Faith and Works

Sermon: Faith That Works

Hello, everyone. . Thank you all for being here today. I'm really excited to share from God's Word with you. The scripture for today's sermon comes from James 2:14–26.

Before we dive in, let me share a little bit about my background. I've worked in manufacturing for the past 19 years, for three different shops. And in that line of work, we always get applications and resumes that make people look like they should be making big money. Their knowledge and experience seem to be top-tier. But 99% of the time, when they come in and start working, we find out they have a lot of knowledge but no practical experience. They've never actually done the work. Needless to say, they inevitably fail and are usually terminated within ninety days.

As I’ve been studying this passage in James, it really struck me how this is exactly what the "faith without works" James is writing about can look like. It's all talk, no action. The resume looks great, but there’s nothing to back it up.

So let’s read the passage together:

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend…”

Faith and Works: An Introduction

This is a passage that people will argue about it, it's a common point of confusion and I know some churches are even divided over it. In James 1:1, we see that James, the half-brother of Jesus, is writing to Jewish Christians who are dispersed across the Roman Empire and facing trials and persecution. He’s telling them to have a faith that is alive, present, and visible—not just a thought or some knowledge. This isn't just some abstract theological debate; it's about the very nature of what it means to genuinely follow Christ in the face of real-world challenges. James understands that when life gets tough, a shallow faith quickly crumbles like what Christ talks about in His parable in Matthew 13 . James, like Christ, wants their faith to be robust, resilient, and evident in how they live.

The whole point of this message, for me and for you, is to examine what our faith looks like. Is it genuine? Is it alive? Or is it just knowledge that has no impact on our lives? This scripture will challenge us to look at our hearts and our actions, and to consider if our faith is real, not just something we say we have.

Now, some of you might be thinking, "Wait a minute, isn't this contradicting Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace through faith?" This is where confusion, arguing, and division happen. But let me be clear: I believe they're addressing two different issues. Paul is addressing the error of trying to earn salvation through works, the idea that we can somehow merit God's favor through our own efforts. James, on the other hand, is addressing the error of a faith that produces no works, a dead faith. They're not in conflict; they're two sides of the same coin. Paul declares how we are saved (by grace through faith), and James explains what a saved faith looks like (it produces good works). Our works don't save us, but they demonstrate that we have been saved.

A Faith That Doesn’t Help

Let's look at verses 14-17:

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James uses a powerful illustration here. Imagine a believer who sees a fellow church member in desperate need. They're cold, hungry, and have nothing. This person, with a smile and a warm heart, says something we all hear a lot “I’ll be praying for you.” But they offer no physical or fiscal help. James asks, what good is that? Absolutely none. Those words are empty. They are hollow. They offer no warmth, no food, no comfort. The person in need is left just as cold and hungry as before. This is a faith that speaks pretty words but does nothing.

For us who believe, this is a wake-up call. We can’t just say we believe in Jesus and then live as if He has no say in our actions. Our faith should compel us to act with compassion and generosity. Our faith should be a force that moves us to care for others. It should move us to obey Christ's command in John 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This isn't a suggestion; it's a command. How can we claim to love God, whom we cannot see, if we don't love our brother or sister, whom we can see and whose need is clearly before us?

Think about it. If your faith doesn't lead you to help those in need, especially your fellow brother or sister in Christ, is it a true faith? Does it reflect the heart of Jesus, who didn't just say He loved us, but showed it by laying down His life?

If we want to truly show our faith to the unbeliever, Christ’s command in John is the best way to do it. Look at John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Unbelievers aren't going to be convinced by our theology, apologetics, or listening to praise and worship in our or at our desk at work. They will be convinced by our actions, by the radical love we demonstrate for one another. If your faith doesn't lead you to love and serve others, James would say it's dead. A real, saving faith is alive and active, showing that it is alive through genuine, heartfelt care.

Let’s move on to the second point.

The Demon's Belief

verses 18-19:

"But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!"

Here we are challenged to show our faith. James says that even the demons believe in God—they believe He is one, and they shudder at the thought. But their belief doesn't save them. It doesn't transform them or lead them to obedience. It’s a mere intellectual acknowledgement of God's existence. They know about God, they even acknowledge His power and sovereignty, but this knowledge doesn't change their nature or their rebellion. In fact, their knowledge only leads to terror, not to worship or obedience.

For the believer, this is a strong warning against a purely intellectual faith. It's not enough to know the right doctrines or to say the right things or listen to the right music, or have the right bumper sticker. You can ace every Bible quiz, memorize countless verses, and articulate theological concepts with precision, and still have a faith that is dead. Let’s look at what Jesus said about this is Matthew 25:31–46 ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to…”

The demons have a better theology than some people in this world, yet they are not saved. Our faith must be more than just head knowledge; it must be a heartfelt trust that results in a changed life. It's a faith that moves from the head, to the heart, to the hands.

For the unbeliever, this is a crucial distinction. Simply believing God exists, or even that Jesus is the Son of God, isn't enough. Many people in the world believe in some higher power, or acknowledge Jesus as a historical figure, but live as if He doesn't matter. The Bible says that saving faith is a faith that surrenders to Christ as Lord and Savior. It's not just a belief; it's a commitment. It's not just acknowledging facts; it's entrusting your entire life to Him. It's the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing and following them.

Abraham and Rahab: Faith In Action

Finally, let's look at verses 20-26:

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."

James gives us two great examples of active faith: Abraham and Rahab.

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac because he trusted God implicitly. Think about the magnitude of that command. God had promised to make him the father of many nations through Isaac. To offer Isaac as a sacrifice seemed to contradict everything God had promised. Yet, Abraham didn't hesitate. His willingness to act demonstrated the genuineness of his faith. His works weren't what saved him, but they were the evidence of his saving faith. His faith was active along with his works, and his faith was completed by his works. It's like a battery: faith is the power, and works are the light it produces. You can't have the light without the power, but if there's power, there will be light.

And then there's Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute. Her story is even more astounding in some ways. She wasn't a patriarch, she wasn't from Israel, and her profession was deeply marginalized. Yet, she heard about the God of Israel and, in faith, hid the spies. She made a choice that put her own life and the lives of her family at risk because she believed in God's power and promises. Her actions were a direct result of her belief. Her works were the proof of her new faith, a faith that moved her to defy her own people and align herself with the God of Israel. She didn't just say she believed; she acted on that belief. And her faith put in her the lineage of Jesus

For believers, this is our challenge. Are our lives demonstrating the reality of our faith? Are we living in a way that shows we trust God, even when it's difficult, inconvenient, or even dangerous? Our actions are not what save us, but they are the fruit of a transformed life. Just as a good tree produces good fruit, a true faith will produce good works. You can't look at a barren tree and declare it healthy, just as you can't see a life devoid of good works and declare the faith within it to be alive.

For the unbeliever, this is the good news. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, He doesn't just save you; He changes you. He gives you a new heart, a new spirit, and a new life. And as a result, you will begin to do things you never thought you would do. You will start to love people you used to hate, to forgive people who have wronged you, and to care for those in need, even strangers. This is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in you. This transformation, this desire to do good, is not something you conjure up on your own; undeniable proof that God's Spirit is alive within you.

Conclusion: Live Your Faith

So, what does your faith look like today? Is it dead and empty, or is it alive and active? James's message is a call to all of us, both believers and unbelievers, to examine our hearts and the evidence of our lives.

If you are a believer, don't settle for a nominal faith. Don't be content with just knowing about God. Let your faith compel you to live a life that honors God and blesses others. Let your works be the undeniable evidence of your salvation, a testament to the transformative power of Jesus Christ in your life.

To the unbeliever, I urge you to consider the evidence. Don't be fooled by dead faith—the kind that makes empty promises or is only intellectual. The truth is a living, active faith in Jesus Christ that will change you from the inside out. Don't just believe that God exists; surrender your life to Him today. Experience the kind of faith that moves from belief to action, from knowledge to transformation.

Let’s pray.