church, but I've been around a long time. And this is where we start with the rules and give you the list of things that you're supposed to do. And I just don't think that's where Jesus is going with this whole system." [47:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I think the whole concept of the kingdom of God, is he wants us to be changed on the inside so that the life we live comes out naturally. Not so that we come up with a list of do's and don'ts. And we do this regularly. And if this is your experience, I'm not sure that this is the best way for us to go." [47:59] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I think what Jesus would love us to do is, well, actually, we're in Luke 6, 46. Five verses earlier, Jesus says this. You'll know this story. Jesus just finished saying this. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own? I don't like that. I don't like that verse very much. Just if I'm honest, I don't really like that verse very much." [49:18] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I think the journey of faith is about recognizing that Jesus wants to help us live this, beautiful and full life. He's trying to help us convince us that this is a good and new way of living. I don't think he's trying to make us feel bad or guilty. He's inviting us to a better, more stable and solid foundation for life so we can build something amazing." [51:19] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If we truly want to be followers of Jesus, we have to follow Jesus. But to do that, we have to try and understand where would Jesus be leading us? Are we just floating through the years or is there a purpose to our faith journey? Jesus is inviting us to lives that are more than a simple declaration of Christian faith. He's inviting us to live a life of faith." [01:01:04] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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