Living Genuine Faith: Beyond Outward Appearances
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound difference between professing faith in Jesus and truly living out that faith. We began with the story of a young man who, despite his outwardly Christian life, was deceived into thinking he was right with God. His life was filled with good deeds and religious activities, yet his heart remained unchanged, revealing a faith that was dead. This tragic example underscores the importance of understanding what true saving faith entails.
We delved into John 20:30-31, where John explicitly states the purpose of his Gospel: to help people believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in His name. This belief is not mere intellectual assent but involves a complete trust and surrender to Jesus, evidenced by a life transformed by His grace.
We examined the seven "I Am" statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, each revealing His divine nature and mission. These statements affirm that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the only one capable of providing salvation. Understanding and affirming the true identity of Jesus is crucial because getting Jesus wrong means getting salvation wrong.
We also discussed the necessity of defending and proclaiming both the humanity and deity of Jesus. His humanity is essential because only a human can substitute for our sins, and His deity is vital because only God can save. Our response to this truth should be one of gratitude, service, and a life that reflects Jesus' lordship.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of a right response to Jesus. True belief involves repentance—turning away from sin, idols, and dead works—and turning to God, life, and salvation. It means trusting in Jesus alone for eternal life, not in our own efforts or righteousness. The sermon concluded with a personal testimony, illustrating the transformative power of genuine faith in Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Faith vs. Dead Faith: True faith in Jesus is not just about outward religious activities but involves a heart transformed by His grace. A faith that does not lead to holiness and a changed life is a dead faith that cannot save. [04:24]
2. Understanding Jesus' Identity: Knowing who Jesus truly is—fully God and fully man—is essential for salvation. Misunderstanding His identity leads to a false sense of security and ultimately, spiritual ruin. [10:46]
3. The Importance of Repentance: Genuine belief in Jesus involves repentance, a complete turning away from sin, idols, and self-reliance, and turning towards God, life, and salvation. This repentance is a crucial aspect of saving faith. [35:20]
4. Living Out Our Faith: Our actions and lifestyle should reflect our belief in Jesus. This means serving others, proclaiming the Gospel, and living in a way that shows Jesus is the Lord of our lives. [23:32]
5. Trusting in Jesus Alone: Salvation is not earned by our works but is a gift received through trusting in Jesus alone. Our confidence should be in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection, not in our own efforts. [38:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:29] - The Story of a Deceived Young Man
[03:00] - Outward Appearance vs. Inward Reality
[04:24] - The Tragedy of Dead Faith
[05:47] - The Gift of Salvation
[07:35] - Purpose of John's Gospel
[09:15] - The Signs and Miracles of Jesus
[10:46] - Affirming Jesus' True Identity
[12:23] - Misconceptions About Jesus
[14:10] - The Nicene Creed and Jesus' Deity
[15:47] - The Consequences of Getting Jesus Wrong
[17:17] - The "I Am" Statements of Jesus
[18:55] - Defending Jesus' Humanity and Deity
[20:35] - The Humility and Sacrifice of Jesus
[22:03] - The Resurrection and Authority of Jesus
[23:32] - Living a Life Reflecting Jesus' Lordship
[25:07] - Sharing the Gospel with Others
[27:48] - The Right Response to Jesus
[29:28] - Trusting in Jesus' Authority
[32:15] - The Gift of Salvation
[35:20] - Repentance and Faith
[38:12] - Trusting in Jesus Alone
[39:53] - Practical Steps to Genuine Faith
[41:42] - Personal Testimony of Transformation
[45:16] - Closing Prayer and Life Groups
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:30-31
2. Galatians 5:21
3. Philippians 2:4-8
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 20:30-31, what is the purpose of John's Gospel? How does this purpose relate to the concept of true belief in Jesus? [07:35]
2. In Galatians 5:21, what behaviors are listed that indicate someone will not inherit the kingdom of God? How does this relate to the young man's story in the sermon? [04:24]
3. Philippians 2:4-8 describes Jesus' humility and sacrifice. How does this passage illustrate the necessity of Jesus' humanity for our salvation? [20:35]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the young man in the sermon illustrate the difference between outward religious activities and a heart transformed by grace? [03:00]
2. Why is it crucial to understand and affirm the true identity of Jesus as both fully God and fully man? What are the consequences of getting Jesus' identity wrong? [10:46]
3. What does genuine repentance involve according to the sermon? How does this repentance reflect true saving faith? [35:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where your actions do not align with your professed faith in Jesus? How can you address these inconsistencies? [03:00]
2. How can you deepen your understanding of Jesus' true identity? What steps can you take to ensure your belief is based on the biblical Jesus and not a misconception? [12:23]
3. Repentance involves turning away from sin, idols, and self-reliance. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to repent. What practical steps will you take this week to turn towards God? [35:20]
4. The sermon emphasized living out our faith through actions that reflect Jesus' lordship. What is one specific way you can serve others this week to demonstrate your faith? [23:32]
5. Trusting in Jesus alone for salvation means relying on His finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Are there ways in which you are still relying on your own efforts for salvation? How can you shift your trust fully to Jesus? [38:12]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of sharing the Gospel with others. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. How can you initiate a conversation with them about the Gospel this week? [25:07]
7. Reflect on the personal testimony shared in the sermon. How has your own faith journey been transformative? Share a specific instance where you experienced a significant change in your life due to your faith in Jesus. [41:42]
Devotional
Day 1: True Faith Transforms the Heart
True faith in Jesus is not just about outward religious activities but involves a heart transformed by His grace. A faith that does not lead to holiness and a changed life is a dead faith that cannot save. This means that merely participating in church activities, doing good deeds, or even professing belief in Jesus is not enough if it does not result in a genuine transformation of the heart. True faith is evidenced by a life that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus, marked by love, humility, and obedience to God. It is a faith that produces fruit in keeping with repentance and leads to a life of holiness and service to others. [04:24]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: In what ways does your life reflect a heart transformed by Jesus? Are there areas where your faith feels more like an outward activity rather than an inward change? How can you invite God to transform those areas today?
Day 2: Knowing Jesus' True Identity
Understanding who Jesus truly is—fully God and fully man—is essential for salvation. Misunderstanding His identity leads to a false sense of security and ultimately, spiritual ruin. Jesus' divine nature and mission are revealed through His "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John, affirming that He is the only one capable of providing salvation. Recognizing Jesus as both God and man is crucial because only a human can substitute for our sins, and only God can save. This understanding should lead us to a deeper appreciation of His sacrifice and a commitment to defend and proclaim His true identity. [10:46]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as both fully God and fully man impact your faith and daily life? Are there misconceptions about Jesus' identity that you need to address? How can you share the true identity of Jesus with others?
Day 3: The Necessity of Repentance
Genuine belief in Jesus involves repentance, a complete turning away from sin, idols, and self-reliance, and turning towards God, life, and salvation. This repentance is a crucial aspect of saving faith, as it signifies a change of heart and mind that leads to a transformed life. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a continual process of turning away from anything that hinders our relationship with God and turning towards Him in faith and obedience. It is an acknowledgment of our need for God's grace and a commitment to live according to His will. [35:20]
Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."
Reflection: What are some specific sins or idols in your life that you need to repent of? How can you make repentance a regular practice in your walk with God? What steps can you take today to turn away from these things and turn towards God?
Day 4: Living Out Our Faith
Our actions and lifestyle should reflect our belief in Jesus. This means serving others, proclaiming the Gospel, and living in a way that shows Jesus is the Lord of our lives. True faith is not passive but active, demonstrated through our love for God and others. It involves a commitment to follow Jesus' teachings and example, seeking to glorify God in all that we do. Living out our faith also means being a witness to others, sharing the hope and truth of the Gospel through our words and actions. [23:32]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "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: How does your daily life reflect your faith in Jesus? Are there specific ways you can serve others and share the Gospel this week? What changes can you make to ensure that your actions align with your beliefs?
Day 5: Trusting in Jesus Alone
Salvation is not earned by our works but is a gift received through trusting in Jesus alone. Our confidence should be in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection, not in our own efforts. This means relying entirely on Jesus for our salvation and recognizing that our good deeds, while important, do not contribute to our salvation. Trusting in Jesus alone involves surrendering our self-reliance and placing our faith in His grace and power to save. It is a call to rest in the assurance of His love and the sufficiency of His sacrifice. [38:12]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "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: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in Jesus? How can you shift your focus from your works to His grace? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Jesus alone for your salvation?
Quotes
1. "The truth is that this young man was blind. He said he had faith, but really it was a dead faith, a faith that could not save him. It was a tragedy that 20 years, especially if you say eight years, from 12 to 20, he was so blind, and yet he was in the right geographic locations. He was at church. He's at the desk where the Word of God opened. But the problem was his heart was not changed." [04:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A faith with inaction does not really believe in Jesus, because action shows what you actually think of someone's word. When Jesus says, if you confess your sins, I'm faithful and just to forgive you of your sins. When Jesus says to repent and believe in the gospel and have eternal life, our actions indicate that we really do have faith in Him." [04:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You and I need to truly believe in who Jesus is by entrusting ourselves fully to Him. And so, I want to help people understand to Him for eternal life. If you say you really believe in Jesus, I'm going to ask you, if I ask you that right now, do you believe in Jesus? You might say yes. But the Bible says that belief is only real when there's action that matches your words." [07:35] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Affirming the true identity of Jesus is critical for your salvation, because only God can save and only a human can substitute for your sins. And that's who Jesus is. Truly God, truly man. Fully God, fully man. So, the first point is simply, you need to know who Jesus is. You need to know who Jesus is." [10:46] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The problem with the Muslim, the Jew, the Hindu, the Buddhist, the Jehovah Witness, the LDS, the problem is they don't worship Jesus. They don't worship Jesus as the God, the only God. And getting Jesus wrong is a first-class ticket to hell. Why? It seems overly harsh. oh, recognize Jesus was a good person. Here's the deal. When we don't understand and not affirm who Jesus really is and what He has done, we're rejecting God's offer of salvation through Himself and entrusting ourselves to other means other than God." [15:47] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We need to defend and proclaim who Jesus really is. We need to make sure we begin and defend His humanity. Defend His humanity. Jesus was fully man. He has to be. Why does He have to be? Well, then, if He's not fully human, then our sins are not covered. Because our sins can be only covered by another human. So He had to be human in order to cover our sins." [18:55] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We also proclaim and defend His deity. Philippians 2 continues, therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. So Jesus is first. It is most prominent so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth. See, as they're under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." [23:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you're standing before the pearly gates of God, of heaven, and God asks you, why should I let you into my heaven? The answer is not, oh, it's because I went to church, I read my Bible, I did this, I served at revival, I served in kids' men, I went to students every week. No, no, no. It's because, hey, he said I could. Jesus said I could because I trust in him. I surrender to him. And he says I have access because of him. It's only through Jesus I have eternal life." [30:39] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Our actions really prove what we actually believe in. Again, you might say, I profess to know God. But here, listen closely to what Titus 116 has to say to you. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. What is your thought life, your desires, your actions really saying about? Your faith in Christ." [33:39] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "What you're looking at is a tangible example of a repentant person. What it looks like for someone to be dead and someone to now be alive is a tangible example of a repentant person. Jesus saved me. How? Because I believed in Him. Not because, again, I believed in Him. It's because I trusted that He alone saved me." [43:22] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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