Aligning Our Actions with Our Words

Introduction:

I hope you're all feeling blessed and ready to dive into God's Word together. You know, one of the things I love about our time here is that we get to be real with each other. So today, let's talk about something we all struggle with from time to time—making sure our actions match our words. Ever told someone you’d pray for them and then completely forgot? Or promised to help with something and then got too busy? Yep, me too. But don’t worry, we’re in this together, and God’s got some wisdom for us!

Today, we’re going to focus on three key areas where we can make sure our actions line up with our words:

The Power of Integrity - Being consistent and trustworthy in what we say and do.

Living Out Our Faith - Demonstrating our beliefs through our actions.

Authentic Love in Action - Showing real love by what we do, not just what we say.

Sound good? Alright, let's dive into each of these points a bit deeper.

Point 1: The Power of Integrity

Let's kick things off with our first point: The Power of Integrity. Integrity is all about being whole and undivided, making sure that what we say and what we do line up. Jesus had some strong words on this topic. In Matthew 5:37 (CSB), He said, "But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one." Simple, right? But oh so challenging.

Quote: "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." - C.S. Lewis

Application: Let’s be people whose words mean something. When we say we’ll do something, let’s do it. When we make a commitment, let’s follow through. Our integrity shines the light of Jesus in a world that desperately needs it.

Point 2: Living Out Our Faith

Our second point is about Living Out Our Faith. James 2:17 (CSB) puts it plainly: "In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself." Ouch, right? James doesn’t pull any punches. He’s reminding us that our faith isn’t just about what we believe or say—it’s about what we do.

Quote: "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." - Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

Application: Our actions should reflect our faith. It’s not enough to just talk about Jesus; we need to live like Him. That means loving our neighbors, helping those in need, and showing kindness to everyone we meet. It’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus in our daily lives.

Point 3: Authentic Love in Action

Finally, let’s talk about Authentic Love in Action. In 1 John 3:18 (CSB), we read, "Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth." John is urging us to make our love real and tangible. It’s easy to say “I love you” but much harder to show that love through our actions. God is love 1 John 4:8 “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Quote: "Love is a verb. Without action, it is merely a word." - Unknown

Application: True love shows up in the little things we do for others. It’s about being there for a friend in need, sacrificing our time and resources, and showing grace and forgiveness. Let’s strive to love like Jesus, not just in what we say, but in how we live.

Conclusion:

So, friends, as we go out this week, let’s remember to align our actions with our words. Let’s be people of integrity, living out our faith and showing authentic love in everything we do. It won’t always be easy, but with God’s help, we can do it. Let’s pray together for the strength to live out these truths.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the way it challenges and encourages us. Help us to be people whose actions match our words. Give us the strength to live out our faith with integrity and authentic love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.