Faith: The True Foundation of Our Actions
Summary
In my sermon, I discussed the importance of faith as the driving force behind our actions. I emphasized that while good deeds such as reading the Bible, attending church, helping the poor and needy are important, they are meaningless if not driven by faith in Jesus Christ. I explained that our faith should not be a mere checklist of good deeds, but rather a genuine belief that manifests itself in our actions, words, and deeds. I also highlighted the importance of the prayer, "Lord, help me in my unbelief," as a constant reminder of our need for 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 driving force in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith should be the driving force behind our actions, not the desire to look good or be liked by others. [ 01:24:50]
- Our faith should manifest itself in our actions, words, and deeds. [ 01:25:30]
- The prayer, "Lord, help me in my unbelief," should be a constant in our lives, reminding us of our need for faith. [ 01:26:17]
- The story of Thomas Beckett illustrates the transformation that can occur when faith becomes the driving force in our lives. [ 01:21:13]
- Salvation is not a checklist of good deeds, but a genuine belief in Jesus Christ. [ 01:22:00]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" #!!01:20:31!!#
2. Mark 9:24 - "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'" #!!01:24:02!!#
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." #!!01:21:13!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "take up your cross and follow" Jesus according to Matthew 16:24?
2. In Mark 9:24, why does the father ask Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief?
3. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 differentiate between faith and works?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "taking up your cross" relate to the idea of faith and works in Ephesians 2:8-9?
2. How does the father's plea in Mark 9:24 reflect our own struggles with faith and unbelief?
3. How does faith manifest itself in our actions according to these passages?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you had to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus, even when it was difficult? What did that look like?
2. How can you actively seek help from God in overcoming your unbelief, like the father in Mark 9:24?
3. What is one specific way your faith can manifest itself in your actions this week?
4. How can you ensure that your good works are driven by faith and not just for appearances?
5. Can you think of a situation where you acted out of faith, and it had a significant impact on someone else's life?
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 were they performed for other reasons?
Day 2: The Progression of Faith
Faith is not a static state but a journey. It is normal to struggle with faith and to have periods of doubt or confusion. However, these struggles can lead to growth and a deeper understanding of our faith. The key is to remain open to God's guidance and to continually seek Him, even in times of uncertainty ([01:16:17]).
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent struggle or doubt that has led to a deeper understanding or strengthening of your faith?
Day 3: Evidence of Faith
The evidence of our faith is seen in our actions, words, and deeds. If we truly believe, our faith will naturally show itself in our lives. This is not about performing works to earn salvation, but about living a life that reflects our faith in Christ ([01:22:00]).
Matthew 7:16 - "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Reflection: What evidence of your faith can be seen in your life? How can you live in a way that more clearly reflects your faith?
Day 4: Choosing Faith Over Friendship
Sometimes, standing up for our faith may mean standing against friends or loved ones. This can be a difficult and painful decision, but it is a testament to the strength and depth of our faith ([01:18:16]).
Luke 14:26 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: Have you ever had to stand up for your faith, even when it meant going against someone you care about? How did you handle this situation?
Day 5: The Power of Earnest Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool in our faith journey. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, seek His guidance, and express our doubts, fears, and hopes. An earnest prayer, even one filled with doubt or confusion, can bring us closer to God and deepen our faith ([01:19:43]).
Psalm 145:18 - "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."
Reflection: Reflect on your prayer life. Is it a true reflection of your faith journey, including your doubts and struggles? How can you make your prayer life more authentic and meaningful?
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. But if we're just doing these Works to look good, that does us more harm than good." - 01:25:30
2. "We are saved by faith, but what is the evidence of our faith? 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? No. But if we have faith, that faith will show itself forth in our lives by the things we do, by the things we say." - 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. And he and the king who were best friends become enemies." - 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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