Untitled Sermon (129)

CAN FAITH ALONE SAVE YOU?

INTRODUCTION:

MOST PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BELIEVE THE ONLY THING THAT THEY NEED IS FAITH. BUT FAITH ALONE CANNOT ALLOW YOU TO GROW INTO SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

FAITH IS A ACTION WORD AND YOU NEED DEEDS TO ACTIVATE YOUR FAITH SO THAT YOU MAY BEAR FRUIT.

TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT

TALKING FAITH.

DEAD FAITH.

WORKING FAITH.

A. TALKING FAITH.

James 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”

WHEN A MAN OR WOMAN TALKING FAITH THEY ARE MERELY EXPRESSING THEMSELVES VERBALLY WITHOUT BEING ACCOMPANIED BY CORRESPONDING ACTIONS OR GOOD WORKS.

FAITH IS MORE THAN JUST PROFESSING IT, IT TAKES ACTION AND DEEDS TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIANS WHO TALK HOW MUCH FAITH THEY HAVE UNTIL THEY ARE ASKED TO WORK.

MOST CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE TALKING FAITH ARE IMMATURE IN THE FAITH. THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WHERE THEY AT.

IT COMES A TIME IN OUR SPIRITUAL WALK WITH THE LORD THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FROM JUST BELIEVING, BUT DOING.

THIS GENERATION OF BELIEVERS RATHER BE COMFORTABLE WHERE THEY AT THEN TO ALLOW GOD OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE ELSE.

Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

B. DEAD FAITH

James 2:15–16 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?”

WHAT IS DEAD FAITH ? FAITH THAT IS NOT DEMONSTRATED BY GOOD DEEDS.

DEAD FAITH OVERLOOK A PERSON NEEDS. DEAD FAITH IS WORSE THAN HAVING FAITH AT ALL.

BECAUSE YOU ONLY CONCERN ABOUT YOURSELF AND NOBODY ELSE.

WHAT CAUSES THIS? YOUR LACK OF COMPASSION FOR OTHER’S.

BUT REAL FAITH MINISTER TO THE NEED WITHOUT BEING PARTIAL IN WHO THEY GIVE TO.

James 2:1–5 “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

THAT’S AN ACTION OF DEAD FAITH WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO OVERLOOK SOMEONE .

C. WORKING FAITH

James 2:17–18“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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.”

THERE ARE TWO TYPES ARE FAITH THAT JAMES IS SPEAKING ABOUT HERE, ONE THAT SAY THOU HAS FAITH AND THE OTHER SAY I HAVE WORKS. SO JAMES ANSWERED THE QUESTION CAN FAITH ALONE SAVE YOU? AND THE ANSWER IS NO BECAUSE FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DUNG.

SO WHAT IS WORKING FAITH? IT IS FAITH THAT IS LIVING AND ACTIVE IN THE WORK OF THE FAITH.

WORKING FAITH IS FAITH THAT IS SHOWN THROUGH IT’S ACTIONS, NOT MERELY IN WHAT YOU SAY.

James 2:23–24 “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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”