Just. Do. It.

Steve Szklarek
 

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“No. Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.”-Yoda

1.Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV) 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

• Jesus makes a stark statement here. What is the key difference between those who simply say they follow Jesus and those who truly do?  What does it mean to "do the will of my Father"? Is it enough to have good intentions?

2.James 1:22-25 (ESV) – Be Doers of the Word

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

• How does this verse expand on what Jesus says in Matthew?
• What do you think it means to be a "doer" rather than just a "hearer" of the Word?
• Can you share a time when you "tried" to obey God but didn’t fully commit? What was the result?

3.Luke 6:46-49 (ESV) – Build on the Rock

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

• What are some ways we can build our lives on the foundation of action rather than empty words?
• What are some things that prevent us from moving from "trying" to "doing" in our faith?
• Why do people sometimes acknowledge Jesus as Lord but fail to obey Him?

4.Philippians 4:13 (ESV) – Through Christ, We Can Do It

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

• Have you ever used “I’m trying” as an excuse for inaction? How does this verse challenge that mindset?
• What would change in your life if you truly relied on Christ's strength to "do" rather than just "try"?
• Why does “trying” so often not work?

Biblical Confidence

• Biblical confidence comes from God
  
  Phil 1:6:  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
   
• Biblical confidence overcomes fear and inaction
  
  Joshua 1:9: 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.”
   
• Biblical confidence fuels faithful action
  
  James 2:17: So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
   
• Biblical confidence leads to boldness
  
  2 Timothy 1:7:  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.