Part 3: It’s The Least I Could Do • Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor
James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Your notes…
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Your notes…
James 2:2-4
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Your notes…
James 2:14-17
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
THE MESSAGE (MSG)
Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
Your notes…
James 2:19
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Your notes…
John 12:1-3
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Your notes…
Next Steps
This week, your challenge is to show up and serve one of our community partners. We’ve carefully and prayerfully chosen these partners because they care about the things God cares about, and they care with an expertise and commitment that we value. Our partners believe they can make a difference for good, and they’ve done the hard work to put their belief into action. Now you an opportunity to come alongside them.
Do you want your faith in Jesus to have an impact in our community? Will you do something—small or big—to help that happen? If your answer is “Yes, I will,” all you need to do is…
- Go to ctkserves.org
- Click on Serve Our Partners to check out upcoming tours and service projects
- Choose one… and show up!
- Need help figuring out a good fit? We have volunteers in the Commons today to help you. Stop by one of the pub tables and let them know you’re willing to serve.
As well, you’re invited to donate to the Blue Skies for Children shoe drive. Look for details at the display in the Commons or at ctkserves.org/shoedrive. Our goal is 100 pairs of new shoes sizes 7-11 (50 pairs for girls, 50 pairs for boys).
Small Group Questions
- Is it your natural tendency to give God your best or just enough to get by? Why do you think that is?
- If it’s not the thought that counts, what’s one way you can begin to create the habit of follow-through in your life?
- What’s one thing in your life that you want to do but haven’t had the will to?
- How would you define the relationship between faith and works? Why does it matter so much in our lives?
- What’s one way you can put your faith into action this week?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?