Practical Living, Part 4 - Faith and Works - James 2:14-26

INTRO: Puppet without a Master is there is no life. So it is with faith...without works there is no life.

Faith and Works are like a marriage -sharing responsibly; producing life; God’s creation.

FAITH AND WORKS PRODUCES SALVATION - 14

E - James asks a rhetorical question - a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer. Can a FAITH without any WORK save a person?

WORK (ergon; ergonomics-designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.) = something that displays itself in activity of any kind. ACTION!

R - People with physical needs often have a deeper spiritual need.

Woman - Issue of Blood - Mt 9

Feeding the 5,000 - Mt 14..

A - In both of these miracles there was a physical need, FAITH was activated; WORK(s) resulted in SALVATION.

Clothing, feeding, benevolence is a good WORK.

But the real goal is SALVATION. That’s where FAITH comes in.

Giving food and clothing and leaving people in the same spiritual condition is NOT what God intended.

FAITH and WORKS combined as we meet the needs achieves God’s Goal - SALVATION.

That is serving the community;

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS PRODUCES REJECTION - 15-16

E - REJECTION = when needs are ignored, a person feels rejected.

How can anyone believe God loves with Christians rejecting their need?

R - Human Display of Sensational FAITH is USELESS - “I’ll pray for you” “I proclaim victory for you in Jesus name” “If you pass this on to 10 people you’re gonna receive an overflow.”

A - TRUE FAITH DEMANDS WORK - WORKING A JOB.

Popular thinking is “I work to supply the needs of my family” and that’s true.

But Christians are called to a HIGHER STANDARD - Brothers and Sisters in the text. (14).

Eph 4:28 “If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.”

In order to meet the needs there has to be Christians GIVING to provide what is needed.

We are not to depend on the government; philanthropy; the lotto…Our faith is in Jesus Christ…THE ONE who promised to supply all OUR NEEDS; from His glorious riches....

Don’t worry whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes…Your heavenly Father already know all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day IF you live for Him and the the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

WWII - Woman worked in shipyards to send money home.

SO - Christians…we are to WORK to give to the church; so that through FAITH and WORDS, needs can be met, resulting in SALVATION.

FAITH AND WORKS PRODUCES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD - 17-26

E - Many say “I have faith” “I believe in God” and that’s good.

v. 19 says even the demons believe in God, they have faith that His promises will come true.

R - Mark 1 - Demonic in the synagogue - “Why are YOU here? Have YOU come to destroy us?

A - Even demons tremble in terror because they believe in Jesus…but their works are evil.

For the believer, FAITH and WORKS produce the righteousness of God.

Rahab - FAITH = I believe God has given you victory.” WORKS = hid the spies…but her and her family were SAVED from destruction because her FAITH and WORKS PRODUCED THE RIGHTEOUS OF GOD.

Abraham - FAITH AND WORKS - Gen 22...

So Your FAITH, Your WORKS should produce the Righteousness of God in YOUR life.

CLOSE: Titus 3.14 “Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.”