Humility was one of the defining marks of Christ's Advent. We see it in how He came. We see it in how He lived and served. And we see it in how He died. Though He was God, He was willing to take on the form of humanity, serve us, and then die in our place. That kind of humility is an example for us to marvel at and a model for us to imitate. So how can you and I live like Christ this week? How do we live with this kind of humility?

You will probably speak about 300,000,000 words in your lifetime. You will hear far more. How many of those words caused wounds? How many brought healing? In James 3.1-12, we get the privilege of listening in on James' warning and encouragement to his scattered congregation, apparently suffering from unity-destroying words. Listen in on what God has to say about the seemingly unlimited power of the tongue.

The Bible is clear: faith alone is what saves us, yet the faith that saves us is never alone. It is always expresses itself in our good works towards others. So how much good is your faith doing in the lives of others?

Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

Faith is a private experience with a public expression. Who we are, what we believe, and how we encounter God WILL reveal itself through our actions!

There is one truth, one idea, one concept, one conviction that shapes everything else in our journey with God.

How sure is our hope in Christ? How confident can we be in our salvation and eternal future?

The journey of following Christ is tough and not everyone that says they are a believer continues until the end. So how do we as a church respond to that? When people leave, what does that say about their faith? Were they really ever a believer? Did they somehow lose their relationship with God? Did they ever have one? How can we know?

We are defined by our passions and known by our pursuits. Those things that consume us and those desires that control us identify on the outside what is real and taking place on the inside. What passions identify you? And as followers of Christ, how should we be marked by our desires?

As followers of Christ, our lives should be marked by obedience. We ought to be known by our continual willingness to say "YES" to Christ. We won't do it perfectly (thankfully, God's grace is enough to cover our sin). But if we are genuine believers in Jesus, there will be a consistent, long-term pattern of growth and righteousness that reflects Christ to our world.