Faith and Works

From Your Heart to Your Hands | The Book of James Part 2

Jimmy

October 17, 2022

The weekend doesn't have to end. Keep Talking on your own or with a group.

Have you put Pastor Todd’s challenge from last week regarding reading and applying God’s Word - Read It Out, Write It Out, Ask: How can I live it out?, Try to memorize it – into practice? How has that been working for you?
If you’ve been reading through James as Pastor Todd challenged and are going through Christ Fellowship’s 21-Day Devotional on YouVersion, what has stood out most to you so far from the book of James? Why?

Read these Scriptures out loud:

James 2:14-26

This passage deals with James talking about the importance of faith and works in the life of a believer.

Read this passage aloud.
What stands out to you? What do you see that is new to you? What do you see that brings correction to how you may have previously thought?

Ephesians 2:8-10

This passage reveals that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works, but that we have been created for good works.

Take a moment to read this passage, paying attention to the relationship between faith and works.
From this passage, what is the significance of “good works” in the life of a believer in Jesus?

1. I won’t just go to church, I will be the Church

In Matt. 16:18, Jesus talks about building his Church. Pastor Jimmy mentioned that the word church is ekklesia in the original Greek, which was a secular term used to describe a group of citizens coming together to determine the direction of their city.
How does this view of Church impact how you see yourself as a follower of Jesus? How does this understanding impact how you should live your life?

2. I will put my mission where my mouth is

Re-read James 2:15-17. What do these verses have to say about a living faith?
How can you personally live this out, not just on Sundays, but throughout your week?

3. My compassion will be followed by my actions

Pastor Jimmy highlighted from Matt. 25:31-40 that in the “final judgment” passage, the delineator between the sheep and the goats were the works that were done in the name of Jesus.
When we consider this passage in Matthew with what James is saying, what do you see about the importance of works in the life of those of us who are followers of Jesus?

Pastor Jimmy challenged us with this thought: “What we have freely received by way of salvation must be given away freely by way of serving.” How can you actively serve and do “good works” to help others and be the tangible hands and feet of Jesus in your spheres of influence?
Pick one of this week’s key Scriptures and make it a reminder in your phone. Spend a few minutes repeating it and thinking about it each day.
S.O.A.P out the Scripture this week.

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