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July 5, 2026

Preached July 19, 2026

Preached on Father's Day 2026

Key Themes & Outline The Illusion of Security (Wealth witnesses against hoarding, vv. 1–3): Wealth is a stewardship trust, not a security blanket. Hoarded possessions corrode the heart and witness against individuals on Judgment Day.The Illusion of Independence (Wealth cries against injustice, v. 4): Exploiting or withholding fair, timely wages from laborers cries out to the Lord of Angel Armies (Lord of Sabaoth).The Illusion of Indulgence (Wealth fattens for slaughter, vv. 5–6): Living self-indulgently numbs people to spiritual needs and fattens them for judgment. Loving money leads to forgetting Jesus, the Just One who was condemned and murdered without resisting.

Sermon Outline 1. The Arrogance of Our Assumptions (13, 16) 2. The Brevity of Our Breath (14) 3. The Comfort of God’s Control (15, 17) Sermon Discussion Questions 1. Who Is on the Throne? Question: What are some areas of your life where you are most tempted to act as though you are in control rather than God? 2. Planning Without Presumption Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Question: How can we make wise and responsible plans without becoming presumptuous about what God will allow? 3. The Idol of Control Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Question: How does the desire to control circumstances contribute to anxiety, anger, disappointment, or conflict with other people? 4. Remembering Our Ignorance Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Question: Why can remembering that we do not know the future actually strengthen our faith rather than weaken it? 5. Living as a Vapor Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Question: If you genuinely believed that your life is a vapor, what would you do differently with the time God has given you? 6. The Comfort of God’s Control Matthew 10:29–31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father... Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Question: How should God's sovereign control change the way you respond when something happens that you did not plan or cannot control? 7. Trusting God When We Don't Understand Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Question: Why is it possible to trust God's will even when we cannot understand why He has allowed something to happen? 8. “If the Lord Will” James 4:15 “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Question: What would it look like for “If the Lord will” to become an attitude of your heart, rather than merely a phrase you say? 9. Do It Today James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Question: Is there something God has already shown you that you need to obey, but you have been postponing? 10. Everything Is Grace 1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” Question: What changes in your attitude toward your life when you begin to see your family, possessions, opportunities, plans, and even your next breath as gifts of God's grace rather than things you have earned?

Judgmentalism Judged (James 4:11-12) 1. WHOSE SEAT ARE YOU SITTING IN? James 4:12 “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” Question: Where are you most tempted to “sit in the judge’s seat”—in your family, workplace, church, friendships, or online? 2. ASSUMING BEFORE KNOWING 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Question: When have you recently made an assumption about someone's motives or character without knowing the whole story? 3. WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVE? Ephesians 4:15 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Question: When you speak about another person’s failures or weaknesses, is your goal to build them up, help them, or tear them down? 4. ARE YOU A JUDGE OR A FRUIT INSPECTOR? Matthew 7:20 “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Question: How can we distinguish biblical discernment from a judgmental spirit? 5. WHAT UNWRITTEN LAWS HAVE YOU CREATED? James 2:8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” Question: What personal or “unwritten” standards do you sometimes expect other people to follow—and become irritated when they don't? 6. ARE YOU ALLOWING CHRISTIAN LIBERTY? Romans 14:4 “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls.” Question: Are there areas of Christian liberty where you tend to treat your personal convictions as though they were biblical commands? 7. HOW BIG IS YOUR LOG? Matthew 7:3 “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Question: What faults in other people tend to bother you most—and could those frustrations reveal something you need to examine in yourself? 8. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE GOSPEL? Romans 2:1 “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” Question: How does remembering your own need for grace change the way you respond when someone else sins? 9. CAN YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITHOUT SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS? Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Question: Is there someone you need to speak truth to, but you need to examine your attitude and motive before you do it? 10. HOW CAN YOU BE MORE GRACIOUS THIS WEEK? Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Question: Who is one person toward whom you can intentionally show more grace, patience, mercy, or kindness this week? “If you really want to be like God, don’t be judgmental—be gracious.”

Grace to the Humble (James 4:7-10) 1. Getting Under God’s Authority “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Question: What does actively submitting yourself to God look like in your everyday life, and what is one area where you are currently resisting His authority? 2. Resisting the Enemy “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Question: Where are you most vulnerable to the devil’s temptation, accusation, or division, and what would it look like to actively resist him this week? 3. Do You Really Want God? “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Question: Do you primarily seek God Himself, or do you tend to seek God mainly for what He can do for you? What reveals the difference? 4. Returning to God “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Question: Is there an area of your spiritual life where you have gradually pulled away from God? What would “drawing near” look like in that area? 5. An Undivided Heart “He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Question: Where are you most tempted to live with “one foot in the church and one foot in the world”? What competing love or desire is pulling your heart away from Christ? 6. Repentance That Goes Deeper “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Question: When you become aware of sin, do you tend toward genuine repentance, excuses, minimizing, or merely feeling bad about the consequences? What is the difference? 7. Living in God’s Sight “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips.” Question: How does comparing yourself with other people affect your humility? How might regularly remembering God’s holiness change the way you see yourself? 8. Trusting God’s Timing “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” Question: What situation in your life is hardest for you to entrust to God’s timing, and what would humble trust look like there? 9. Choosing the Way Down “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Question: Where does your culture encourage you to “climb the escalator”—to become more impressive, successful, powerful, or recognized—and how does Jesus call you to choose a different way? 10. Grace for the Humble “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” Question: Where do you most need God’s grace right now, and how might humility position you to receive and depend upon that grace?

1. WHAT HAS YOUR HEART? “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Matthew 6:21 Question: What people, possessions, accomplishments, or experiences are most likely to compete with God for your heart? 2. FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” — James 4:4 Question: What is the difference between loving the people of the world and becoming a friend of the world system? 3. WHERE DO YOU SEEK APPROVAL? “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” — John 12:43 Question: In what areas are you most tempted to measure your worth by other people's approval rather than God's approval? 4. WHAT DOES GOD'S JEALOUSY MEAN? “For I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” — Exodus 20:5 Question: How does understanding God's jealousy as covenant love—not insecurity or selfishness—change the way you view His commands and correction? 5. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO GET FROM THE WORLD? “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 Question: What does your use of time, money, entertainment, or possessions reveal about where you look for comfort, pleasure, identity, or security? 6. DO YOU BELIEVE GOD'S GRACE IS GREATER? “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” — Romans 5:20 Question: When you become aware of your sin and failure, do you tend to run toward God for grace or away from Him in shame? Why? 7. WHERE DO YOU NEED MORE GRACE? “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 Question: What weakness, temptation, relationship, failure, or circumstance in your life is currently reminding you of your need for God's grace? 8. WHERE IS PRIDE KEEPING YOU FROM GRACE? “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” — James 4:6 Question: What does pride look like in your life right now—excuses, defensiveness, comparison, self-reliance, unwillingness to confess, or something else? 9. ARE YOU LIVING WITH ONE FOOT IN EACH KINGDOM? “No man can serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24 Question: Where are you experiencing the tension of wanting both Christ and the world's values, pleasures, or approval? 10. WILL YOU COME HOME TO GRACE? “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” — Luke 15:18 Question: What would it look like for you this week to acknowledge your sin, surrender your pride, and actively receive God's greater grace?

1. LOOK INWARD: Where Does My Conflict Begin? Scripture: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” — James 4:1 Question: When you experience conflict with another person, how naturally do you look for the cause in what they did rather than examining what is happening in your own heart? 2. IDENTIFY YOUR SELFISH DESIRES Scripture: “Abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” — 1 Peter 2:11 Question: What desires tend to become especially powerful in your heart when you are frustrated—comfort, control, recognition, security, being right, success, approval, or something else? 3. WHAT IDOL AM I DEFENDING? Scripture: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” — 1 John 5:21 Question: Think about a recent argument or conflict. What were you willing to say, do, or withhold in order to get what you wanted? What might that reveal about an idol you were defending? 4. IS MY ANGER REALLY ABOUT GOD? Scripture: “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” — James 1:20 Question: When you become angry, how can you tell whether your anger is genuinely concerned about God's holiness or whether you are experiencing “self-righteous indignation” because one of your own desires has been violated? 5. WHAT DO I EXPECT PEOPLE TO GIVE ME? Scripture: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 Question: Is there something you are expecting your spouse, children, parents, friends, employer, church, or career to provide that only God can ultimately give—security, significance, approval, comfort, or identity? 6. WHAT DOES MY PRAYER LIFE REVEAL ABOUT MY HEART? Scripture: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” — James 4:3 Question: If God examined the motives behind your most frequent prayers, what would they reveal that you truly value? 7. AM I WILLING FOR GOD TO SAY NO? Scripture: “Not my will, but yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42 Question: What is something you are currently asking God to change or provide? Are you genuinely willing to trust Him if His answer is “no” or “wait”? 8. CAN I REPLACE ACCUSATION WITH CONFESSION? Scripture: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” — James 5:16 Question: In a current conflict, what would change if you stopped saying, “You made me…” and instead confessed, “When this happened, my sinful desire for ______ took control, and I responded by ______”? 9. WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE TO SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM FIRST? Scripture: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 Question: In a conflict or difficult circumstance you're facing, what would change if your first question became, “How can God be glorified here?” rather than, “How can I get what I want?” 10. HOW DOES CHRIST CHANGE THE WAY I HANDLE CONFLICT? Scripture: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 Question: How should the security, identity, approval, and hope we already possess in Christ change the way we respond when someone disappoints, ignores, criticizes, or frustrates us?

1. Does My Life Show Wisdom? James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Question: If someone watched your life for a week, what evidence would convince them that you possess wisdom from God? 2. Where Am I Comparing Myself? Galatians 5:26: “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Question: Where are you most tempted to compare yourself with others—career, finances, appearance, abilities, possessions, children, or ministry? 3. Who Gets the Credit? Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Question: How do you respond internally when someone else receives credit, recognition, promotion, or attention that you believe you deserve? 4. Am I Feeding the Wrong Wisdom? Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Question: What voices or influences most encourage you to pursue success, recognition, possessions, or self-promotion according to the world's definition of wisdom? 5. What Needs a U-Turn? Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Question: Is there an area where you know you have been resisting God's wisdom and need to turn back to Him? 6. Am I a Peacemaker? Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Question: Where has God placed you where you could actively make peace rather than simply avoid conflict? 7. How Easy Am I to Entreat? James 3:17: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Question: When someone disagrees with you, are you more likely to listen and yield or to defend your position and win? 8. Am I Showing Mercy? Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Question: Who is currently difficult for you to forgive, serve, or treat with kindness—and what would it look like to show that person mercy? 9. What Am I Sowing? James 3:18: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Question: What “seeds” are you currently sowing in your marriage, family, workplace, friendships, or church—and what kind of harvest should you expect? 10. Where Do I Need Wisdom from Above? James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Question: What specific situation in your life right now requires you to stop relying on your own wisdom and ask God for wisdom from above?

1. Wisdom Begins with Purity Scripture: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable...” — James 3:17 Question: Where are you most tempted to compromise God’s truth in order to keep peace with others? Leader Note: Help the group see that biblical peace is never built on ignoring or minimizing God’s holiness. Purity must come first. 2. Are You a Peace-Maker or a Peace-Breaker? Scripture: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” — Matthew 5:9 Question: How would your family, coworkers, or friends describe the atmosphere you create around you? Leader Note: Encourage practical examples. Peace is not passivity; it is actively pursuing reconciliation and unity. 3. The Strength of Gentleness Scripture: “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” — Philippians 4:5 Question: In what situations is it hardest for you to respond with gentleness rather than irritation or defensiveness? Leader Note: Remind the group that gentleness is not weakness. It is strength under the control of the Holy Spirit. 4. Easy to Be Entreated Scripture: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” — Proverbs 18:13 Question: How do you typically respond when someone offers correction or criticism? Leader Note: Discuss the sermon illustration about reviewing the “replay.” Heavenly wisdom listens before reacting. 5. Saying, “I Was Wrong” Scripture: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” — James 5:16 Question: When was the last time you sincerely admitted wrong and asked forgiveness? Leader Note: This question may become personal. Encourage honesty without forcing anyone to share details they are not ready to discuss. 6. Full of Mercy Scripture: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us...” — Ephesians 2:4 Question: How does remembering God’s mercy toward you change the way you view difficult people? Leader Note: Connect mercy received to mercy extended. We forgive because we have been forgiven. 7. Mercy in Action Scripture: “Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” — 1 John 3:17 Question: What is one practical way you could show mercy to someone this week? Leader Note: Push the discussion toward specific action: meals, encouragement, financial help, visits, or acts of service. 8. Without Partiality Scripture: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” — James 2:1 Question: Are there people you naturally overlook because of age, income, background, or social status? Leader Note: Encourage the group to think about church life, workplace relationships, and community interactions. 9. Without Hypocrisy Scripture: “Let love be without dissimulation.” — Romans 12:9 Question: Is there any area where your public Christian image and private life do not match? Leader Note: Handle this gently. The goal is not shame but repentance and integrity before God. 10. Looking to Christ, Our Wisdom Scripture: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom...” — 1 Corinthians 1:30 Question: How does seeing Jesus as the perfect embodiment of James 3:17 change the way you pursue growth? Leader Note: End the discussion with the gospel. We do not produce heavenly wisdom by willpower alone; we grow by trusting and abiding in Christ.

Outline: 1. Because your tongue is untameable, you need God's grace to tame your tongue (7-8a) 2. Because your tongue can be deadly, you need God's grace to tame your tongue (8b) 3. Because your tongue can bless or curse, you need God's grace to tame your tongue (9-12) Discussion Questions: 1. The Human Struggle With Words Scripture: “For every kind of beasts… is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.” (James 3:7) Question: Why do you think human beings are able to control so much in the world, yet still struggle to control their words? Leader Note: Begin with the contrast James makes between human dominion over creation and our inability to control speech. Help the group see the irony and realism in the passage. 2. The Untamable Tongue Scripture: “But the tongue can no man tame.” (James 3:8) Question: In what ways have you personally experienced the frustration of trying—and failing—to control your speech? Leader Note: Emphasize dependence on God’s grace rather than self-effort or willpower alone. Keep the tone pastoral and honest, not condemning. 3. Words That Carry Poison Scripture: “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8) Question: What are some examples of how words can damage relationships more deeply than actions? Leader Note: Help the group feel the seriousness of harmful speech while keeping the discussion reflective rather than accusatory. 4. The Instability of the Heart Scripture: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8) Question: How does your speech reveal what is going on inside your heart? Leader Note: Connect inconsistency in speech with spiritual instability. Stress that words are a diagnostic tool of the heart. 5. The Power of Blessing and Cursing Scripture: “Therewith bless we God… and therewith curse we men.” (James 3:9) Question: Why do you think it is so easy to praise God on Sunday and still speak poorly of others during the week? Leader Note: Highlight the contradiction between worship and relational speech. Encourage humility and self-awareness. 6. The Image of God in Others Scripture: “Which are made after the similitude of God.” (James 3:9) Question: How should remembering that someone is made in God’s image change the way you speak to or about them? Leader Note: Apply the doctrine of the Imago Dei to everyday interactions, especially in moments of frustration or disagreement. 7. The Inconsistency Problem Scripture: “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.” (James 3:10) Question: Where do you most often see inconsistency in your own speech (home, work, online, etc.)? Leader Note: Encourage honest self-reflection without comparison or shame. Keep the focus internal. 8. The Fountain Principle Scripture: “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” (James 3:11) Question: What kinds of situations tend to reveal what is truly in your heart? Leader Note: Emphasize that speech flows from the heart. Help the group see patterns rather than isolated failures. 9. The Test of Consistency Scripture: “So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:12) Question: If someone listened to your words for a week, what kind of “fountain” would they conclude you are? Leader Note: Push toward awareness of long-term speech patterns and their spiritual implications. 10. Redeemed Speech Through Christ Scripture: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9) Question: What is one practical step you can take this week to let God shape your speech more like Christ’s? Leader Note: End with gospel hope. Emphasize ongoing repentance, forgiveness, and transformation through the Holy Spirit rather than self-effort.

1. Your Words Reveal Your Heart Luke 6:45: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Question: When you reflect on your words this past week, what do they reveal about the current condition of your heart? 2. Recognize That We All Stumble James 3:2: "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." Question: Why is it important to begin with humility by admitting that everyone struggles with the tongue? 3. The Weight of Teaching God's Word James 3:1: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." Question: How should this warning shape the way we teach Scripture to our children, grandchildren, friends, or those we disciple? 4. Who Holds the Reins? James 3:3: "Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body." 5. Small Words, Big Impact Proverbs 16:24: "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." Question: Can you remember a few encouraging words that changed your life? Who needs to hear those kinds of words from you this week? 6. Don't Start a Forest Fire James 3:5-6: "See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity..." Question: What forms of destructive speech are especially tempting today (gossip, sarcasm, criticism, online comments, complaining, exaggeration), and how can believers resist them? 7. Build Up Instead of Tear Down Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Question: What would change in your home, workplace, or church if everyone followed this verse consistently? 8. Depend on the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Question: Why can't self-control over our speech ultimately come through willpower alone? 9. Pray Before You Speak Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Question: How could praying this verse each morning affect the conversations you have throughout the day? 10. Use Your Tongue for the Gospel Acts 1:8: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me..." Question: James reminds us that our tongues can destroy or give life. Who has God placed in your life that needs to hear the hope of the gospel from your lips this week?

1. A Faith That Acts Scripture "Likewise also was not Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?" (James 2:25) Question What specific actions revealed that Rahab's faith was genuine, and what actions in your life demonstrate that your faith is real? Leader Note Help the group distinguish between works that earn salvation and works that flow from salvation. Emphasize that Rahab's actions did not save her; they revealed her trust in God. Scripture "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!" (James 2:19) Question What is the difference between merely knowing the truth about God and personally trusting Him? Leader Note Encourage members to consider whether their faith is primarily intellectual agreement or wholehearted reliance upon Christ. Scripture "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) Question What fear is currently making it difficult for you to obey God in a specific area of life? Leader Note Invite practical examples. Focus on God's character and promises rather than merely overcoming fear through determination. Scripture "For the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." (Joshua 2:11) Question How did Rahab's view of God give her the courage to act, and how can a greater view of God strengthen your obedience? Leader Note Draw attention to the connection between theology and practice. A high view of God fuels courageous faith. Scripture "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20) Question How does Rahab's story encourage people who feel disqualified because of their past? Leader Note Emphasize the breadth of God's grace and the transforming power of the gospel. Scripture "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Corinthians 13:5) Question What evidence of spiritual life would someone who knows you well point to in your life? Leader Note This question should be approached humbly, not legalistically. Encourage honest self-reflection rather than comparison with others. Scripture "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Question In what area of your life is God currently calling you to take a step of obedience? Leader Note Help participants identify concrete next steps rather than speaking only in generalities. Scripture "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26) Question Why does James use such a vivid picture to describe faith without works? Leader Note Discuss the seriousness of self-deception and the danger of religious activity without spiritual life. Scripture "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Question How does remembering the gospel motivate obedience more effectively than guilt or fear? Leader Note Keep the focus on grace-driven obedience. Genuine transformation comes from gratitude for Christ's work, not attempts to earn God's favor. Scripture "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Question How does Rahab's transformation encourage you to trust God's power to change people—including yourself? Leader Note End the discussion on a note of hope. Highlight God's ability to save, restore, and use unlikely people for His glory, just as He did with Rahab.

I. Living Faith Obeys God's Costly Demands (v. 21) Abraham obeyed when obedience made no human sense. Faith trusts God's character even when it cannot understand God's plan. Genuine faith is revealed when obedience costs us something. II. Living Faith Results in Obedience (v. 22) Faith and works operate together. Works mature and complete faith. Spiritual growth is progression, not perfection. III. Living Faith Fulfills the Other Side of Justification (vv. 23–24) Paul speaks of justification before God. James speaks of justification before men. Works vindicate the reality of saving faith. IV. Living Faith Is Seen in Progressive Sanctification (v. 24) Abraham's life demonstrated decades of growth. Genuine believers grow in grace over time. Good works are the consequence, not the cause, of salvation. V. Living Faith Shows You Are a Friend of God (v. 23b) Abraham's obedience demonstrated intimate fellowship with God. Faithfulness reveals friendship with God. Christ calls His disciples His friends.