2 Authentic Faith is Active Faith
Put On Your Grown-Up Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsBig Idea: Active Faith is self-controlled, loves others, and remains pure.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Note: Trial vs. Temptation
Same word in Greek
v.2 = test, examine, put to test. Context shows external source.
v.3 is different word - prove by testing, examine.
v.12 – under trial – testing
v.12 – stood the test – proven, passed the test
Blessed when you pass the test. Endure. God gives good gift/prize of eternal life. Promise.
Tempted Faith
Tempted Faith
Tempted Faith
Read James 1:12-18
Don’t Blame God
Don’t Blame God
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
v.13 tempt – same root as v.2, 3, 12 = put to test, trial. Context shows internal source.
v.13 tempt – same root as v.2, 3, 12 = put to test, trial. Context shows internal source.
Character assessment of God = “existing without temptation”, no characteristic to be tempted. So God cannot tempt others to do evil either.
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
v.14 is process of temptation and sin.
v.14 is process of temptation and sin.
Internal desires are not sin unless/until we give in and pursue them.
Examples of desires - food, drink, sex, drugs, pleasure, hiding, etc. Reject desires that lure us away from God.
Lured, dragged away, enticed = hunting or fishing. Desire is allowed to grow.
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Take thoughts captive
Take thoughts captive
Birth of Death or of New Life
Birth of Death or of New Life
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
When desire is allowed to grow, pursued, conceived (birth metaphor).
When desire is allowed to grow, pursued, conceived (birth metaphor).
Sin is born. Sin grows and festers and then death is born.
Example of miscarriage or stillbirth.
This describes the opposite of v.12 enduring faith, passing test vs. surrender and failure.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul says same thing as James. Payment due metaphor. wages of sin is Death. Gift of God is eternal life.
Paul says same thing as James. Payment due metaphor. wages of sin is Death. Gift of God is eternal life.
v.16ff Don’t be deceived – relates back to v.13 God isn’t tempting you. God gives good gifts.
Wisdom, eternal life, and now new life.
Another character assessment of God – does not shift or change. Constant Light.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Again with the birth metaphor. Not birth of death, but birth of new life.
Again with the birth metaphor. Not birth of death, but birth of new life.
Gave birth through the word of truth, message of truth, His Word.
Firstfruits = sample, highest order of creation, example.
Big Idea: Don’t pass the blame, pass the test that leads to new life.
Big Idea: Don’t pass the blame, pass the test that leads to new life.
God does not tempt us. Let’s take responsibility for our actions, reject the temptations, and receive new life in Christ.
BREAK
Active Faith
Active Faith
Read James 1:18-27
Receive the Message
Receive the Message
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
v.18 transitional. God chose to give spiritual new birth by the message of truth.
v.18 transitional. God chose to give spiritual new birth by the message of truth.
Three metaphors used for word of truth, or message of truth – 21 implanted word = seed. 23 mirror reflecting inner man. 25 perfect law of freedom = good news that sets us free.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
v.19 Listen first means to hear and receive the word (listen to the message of truth)
(delete after listen,)
v.19a Listen first means to hear and receive the word (listen to the message of truth) of v.18
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Don’t complain. before speaking or getting angry.
v.19b Simply - Don’t complain. don’t get angry.
How often do we get angry or complain when things aren’t going the way we want?
v.20 Anger does not lead you into doing what God’s Word says. (leads you into sin)
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Relates to parable of soils and seeds. Humbly accept God’s Word as a seed planted in you.
Relates to parable of soils and seeds. Humbly accept God’s Word as a seed planted in you.
v.21 relates back to v.18 message of truth planted in you at your new birth. Clean out the garden and let that message grow unhindered. Weeds of filth and evil.
Action Needed
Action Needed
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
v.22 relates back to v.19 don’t just listen, hear, acknowledge.
v.22 relates back to v.19 don’t just listen, hear, acknowledge. Do it. Put it into practice.
Nike principle = Do it. Put it into practice.
Just like faith, it has to be put to use. You fool yourself into thinking you are right with God just because you know what the Bible says. Connect all the dots except the last one – obedience.
Not just about the written word, but living word.
Gaze Into The Mirror
Gaze Into The Mirror
v.23 example = mirror. see but not really. Don’t look and so don’t let it change you.
Knowledge without action.
Illustration with mirror. Also Word as spiritual mirror
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
v.25 perfect law = mirror to soul. Let it transform your belief and action.
v.25 perfect law = mirror to soul. Let it transform your belief and action.
Perfect law of freedom, good news – refers to God’s Law – not just the Bible, not just the Torah, but the law given by Jesus love God, love others. (examples show this)
Illustration with gazing into mirror. Also Word as spiritual mirror.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Summing up with example.
Summing up with example.
v.26 relates back to v.19 don’t control tongue, not slow to speak.
Think you are (religious) devoted follower, living out faith, but that religion means nothing because it doesn’t transform your belief and action.
(defiled not by what goes in but what comes out) shows where your heart is
v.27 pure and faultless devotion – example of living out love for others, and love for God by resisting influence of the world system. Awakening of evil desires, the dirt and evil.
Big Idea: (authentic, mature) Active Faith is self-controlled, loves others, and fights for purity.
Big Idea: (authentic, mature) Active Faith is self-controlled, loves others, and fights for purity.
Summary of Chapter 1
Rejoice in the opportunities for your faith to grow, don’t blame God or complain, receive God’s Word, obey God’s Word, grow mature in faith and practice.
What About You?
What About You?
Are we growing mature in our faith?
Are we enduring trials and rejecting temptation?
Are we humbly receiving God’s Word and faithfully obeying what He says?