"Saving Faith" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 & James 2:14-26 - Nathan Edwards

What is saving faith? And how do good works help us know if we have it?

Outline: How can we know we have saving faith?

I. Saving faith convicts us (vv. 15-17) “He says he has faith, but does not have works”

II. Saving faith changes us (vv. 18-19) “I will show you my faith by my works”

III. Saving faith compels us (vv. 20-26) “Faith was completed by his works”

Personal Reflection Questions:

1. What is something from the sermon that spoke to you?

2. Which do you think is more reliable for knowing a person’s true beliefs: their words or their actions?

3. Read Acts 2:37 why do you think Luke includes the detail “cut to the heart”? Do you think being ‘cut to the heart’ is essential to believing the gospel? Why or why not.

4. How would you explain the difference between good works being part of the root of our salvation vs. being part of the fruit of our salvation? Why is this distinction so important?

5. How might you correct someone who says “your belief in salvation by faith alone encourages Christians to live sinfully”?

6. What is something in your life you can see that the gospel has changed/is changing about you?

7. How have you seen your faith strengthened through acts of faith?