Faith: The True Catalyst for Meaningful Action
Summary
In my sermon, I discussed the importance of faith as the driving force behind our actions. I emphasized that while reading the Bible, attending church, helping the poor and needy are all important, they are meaningless if not driven by faith in Jesus Christ. I stressed that our actions should not be for show or to gain approval from others, but should be a natural outcome of our faith. I also highlighted the importance of the prayer, "Lord, help me in my unbelief," as a constant reminder of our need for God's help in strengthening our faith. I used the story of Thomas Beckett, as portrayed in the movie "Beckett," to illustrate the transformation that can occur when faith becomes the guiding principle in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith should be the driving force behind our actions, not the desire for approval or recognition. [ 01:24:50]
- Our actions, words, and deeds are the evidence of our faith. [ 01:21:13]
- Salvation is not a checklist; it is a result of genuine faith. [ 01:22:00]
- The prayer, "Lord, help me in my unbelief," should be a constant in our lives. [ 01:24:02]
- The story of Thomas Beckett illustrates the transformation that can occur when faith becomes the guiding principle in our lives. [ 01:18:16]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:24-26 #!!01:20:31!!#
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 #!!01:21:13!!#
3. Mark 9:24 #!!01:24:02!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "take up your cross" as mentioned in Matthew 16:24-26?
2. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 describe the relationship between faith and works?
3. In Mark 9:24, why does the man ask Jesus to help him in his unbelief?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "taking up your cross" relate to the idea of faith manifesting in our actions?
2. How can we reconcile the idea of being saved by faith, not works, with the need for our faith to be evident in our actions?
3. What does the man's plea in Mark 9:24 reveal about the nature of faith and doubt?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a time when your faith was evident in your actions? How did this experience impact your faith journey?
2. What is one way you can "take up your cross" in your daily life to demonstrate your faith?
3. How can you respond when you experience moments of doubt or unbelief, similar to the man in Mark 9:24?
4. How can you ensure that your good deeds are driven by faith and not just for appearances or to fulfill a checklist?
5. Can you think of a situation where you did something good but realized it was not driven by faith? How did you address this?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Drives Action
Our faith in Jesus Christ should be the driving force behind our actions. If we are merely performing good deeds to look good or to gain approval from others, we are missing the point. True faith will naturally manifest itself in our lives through our actions, not because we are trying to earn salvation, but because our faith compels us to live in a way that reflects Christ's love and teachings ([01:24:50]).
James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Reflect on your actions in the past week. Were they driven by your faith or by a desire to look good or gain approval?
Day 2: The Progression of Faith
Faith is not a one-time event, but a journey. It is a progression, often filled with struggles and doubts. But as we continue to seek God and surrender to His will, our faith grows and matures. This progression is not always easy or straightforward, but it is a necessary part of our spiritual journey ([01:16:17]).
Philippians 1:6 - "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your faith journey. How have you seen your faith grow and mature over time?
Day 3: Evidence of Faith
The evidence of our faith is seen in our actions, words, and deeds. If we truly believe in Christ, it will show in how we live our lives. Our faith is not just about what we believe, but also about how we live out those beliefs in our daily lives ([01:22:00]).
1 John 3:18 - "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: How does your life reflect your faith in Christ? What changes can you make to better align your actions with your beliefs?
Day 4: Choosing God Over Worldly Relationships
Sometimes, our faith may require us to make difficult choices, even when it means standing up against those we love or respect. Choosing to stand up for our faith may strain our relationships, but we must remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God ([01:18:16]).
Matthew 10:37 - "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Reflection: Have you ever had to make a difficult choice because of your faith? How did you handle it and what did you learn from the experience?
Day 5: Salvation is Not a Checklist
Salvation is not about ticking off a list of good deeds. It is about having a genuine faith in Christ that transforms our lives. Our good deeds are not a means to earn salvation, but a response to the grace we have received through faith in Christ ([01:22:39]).
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: How does understanding that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of works, change your perspective on your faith and actions?
Quotes
1. "If our faith is not there driving us to do that, if the goal of that is not to build our faith in Jesus Christ, there's no point. Jesus says we must take up our cross and follow him, yes, because in doing these things it builds a faith." - 01:24:50
2. "If somebody truly believes, what's going to happen in their lives? It's going to show. Their faith is going to show itself forth by their actions, by their deeds, by their words." - 01:21:13
3. "Salvation is not a checklist. There's lots of people who give money to charities, there's lots of people maybe who even feed the poor, but if they're not doing it for the right reason, is that going to be of help to their salvation?" - 01:22:39
4. "Beckett has to make a choice between his friendship for the king and standing up for the church, and he chooses to stand up for the church." - 01:18:16
5. "Lord, you have laid this burden of the church on me and I don't even know how to talk to you correctly. I don't know where to proceed, I don't know how to do this, you're going to have to help me." - 01:19:43
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