The Book of James       Chapter 2:14-26

 

Possessing Faith That Works James 2:14-26

 

 

James 2: [14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, [16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? [17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The Church of today  seeks the approval of unregenerated society and flirts with the standards &

philosophies of world.

            The church wants the approval of man rather than the authority and approval of God.

            We have doctrine with no conviction, ritual has replaced righteousness.

            The conduct of the church reflects that of the world.

            The church used to be a thermostat but has become a thermometer.

            How much of my faith is talk rather than walk?

 

            Did you know that a recent poll said 88% of church members believe good works will do for salvation?

 

1 Pet 2:9

[9]a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light

 

            Now of course salvation is not by works Eph 2:8-10 BUT true faith will affirm itself outwardly in works

            Works is not Contradicting BUT Complimenting....

James is writing to believers, the church that is widely scattered

 

1) True Faith is not an Empty Claim (14-20)

           

            A. Professing Christians        (15-18)

           

What does it profit for a man to say he is in the family of God but does not love the family of God

            (15,16) If you see your brother have a need (1 Jn 3:17) and you “say” you are saved. (Words Only)

            BUT TURN your brother away, he departs.... “Take care, God bless you, I’ll pray”

            If we do not supply, if we do not show compassion….

Will good words warm or feed, will kindness put a roof over his head?

            A man is foolish if he thinks words of kindness can take the place of help 1 Tim 5:8

            As words can’t help or save, then faith without works, fruit, obedience will not work

           

(17,18) * Think of the blood placed upon the door at the Passover (Response was not just to say I believe)

           

            1. Works w/o faith is useless (Mt 7:22) & Faith w/o works is useless (dead)

            2. Good works are not the cause of faith, faith is the gift of God, good works are the results of faith

            3. Man may have good works (give my body to be burned, feed the poor) w/o faith in Christ

            But you can’t have real genuine faith w/o works

            4. Good works are not proof of the presence of faith, but the absence of works is proof of faiths absence

 

            “Peter do you love me?”  Did Peter say “well just look what I’ve done!

 

In one of his sermons, A.C. Dixon told of an incident that took place in Brooklyn, N.Y. A detective who had been looking for a local citizen finally tracked him down in a drugstore. As the man began to make his purchase, the officer laid his hand on the citizen's shoulder and said, "You're under arrest; come with me!"

            Stunned, the man demanded, "What did I do?"

The detective calmly replied, "You know what you did. You escaped from the Albany penitentiary several years ago. You went west, got married, and then came back here to live. We've been watching for you since you returned."

Quietly the man admitted, "That's true, but I was sure you'd never find me. Before you take me in, could we stop by my house so I can talk to my family?"

The officer agreed. When they got to his home, the man looked at his wife and asked, "Haven't I been a kind husband and a good father? Haven't I worked hard to make a living?"

His wife answered, "Of course you have, but why are you asking me these questions?" Her husband then proceeded to explain what had happened and that he was now under arrest. He apparently had hoped that his record as an exemplary husband and father would impress the officer. Even so, he was still an escaped criminal. Though he was "right" with his family, he was all wrong with the state of New York.

 

 

B. Proud Demons                   (19)                 

 

The demons will acknowldege Jesus, but do not love Him, trust Him, rejoice in Him, desire Him

            They have a head knowledge but no submission no repentance (Mt 8:29, Mk 5:7, Lk 4:34)

 

            Psalm 14:1

[1] The fool hath said nin his heart there is no God.

 

James 2: [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? [23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. [24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. [25] Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? [26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

2) True Faith is not an Empty Creed (21-26)

           

There are men who know the scriptures but are depending on works for salvation, there must be faith

with works.

 

           

A. Patriarch (21-24)

           

            Abraham’s work demonstrated his faith

            Gen 15:5-7 promise of God, Gen 21 Isaac born, Gen 22- Abraham offered Isaac (Gen 21:5)

            Tangible evidence..RESPONSE     PROFESSION         Faith expresses it’s genuineness by works

            What do you say? Where do you go? Look @ checkbook? Responses at home?

            Think of God, He did not just “say” He loved us but He showed us He did by His SON

 

            B. Prostitute (25-26)

 

            Rahab was willing to risk her life to spare and save the spies) Heb 11:31

            Confessed faith  (Josh 2:9-11) Shewed works (Josh 2:12,13,18)

 

I read about an instant cake mix that was a big flop. The instructions said all you had to do was add water and bake. The company couldn't understand why it didn't sell -- until their research discovered that the buying public felt uneasy about a mix that required only water. Apparently people thought it was too easy. So the company altered the formula and changed the directions to call for adding an egg to the mix in addition to the water. The idea worked and sales jumped dramatically.

That story reminds me of how some people react to the plan of salvation. To them it sounds too easy and simple to be true, even though the Bible says, "By grace you have been saved through faith...; it is the gift of God, not of works" (Eph. 2:8-9). They feel that there is something more they must do, something they must add to God's "recipe" for salvation. They think they must perform good works to gain God's favor and earn eternal life. But the Bible is clear -- we are saved, "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy" (Titus 3:5). Unlike the cake-mix manufacturer, God has not changed His "formula" to make salvation more marketable. The gospel we proclaim must be free of works, even though it may sound too easy.

 

                                   

Concl:

I don’t tell you that I’m alive, but I can show you as I am breathing.

 

I saw a dead body at the funeral home. Somebody said “they look so natural and peaceful”. Well friend they may look natural, peaceful and good but that body is dead and is not alive.

 

You “Say” that you love Him, do you search scriptures, do you serve Him faithfully, do you speak to Him?

 

            Are you hearers or doers of the Word.

            “I’ve heard it, talked it, but there is no evidence of it. I have no peace in my heart”

            Is there something blocking the liberty you once had?