Ernie begins by expressing deep gratitude to the Lord for His presence and blessings among His people, emphasizing the importance of practical faith rooted in works. He highlights James chapter 2, which stresses that faith without works is dead, using examples like Abraham and Rahab to illustrate that genuine faith manifests through actions. Ernie underscores that true faith is living and active, demonstrated by love, obedience, and righteousness in daily life. He explains that justification by faith is the beginning, but believers are called to live by faith continually, trusting God in trials and difficulties, which are part of His divine purpose to refine and conform us to Christ’s image. Ernie emphasizes that God’s faithfulness never changes, even in suffering, and that trials serve to build endurance, wisdom, and dependence on Him. He advocates for a simple, trusting reliance on God, recognizing that living by faith involves total dependence on Christ, the true vine. Ernie warns against superficial faith and urges believers to demonstrate their faith through righteous conduct, love, and obedience, citing Abraham and Rahab as examples. He concludes by encouraging believers to seek a genuine, experiential knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, who embodies the fullness of God, and to respond to life’s trials with faith that is active and visible in their lives.

Outline of Main Points

Gratitude for God's presence and blessings among believers
James 2: Faith without works is dead; true faith manifests in actions
Examples of Abraham and Rahab illustrating living faith
Justification by faith is the start; believers are called to live by faith daily
Trials and difficulties are divinely designed to refine and conform us to Christ
God’s unchanging faithfulness in all circumstances
Living by faith requires total dependence on Christ, the true vine
Superficial faith is ineffective; genuine faith is demonstrated through righteous conduct
Encouragement to seek experiential knowledge of God through Jesus Christ
Faith is active, visible, and rooted in obedience and love in daily life

Living Faith: The Church

Living Faith: The Church