What does genuine faith look like? In this passage, James reminds us that while we are saved by grace through faith alone, the faith that saves is never alone. It will always produce a transformed life. There is a difference between simply professing faith and possessing a faith that is alive, active, and evident through obedience.1. Faith is More Than Words (James 2:14-17)A. Genuine Faith is more than a professionB. Genuine faith produces compassion

1. Call to Consecration (Joel 2:15)A. What Evergreen Must Not Be• A Careful Church• A Careless Church• A Carefree ChurchB. What Evergreen Must Be• A Committed Church• An Authentic Church• An Impact full Church2. Repentance for the Church (2 Chronicles 7:14)Guided Prayer:• Spiritual apathy• Divisions• Ungodly language/witness• Judgmental spirit• Self-righteousness3. Intercession for the Nation (1 Timothy 2:1-4)Guided prayer:• Government leaders• Cultural healing• Next generation4. Commitment to Our Moment (Joshua 24:14,15; Matthew 5:15-16)Guided Prayer:• Loyalty• Influence

Identifies as the “Amen,” Jesus speaks to this church as the indisputable witness of their condition. His glory is not at all reflected in this congregation, and He is disgusted by their pride. Yet, even now, He offers hope.1. Problem: Spiritual Lethargy (vv.14-16) 2. Product: Self-Sufficiency (vv.17, 18) 3. Promise: Divine Discipline (vv.19-22)

With perfect judgment, Jesus evaluates the church in Philadelphia and finds no complaint there. This congregation of saints provides a solid model of a healthy church. Divine praises for the present always come with divine promises for the future.

The downward spiral beginning with the Ephesian church’s loss of its first love for Jesus and continuing with Pergamum’s worldliness and Thyatira’s toleration of sin, reaches a new low at Sardis. Christ here declares the hope and plan for revival to a dying church.

This letter is the longest of the seven, though addressed to the church in the smallest of the seven cities. It has an important message for today: false doctrine and sin are not to be allowed—even under the banner of love, toleration, and unity.

Worldliness is the preoccupation with or interest in things of no eternal value. Cultural compromise is the next downward spiral for a church that loses its first love. Authentic Jesus-followers understand that they do not belong to this world, so they must not act like this world.

Throughout history, a seemingly paradoxical truth is that greater persecution of the church produces greater purity and strength in the church. Smyrna is one example. Such authentic followers receive only good words from the Master.