Genuine faith transforms our lives and manifests in our actions. Useless faith, on the other hand, is mere confession without evidence of repentance, discipleship, or obedience to one's faith.

Useless Faith

Saving Faith

Active Faith

As those who hope to be judged on the basis of God's mercy, we should not judge one another with personal preferences, favoritism, or prejudice but we should show Grace and love others as ourselves.

PRACTICE GOD'S ROYAL LAW OF LOVE (v. 8).

PARTIALITY IS UNLOVING AND BREAKS GOD’S WHOLE LAW (vv. 9-11).

AS THOSE WHO HOPE TO BE JUDGED BY MERCY, WE ARE TO LOVE OTHERS AND SHOW MERCY (vv. 12-13).

Big Idea: As believers, it is essential to resist viewing others with external prejudice, as this contradicts our faith in Christ, hinders the advancement of God's Kingdom, and goes against the nature of our Savior and Lord.

Prejudice is Un-Christlike.

Prejudice is un-Christianlike.

Prejudice is un-Godlike.

Big Idea: While receiving God's Word is vital for our faith, merely hearing it is not enough. It is through responding to and applying the Word in our lives that we fulfill God's plans. We are called to be both hearers and doers of God's Word.

Empty Hearing is Self-Deceiving (1:22-24)

Empty hearers' see the truth but do not apply it.

Empty hearers forget the truth they have heard.

Empty hearers deceive themselves.

Effective Listening Brings Blessing (1:25).

The effective listener focuses intently on The Word.

The effective listener applies The Word to his heart.

The effective listener applies The Word so that it changes his life.

Big Idea: God communicates most clearly with us through the scriptures. To maintain obedient fellowship with the Lord, we must receive His word into our hearts and minds.

Receptive Faith has Open Ears: “Be Quick to Hear.”

Receptive Faith has a Reflective Response: “Be slow to speak.”

Receptive Faith has a Calm Spirit: “Be slow to anger.”

Receptive Faith has a Clean Mind: “Putting aside all filthiness.”

Receptive Faith Welcomes the Word: “In humility receive the word implanted.”

Big Idea: Amidst challenges, it's crucial to recall that God has granted us an extraordinary gift, extending His benevolence to countless individuals. Genuine knowledge of Him entails experiencing His boundless generosity, evoking overwhelming gratitude and praise for His goodness.

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GOOD GIFTS

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PURE GOODNESS

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS UNCHANGING GENUINENESS

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GLORY

Big Idea: A life dedicated to following Christ involves recognizing and actively fighting sin and temptation.

ADMIT THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATION.

BE AWARE OF THE FORCE OF TEMPTATION

UNDERSTAND THE COURSE OF TEMPTATION

CHOOSE GOD ABOVE THE SATISFACTION OF SELFISH DESIRES.

Big Idea: Enduring suffering and trials requires a faith that prioritizes trust in God over-reliance on worldly resources, particularly wealth. Genuine faith maintains perspective on life's true priorities.

The Poor Rich

The Rich Poor

The Eternally Rich

Big Idea: Recognizing the importance of actively seeking wisdom from God is essential for enduring and navigating through life's trials.

Acknowledge Your Need.

Ask God for Wisdom.

Approach God with Faith.

Anticipate an Answer from God.

God uses challenging times to cultivate our faith. A maturing faith is one that readily embraces those trials for the gift of growing in faith.