Living Out Our Faith: From Intention to Action

Summary

The Christian life is not just about having good intentions or believing the right things—it’s about putting faith into action. Just as a workout plan is useless if you never get off the couch, the gospel only transforms us when we live it out together. God has given us a new identity in Christ, and with that comes a call to participate in a new way of life, shaped by the Spirit and expressed in community. Romans 12 shows that the renewal of our minds leads to renewed relationships, forming a healthy, gospel-shaped family. We are not isolated individuals but members of one body, belonging to each other, called to be gifts to one another and to the world.

This life together is marked by genuine love, not performance or pretense. We are to abhor evil, cling to what is good, and love each other with brotherly affection. The call is to outdo one another in showing honor, to serve the Lord with zeal, to rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and constant in prayer. These are not just ideals but practical steps—contributing to the needs of others, practicing hospitality, and being present for one another. The Spirit doesn’t overwhelm us with every command at once but invites us to listen for the one thing He’s calling us to do today.

Our allegiance to Jesus is not passive; it’s energetic and wholehearted. It’s not about earning God’s love—He already loves us fully—but about responding to that love by letting it flow through us. When we confess where our beliefs and actions don’t line up with the truth of the gospel, we open ourselves to transformation from the roots up. The fruit of our lives—love, honor, generosity, hope—reveals what we truly believe about God and ourselves. The world is longing for a sign that God is at work, and when we move from intention to action, we become that sign. Healthy life together is the outworking of the gospel, and it requires us to get off the couch and participate in the life God is building among us.

Key Takeaways

- Genuine Love Flows from Identity, Not Performance
True Christian love is not about impressing God or others, but about living out the reality that we are already deeply loved by Christ. When we drop the masks and stop performing, we allow the Spirit to produce authentic love in us—a love that is the natural fruit of a renewed mind and a heart pledged to Jesus. This kind of love is not a checklist but a sign that the gospel is alive within us. [26:14]

- Transformation Requires Active Participation, Not Just Intention
Spiritual health, like physical health, demands more than good intentions or mental assent. The gospel gives us a new identity, but it only becomes real as we put it into practice—serving, honoring, and loving others in tangible ways. If we want to see different fruit in our lives and community, we must disrupt old patterns and actively engage in the Spirit’s workout plan. [03:23]

- Confession and Repentance Rebuild Us from the Roots Up
When our lives produce unhealthy fruit—anxiety, control, or distance from God—it’s an invitation to examine what we truly believe about ourselves and about God. Honest confession is not about self-condemnation but about naming our misplaced beliefs and allowing God to reshape us. Repentance is the ongoing process of aligning our minds and hearts with the truth of who God is and who we are in Him. [20:00]

- Allegiance to Jesus Is Expressed in Tangible, Communal Action
Belonging to Christ means belonging to one another; we are members of one body, called to be gifts to each other. This allegiance is lived out in practical ways—meeting needs, showing hospitality, honoring the overlooked, and serving with zeal. The Spirit’s gifts are given not for self-fulfillment but to build up the church and bless the world, making God’s love visible and real. [41:42]

- Hope, Patience, and Prayer Sustain Us in the Long Journey
The Christian life is not always easy, but our hope in Christ anchors us through tribulation. Patience in suffering and constancy in prayer keep us connected to God’s presence and power, reminding us that nothing done for Jesus is ever wasted. As we lean into hope and keep our lifeline to the Father strong, we become living signs of God’s faithfulness in a world desperate for evidence that He is at work. [39:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - From Intention to Action: The Gospel Workout
[03:23] - Renewed Minds, Renewed Relationships
[05:52] - The Imperative of Living Out Our Identity
[07:59] - Belonging to One Another in the Body of Christ
[10:21] - Gifts Given to Be Given
[12:26] - Spiritual Gifts vs. Natural Gifts
[15:16] - The Gospel’s Workout Plan: Romans 12 in Practice
[23:50] - Genuine Love, Not Performance
[26:14] - Letting Love Be Authentic
[27:06] - Actively Rejecting Evil, Clinging to Good
[28:39] - Brotherly Affection and Family Life
[32:08] - Outdoing One Another in Honor
[33:02] - Zeal, Fervor, and Serving the Lord
[36:41] - Getting Off the Couch: Active Faith
[37:46] - Hope, Patience, and Prayer
[41:42] - Generosity and Hospitality
[44:01] - Are You Working Out Your Faith?
[44:59] - Living as the Church, Not Just Going to Church
[45:52] - Practical Steps for Gospel-Shaped Community
[47:41] - Becoming a Sign of God’s Presence
[49:14] - Real Allegiance, Real Action

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “From Intention to Action: Living Out the Gospel Together”

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### Bible Reading

Romans 12:1-13 (ESV)
> 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
> 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
> 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
> 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
> 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
> 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
> 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
> 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
> 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
> 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
> 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
> 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
> 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12, what is the connection between having a renewed mind and the way we relate to others in the church? ([03:23])
2. What are some of the specific actions Paul lists in Romans 12:9-13 that show what a gospel-shaped community looks like? ([15:16])
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between “genuine love” and “performing” for God or others? ([26:14])
4. How does Paul describe the way we should use our spiritual gifts within the body of Christ? ([10:21])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Healthy life together is the outworking of the gospel.” What does it mean for the gospel to be “worked out” in community, rather than just believed privately? ([44:01])
2. Why is it important, according to both Paul and the sermon, that we see ourselves as “members of one body, belonging to each other”? How might this challenge our usual way of thinking about church? ([07:59])
3. The pastor talks about confession and repentance as “rebuilding from the roots up.” How does honest confession help us realign our beliefs and actions with the truth of the gospel? ([20:00])
4. The sermon says, “Our allegiance to Jesus is not passive; it’s energetic and wholehearted.” What are some ways that passive faith can show up in our lives, and what does active allegiance look like instead? ([33:02])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon compares spiritual health to a workout plan: “Health takes action, not just intention.” What is one area of your faith where you’ve had good intentions but haven’t taken action? What’s a first step you could take this week? ([01:23])
2. “Let love be genuine.” Is there a relationship in your life where your love has become more about performance or obligation than authenticity? What would it look like to let your love be more real and less performative? ([26:14])
3. Paul says to “abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Is there a specific habit, influence, or pattern you sense God is asking you to turn away from? What is one good thing you can intentionally cling to this week? ([27:06])
4. The sermon challenges us to “outdo one another in showing honor.” Who in your church family or community often goes unnoticed, and how could you intentionally honor or encourage them this week? ([32:08])
5. “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” What is a practical way you could meet a need or extend hospitality to someone in your church or neighborhood in the next seven days? ([41:42])
6. The pastor says, “When we confess where our beliefs and actions don’t line up with the truth of the gospel, we open ourselves to transformation from the roots up.” Is there an area where your actions and beliefs are out of sync? What would it look like to bring that honestly to God and invite Him to change you? ([20:00])
7. “Hope, patience, and prayer sustain us in the long journey.” Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to lean into hope, patience, or prayer? How can the group support you in this? ([39:20])

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Closing Prayer:
Invite the Holy Spirit to highlight one area from tonight’s discussion where He is calling you to move from intention to action. Ask for courage, authenticity, and a renewed sense of belonging in Christ’s body.

Devotional

Day 1: Genuine Love Flows from a Renewed Mind and Heart
Genuine love is not about performance or impressing others, but about letting the love of Jesus, already given to you, flow out authentically to those around you. When you stop striving to earn acceptance and simply receive the love God has for you, your actions and relationships are transformed. This kind of love is the first mark of allegiance to Jesus—it’s not a checklist or a show, but the natural outworking of the Spirit’s life within you. Drop the mask, let go of the need to perform, and allow your love to become more authentic, rooted in the deep assurance that you are already fully loved by God. [26:14]

Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to let your love become more authentic and less performative? Ask the Spirit to show you one relationship or situation where you can let go of impressing others and simply love as Jesus loves you.


Day 2: Actively Reject Evil and Cling to What is Good
Following Jesus means making intentional choices to turn away from evil and to hold tightly to what is good, even when it’s difficult or countercultural. This isn’t about moral superiority, but about loyalty to the values of the risen Lord. As you walk in the new kingdom, let the story of Jesus reshape your instincts and actions, saying “no” to what pulls you away from Him and “yes” to what draws you closer. The Spirit will help you discern what needs to change, but it’s up to you to move away from what is harmful and to pursue what is good, trusting that this is the path of true freedom and light. [27:06]

Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific evil or unhealthy pattern you need to intentionally turn away from this week, and what good can you cling to more tightly instead?


Day 3: Love One Another with Brotherly Affection
The gospel makes us family—adopted siblings in the household of God—so our allegiance to Jesus is worked out in warm, practical care for one another. This goes beyond mere tolerance or politeness; it’s about showing up, sharing joys and burdens, and expressing real affection. When we love each other as beloved family members, the world sees a glimpse of what it’s like when King Jesus’ people live as one. Look for ways to tangibly express this brotherly or sisterly affection, especially to those who may feel left out or unnoticed, and let your care be a lived reality of the gospel’s power. [29:25]

Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church family could use a tangible expression of brotherly or sisterly affection from you this week? Reach out with a text, a call, or a simple act of kindness.


Day 4: Serve the Lord with Zeal and Fervency
Allegiance to Jesus is not passive; it’s energetic, wholehearted, and fueled by the Spirit. Serving the Lord is not just a duty, but a joyful response to all He has given you. Don’t settle for spiritual sluggishness or just “sitting on the couch”—God has given you gifts, a calling, and His Spirit so you can actively participate in His work. Whether it’s stepping out of your comfort zone, volunteering, or simply saying “yes” to what God is stirring in you, let your passion for Jesus move you forward. Don’t be afraid to burn bright for Him, trusting that only what you do for God will last. [36:41]

Romans 12:11
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life have you grown sluggish or passive? What is one concrete step you can take this week to rekindle your passion for serving Christ?


Day 5: Practice Generosity and Hospitality as Outworkings of the Gospel
The allegiance to Jesus is tangible—it shows up in generosity, meeting needs, and welcoming others. Because you have been given so much in Christ, you are called to pour out those blessings to others, both in the church and beyond. Hospitality is not about having a perfect home or life, but about making space for others to belong and experience God’s love through you. As you contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality, you become a conduit for God’s blessing, priming the pump for even more to flow through you. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start with what you have, and let God use you to make others feel seen, valued, and welcomed. [42:43]

Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can meet a need or extend hospitality to someone this week—whether it’s inviting someone for a meal, offering help, or simply making them feel they belong?

Quotes

You say, I used to be called this name. They used to say this about me, but that's not what Jesus says about me. You know, as Glenn and I were talking yesterday, we were praying over his wife. You know, it's like, hey, does Jesus talk to you that way? No. That's some other voice, isn't it? Yeah. So don't let anybody talk to you like that. That's not Jesus. So Jesus has a word for you. He has a name for you. He's going to reveal at some point to you who he says you are. [00:05:15] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

Offer to God what Jesus is offering you. It's a great gift. You know it's a great gift because Jesus offered it to you. So put your hand under that potted plant and hand it to the Father and say, yes, Father, this comes from me too. And I am so glad that I got to participate in this. I mean, isn't it a joy when God uses you in a remarkable way? [00:12:26] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

Genuine love is the fruit of a renewed mind and a heart that's pledged to King Jesus, betrothed to King Jesus. That's that faithfulness, that's that faithfulness, the betrothal, that's like, we offer myself to Jesus. It's not a checklist to impress others. Oh, my gosh, that's going to ruin you. But a sign that the gospel is alive among us. Just love that's genuine. Love that is genuine. Man, don't, just, whoever you're trying to impress, just stop it. You're already loved. [00:26:04] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

All that I do in the name of Christ is not done in vain. The care for my elderly mother, or the care for my sick son, or the care for the widows and orphans in my community, the washing of the dishes in my own home, the serving my boss as his administrator, and if it's, who are you doing it for? If it's done for Jesus, it's golden. It's golden. That's perfect. That's great. Do it. Yes, you get to do it as unto the Lord. [00:38:03] (00:00:38 seconds) Edit Clip

Hospitality is an outworking of the gospel. Because we've been given so much, we can give so much. It's been poured into me, so what is it? It's poured through me. You're not blessed to be a blessed person. You're blessed to be a blessing, right? And so if you want more blessings to offer, just keep offering the ones you've got. [00:42:43] (00:00:21 seconds) Edit Clip

Because if you don't move from, oh, I experienced good stuff from the gospel, to then working it out, your faith gets flabby, this community grows weak, and the world isn't changed. It doesn't get the display of unity that Christ prayed for. It doesn't get the beauty of the outworking of the gospel in the community. [00:44:12] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip