As We Believe, So We Behave
Living the Apostles' Creed
David E. Leininger

When it comes to our faith, what exactly do we believe? Many Christians might be hard-pressed to give a coherent answer to that question... at least on their own. Yet we do clearly articulate our faith week in and week out during worship as we repeat the familiar affirmations in the Apostles' Creed. And we not only give voice to these statements, we also live them -- since belief and behavior are inextricably linked, even if we are not always aware of it. For example, if we believe that we will be burned when we touch a hot iron, then we will avoid touching it. What we believe determines how we behave.

If we truly believe the creed, how does that affect our behavior? If we truly believe in "one God, the Father almighty" or in "Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord," how do our lives reflect that belief? As We Believe, So We Behave examines each tenet of the Apostles' Creed and illuminates how it affects what we say and do on a daily basis. Leininger demonstrates that the faith statements embedded in the creed are not dry collections of ancient words mumbled quietly every Sunday. Rather, they are vibrant and vital elements in our walk with God, impacting every aspect of our lives.

David E. Leininger is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Warren, Pennsylvania. He has also served congregations in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Prior to entering the ministry, Leininger had a successful career for almost two decades in radio and television. He is the author of God of Justice, A Color-Blind Church, and two volumes of Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit (for Cycles A and B), and his sermons have appeared in the Best Sermons 4 anthology (HarperCollins). Leininger has also been a contributing writer for the online services StoryShare and The Immediate Word (www.sermonsuite.com).