Part 2: There’s No Shortcut • Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor
Sanctification: The process of learning to love loved and live lived.
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Your notes:
Proverbs 24:16
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Your notes:
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Your notes:
James 1:19 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…
James 1:19 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers…
Your notes:
James 1:22–25
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, 24 after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Your notes:
Zechariah 4:10
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…
Next Steps
If you want to express your faith in action, the only way to start is to start. The only way to do is to do. The only way to serve is to serve. And Zechariah reminds us that there is nothing wrong with a small beginning.
This week, we’re challenging you to find a place to serve in your church—no matter how small the commitment might be. To get started, go to serve.ctk.church. There you’ll find more than a dozen areas where your skills, interests, and willingness could benefit your church and people who are finding their way to Jesus through our ministries. You can explore options there on your own and respond, or you we can help you get started after the service today. Look for our volunteers in the Commons.
If you prefer a paper response form, those are also available in the Commons today. You can fill one out and drop it off at the reception desk any time the church is open.
Small Group Questions
- What area of your life do you most want to change right now?
- When’s the last time you asked God for wisdom? How did God answer that prayer?
- Does knowing that you’re loved change the way you receive the very direct challenges in the book of James? How?
- What do you think is the main reason you don’t take action in your life?
- Do you sense God inviting you to do something this week? What is it?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?