A.O.G. Activate! - Sermon Recap
Passive faith gets you through. But active faith makes a change.
Originally presented January 1st, 2023
Scripture Focus
James 2:14–17 (NIV)
“What good is it… If someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?… faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Praise the Lord, Church, and Happy New Year!
Before we run into the goals, the plans, the vision boards, and the “this is my year” declarations… let’s talk about something simple that will preach all by itself:
A credit card.
You know that feeling when you finally get approved? That little “I’ve made it” moment. Because not only did somebody trust you with a line of credit… It’s proof that the work you’ve been doing to establish, rebuild, or protect your name paid off.
So the card arrives. You admire it. You pat yourself on the back. You put it away.
Then later you’re at the store… cart full… You tap that shiny new card with confidence.
DECLINED.
You try again. DECLINED.
Swipe. DECLINED.
Insert. DECLINED.
And now you’re standing there hot-faced, confused, trying to act like it’s the machine when really… You feel your soul leaving your body.
And then the attendant asks one question that changes everything:
“Did you activate it?”
Whew.
Because here’s the truth:
The power isn’t in possession. The power is in activation.
Reflection:
A lot of believers have “approved faith.”
We believe God is real.
We believe God is able.
We believe God can heal, deliver, restore, open doors, and turn it around.
But James hits us with a holy question:
What good is faith if it stays stuck in your head and never shows up in your hands?
Because passive faith is like an unactivated credit card:
It looks good.
It’s legitimate.
It has access.
But it’s not releasing anything.
Faith is more than belief - it’s belief in motion.
The disciples walked with Jesus and saw miracle after miracle.
But they didn’t fully step into the power of what they carried until Pentecost, when they stopped spectating and started moving.
That’s when Peter preached, and thousands were saved.
That’s when the gospel spread like wildfire.
That’s when their faith stopped being a front-row seat and became a full assignment.
They activated.
Two Groups. Same Jesus. Different Results.
In Matthew 8, we see two powerful contrasts.
The Centurion (Activated Faith)
He tells Jesus:
“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
He understood authority.
He understood Jesus didn’t need to be present physically to be powerful spiritually.
And Jesus marveled at his faith.
The Disciples (Unactivated Faith)
Same chapter - they’re literally in the boat with Jesus, a storm hits, and they panic:
“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
And Jesus responds:
“Why are you afraid, you of little faith?”
Same Jesus.
Same access.
Same authority.
But only one group understood the power of His presence enough to rest in it.
The centurion’s faith was activated. The disciples’ faith was available… but not applied.
4 Ways to Activate Your Faith as an Agent of God
Because yes - A.O.G. means Agents of God. And agents don’t just know information… agents move with an assignment.
1) Get Active
Stop praying only for opportunities to serve and start serving.
Stop waiting for the “perfect moment” to obey.
If God puts someone on your heart, check on them.
If he nudges you to give, give.
If he tells you to speak up, speak up.
The world isn’t impressed by what we do on Sundays.
They’re watching what we do between Sundays.
2) Be In It, But Not Of It
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform.
You’re not here to blend in. You’re here to represent Heaven in a loud world.
But you can’t reshape anything if you’re still being shaped by everything.
3) Know the Enemy
The enemy has a mission: steal, kill, destroy (John 10:10).
He’s not casual about it either — he prowls (1 Peter 5:8).
So don’t just react emotionally.
Respond spiritually.
Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and strategy.
4) Execute the OPLAN
God’s operation plan is the Word of God.
But you can’t execute a plan you never read.
You don’t just need a Sunday verse.
You need a daily foundation.
Because when the enemy comes loud, you answer with:
“It is written.”
As we step into this new year, here’s the heart check:
Is my faith activated… or just approved?
Do I only believe God can…
Or am I living as He will?
Am I just holding the card…
Or am I actually using what Heaven already gave me access to?
Because passive faith gets you through.
But active faith makes a change.
And beloved… we need change.
Prayer:
Lord, I don’t want to carry faith like a prop. I want to live by faith like a witness. Activate me. Stretch me. Push me beyond comfort and into obedience. Teach me to move when You say move, speak when You say speak, and serve the way You served. Make my faith visible. Make my life usable. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Journal Prompt:
- Where have I been “holding the card” but not using it?
- What is one step of obedience God is calling me to take this week?
- Who needs to experience God through my activated faith?