James 2:14-26. Faith and Deeds.

JAMES 2:14-26 Faith and Deeds What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 14 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 20 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 25 EPHESIANS 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. EPHESIANS 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 10 “Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone; it has good works with it” Dead Faith Demonic Faith Vain Faith Saving Faith Source: Apologia.com/four-kinds-of-faith by Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. Works 101 • Spiritu al benefit s Works 201 • Servic e to others Works 301 • True compass ion OUTLINE – JAMES 2:14-26 I. James, half brother of Jesus A. II. This book based much on his love of Proverbs and intertwining with Jesus’ sermon on the mount, life and teaching Faith = trust, belief, confidence, reliance A. Where our faith is determines our actions (WORKS) III. Eph 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. IV. Four kinds of Faith – Dead, Demonic, Vain, Saving V. Progression of Faith and types of WORK VI. Abraham’s faith show in specific and significant acts of faith A. What acts / works has our faith created? B. If on trial for our faith, would our works be enough to convict us? VII. Rahab – was she hedging her bets or truly faithful A. Have we / are we hedging our bets? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Other then Jesus – what else do you put your faith in? Do you struggle to balance your time, efforts and works showing stronger faith in Jesus? 2. Is there still anything confusing about our Faith in the salvation by grace as a gift from God and how that should show up in works? Discuss 3. Do you show signs or have other versions of faith other than Saving Faith? Do you have signs or times of Dead, Demonic or Vain faith? How to address or fight it? 4. Where in the progression of WORKS are you? 101, 201, or 301? 5. If you were on trial for Faith in Christ – would your works be enough to convict you easily? Why or why not? 6. Do you “Hedge your bets” in regards to your faith and works?