Faith That Works:

Talk Is Cheap — Real Faith Shows

Let me ask you something real simple: If someone told you they were a mechanic but they never fixed a car—would you believe them?

What if a farmer said they planted a crop but you never saw a field or a harvest, would you consider them a real farmer?

or what if you had to have major surgery and in walked a man who called himself a surgeon but had never actually performed surgery - would you want him operation on you?

That’s kind of what James is talking about here.

He’s saying that claiming to have faith without living it out is like saying you’ve got something real but there’s no proof. And that is not how you and I should live - Our faith - how we live should shout to the world that we are sold out to Jesus

Scripture Reading — James 2:20-26 (ESV)

Stand with me James2.20-26

James 2:20–26 ESV

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 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.

We live in a world where a lot of people say they believe in God.

But James asks, Does that belief show up in how we live, how we treat people, how we obey God?

In our community, we respect hard work, honesty, and doing what you say you’ll do.

This morning James is calling us to do the same when it comes to our fait - to be the kind of person that not only talks about faith - but lives it out daily

And so James is going to show us this morning what real faith looks like:

Not the kind that just talks, but the kind that walks. The kind that rolls up its sleeves. The kind that trusts God enough to obey Him, even when it’s hard. That’s the kind of faith God says is alive and real.

You ready? Let’s dig in.

1. The Problem of Useless Faith (James 2:20)

James doesn’t pull any punches. He says:

“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?”

That word foolish means “empty-headed.”

It’s like James saying, “You’re missing the whole point!”

We all know the phrase talk is cheap.

You can say you believe something, but if your actions don’t back it up, nobody’s buying it.

the same is true with faith

Faith without action is like a truck with no engine—it might look good on the outside, but it’s not going anywhere. and the world around us - the ones we are suppose to be pointing to Jesus - they are not buying it

EYES ON THE PREACHER : Dead faith is comfortable faith.

It sings the songs, says the right words, maybe even knows Bible verses—but it doesn’t obey.

NEXT James gives us two real-life examples of faith as we examine the life of —Abraham and Rahab.

2. Abraham: Faith Proven by Obedience (James 2:21-23)

Abraham, showed his belief through obedience.

When God told him to offer his son Isaac, Abraham didn’t understand—but he trusted God anyway.

and soHis faith and obedience worked together.

Faith gave him courage; obedience proved that courage was real.

Because of that, Scripture says Abraham was called a friend of God.

That’s what real faith looks like—it trust that obeys even when it’s uncomfortable or costly.

3. Rahab: Faith Expressed Through Risk (James 2:25)

Now James shifts from Abraham—the respected patriarch—to Rahab—a woman with a messy past.

Why? To show that faith that works isn’t limited by background, age, or mistakes.

Rahab lived in Jericho. She heard what God had done for Israel and believed He was the true God.

Her belief turned into action—she hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape.

That was risky! But her faith moved her to act, and God honored her for it.

Not only was she saved—she became part of the family line of Jesus.

That’s grace! That’s redemption!

Rahab’s story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God to use.

Faith isn’t about being perfect—it’s about trusting God enough to act.

4. The Final Warning (James 2:26)

James wraps it up with a powerful picture: in verse 26 he says this

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

we all know that a body without breath is lifeless— and so is a faith without action - it carries no life - it carries no wieght

Listen - This isn’t about earning salvation; it’s about showing that salvation is real.

If Jesus has saved you, your life will show it.

You’ll love people. You’ll serve others. You’ll obey God. You’ll live differently—not to earn His love, but because you already have it.

So here’s the question we each have to answer:

Is my faith alive or dead? Does my life show that I trust God?

5. The Invitation — Let God Revive Your Faith

James refuses let us stay comfortable.

He’s not after a faith that just talks—he’s calling us to one that walks, works, and obeys.

This might feel heavy, but it’s a loving word from God.

James is not trying to shame us; He’s inviting us into something real—a living faith.

A faith that moves us to love, serve, and trust Him even when it’s hard.

That’s the kind of faith that saves.

That’s the kind of faith that changes homes, schools, teams, workplaces, and communities.

And here’s the best news—even dead faith can live again.

When we come back to the Living Savior, everything changes.

The cross is where faith comes alive.

There we see love, obedience, and sacrifice all in one moment.

Jesus didn’t just talk about faith—He lived it, He bled for it, He proved it.

Real faith always leads us back to Him.

Maybe today your faith feels like a little pilot light—still burning, but dim.

Let God breathe on that flame again. Let Him reignite what’s grown cold.

6. The Response — A Call to Living Faith

So here’s the challenge: examine your heart.

Have you been living with dead faith?

Just going through motions, saying the right words, but not really trusting God?

Maybe you believe in your head, but your heart and hands haven’t followed.

If that’s you, the altar is open. Talk to God. Ask Him to give you a living faith—one that shows up in action.

Maybe you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus—today’s the day.

He’s not looking for perfect people; He’s looking for real faith.

Maybe you’re a believer who’s just grown comfortable.

Ask God to reignite your heart and renew your obedience.

Don’t leave today without doing business with God.

Let’s not settle for dead faith.

Let’s be people who live what we believe.

Let’s be people whose faith works—because our faith is rooted in the One who worked for us on the cross.

The altar is open. Come as the Lord leads.