Living Out Our Faith: Actions Over Words

 

Summary

In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of living out our faith as Christians, not just professing it. I began by highlighting the significance of the eight General Epistles in the Bible, which serve as a guide on how to live out our faith. I stressed that being a Christian is more than just a title; it involves actively living out our faith in our daily lives. I then delved into the teachings of John, who emphasized the importance of loving God and loving others as the two greatest commandments. I also touched on the teachings of James, who urged Christians to demonstrate their faith through actions, not just words.

In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the warnings from Jude about external oppositions to our faith. I emphasized the need to defend our faith when faced with opposition, but to do so with mercy and fear, understanding that we are not perfect and could easily be misguided. I concluded the sermon by reminding everyone of our purpose on earth as Christians - to tell others about what God has done. This can be achieved through prayer, love, and acts of service.

Key Takeaways:
1. We live out our faith by loving God and loving people. This involves obeying God's commandments and putting others first ([01:03:59 ]).
2. Our faith should be demonstrated through actions, not just words. This means actively showing our love for God and others ([01:04:37 ]).
3. We must be prepared to defend our faith when faced with opposition, but we should do so with mercy and fear ([01:05:54 ]).
4. Our purpose on earth as Christians is to tell others about what God has done. This can be achieved through prayer, love, and acts of service ([01:10:12 ]).
5. Being a Christian involves more than just professing faith; it involves actively living it out in our daily lives ([01:01:36 ]).

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 John Chapter 2 [01:02:07 ]
2. John 3 [01:03:25 ]
3. 1 Peter 2 [01:10:12 ]

Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 John Chapter 2 say about the relationship between love and obedience to God's commandments?
2. According to John 3, what is the message that we have heard from the beginning?
3. In 1 Peter 2, what does it mean to be God's chosen people and what is our purpose?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 1 John Chapter 2 define the way we express our love for God?
2. What does John 3 suggest about the importance of love in our Christian walk?
3. How does 1 Peter 2 describe our purpose as Christians and how we should fulfill it?

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to obey God's commandments as an expression of your love for Him. Did you choose obedience or did you struggle? Why?
2. Can you think of a specific instance this week where you can show love to another person in a tangible way, as suggested in John 3?
3. Considering 1 Peter 2, how can you better communicate the wonderful things God has done in your life to others this week?
4. In what ways can you use your gifts to serve others this week, as a faithful steward of God's grace?
5. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition because of your faith. How did you respond and what could you have done differently based on Jude's instructions?

Devotional

Day 1: Living Out Your Faith

Living out your faith is more than just a Sunday morning ritual, it's a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of your life. It's about loving God and loving others, following His commandments, and standing firm in your faith even in the face of opposition. It's about being a student of the Word, studying it deeply and applying it to your life ([01:01:36 ]).

1 John 2:3-5 - "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected."

Reflection: How are you actively living out your faith in your daily life?

Day 2: Engaging Your Mind in Worship

God gave us minds to engage with Him, not just to feel emotions. When we come into the presence of God, we should engage our minds, not just our hearts. This deepens our faith and prevents it from becoming superficial or emotion-driven ([38:49 ]).

Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Reflection: How can you engage your mind more fully in your worship and relationship with God?

Day 3: Evidence of Faith

Our faith should be evident in our lives. If we were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us? This evidence comes from living out our faith, loving God and others, and standing firm in our faith ([01:12:28 ]).

James 2:18 - "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

Reflection: What evidence of your faith can be seen in your daily life?

Day 4: Faith in Action

Faith without works is dead. Our faith should not just be something we say, but something we show. Our good works are not the cause of our salvation, but the result of it. They are the fruit borne out of someone who has been saved by God's incredible grace ([49:53 ]).

James 2:26 - "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Reflection: How are you putting your faith into action?

Day 5: Addressing Issues in the Church

Sometimes, issues arise in the church that need to be addressed urgently. As Christians, we should not shy away from these issues, but address them head-on with love and wisdom ([51:45 ]).

Galatians 6:1 - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."

Reflection: How can you address issues in your church or Christian community with love and wisdom?

Quotes

1. "If you're going to live out your faith then first we have to love God enough to obey his commands and then you've got to love people enough to put them first. Don't just say you love God, demonstrate your love for God with action. Don't just say you love people, demonstrate your love for people with your actions." - 01:03:51

2. "James is very clear that good works are not the cause of your salvation but they are the result of your salvation. You don't need to do the good stuff in order to be saved but the good stuff is the fruit borne out of someone who has been saved by God's incredible Grace." - 49:33

3. "When the opposition to your faith comes you need to defend it. Don't fall for their sweet words or twisting of scripture, boldly declare what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong and then stand up for what is right." - 01:03:51

4. "Your purpose on this Earth is to tell others about what God has done and you do that in three ways through prayer, through love, and through acts of service." - 01:09:38

5. "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict? Is there enough evidence that you're living out your faith by loving God and loving people?" - 01:12:20

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Transcript
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