JAMES WEEK 4

Series: James
Date: 2/14/2021
Speaker: Pastor Tim
Title: “A Faith That Works” – James 2:14-26

Big Idea: If you want to have a that works… then you need to work your !

(James 2:14-26 NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

3 Types of Faith

1. Faith that is .

(James 2:17 NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

·      not lifestyle.

(James 2:14-17 NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

(Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

“Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.” John Calvin

2. Faith that is .

(James 2:19 NIV) You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.

·      Knowledge with no .

·      No love for .

3. Faith that is .

3 Characteristics of Dynamic Faith

1. Dynamic faith out.

(James 2:20-24 NIV) 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

(1 Corinthians 4:40 NLT) For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

2. Dynamic faith .

(James 2:25 NIV) In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

3. Dynamic faith out.

(James 2:26 NIV) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

(Philippians 2:12 NLT) Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

“Grace isn’t oppose to effort, it’s opposed to earning.” – Dallas Willard

Big Idea: If you want to have a that works… then you need to work your !

Talk About It:

•  “Faith is a belief in something that has a corresponding action that brings a change.” What are the motivations for believing that faith without life-change is still valid faith? How do we protect ourselves from the dangers of that deception?

• 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” How can we “test ourselves” to see if we are “in the faith”? What role can others play in that testing or examination? Would it be better if we chose the people to help us in the testing process, or if circumstances dictate that?

• If no love for Jesus demonstrates a deceived faith, how can we learn to love him more, thereby demonstrating a dynamic faith? What are some personal disciplines that can help with that process?

Act On It:

• Dynamic faith “steps out”. Ask God to reveal areas of your life in which you have been hesitant to “step out” in faith. Consider areas such as personal worship, giving, forgiving others, and sharing your faith. Look for answers in the Word, and listen for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Write down what he shows you, and develop a plan to more aggressively “stepout” (demonstrate faith) in those areas.

Pray On It:

• God, I’m not just going to know about Your Word, I’m going to take action. God, today I’m committing to live out Your Word and allow my faith shape my lifestyle. Starting today, I’m going to “Work hard to show the results of your salvation in my life, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”