A Living Faith James 2 14 26 James

A Living Faith! James 2: 14 -26

James 2: 14 -19… “ 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. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ” A Living Faith 2

James 2: 21 -26 “ 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. ” A Living Faith 3

Faith Defined – Hebrews 11: 1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ” – KJV & NKJV “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. ” – ASV A Living Faith 4

Albert E. Barnes on Hebrews 11: 1 “As long as the faith continues, whether it be well-founded or not, it gives all the force of reality to that which is believed. We feel and act just as if it were so, or as if we saw the object before our eyes. This, I think, is the clear meaning here. We do not see things of eternity. We do not see God, or heaven, or the angels, or the redeemed in glory, or the crowns of victory, or the harps of praise; but we have faith in them, and this leads us to act as if we saw them. And this is, undoubtedly, the fact in regard to all who live by faith, and who are fairly under its influence. ” A Living Faith 5

“Doubting Thomas” “ 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (John 20: 24 -27) 6

“Doubting Thomas” “ 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. ” John 20: 28 -32 A Living Faith 7

Introduction Was the “faith” of Thomas was in doubt? Who did Jesus say was blessed? Thomas had the “I won’t believe it unless I see it” attitude! Have you seen Abraham Lincoln? Do you believe he lived? Use eyewitness testimony What about Jesus & others in the Bible? We believe they existed - 1 Jn. 1: 1 -4; Lk. 1: 1 -4 Or, do you believe the Bible is a book of myths? A Living Faith 8

What is a living faith? It is a faith that works! Dead faith is vain, void and useless! It is alone! – James 2: 17 -20 A dead faith is the faith of devils! - vs. 19 A living faith that works, saves - vs 18 “saved by grace through faith” Ephesians 2: 8 -10 “work of faith” - 1 Thess. 1: 2 -8 2 Thessalonians 1: 11; 2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 A Living Faith 9

What is a living faith? It is a faith that inspires action! Consider Abraham’s action! James 2: 21 -23 Genesis 22: 3 -21; cf. Hebrews 11: 17 -19 vs. 12 - “for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. ” If you are prescribed medication by a doctor and never take it, can it be said you believed the doctor? Hebrews 11: 6 A Living Faith 10

What is a living faith? It is a faith that endures trials! James 1: 12; Revelation 2: 10 Abraham was “tried” – Genesis 22: 1 Jesus was “tried” – Matthew 4: 1 Jesus and Abraham endured! James 5: 11 Job endured - 1: 21 -22; 2: 7 -10; 42: 10 -17 God blessed Job with two fold more! 2 Timothy 2: 10 -13 A Living Faith 11

What is a living faith? It is a faith that obeys the Lord! Will not consent to lust which leads to sin! It is demonstrated by obedience! Abraham’s faith resulted in obedience (believed) God! James 2: 21 -23; Romans 4: 3; Gal. 3: 5, 6 Hebrews 5: 8, 9 A Living Faith 12

What is a living faith? It is a faith that controls the tongue! James 3: 1 -12 Psalms 109: 2 Proverbs 6: 16 -19; 12: 18 -22 Proverbs 15: 1 -4 A Living Faith 13

What is a living faith? It is a faith that does not doubt! Peter told not to doubt Acts 10: 17 -20 Scriptures condemn doubting Romans 14: 23; 1 Timothy 2: 8 Matthew 21: 21; 14: 25 -31 Must be fully assured by faith in Christ Hebrews 10: 22; James 1: 6 Eph. 3: 3 -5, 5: 17; John 20: 31; Romans 10: 17 A Living Faith 14

What is a living faith? It is a faith that patiently waits for the coming of the Lord! James 5: 7 -8; 1 Peter 4: 7 Are you patiently watching & waiting? Matthew 25: 13 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 -11 A Living Faith 15

What is a living faith? It is a faith that: Works! Inspires action! Endures trials! Obeys the Lord! Controls the tongue! Does not doubt! Patiently waits for the coming of the Lord! A Living Faith 16

A Question to Ponder… Is your faith living or dead? Which? A Living Faith 17