Living Faith: From Hearing to Action
Summary
Today, we gathered to honor and celebrate the gift of mothers—those who gave us life, those who raised us, and those who have been spiritual mothers in our journey of faith. On this special day, we remembered not only the joy and gratitude we feel for the women who have shaped us, but also the tenderness and grief that can accompany Mother’s Day for many. We lifted up all women who nurture, teach, and care for others, whether in their families or in the broader community of faith, and we asked God to bless them with strength and grace.
As we continued our “Faith Works” series, we explored the relationship between faith and action, drawing from the book of James. The call is not simply to hear God’s word, but to do what it says. It’s easy to fall into the trap of knowing the right words, reciting scripture, or even discussing faith in depth, but never allowing it to transform our daily lives. James challenges us to move beyond passive listening and to become active participants in God’s work, living out our faith in tangible ways.
We considered the difference between hearing and doing through practical illustrations—like the child who hears a parent’s instructions but doesn’t act, or the employee who studies the boss’s letters but never implements the instructions. In the same way, we can read and study scripture, even memorize it, but if it doesn’t lead to changed behavior, we miss the point. James uses the metaphor of a mirror: to hear the word but not act is like glancing at your reflection and immediately forgetting what you look like. True engagement with God’s word means looking intently, with curiosity and commitment, and allowing it to shape who we are.
Obedience to God is not about legalistic rule-following, but about living a Spirit-led life that bears fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just as a gardener tends to a vineyard with patience and care, so we are called to nurture the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. On this Mother’s Day, I reflected on the mothers and spiritual mothers who have modeled this kind of faith—women whose actions, often unseen and unheralded, have embodied the love and service of Christ. May we, too, be doers of the word, living out our faith in love, service, and justice.
Key Takeaways
- Faith is not a passive possession but an active calling. It is not enough to know the right words or to be able to recite scripture; true faith is demonstrated in the way we live, love, and serve others. The call to be “doers of the word” is a call to let our beliefs shape our actions, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. [45:47]
- The difference between hearing and doing is the difference between information and transformation. Like the child who hears but does not act, or the employee who studies instructions but never implements them, we can become experts in religious knowledge without ever allowing it to change us. The real test of faith is not what we know, but what we do with what we know. [50:43]
- Looking intently into God’s word requires more than a casual glance. The Greek word “perikipsis” describes a deep, searching curiosity—the same intensity with which Peter looked into the empty tomb. We are invited to approach scripture with that same hunger, seeking not just information but transformation, and allowing God’s word to reveal who we truly are and who we are called to become. [54:22]
- Obedience to God is not about rigid rule-keeping, but about living in the freedom and blessing that comes from a Spirit-led life. The “perfect law” that James describes is not a burden, but a gift that leads to maturity, freedom, and fruitfulness. When we walk in step with the Spirit, the fruit of love, joy, peace, and all the rest grows in us over time, shaping us into the likeness of Christ. [57:54]
- The most powerful examples of living faith are often found in quiet acts of service and love. Mothers and spiritual mothers—those who nurture, guide, and serve without fanfare—embody what it means to be doers of the word. Their faith is not just spoken, but lived out in daily acts of kindness, sacrifice, and care, offering a model for all of us to follow as we seek to live out our faith in the world. [01:00:35]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:58] - Opening Announcements
[05:23] - Mother's Day Greetings
[08:21] - Connect Card and Community Updates
[11:19] - Special Announcements and Building Committee
[13:47] - Call to Worship and Responsive Reading
[16:01] - Praise and Affirmation of Faith
[33:47] - Prayers of Thanksgiving for Mothers
[35:05] - The Lord’s Prayer and Offering
[36:36] - Introduction to “Faith Works” Series
[44:01] - Faith and Human Responsibility
[45:47] - Be Doers of the Word
[49:14] - Illustration: Knowing vs. Doing
[50:43] - The Mirror Metaphor
[52:10] - Looking Intently: The Greek “Perikipsis”
[54:22] - The Perfect Law That Gives Freedom
[57:54] - Fruit of the Spirit and Spiritual Growth
[58:52] - Nurturing Faith Like a Gardener
[01:00:35] - Honoring Mothers and Spiritual Mothers
[01:01:58] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth
[01:06:30] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
[01:08:04] - Postlude and Farewell
[01:10:51] - Closing Remarks
[01:13:31] - End
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Faith Works – Doers of the Word”
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### Bible Reading
- James 1:22-25
_Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do._
- Galatians 5:22-23
_But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law._
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James, what is the difference between someone who only hears the word and someone who does what it says? ([45:47])
2. What illustration did the pastor use to show the difference between knowing instructions and actually following them? ([49:14])
3. In the sermon, what does the “mirror” represent, and what does it mean to forget what you look like after seeing your reflection? ([50:43])
4. What does Paul say are the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5, and how are these connected to living out our faith? ([57:54])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think James compares hearing the word without doing it to looking in a mirror and forgetting your own face? What is he trying to communicate about the nature of faith? ([50:43])
2. The pastor mentioned that obedience is not about legalistic rule-following but about living a Spirit-led life. How does this change the way we think about following God’s commands? ([57:54])
3. The sermon described “looking intently” into God’s word as having a deep curiosity and commitment, like Peter looking into the empty tomb. What does it look like to approach Scripture with this kind of intensity in everyday life? ([54:22])
4. The pastor honored mothers and spiritual mothers for their quiet acts of service. Why do you think these “unseen” actions are so powerful as examples of faith? ([01:00:35])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about the difference between knowing the right words and actually living them out. Can you think of an area in your life where you know what God wants, but you struggle to put it into action? What is one small step you could take this week to move from hearing to doing? ([45:47])
2. The illustration of the employee who read the boss’s letters but never acted on them was used to show how we sometimes treat God’s word. Are there any “letters” from God (Bible teachings) you’ve studied or memorized but haven’t acted on? What’s holding you back? ([49:14])
3. The “mirror” metaphor suggests we can forget who we are in Christ if we don’t act on what we hear. Is there a spiritual truth about your identity that you tend to forget? How can you remind yourself of it and live it out this week? ([50:43])
4. The pastor described “looking intently” at God’s word with curiosity and commitment. What is one way you can approach your Bible reading this week with more focus or hunger for transformation? ([54:22])
5. The fruit of the Spirit grows over time as we stay connected to God. Choose one aspect of the fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you want to grow in. What is a specific action you can take to nurture that fruit in your life this week? ([57:54])
6. The sermon honored mothers and spiritual mothers for their quiet, faithful service. Who is someone in your life who has modeled “doing the word” for you? How can you thank or encourage them this week? ([01:00:35])
7. Sometimes, living out our faith is inconvenient or difficult. Is there a situation right now where you feel called to act, even though it’s hard? What support or prayer do you need from the group to take that step? ([45:47])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for the courage to be doers of the word, for the Spirit to grow fruit in their lives, and to bless the women who have nurtured and shaped their faith.
Devotional
Day 1: Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only
True faith is shown by living out God's Word in action.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22, ESV)
It is easy to hear the teachings of Scripture and even to know them well, but the real challenge is to put them into practice in daily life. Just as a parent’s instructions to a child are meant to be followed, not just acknowledged, so too are God’s words meant to shape our actions, not just our beliefs. Faith is not simply about reciting verses or agreeing with doctrine; it is about letting God’s truth transform the way we live, love, and serve others. When we move from hearing to doing, our faith becomes visible and impactful in the world around us. [45:47]
James 1:22 (ESV):
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is one specific teaching from Scripture you have heard recently but have not yet put into practice? How can you take a concrete step to live it out today?
Day 2: Remember Who You Are in Christ
Living out God’s Word means not forgetting your true identity.
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (James 1:23-24, ESV)
God’s Word reveals who we truly are—beloved, called, and equipped for good works. But if we only glance at this truth and then walk away unchanged, we risk forgetting our identity and purpose. Just as a mirror shows us our reflection, Scripture shows us our spiritual identity. To live as God intends, we must remember who we are in Christ and let that knowledge guide our actions, so that our lives reflect His love and character to others. [52:10]
James 1:23-24 (ESV):
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: In what ways have you forgotten your identity as God’s beloved child this week? What is one way you can remind yourself and live out that identity today?
Day 3: Look Intently into the Perfect Law That Gives Freedom
Deep engagement with God’s Word leads to blessing and spiritual maturity.
"But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:25, ESV)
To grow in faith, it is not enough to skim the surface of Scripture; we are called to look intently, with curiosity and commitment, just as Peter peered into the empty tomb seeking understanding. This kind of focused attention leads to freedom, not restriction, because God’s commands are given for our good. As we persevere in both studying and applying God’s Word, we experience the blessing of a life shaped by His truth and grace, growing in maturity and fruitfulness. [54:22]
James 1:25 (ESV):
"But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: How can you set aside time this week to look intently into God’s Word, not just reading but seeking to understand and apply it? What might change if you did?
Day 4: The Fruit of the Spirit Grows Through Obedience
Spiritual fruit develops as we stay connected to the Spirit and live faithfully.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Obedience to God is not about rigid rule-following, but about nurturing a relationship with the Holy Spirit that produces real change in our character. Just as a gardener tends to a vineyard with patience and care, we are called to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives through daily faithfulness and trust. This growth is gradual and often unseen, but over time, it results in a life marked by love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits that bless both us and those around us. [57:54]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV):
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you sense God inviting you to grow in right now? What is one small, practical way you can nurture that fruit today?
Day 5: Honor the Legacy of Spiritual Mothers
Faith is passed on and made visible through acts of love and service.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" (Proverbs 31:28-29, ESV)
The faith we live out is often shaped by the examples of those who have nurtured, guided, and loved us—especially mothers and spiritual mothers. Their quiet acts of service, encouragement, and steadfast care are powerful testimonies of what it means to be doers of the Word. As we honor their legacy, we are inspired to follow in their footsteps, letting our faith be seen not just in words, but in the way we love, serve, and build up others in Christ’s name. [01:00:35]
Proverbs 31:28-29 (ESV):
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"
Reflection: Who is a mother or spiritual mother who has shaped your faith? How can you honor or thank her today—through a word, a prayer, or an act of kindness?
Quotes
Notice it's not faith and works. We're not in some sort of theological tug of war between those two things. It's a way that those two things work together. It's kind of like where the overlap is between the grace of God, which comes to us freely. It's a gift. We don't earn it. It's given to us. But yet there is this element of human responsibility. If we want to grow up as Christians, if we want to be mature disciples of Jesus Christ, there's this element of human responsibility that enters into it. [00:43:50] (36 seconds)
If we're going to be doers of the word, you know, we can't just be hearers only. A Christianity at its heart is a call to follow Jesus. Not with just our lips, but with our lives. Yet, too often, it has been reduced to this vocabulary rather than a vocation. [00:48:10] (25 seconds)
So, a lot of us, a lot of people, a lot of Christians out there, they can recite chapter and verse. They know how to argue all the theological points. They are, you know, they believe all the right things. But yet, you see very little fruit. It's a lot easier to say the word sometimes than to act out loving our neighbors, loving our enemies, bringing justice and kindness, and living out the word of God with our actions. [00:48:35] (39 seconds)
Lots of times in the church, we know the words. We hear them over and over. But do we do anything? Do we respond with what they say to do as far as Christian action goes? [00:51:52] (16 seconds)
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it, not forgetting what they have heard but doing it, they will be blessed in what they do. [00:55:02] (17 seconds)
So we're following the perfect law. It's going to give us freedom. We're going to be blessed. It's not like that God is just sort of like this rule master up there waiting for us to break the law, you know, watching us. God has given us the word, has given his law for our benefit so that we can be more blessed, that we can be free, that we can have maturity in life. [00:57:22] (32 seconds)
When our peace is tested or our kindness, it's a chance for us to ask God, how can we grow in that way? And so in a similar sense, this week as we're looking at this is how can we grow that fruit and mature ourselves when it comes to loving others from finding that joy that's not just like some sort of giddy happiness, but the joy that's sort of inside of us, that wells up with inside us, that gets us through those difficult times. [00:58:52] (30 seconds)
So obedience isn't just about forcing results. It's about continually staying connected to the Spirit. When we walk in faith, the fruit grows in us over time. It doesn't happen overnight. It comes after a careful life of living faithfully in all that we do as we seek to be obedient, as we seek to be faithful in our walk. [01:00:01] (34 seconds)
But also all of the spiritual mothers that I've had over the years that you know. People, those church mothers who have nurtured and guided and prodded and challenged and comforted and have done all of those things to me, who have been the people that have worked behind the scenes, doing acts of service, sometimes without any thank you, sometimes completely unknown to anyone else. But yet, their Christianity, their faith, wasn't just words. They knew the words, and because of that, they lived it out in their lives that they lived in their actions. Because they weren't just hearers of the words. They were doers of the words as well. [01:01:02] (47 seconds)
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