If You Believe Something You Must Do Something (From our 6-22-25 Worship)
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/aD1WUsL7FTI
Summary:
Summary: If You Believe Something, You Must Do Something
Summary:
Summary: If You Believe Something, You Must Do Something
1. Real-Life Example: Irena Sendler and the Warsaw Ghetto
- Background: In 1941, Poland was under Nazi occupation. Jews were rounded up and confined to the Warsaw Ghetto in horrific conditions: starvation, overcrowding, and disease.
- Irena Sendler’s Courage:
- Irena was a social worker with access to the Ghetto.
- Deeply moved by the suffering, she decided to act—smuggling out about 2,500 Jewish children, giving them new identities and saving their documentation for later reunification.
- Her belief in the value of every human life, taught by her father, drove her actions despite great risk and eventual arrest by the Nazis.
- Main Point: If you truly believe all life has value, you cannot do nothing when you see injustice—you must act.
2. Belief and Faith: Not Just Feelings, But Actions
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
- Belief vs. Faith:
- In English, “belief” and “faith” are often used interchangeably, but the Bible distinguishes them.
- Belief is what you hold to be true.
- Faith is belief put into action.
- Scripture Reference: James 2:14–24 (ESV)
- “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
- Abraham’s faith was completed by his works—he acted on what he believed.
3. Faith Is an Action Word
- Examples from Hebrews 11:
- “By faith Abel offered…”
- “By faith Noah…constructed an ark…”
- “By faith Abraham obeyed…”
- All these examples demonstrate faith through doing something.
- Main Point: True faith always produces action. You cannot claim to believe in something deeply and remain unmoved.
4. Application: What Do You Believe About God, and What Will You Do?
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:9–13 (ESV)
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
- Personal Challenge:
- If you believe in God’s word, it calls you to respond—to work on your salvation, to grow, to act.
- Excuses come from Satan: Don’t wait until you’re “good enough” to act; respond now.
- Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 6:1–2 (ESV)
“…now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
5. The Church: More Than Sunday Worship
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV)
“...to equip the saints for the work of ministry... for building up the body of Christ... when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
- Being a Christian is not just about attending worship—it’s about a way of life, doing life together, and serving others.
- Acts 2:42–47: Early Christians lived, worked, and worshipped together as a community.
6. Final Challenge and Invitation
- What do you believe about God?
- What are you going to do about it?
- Faith must lead to action:
- God doesn’t expect perfection, but He expects growth and obedience.
- If you need help, support, or to act in faith today—don’t leave without responding.
Key Takeaway
“If you believe something, you must do something.”
Faith is only real when it leads to action—both in biblical examples and in our lives today.
