Bible Text: James 2:14-26 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Living Godly Lives
James 2:14-26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also
We are saved by grace through FAITH and FAITH without works is dead
We are NOT saved BY good works, but FOR good works
real faith includes doing and serving
What is the minimum amount of following Jesus needed in order to get into heaven when you die?
Saving faith comes by having a total dependence, complete trust, in God
Commitment is an essential part of faith
Living a Godly life is the natural consequence of real faith
A genuine Christian will have a CHANGING life
Matthew 21:18-19 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, May you never bear fruit again! And immediately the fig tree withered up
James’s challenge to us is to live out faith in obedience
1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth
There is a weak faith that believes ABOUT Jesus, rather than faith that believes IN Jesus
Action is the fruit of living faith. If there are no positive behaviors, then the professed faith is dead
Right living proves our faith to be real faith. Faith is not just a matter of saying the right words — it must also be accompanied by REAL MEANINGFUL action
Faith cannot be demonstrated apart from action
Faith can only be seen by the actions it produces through us
Anyone can profess faith, but only action shows its genuineness
Shema
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one
Israel lost their personal RELATIONSHIP with the Lord
Real faith affects what we do
There is a BIG difference, when it comes to “belief,” between what I think I believe and what I actually believe
Our actions are a more reliable indicator than our words
What do you do when you feel like you don’t trust God enough?
The story of Abraham helps us to answer this question
Abraham is the champion of faith
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also
Faith and works are as important to each other as body and spirit.
Who am I trusting? Why am I working?