Faith Leads to Fruit!

Read James 2:14-26

What makes your faith alive? What makes it dead?

According to Matthew 13:18-23, what should the message of Christ produce in us?

In Matthew 21:18-18, what is Jesus’ response to the tree which should have been bearing fruit, but on which none was found?

John 15:1-8 gives the key to how we are to produce fruit. What is the only way that we can produce fruit, i.e. from where do we draw the motivation, power, and ability?

After reading John 5:31, can you answer the questions, “Why does God want to use us to reach the lost?” and “What is the point of the works of faith that the Lord has us do?”

Using a concordance, look up the word “works”, and see what you find!

Please post your comments below!

No Confidence in the Flesh

We all place trust and confidence in the “flesh” to some degree. This obviously comes in various degrees and in various forms. Paul gives a great a comparison of what it means to either trust in human efforts versus trusting in God.

Read Philippians 3:2-11; what kinds of things did Paul have to brag about concerning himself, his upbringing, his attitude, and his commitment to his work?

How did he view those things after meeting Jesus (see v. 7)

When we lean on our own achievements and efforts, what does it do to our faith in light of Genesis 15:6 and Ephesians 2:8,9).

What are our works apart from divine inspiration and motivation likened to in Isaiah 64:6?

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Cares of This World

Study the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Specifically in v. 22-23, what is the effect that the cares of the world have on the growing seed?

It’s hard to see the significance of this passage unless God gives us the understanding to identify what these cares or worries are in the 21^st century. Ask the Lord to show you what worries or cares in your life are from the world, and are choking out your “seed”, preventing you from producing fruit. Please share if you are comfortable doing so.

Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:4-8 What does worrying accomplish?

What does the Bible say the antidote to worrying is?

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Pleasing the Lord

Consider what might be pleasing to the Lord! Search out the words “please”, “pleased”, “pleasing” in combination with “God” and see what you find! (you can use blueletterbible.com and type in “pleas* God” and then restrict your search to the N.T. only)

After looking over the above scriptures, what attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors might you need help in changing to be more pleasing to God?

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Hearing God's Voice

When was the last time you came to God in prayer expecting to hear His voice concerning a matter in your life, needing His direction and wisdom? Do you expect to hear His voice? (i.e. Do you think he still speaks?)

Would an observer be able to tell if you were expecting to hear from the Lord?

Study the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10:7-16,25-30. What does it say the sheep will be able to perceive?

Expectation

How often do you show up to a church meeting and honestly expect the Lord to supernaturally move in one form or another?

According to Luke 11:9-13, when we ask the Lord for the Holy Spirit, what happens?

Read about some people who came to the Lord in expectation:

• The centurion in Matthew 8:5-13

• The woman who touched his robe in Matthew 9:20-22

• The Gentile woman in Matthew 15:21-28

Do you see a common thread in these stories?