Faith and Deeds

Intro- parking across the street…something about a disconnect…

a truthful tension…You are exceed-lying valuable and not as important as you think.

You are both exceedingly valuable and not as important as you might want to think.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

The word for favoritism has link almost more to respect and honor.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Jesus taught and showed us that humility would be one of the highest values in His Kingdom.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” d you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

How we treat others can put separation between us and God.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” i also said, “You shall not murder.” j If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

We should not grow comfortable with our sin.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew

The New International Version Chapter 5

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Give mercy, find mercy.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

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.

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.

We are saved by grace but we are also compelled by grace to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Show me your fruit.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Our beliefs should be backed up by our actions.

A belief in Jesus that doesn’t move you to action is unhelpful.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 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,” a 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.

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

25 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.

Right actions will lead to right relationship (righteousness).

Align your allegiance to Christ with your actions and attitudes.

Intentionally make choices that will keep you humble.

Love all people equally, just like Jesus.