Living Faith: Action, Generosity, and Community Impact

 

Summary

Taking a moment to reflect on our journey as a church, I am filled with gratitude for the spirit of action and generosity that defines us. Recently, we witnessed an overwhelming response to a call for volunteers to support our mission in Peru. This eagerness to serve exemplifies the essence of Matthew 5:16, where our good deeds shine brightly, leading others to glorify God. The world is often skeptical of the church, seeing it as a place of judgment rather than action. Our mission is to change that perception by being a church known for giving and serving, both within our community and beyond.

The story of Jason, a young man disillusioned by his mother's fear in her final days despite her lifelong faith, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of living out our beliefs. Our actions must align with our words, demonstrating a faith that is alive and active. This is the kind of faith that James speaks of—a faith that is not merely professed but proven through deeds. The world is watching, and it is through our tangible acts of love and service that we can truly reflect the heart of Christ.

As we look to the future, we are challenged to rethink our resources and how they are used. The statistics on church spending in America reveal a sobering truth: as our wealth increases, our giving decreases. Yet, the potential impact of our collective generosity is staggering. If every Christian gave just 10% of their income, we could address global needs in profound ways. Our vision at Cornerstone is to lead by example, striving to allocate half of our resources to those in need, both locally and globally.

This vision extends to our plans for a new gathering space. Instead of a traditional building, we are considering an outdoor amphitheater—a place where we can worship under the stars, reminding us of our commitment to sacrifice for the sake of others. This approach not only aligns with our mission but also serves as a testament to our community and the world of our dedication to living out the gospel.

In closing, I urge each of us to examine our faith. Is it a living faith, evidenced by our actions, or is it merely words? Let us be a church that not only speaks of love and service but embodies it in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- True faith is demonstrated through action. It's not enough to profess belief; our deeds must reflect our faith, as seen in James 2:14-17. A faith without works is dead, and our actions should be so radical that they unmistakably point to our belief in God. [32:35]

- The church must be known for its generosity and service. We are called to be a light in the world, not just through words but through tangible acts of love and giving, challenging the perception of the church as judgmental and inactive. [01:47]

- Our resources should be used to serve others. The statistics on church spending highlight a need for change. By reallocating our resources, we can make a significant impact on global issues, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. [16:52]

- Our plans for the future should reflect our mission. Considering an outdoor amphitheater instead of a traditional building is a step towards living out our commitment to sacrifice for the sake of others, serving as a powerful witness to our community. [22:03]

- Examine your faith and let it be alive. Reflect on whether your actions align with your professed beliefs. A living faith is one that is active and visible, impacting the world around us and drawing others to God. [54:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Gratitude for the Church's Response
- [01:28] - The Call to Action
- [02:32] - Being a Giving Church
- [04:08] - Encounter in Maui
- [06:49] - The Importance of Living Faith
- [08:38] - Church Spending and Generosity
- [10:09] - Todd Tucker's Financial Insights
- [12:12] - The State of Giving in America
- [16:52] - Potential Impact of Generosity
- [18:26] - Vision for the Future
- [21:03] - Rethinking Our Building Plans
- [24:17] - A New Gathering Space Vision
- [29:23] - The Challenge of James 2
- [54:24] - Living Faith vs. Dead Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:16
- James 2:14-17
- 1 John 3:16-17

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Matthew 5:16, what is the purpose of letting our light shine before others? How does this relate to the church's recent volunteer efforts in Peru? [01:47]

2. In James 2:14-17, what is the relationship between faith and deeds? How does this passage challenge the notion of faith without action? [32:35]

3. How does the story of Jason's mother illustrate the disconnect between professed faith and actions? What impact did this have on Jason's perception of Christianity? [06:22]

4. What statistics were shared about church spending in America, and what do they reveal about the current state of generosity among Christians? [12:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that the church can change the world's perception of being judgmental and inactive? What role do good deeds play in this transformation? [02:05]

2. What does the sermon imply about the potential impact of collective Christian generosity on global issues? How does this align with the teachings in 1 John 3:16-17? [16:52]

3. How does the proposed outdoor amphitheater reflect the church's mission and commitment to sacrifice for others? What message does this send to the community? [22:03]

4. In what ways does the sermon challenge individuals to examine their faith? How does it encourage believers to ensure their faith is alive and active? [54:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where your actions do not align with your professed beliefs? What steps can you take to ensure your faith is demonstrated through deeds? [06:49]

2. How can you personally contribute to changing the perception of the church as judgmental and inactive? What specific actions can you take to be a light in your community? [02:20]

3. Consider your financial resources: Are you using them in a way that reflects the generosity described in the sermon? What changes can you make to align your giving with the church's vision? [19:07]

4. How does the idea of worshiping in an outdoor amphitheater challenge your understanding of church and community? What sacrifices are you willing to make for the sake of others? [23:23]

5. Identify one tangible way you can serve someone in need this week. How can this act of service reflect the heart of Christ and draw others to God? [46:43]

6. Think about a time when you felt convicted by a sermon or message. Did it lead to action, or did it remain just a feeling? How can you ensure that your convictions lead to meaningful change? [37:45]

7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to live out their faith through action? What role can you play in fostering a culture of generosity and service? [29:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Action
True faith is not just spoken but demonstrated through our actions. It is a living faith that is visible and impactful, as James 2:14-17 emphasizes. The world is watching, and our deeds should be so radical that they unmistakably point to our belief in God. This kind of faith is alive and active, not merely professed but proven through deeds. Our actions must align with our words, demonstrating a faith that is alive and active. [32:35]

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: Think of a specific action you can take today that reflects your faith. How can you demonstrate your belief in God through this action?


Day 2: Generosity as a Light
The church is called to be a light in the world, not just through words but through tangible acts of love and giving. This challenges the perception of the church as judgmental and inactive. By being known for our generosity and service, we can change how the world views the church, leading others to glorify God. Our mission is to be a church known for giving and serving, both within our community and beyond. [01:47]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Identify one way you can be a light in your community this week. How can your generosity and service lead others to see the love of Christ?


Day 3: Stewardship of Resources
Our resources should be used to serve others, and the statistics on church spending highlight a need for change. As our wealth increases, our giving should not decrease. By reallocating our resources, we can make a significant impact on global issues, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. The potential impact of our collective generosity is staggering, and we are called to lead by example. [16:52]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Consider your current use of resources. What is one change you can make to better align your spending with your values of generosity and service?


Day 4: Vision for the Future
Our plans for the future should reflect our mission, and considering an outdoor amphitheater instead of a traditional building is a step towards living out our commitment to sacrifice for the sake of others. This approach aligns with our mission and serves as a testament to our community and the world of our dedication to living out the gospel. It is a powerful witness to our commitment to sacrifice and service. [22:03]

Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: Reflect on your personal vision for the future. How can you align your plans with your mission to serve and sacrifice for others?


Day 5: Examining Living Faith
Examine your faith and let it be alive. Reflect on whether your actions align with your professed beliefs. A living faith is one that is active and visible, impacting the world around us and drawing others to God. It is not enough to profess belief; our deeds must reflect our faith. This is the kind of faith that James speaks of—a faith that is not merely professed but proven through deeds. [54:24]

1 John 3:18-19 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him."

Reflection: Take a moment to examine your faith. What is one area where your actions do not align with your beliefs, and how can you begin to change that today?

Quotes



My prayer is always been God make us a church that does things okay, not just a church that talks not just a church that cries and gets convicted but actually does something um you know the Bible says in Matthew 5 verse 16 it says in the same way let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in Heaven. [00:01:24]

I pray all the time that we would be a giving church that we would be known as a church that gives that that SEI Valley would know Cornerstone as a church that contributes and gives to the community rather one that takes and so I got to ask you again as you came in this evening did you come in to give to other people did you look for people to minister to to care for. [00:02:28]

I was trying to share with him about God and he was just so turned off by it all, just absolutely turned off by everything and uh you know we got together several times and and while I was there and I had just making no progress whatsoever um but the thing he kept coming back to he goes you know goes my mom was this devout Christian and man she would just Hammer me with with scripture all the time. [00:04:51]

I think one of the one of the turn offs to church for many of the people in the world today especially in America is the church talks talks talks but they don't do anything you know and they see the church as a place that's so judgmental and wanting to take stuff from them rather than a place where we are actually doing things and doing things for other people and caring for them. [00:02:09]

The statistics on church spending highlight a need for change. By reallocating our resources, we can make a significant impact on global issues, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. If every Christian gave just 10% of their income, we could address global needs in profound ways. Our vision at Cornerstone is to lead by example, striving to allocate half of our resources to those in need, both locally and globally. [00:16:52]

I really believe that if Cornerstone sets the pace and sets the example there's so many people that watch Cornerstone Church to see what we're doing all across the nation they want to know what is Cornerstone doing believe it or not you know you get out there and they want to know and if we really can what we're trying to do now as a church is based upon this whole idea of love your neighbor as yourself. [00:18:26]

What if we didn't build a building out there what if we just built like a park with a huge outdoor Amphitheater kind of like a you know Hollywood Bowl type of thing or you know just something where it was just a a huge grass field a huge grass outdoor Amphitheater and uh and we saved all of that money all those millions of dollars and you know we're able to give that to the poor. [00:22:03]

I believe it's time that we start giving and loving and doing and and uh and that our Deeds would prove our faith man I I hope you don't leave here going a there goes France is beating us up it's it's not that I'm just going man one of the byproducts of us giving is that we just become happier because it's more blessed to give than to receive. [01:01:15]

I was really concerned about this passage I've been praying about this because I know there's some of you in this room that you would say you know my actions don't match up to my words my actions don't show my faith and that doesn't mean you go out and just try to do a bunch of stuff to make up for it it's really a change of heart and saying God help me become that person. [01:02:15]

I don't want you to think that I'm teaching do a bunch of stuff and that will save you absolutely not I'm saying that if you are saved you'll do a bunch of stuff okay makes sense we are saved for one reason and one reason only because of the blood of Jesus Christ okay no amount of Good Works was going to erase all the junk that we did in our lives. [01:03:49]

I think Integrity is who you are at work um because that's where you spend most of your time you know so who you really are usually comes out at work and if there's no Integrity in the workplace chances are there's no integrity and here someone else was saying your heart your actions will will come out and so when you don't see that uh true in the in the workplace it really destroys the testimony of the church. [00:42:40]

I want you to pray like crazy because we're we're going to start approaching the government now we're going to start approaching the uh the city uh officials now um the the new uh I don't know if they've even figured out the Ventura supervisor yet have they they're still counting huh okay well foy's ahead praise God um we we uh no no I I I didn't say that um I I just he was just he's just excited about what we're doing here. [00:46:50]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?