Faith that Works

TITLE

Faith that Works

SCRIPTURE

James 2:14–26 NKJV

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and 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? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But 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. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

INTRODUCTION

Keep the Fire Burning

Leviticus 6:13 NKJV

13 A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.

God Started the Fire

Leviticus 9:24 NKJV

24 and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

It is God that starts the fire in our soul, but it is our responsibility to keep the fire burning.

God started the fire in the church at Pentecost.

God started the fire in you when you were born again.

The Fire Triangle

Fuel = God’s Word | Prayer | Worship

Oxygen = The Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit

Heat = Passion | Love for God | Repentance

Remove any of these three and the fire will go out.

MESSAGE

FAITH ON FIRE is first of all FAITH THAT WORKS

FAITH THAT WORKS IS:

Legit Faith (James 2:14)

True saving faith will produce good works.

Work do not save us | Works are the fruit of salvation.

Loving Faith (James 2:15-16)

Faith on fire will result in compassion toward others.

Don’t just tell someone you love them | show them.

Living Faith (James 2:17-26)

Our faith is demonstrated by our works | obedience to God.

Believing in God intellectually is not enough | example of demons.

Abraham was justified by works | willing to sacrifice Isaac.

Rahab was justified by works | willing to risk her life and family to save Israelite spies.

CLOSING

Is your faith on fire?

Is your faith producing works?

God set our faith on fire!

Let’s keep it burning!