Untitled Sermon

Real Faith Real Application

Introduction

A young couple were in the beginning stages of a puppy love relationship. The young man’s heart would melt and his hands would sweat every time he saw Sally. Sally would skip a heart beat when she saw Billy and she would start to imagine a single story house with a white picked fence in the front. One night in the middle of their third hour of their conversation Billy boldly proclaims his affections for Sally. He says, “I would climb the highest mountain to see your eyes! I would swim across the oceans to hear your voice! I would cross the hottest desert to be in your presence!” (Sally says softly) “Its dinner time, can you come over and meet my parents?” (Billy says) “Im busy right now so ill see you later”

Actions speak louder then words. Billy was all talk and no action. Sally was filled with words but but saw no works. In the opening of this new series we want to look a what a genuine faith looks like? We want to see action in action, we want to see a Real Faith with Real Application.

In the opening of this new series we want to look a what a genuine faith looks like? We want to see action in action, we want to see a Real Faith with Real Application.

Context

The epistle of James is known as the Proverbs of the New Testament. Proverbs is a very practical book that can be viewed as an instruction manual.

Example: How Shoot a basketball- Step 1: Balance- feet should be shoulder width apart and legs should be bent in an athletic position. Step 2: Eye on the target- keep your eye on the basket and don’t worry about anything else. Step 3: Elbow pointed at the rim- your shooting elbow should be set under the basketball with the ball resting on your finger tips. Use the window to check a soft hold. Step 4: Follow through the with the snapping of the wrist to provide ball rotation. (B.E.E.F)

The epistle of James is the practical instruction manual for Christians to see if they have a genuine faith, a faith that is NOT only words but is action, to see if they have a Real Faith with Real Application. The book of James is also a more then a instruction manual but it is rich in theology, rich in the gospel (although the gospel is not specifically mentioned) and it is rich in Christian viewpoints. There are 4 James’ in the mentioned in the bible but only two are serious candidates;

James the Less (; )

James the father of Iscariot (; )

James the son of Zebedee the brother of John () - martyred too early to have written it ()

James the oldest half brother of Jesus () and brother of Jude () - James first rejected Jesus as Messiah () but later came to believe ()

Salvation is by grace (1:17, 18)

The scope of the whole book is the idea of having a saving and living faith, compared to DEAD FAITH.

False Faith (v14-17)

Words Only (v14)

No Action (v15-16)

Counterfeit Faith (v17)

Real Faith (v18)