Trinity Baptist Church

Survey of James - Part 3 (North Venue)

Episode Notes

How do we know our faith is genuine? Walking through James 2:1-26, Teaching Pastor Adam Brock tackles that question head-on, explaining that real faith is more than just intellectual belief or spiritual talk – it actually transforms how we live and relate to others. He reminds us that we must be doers of God’s word, not just hearers because faith without action is useless and dead. Yet this kind of faith is impossible on our own. The key is relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. It is only through the Spirit’s work in our hearts and lives that we can move from complacent belief to lives of genuine faith.

Key Takeaways

Genuine faith is revealed in our relationships

• Favoritism is actually a sin!
• We must see others as God sees them. Then there is no room for favoritism.
• How we treat others reveals what we believe about God.
• We all need grace and a Savior.

Genuine faith is not an empty claim

• We must be doers of God’s word, not just hearers.
• Faith without action is useless and dead. True faith results in a transformed life.
• Faith is more than intellectual belief.
• Theology must lead to a transformed life. Even demons have good theology!

Genuine faith produces an obedient life

• Faith and actions go together, as illustrated by Abraham and Rahab
• Faith leads us to live in obedience to God

Further Study

1. If our faith is revealed in our relationships, are you the kind of person others would consider loving? Are you an encouraging person? Can others look at your life and see that you know the living, true God because of the way that you interact with others?
2. Can people bring their unbelieving coworkers, neighbors, and family members here? Can they know with confidence that they’re going to be met with truth? We’re not going to ever compromise the message. We love them too much to tell them anything but the truth. But can they bring those unbelieving friends in here and know this church is going to love them? Are we a church that shows favoritism instead of Christ-like love?