2025 0608 James 2 verses 14 to 19

Last Week

James 2:13 NIV

judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Mercy triumps over Judgement

Judgement is the ultimate expression of the law in legalism

outcome is bondage, death

Mercy is the expression of the Spirit in grace

outcome is freedom, love, joy and peace

Deeper Outcomes

James 2:14 NIV

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

an age old conundrum

we agree we must have faith in Jesus to be saved

we also agree that good works - deeds - cannot save you

how do faith and deeds relate to each other

how do they relate for us

Question from James

will faith alone save us? No

any good in just having faith? No

a further illusration is made

our charitable work

False Charity

James 2:15–16 NIV

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 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?

giving people hope is so important

provide clothes for those naked

provide food for htose hungry

provide liberty for those captive

words do not cut it

this is the first step - giving hope

Faith and Deeds

James 2:17–18 NIV

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 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.

James makes a valid point

faith and deeds must go together

this is a spiritual truth

faith appears dead when there are no deeds

the second step is harder

Faith to Deeds

we understand the process of faith in our salvation

yet we are to work out our salvation day by day

our faith translates into deeds - good deeds

we walk like Jesus walked, we live as Jesus lived

it is deeds deeply connected to our faith

simply not good deeds to gain us heaven

it is a personal and faithful response to the Lordship of Jesus

we must examine the role of the Holy Spirit

Infilling of the Spirit

Titus 3:5 NIV

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

the miracle of a new being

Baptism of the Spirit

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

the promise of God power

Working in the Spirit

Romans 7:6 NIV

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

the reality of our new life - servanthood

Philippians 1:27 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

strive together for jesus

Spirit Led Church

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

our fellowship must step up

we must be Spirit led

no longer comfortable but energized by the Spirit

not simply searching after the gifts

Romans 15:18–19 NIV

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.

our walk should be with signs and wonders and miracles

Belief in One God?

James 2:19 NIV

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