Authentic Living

Topics: authenticity, authentic living

I. Work it out

* We are saved not by works but to work!

1. What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ?And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,? and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).
2. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
3. (Matthew 25:34-40)

II. Weather it out

*Have a steadfastness of faith!

1. and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary (Revelation 2:3).
2. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4)
3. (Daniel 3:13-18)

III. Walk it out

*Don't just talk the talk but walk the walk!

1. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25).
2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
3. (James 3:1-12)
4. (Matthew 12:36)

Sermon by Pastor Dane Nissen, March 3rd, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Authentic Living"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Being true Overcomers means we live authentic Christian lives. Discuss with your Life Group fresh ways that you can live for Jesus more with more authenticity in your group times together.

Getting Started:

1. How much do you value authenticity?
2. How often do you feel you are being authentic?

Discussing Truths:

1. How would you describe an authentic Christian life?
2. If you were to ask people in your life to describe you would they use the word loving?
3. Have you felt your faith strengthen through the fires, storms, and trials? Why and how?
4. Can you be kind even when others are treating you unfair?
5. Do you have the even if mentality of Daniel 3:13-18?

Now What? Application:

1. Do you find yourself checking out and just being a hearer of the word?
2. Does your wisdom reflect more earthly wisdom or the wisdom of God?
3. Do you have doubts in your prayer life? (James 1:6) If so what are some ways to build your faith in God answering your prayers?