Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear?What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think?How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do?How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
PAUL JAMES
Emphasis: How to KNOW I'm saved How to SHOW I'm saved
Focus: The ROOT of my salvation The FRUIT of my salvation
(internal & unseen) (external & visible)
Works: Keeping Jewish Laws Living like Jesus
HOW DO I KNOW MY FAITH IS REAL?
1. REAL FAITH IS MORE THAN just words ISAY
"Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of sayingyou have faith if you
don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone!"
James 2:14
JESUS: "Not everyone who SAYS that I am their Lord is going to enter the
kingdom of heaven. The only people who'll enter heaven are those who
DO what my Father in heaven wants them to DO." Matthew 7:21 (NCV)
Action Plan: Write down one or two examples of a time where you showed faith. Also, write down one or two examples of when you only said you had faith, but feared to show it.
2. REAL FAITH IS MORE THAN AN EMOTION I FEEL
"Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you
say to them, 'I wish you well! I feel for you and I hope you stay warm and
eat well!' but then you donothing to meet their needs. What good does your
sympathy do? It's worth nothing!In the same way, faith, if it is not
accompanied by action, doesn't work. It's dead and useless!"
James 2:15-17
Action Plan: Using your examples above, next to each one write down what you did when you showed faith. Also, write down why and how you did not show your faith when you said you had faith.
3. REAL FAITH IS MORE THAN AN IDEA I DEBATE
"Now someone may argue, 'Isn't it possible that some people have good
faith while other people do good deeds?' But I say, 'No! I can't see your real
faith if you don't DO any real deeds to show me!' In contrast, I can show
youmy faith by the good things I DO!" James 2:18
Action Plan: Would your neighbor or friend recognize your actions as showing faith? If not, what could you do differently?
4. REAL FAITH IS MORE THAN A TRUTH I BELIEVE
"Now, you say 'Well, I believe there is a God,' and I say 'Good for you!' But
even the demons believe THAT and are afraid! It's foolish to not realize that
faith in God is useless if you don't do what he wants you to do." James 2:19-20
5. REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING I DO!
"Just as a body without a spirit doesn't breathe and is dead, so faith that
doesn't DO anything is just as dead!" James 2:26
"Stand firm in your faith. Stay brave, be strong, and do everything in love."
1 Cor. 16:13-14
Action Plan: Write down how you live your faith, just give a few examples. Ask your small group if they see your faith in action.
2 Examples of Real (Active) Faith
o (IN FAITH) ABRAHAM FOLLOWED GOD
NOT KNOWING WHERE HE WAS GOING
"Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses
itself in works? That the works are 'works of faith'?"
James 2:22 (Mes)
". . . God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God.
So Abraham was called 'the friend of God'." James 2:23 (NCV)
o (IN FAITH) Rahab RISKED HER LIFE TO SAVE OTHERS
James 2:25-26 & Joshua 2
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test
yourselves." 2 Cor. 13:5
"It is BY grace you have been saved THROUGH faith . . . FOR a life of good
works which God has already prepared for us to do."
Eph. 2:8-10 (TEV)
Every Service Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him.
Your generosity online is feeding tens of thousands of out-of-work families
and serving many other needs. Give at Saddleback.com/give
To be baptized, email mybaptism@saddleback.com
To learn how to lead others to Christ, serve at a pop-up food distribution
center this week! Text SERVE to 83000 or email serve@saddleback.com
Listen to our podcasts "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn
