Is Faith Without Works Dead? Pt 2 - Wednesday Service

Main message: God pursues us and initiates a grace-based relationship through Christ; our responsibility is to respond by cultivating intimate, focused fellowship with Jesus so that we are transformed, bear lasting fruit, and discover our purpose.

Key points:

• The relationship is initiated, secured, and sustained by Christ’s love and choice—not by our merit (e.g., “he loved us,” “I have chosen you”).
• Responding means intentionally pursuing intimacy with Jesus: concentrating time with him, letting the Spirit shape our minds and wills, and asking “Who are you, Lord?” and “What do you want me to do?”
• Knowing Christ personally (not merely knowing Scripture) is primary to knowing the Father and produces real inner transformation rather than mere head knowledge.
• Paul’s conversion and testimony illustrate how intimacy with Jesus clarifies calling and enables the gospel of grace to be lived out to others.
• Intimacy with Jesus releases resurrection power in believers and leads to practical demonstrations of grace in everyday life.

Scriptures mentioned: Galatians 4:9, 1 John 4:10, 1 John 4:19, John 15:16, Romans 5:8, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 3:7-11, 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 5:39, Acts 9:1-6, Galatians 1:15, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 8:3, John 14:6, Romans 4:11