The Test of Knowing Him: I John 2:3-6

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God [a]is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Listening and Doing: James 1:22-25

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Sermons to Meditate:

• What Kind of God and What Kind of Gospel - David Pawson 

• How Much Do You Know God? - Paul Washer

• Who Do You Say Jesus Is? - Paul Washer

• Do you Truly know the Lord?  - Paul Washer

• Are You Truly Saved? - Paul Washer

• 8 Ways of Deception - Zac Poonen

• Do you see God working in your Life - Paul Washer

• Busyness and Spiritual Discipline - Paul Washer 

• Regeneration vs Decisionism - Paul Washer

• God's Sovereignty & Man's Responsibility  - David Pawson

• Once Saved always Saved?  - David Pawson

Experience consists of three interconnected areas: Head, Heart, and Habits.

• Head — What we think: Knowledge, understanding, beliefs, and the way we make sense of the world.

• Heart — What we feel: Emotions, values, relationships, empathy, and what motivates us.

• Habits — What we do: Behaviors, routines, practices, and the actions we take consistently. Together, these three areas shape the overall experience by connecting thinking, feeling, and doing. 

Alignment gap: It is the gap between Head (what we say) and Habits (what we live)

As believers, we may say that we love God, care about people, and want to live according to His Word. But there can be a gap between our intentions, our actions, and the experience others have when they encounter us.

• What we say: Our confession, promises, beliefs, and intentions.

• What we do: Our choices, service, obedience, and daily conduct.

• What others experience: The love, grace, truth, encouragement, or even hurt they experience through us.

We may say, “I serve God,” but how do we serve Him? We may do the right things outwardly while our hearts are far from Him. We may have a compassionate heart but lack biblical understanding. We may understand the Word and feel deeply for others, yet fail to act.

Head — Understanding - What do I know and believe about God and His Word?

Heart — Love and devotion - Do I genuinely love God and care about the people He has placed before me?

Habits — Practice and obedience - Am I consistently living out what I believe and what I value?

A life of worship and service : Truth understood + Love experienced + Faith practiced

This is not a formula that limits the work of the Holy Spirit. God calls us to love Him with our whole being and to let our faith shape our everyday lives.

Can we serve God with only our Head, Heart, or Habits?

Yes, we can participate in religious activities or serve people while one or more of these dimensions is missing. However, our service may be incomplete or misaligned with God's desire for our lives.

Romans 12:1–2 calls us to offer ourselves to God and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In John 4:23–24, Jesus teaches that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth.

I Corinthians: 14: 15:  I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.  

Worship therefore involves more than outward religious activity. It involves our inner devotion, our understanding of God's truth, and the way we live in response to Him.

Read Luke 10:25–37 together.

A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers, beaten, and left half-dead. A priest saw him and passed by. A Levite also saw him and continued on his way.

Then a Samaritan came along. When he saw the injured man, he was moved with compassion. He approached him, treated his wounds, placed him on his animal, took him to an inn, cared for him, and arranged payment for his continued care.

Jesus concluded the story by telling His listener to go and do likewise.

What can we learn?

1. Head without Heart — Knowing but not loving

The priest and Levite saw the injured man but passed by.

Reflection: Can we know the Bible, recognize someone's need, and still fail to respond with love?

2. Heart without Head — Loving without discernment

Imagine that the Samaritan had felt compassion but had not considered how to care for the man's injuries or arrange further help.

His compassion would be genuine, but his response might be incomplete.

Reflection: Do we combine compassion with wisdom, discernment, and practical understanding?

3. Habits without Heart — Serving without love

Imagine someone performing a charitable act simply because it is expected of a church member, with no genuine concern for the person receiving help.

The task may be completed, but the spirit of Christlike love may not be evident.

Reflection: Are we serving people because we love them, or simply because service is part of our routine?

4. Habits without Head — Acting without understanding

Imagine someone repeatedly offering assistance without asking what the injured person actually needs.

The person is active and willing, but the assistance may not address the real problem.

Reflection: Do we pause to understand before we act?

5. Head and Heart without Habits — Knowing and caring but not acting

Imagine the Samaritan understood the danger and felt compassion but continued walking without helping.

He would have knowledge and concern, but neither would become practical assistance.

James 2:17 reminds us that faith without works is dead.

Reflection: What good do we recognize and feel burdened about but continually postpone doing?

6. Head and Habits without Heart — Correct service without compassion

Imagine a person who knows the right procedures and completes every ministry responsibility but treats those in need without warmth or dignity.

The work may be technically correct, yet the person may not experience Christlike care.

Reflection: Are people merely ministry responsibilities to us, or are they people whom God calls us to love?

7. Heart and Habits without Head — Compassionate action without wisdom

Imagine someone who eagerly helps but fails to consider the safest or most appropriate way to assist.

Their intentions and actions are present, but their judgment may be insufficient.

Reflection: Are our good intentions guided by God's truth and wise decisions?

8. Head, Heart, and Habits together — Understanding, compassion, and action

The Samaritan recognized the need, responded with compassion, and took practical steps to help the injured man.

He did not stop at seeing. He did not stop at feeling. He acted, and he arranged continued care.

The lesson: Love for our neighbor becomes visible through thoughtful action.

Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth

Read John 4:23–24. Jesus says that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Paul also speaks of serving God with his spirit (Romans 1:9) and being transformed through the renewing of the mind Romans 12:1–2.

These passages help us consider the relationship between our inner devotion, our understanding, and our actions.

• Head — Truth and understanding: We learn who God is, what He has revealed, and how His Word guides us.

• Heart — Sincere devotion: We respond to God with love, reverence, gratitude, repentance, and faith.

• Habits — Lived worship: We express our devotion through prayer, obedience, fellowship, generosity, forgiveness, and service.

Worship is not merely singing songs, attending a meeting, or following a program. Nor is it merely an emotional experience. It involves a sincere response to God, grounded in truth and expressed through a life offered to Him.

Questions for group discussion

Use these questions to invite honest reflection rather than judgment.

1. Have you ever known what the right thing to do was but struggled to do it? What was the gap?

2. Can a person be active in church ministry without being spiritually attentive to God? What might that look like?

3. Which is more challenging for you personally: understanding God's Word, maintaining a loving heart, or practicing consistent obedience?

4. What does the Good Samaritan teach us about the difference between seeing a need and responding to it?

5. How can our fellowship help one another grow in biblical understanding, genuine love, and faithful habits?

6. What is one practical action you can take this week to bring your beliefs, attitudes, and behavior into greater alignment?

Personal application: Examine my own alignment

Invite each participant to take a quiet moment with God.

Head — Am I growing in the knowledge and understanding of God's Word?

Heart — Are my motives shaped by love for God and compassion for others?

Habits — Am I consistently putting God's Word into practice?

Conclusion:

We are called to more than knowing God's Word, feeling moved by it, or participating in Christian activities. We are called to allow God's truth to shape our hearts and our daily lives.

The Good Samaritan shows us that a neighbor's need calls for more than awareness. Compassion must become practical care.

• Head without Heart can produce knowledge without love.

• Heart without Head can produce compassion without discernment.

• Habits without Heart can produce service without sincerity.

• Habits without Head can produce activity without understanding.

• Head and Heart without Habits can produce good intentions without action.

• Head and Habits without Heart can produce efficient service without compassion.

• Heart and Habits without Head can produce sincere but unwise action.

• Head, Heart, and Habits together can help us express a faith that is informed by God's truth, motivated by love, and demonstrated through obedience.

We do not achieve perfect alignment by our own strength. We depend on God's grace and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit as we grow in faith.

Romans 12:1–2

12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that 

1. Good and 

2. Acceptable and 

3. Perfect will of God.

In Romans 12:1–2, Paul calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they may discern the will of God, described as good, acceptable, and perfect. These three expressions provide a helpful framework for examining our decisions, intentions, and ministry activities. Something may appear good because it has a noble purpose, such as preaching the Gospel or serving people. However, a good intention does not automatically mean that the action is appropriate in every circumstance or that it aligns with God's specific direction. Similarly, something may seem acceptable and even produce positive results, yet still require further discernment regarding God's timing, method, and purpose. 

The Macedonian Call Acts 16:6–10

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in [a]Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the [b]Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:6–10 illustrates this principle through Paul's missionary journey. Although Paul's desire to preach the Word in Asia and Bithynia was good, the Holy Spirit prevented the missionary team from going in those directions. Instead, Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man pleading for help, and the team concluded that God had called them to preach the Gospel in Macedonia. This redirection led to the Gospel reaching Macedonia, where Lydia, a worshiper of God, became a believer after hearing Paul preach (Acts 16:13–15). The passage reminds us that a good intention must be submitted to God's guidance, and a sincere desire to serve must be accompanied by spiritual discernment and obedience.

Three questions to examine God's will

• Good: Is this consistent with God's Word and beneficial in its purpose?

• Acceptable: Is this pleasing to God and appropriate in the circumstances?

• Perfect: Does this align with God's will, direction, timing, and purpose for this situation?

This principle is particularly relevant to the challenges facing the Church today. We can sometimes prioritize enthusiasm, talent, eloquence, financial resources, and willingness to serve over spiritual maturity, biblical understanding, discernment, and personal preparation. Believers may be encouraged to engage in outreach, serve vulnerable people, or assume ministry responsibilities without adequate guidance, clear biblical boundaries, accountability, or the involvement of spiritually mature leaders. New believers, despite their genuine passion and eagerness to serve, may be placed in demanding situations before they have been sufficiently discipled, grounded in the Word, and equipped to handle spiritual challenges, difficult relationships, and unexpected opposition. Similarly, someone may be invited into the worship ministry because of musical talent, asked to preach because of eloquence, or appointed to lead a ministry because of financial resources, without sufficient consideration of their character, spiritual maturity, sound doctrine, and readiness to serve. Although these decisions may arise from good intentions, they can lead to burnout, discouragement, unhealthy dependency, spiritual confusion, and even harm to those being served.

The challenge is not necessarily a lack of willingness to serve, but a failure to recognize that gifting is not the same as maturity, enthusiasm is not the same as preparedness, and ability is not the same as proven character or readiness for a particular ministry responsibility. The Church must move beyond simply recruiting willing workers to intentionally making disciples—nurturing believers in the Word, developing Christlike character, providing personal mentoring, establishing appropriate boundaries, and creating a clear pathway for spiritual growth and ministry readiness. As Paul instructs Timothy, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 5:22). Ministry appointments and responsibilities should be approached prayerfully, with discernment and appropriate accountability.

Application to the Church today

Before launching a ministry, entering outreach, appointing leaders, or taking on a new responsibility, we should ask more than, “Is this a good thing to do?” We should also ask, “Is this biblically sound? Have we sought God's direction? Is this the right time and approach? Are we spiritually prepared, and have we sought wise counsel?”

Repentance is for Everyone: Luke 13:3-5

2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 

Nobody can escape from God’s Righteous Judgment: Romans 2:1-11

2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his 

• kindness, 

• forbearance and 

• patience, 

not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in 

• doing good 

• seek glory, 

• honor and 

• immortality, 

he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are 

• self-seeking and 

• who reject the truth and 

• follow evil, 

there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

Sermons to Meditate:

• God's holiness and man's depravity  - Paul Washer

• The Way of Salvation - David Pawson

• Repentance - David Pawson

Circumcision of the Heart: Deuteronomy 30:6,8

6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.   

8 You will again obey the Lord and follow all his commands I am giving you today.  

Circumcision of the Heart by the Holy Spirit: Romans 2:28,29

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. 

Sign of Circumcision is Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ:  Ephesians: 4:1-5

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is 

• one body and 

• one Spirit, just as you were called to 

• one hope when you were called; 

• 5 one Lord, 

• one faith, 

• one baptism; 

• 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

One Family through Blood of Christ: Ephesians 2 

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

One Body through One Spirit: Ephesians 2 

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

One Holy Temple of God, Christ Our Cornerstone, Built by the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 2

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Sermons to Meditate:

• True Fellowship - Zac Poonen

• Regeneration  - Paul Washer

• Justification - David Pawson

• Sanctification - David Pawson

• Glorification

• Unity as Defined by God - Tim Conway

Practices Righteousness:  I John 2:28-29

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that [h]when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 

Old Testament Righteousness -  Obey all the Law: Deuteronomy 6:25

 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.

New Testament Righteousness: Gain Christ and Be Found in Him: Philippians 3:7-11

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 

Righteousness is a requirement not an option:  Mathew 5:20

20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

I John 2:28-29

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Two Sides of Righteousness:

1. Right standing before God  => Peace with God through Jesus Christ

2. Right standing before men according to God's Standards => Peace with all Men

The Righteous will not be shaken: Psalms 15:1-5

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;

3 whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;

4 who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;

5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

The Righteous will be satisfied: Isiah 33:15-16

15  Those who walk righteously

    and speak what is right,

who reject gain from extortion

    and keep their hands from accepting bribes,

who stop their ears against plots of murder

    and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—

16 they are the ones who will dwell on the heights,

    whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.

Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them. 

The Righteous will be filled: Mathew 5:6

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.

The Righteous will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven: Mathew 5:10

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Righteous will be Rewarded:  Revelation 19:7-8

7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  

Revelation 22:11-12

11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [e]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 

Sign of Righteousness is Peace:  James 4:18

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

Philippians 4:7-9

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 

• whatever is true, 

• whatever is noble, 

• whatever is right, 

• whatever is pure, 

• whatever is lovely, 

• whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Sermons to Meditate:

• The Righteousness of God - David Pawson

• The Wedding Garment - Rohit Kurien

• Grey Areas in the Church - Rohit Kurien

• Righteousness With Peace And Joy  - Zac Poonen

• How To Identify The Righteousness From God - Zac Poonen

• Continue to Grow in Humility - Zac Poonen

Pursue Holiness - Set Apart for God: I John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world

• the lust of the flesh,

• the lust of the eyes, and 

• the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Be Holy: I Peter 1:13-16

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]

Pursuing Peace and Holiness is a requirement not an option:  Hebrew 12:14

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  

Sermons to Meditate:

• Continue to Grow in the Fear of God - Zac Poonen

• True Holiness - Zac Poonen

Effect of Transformation in 3 Circles: Acts 1:8

 But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” 

Being Circle:

• Innermost being (Soul, Spirit & Body)

Caring Circle:

• Christ centered Family

• Christ centered Fellowship 

Sharing Circle:

• Church

• Community

Sermons to Meditate:

• Holy Personal Life - Paul Washer

• Holy Family Life - Zac Poonen

• Holy Fellowship - Zac Poonen

• Holy Service - Zac Poonen