SERMON OUTLINE Sunday Oct 15th, 2017
PASTOR DAVID COOKE: How Faith Works
Romans 4: 1-25
• Does God Owe You?
Romans 4:1–5 (ESV)
• Being Blessed
Romans 4:6–8 (ESV)
• A Story: Abraham
A. A
B. A Blessing
C. The
D.The Promise
E. The
• Faith, Belief and Patient
Romans 4:20–22, ESV
• The God You Can Believe In
Romans 4:17, ESV
• The Jesus-Trusting Life
Romans 4:23–25, ESV
Answers: Call, Wait, Sign, Endurance
LIFE GROUP STUDY GUIDE
We connect in Life Groups to:
• Connect with God and each other
• Connect the Bible to life
• Connect with the community through serving together
Welcome/Mingle/Eat
Ice Breaker We have all been offered a free gift from God worth more
than any of us could imagine and that none of us deserve. Have you ever
been given a gift that was difficult to receive? If so, explain.
Prayer Tithe Give your time to God. Before your sermon discussion, pray
together.
This Week “How Faith Works” Romans 4:1-25
1. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that you heard for the first time, caught your attention,
challenged, or confused you?
2. Our salvation cannot be earned. But a genuine commitment always
results in action. Our commitment to Jesus is powered by the grace we
have been given and demonstrated by works we put into action. What
might it look like if someone focused too much on grace at the expense
of works?
3. Can you think of any examples in your life when you focused too much
on one, while excluding the other?
This week we heard how Israels’ national hero, Abraham, was saved by
faith and not his works just as we are today! Yet, looking closer at
Abraham’s story, we also find that he heard nothing from God for 13 years
(Gen. 16:16-17:1). This kind of patience and faithfulness can be no small
challenge for any of us.
4. How do Psalm 37:7-9; James 5:7-11 help us remain faithful and patient
even when God seems to be silent?
5. How does Romans 4:20-22 encourage you when it comes to being
patient and faithful?
6. The Pharisees in the New Testament were arguably the most religious
people of their time and the ultimate example of having a “religious faith”
rather than a “saving faith.”
How does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:1-7, 15, 23, 25-
26 further illustrate how they thought they could “earn” their faith but
missed the mark on having a “saving faith”?
It is incredible news that there is nothing we can do to “earn” our
salvation and that it is a free gift offered to all. Yet, it is also true that an
authentic “saving faith” cannot remain dormant, hidden or silent.
Jesus gave us nine beatitudes that demonstrate an authentic faith in
action, which is also a natural outflow of God’s spirit changing us from the
inside out. As you read through Matthew 5:1-11, jot down each beatitude,
and then answer the following questions.
7. How can you explain each beatitude to someone who asks what it
looks like for a follower of Jesus to put into action? (Note – you may want
to refer to “The Message” Bible to add further explanation of each
beatitude).
8. Which beatitude catches your attention the most or is more challenging for you to live out in your own life?
9. How might the beatitudes relate to being “salt and light” in Matthew
5:13-16?
TAKING IT HOME
10. This week we heard about the God we can believe in (Rom. 4:17) and
the Jesus-trusting life (Rom. 4:23-25). Looking back over this week’s
sermon and study guide, what’s the most important thing for you to
remember and put into action?