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Faith Without Works?
Pastor Jim Kilby • May 8, 2024
Being a Christian is becoming less and less popular as our post-modern world turns from God. Still, there are plenty of people who, for whatever reason, still claim to be Christians, even though there is little evidence that their proclamation has merit. Some might say, "who are you to judge?" and they would be correct. I am not a judge, nor am I attempting to judge. What I am attempting to do is remind those who claim to be Christ followers that talk is cheap. It's not "talk" that we need, but rather "walk". We are not saved by our "works" for the Lord, but our works are a direct outpouring of the Holy Spirit that inhabits us. Again, some might say that judging is a sin--and they would be correct. But, if you walk by a fruit tree and notice that there is no fruit on it are you judging the tree? Certainly not.. you are simply a fruit inspector. Faith, without works (fruit) is dead.
"But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." James 2:18-19
Pastor Jim Kilby
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Before I ever heard much about God, I knew there was something larger than myself. Whether I would look at the back of my own hand, or at the stars in the summer sky, it seemed obvious to me there was a Creator. Later, I would learn this longing was planted in my heart by that very Maker. He put it there to testify of His great love for me. Some years after that, I cried out for Him to save me from the disaster I had made of my life--to save my soul from an eternity separated from Him. I thank God for that great desire He put inside me to know who He is. I also thank Him that He didn't forget about me as I turned my back on Him for so many years. He put that longing in your heart too. Will you call His name as I did? "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11b Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
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What is your most valued possession? Is there something you have that is more precious to you than anything else you own? What about your most valued relationship? Is there someone who is more special to you than any other person on earth? What is your most valued past time? Do you have a hobby or something you enjoy doing more than anything else in the world? Do you have a job that you really love? Does what you do there or even your title give you great pride? Excellent! Now, prepare to give it all up! If you allow any one of these things to get in the way of your relationship with Christ, move it over and prepare to take hold of the hand of your Lord. If you're not prepared to do that, as tough as it sounds, maybe you don't know Him as well as you think you do. "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Jesus (Luke 14:33) "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple." Jesus (Luke 14:26) "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Jesus (Luke 12:33) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Harvest Youth Ministries (HYM) is an outreach aimed at young people; not a youth group. HYM is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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