PLANS TODAY FOR A PROMISE TOMORROW
VISION SUNDAY 4/19/2026
WE NEED MENTORS, NOT JUST ATTENDEES…FAITH REQUIRES ACTION
James 1:22-25, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
We discussed during our Fruit of the Spirit CREWS this past week, if we do not have the love of Jesus in us, it is impossible for us to display the love of Jesus to others. This is the same with our faith. James provides an example using a mirror. How can someone who does not know Jesus see what faith is if we fail toreflect it in our lives? Faith does not have a participation trophy for listening. God’s blessing only comes when we listen and do what the law says.
Judges 2:10, “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.”
If we want the next generation to know what God has done, we have to tell them and show them. God told Israel to write things down so they would not forget and to tell the future generations, but they failed to be obedient in that, as we see in Judges. Let us aim to boldly proclaim God’s greatness to all future generations, to share our testimonies and instill a desire for the next generation to experience God as we have.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9, “After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apolloswatered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waterswork together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.”
Paul reminds us that each of us has been given a specific call and work to do. It is up to us to do what God has called us to do, and trust that God will do the rest. We cannot expect to change the world around us alone, but when we do our part, and others do theirs, it builds on the foundation of Christ and leads to life change in those to whom we minister. God takes our faithful work and makes it grow.
Philippians 2:12-13, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important.Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
People need to see evidence of our salvation. They need the example of our obedience so that they can understand for themselves all that goes in to practicing obedience during a trying season. God will provide what we need to please Him and this obedience will be used to reach those who do not yet know Him.
GOD CALLS US TO BUILD UPON OUR FAITH, TO STAND UPON THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF JESUS AND TAKE THE ACTION HE IS CALLING US TO TAKE TO SHARE HIS TRUTH WITH OTHERS. IF WE DO NOT SHARE, HOW CAN WE EXPECT OTHERS TO GROW? JUST AS WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE WORK OF MENTORS WHO CAME BEFORE US, THOSE WHO COME AFTER US WILL BE IMPACTED BY OUR WORK AS MENTORS. LET US BE FAITHFUL TO THE END.
Titus 3:3-8, “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.”
It is our responsibility to share all that God has done for us, to let others know how He brought us from death to life. As a result, Paul petitions us to insist that we teach these things to those coming after us, to prompt others to devote themselves to doing good.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
In what ways are you acting upon the faith that is within you? James reminds us that we are saved by faith, but our good deeds are how people know that our faith is genuine. As believers, we need both. If our faith in Christ has changed us, then the fruit will be the overflow of good deeds as a result of our faith.
Read James 2:14-26.
What are some examples that James gives of good deeds? Can you think of some examples that have happened in your own life? Can you think of or search and find another passage in Scripture that talks about the importance of our good deeds (fruit)? Share with your small group.
Reflect upon your own life and faith walk. Are you living as an attendee, or are you doing the work of a Mentor? Ask God what you can do to pursue the call of Mentor to an even greater degree and for Him to give you what you need to accomplish whatever He may call you to do.
Living out faith is not an easy path to follow. As believers we face all sorts of temptations and challenges to knock us off course and cause us to step outside of God’s will. This is why it is important to build our community and work together. Mentoring others results in blessings in our own lives — we never know how pouring in to someone else will result in overflow directed back at us.
Read Matthew 7 slowly.
What part or parts of this passage speak to you most loudly right now? Why? Where in this passage do you see a call to action?
Is there someone in your circle that you can mentor, or are you in a season that you would benefit from being a mentee? Take some time to journal and ask God whom He may be calling you to pour into, or whom He may be directing you to reach out and connect with to ask them to come alongside you to help grow and develop your faith.
It is important to remember that God knows the condition of our hearts. Our motives are never hidden from Him. God is looking for us to serve Him because we love Him not to be like rebellious Judah and unfaithful Jerusalem.
Read Isaiah 1, then read again in another version.
How does God tell Judah that what He cares about most is our heart posture? We do not practice animal sacrifices today, but we still can have an incorrect heart posture when we are at church. What are some examples of how we do this today? Discuss with your small group.
The punishment for those whose hearts are far from God seems severe, but is just. What are some of the ways that Isaiah tells us Jerusalem and Judah have gone astray? Write out a prayer asking God to reveal any ways that you are walking closer to the path of rebellious Judah and unfaithful Jerusalem, and ask Him to give you the strength you need to make your way back to the path that He is calling you to walk, so that your life will bear evidence of your faith through its fruit and help you finish well.
