James 2:14-26 Sermon #14September 2, 2012
A little over a year ago I preached a 2 part sermon from the Book of James on Faith and Obedience.
They are available on line at our website sermon archive at
or if you do not have a computer we will be delighted to print copies for you.
The Holy Bible is the Word of God that never changes.
The truth of the Word cannot be bent or painted a different shade to make it fit what we want to believe!
So it is with Faith and Obedience.
James has been bringing us to this stunning fact; for many
so-called Christians and even more would-be Christians.
Believing Christ died on the Cross, shed his blood for us, was buried and rose again to be our living promise that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life,------is only the beginning.
In no way is James contradicting the rest of scripture that states:-- you are saved by grace through faithand not of works!
James is stating that works is the living proof of salvation through our living Savior.
As we begin our study today I would like you to ask yourselves,
“Do I just believe or do I live to serve?”
James has been walking us through a series of test, preparing us for spiritual battle, teaching us how to function as Christian soldiers dressed in the full Armor of God.
Let’s continue:
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And 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?17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.18Yea, 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. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And 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. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Praise The Lord!
In order to get a solid grasp on the works that James is implying here let’s glance back several verses to keep this application in context with our study as a test. Holding ourselves up to the Word of God to see how we match up in all ways.
Verse 22 chapter 1 says: 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Verse 12 chapter 2 says: 2So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
James is making it clear to us;
- Don’t lie to yourself about how good you are.
- Don’t hold yourself up to your own standard.
But be doers of the word, not your word, and certainly not what someone else’sidea of right and wrong.
and not hearers only,
- Being hearers only is no better than those who never hear the Word and don’t glorify God by their actions.
So speak and so do as those who--will--be judged by the law of liberty.
Oh can’t you hear James’ words echoing through the ages.
“Don’t lie to yourself, you will be judged for all that you do and don’t do!”
- This is not about salvation!
- This is about Service!
- This is about Glorifying God.
- This is about your ministry!
Yes, each one of you is called to minister to the Lord, but it takes a Christ filled;Christ centered heart to do the things of Christ!
John 17:4, Jesus said:4I have glorified You (God the Father) on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
Now can anyone tell me what we are to do as Christians?
Glorify God!
In our own power?
No; by the God given power within us. ---The Holy Spirit!
So what then is the Holy Spirit’s work in us and through us?
That by faith we would become doers of the Word and not hearers only, Glorifying God!
It is impossible for the unsaved to glorify God,
The last statement made in our Faith and Obedience series was,By Your Faith / You Will Be Active / In Glorifying God!
Not By what you do, but by what He does in you and through you.
The first work of the Spirit in you, after bringing you to repentance at the foot of the cross, is to teach you the Word, so you can do the works that Glorify God.
But we still have the problem of understanding the word works.
Let’s go back and read a portion of our text again.
15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
Benevolence is not benevolence without the act of benevolence.
What does it profit?What good is it to anyone? There is no value in it, it is dead!
Thus also, faith is not faith without the act of faith!17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
It is dead works—it’s no different or better than anything the unsaved can do, and will never be recognized in any other way!
You see James gives us a simple example of benevolence to explain working by faith!
The example is to be compared to the action or lack of, not an example of faith at work.
Yes it’s true that a real blood bought, born again,Spirit filled,child of God will live a life of benevolence toward others but we are talking about working in the power of faith.
Faith at work.
------Now we’re getting somewhere!------
Is what you claim to do in the name of the Lord, the same thing any unsaved person can do?18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Are you stepping out into uncharted territory with only faith in your heart that the Holy Spirit will guide you safely?
Faith is not faith until you pull it out and use it!
The world cannot see your faith in Jesus Christ until
- they see a change in you,
- until they see what you do by faith,
- until they understand the power of God that blesses you to glorify Him.
Jesus didn’t just heal, and feed people. He gave them a reason to have faith in Him.
You are the children of God! ----Therefore-----
You are to be the representation of Christ Himself!
You are called to be Christ like in all you say, think and do!
Oh Brothers and Sisters this includes working by faith,
20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
------Do you even want to know?------
Where does working by faith begin in a Christian?
It begins with the Holy Spirits guidance in prayer.
- Learn to pray for wisdom that only comes from the Word of God.
- Learn to pray for strength you know you cannot gain on your own
- Learn to prayfor permission to be an anointed servant.
- Learn to pray for direction in your ministry
- Learn to pray for the provisions to do the work
- Learn to pray for all things to bring glory to God.
Joyce Meyers made a statement to the effect; “I’d rather ask for a lot and get some of it, than ask for nothing and get all of it.”
The greatest work that we are called to do is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But you must have faith in Jesus Christ to do the works of faith by Jesus Christ.
19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble.
But demons do not do the works of faith that brings glory to Him. Are you any different?
Faith without works of faith is dead.
- The Book of Acts is the recorded History of the apostles and disciples whom walked and worked in faith and people saw their works and believed in Jesus Christ!
- They also saw the works that disciples did that did not glorify God and saw the power of God administered to them in judgment.
Acts 5:1-11
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
James 2:26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Where are you in your faith?
Are you no better than the demons? You believe but that’s it?
Do people see the power of God’s Spirit working in you and through you?
Do you fear not fulfilling your ministry?
REALLY????
Solomon closed the Book of Ecclesiastes with:
13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
Let’s Pray;
Our most gracious Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning in Prayer by the guidance of your Holy Spirit asking Lord for the wisdom of your Word, for your strength, your permission, your direction, your provision, for our individual and corporate ministries all for Your Glory. We cry out to you,lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one, that our hearts would not be filled with Satan’s lies.Protect us fromeven thinking about deceiving ourselves and You. Increase the work of faith in us, in the glorious name of Jesus we Pray: AMEN!
Thank You
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