Show And Tell

The letter of James is thought to be written by James, the brother of Jesus. He is a much-respected leader of the church in Jerusalem. It is possible that he didn’t write this material as a letter, but that someone collected his sayings after his death. James was martyred on the orders of the Roman procurator Albinus in ad 62.

The Book of James has caused come controversy in church History Martin Luther the father of the Protestant Reformation didn’t like the book and some say that he even wanted to cut it out of the Bible.

And you’ve got to ask the question what is it about this letter that causes such a problem?

In Romans 3:28 Paul says,

‘One is justified by faith apart from works of the law.’

But in James 2:17 James says,

‘Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.’

It seems like Paul and James are contradicting with each other. So it might be helpful for us to look at the context in which the book Romans and James was written.

Background

Paul is writing to Christians (particularly Jews) who believe that they are right with God on the basis of their race (nationality) and by keeping the law of Moses (legalism). They would say, "I must keep all the Jewish laws and regulations to be a Christian." Paul’s purpose is to tell them how they could enter into the Christian life by faith alone. So, his emphasis is on the root of salvation…which is FAITH ALONE - what happens on the inside.

James, on the other hand, is writing to Christian Jews who were those saying, "It doesn't matter what you do as long as you believe." They were making Christianity a ‘religion’ without a ‘relationship.’

Now, James’ purpose is to tell them that ‘faith in action is not an option for Christians’ because their action is the evidence of their faith. James is talking about, “How to show you're a Christian.” That’s why his emphasis is on the fruit of salvation…which is GOOD WORKS - what happens on the outside.

James says it’s not just Hallaluia but it’s also Dolaluia.

To help us understand the importance of faith in Action James talks about three different kinds of faith in this passage and only one of which is true saving faith.

In vs. 14-17, he talks about the first kind of faith, which he calls…

I. Dead Faith

James does not say “if someone has faith,” he says, “if someone SAYS he has faith …” There is a difference. It is one thing to talk about faith and another thing, to put it into practice. They claim to have faith, but they don’t show it through their works. “What good is it for a man to say, ‘I have faith,’ if his actions do not prove it? Can that kind of faith save him?” The answer is NO! That kind of faith cannot save a person…WHY?...

In vs. 15-16, James explains why that kind of faith cannot save. He says, “One of your Christian brothers or sisters is without clothes and food. You know their need and you have the means to help them. But without giving the things they need, you just tell them, ‘I believe God can supply all of your needs.’ ‘I pray that God will provide clothes and food for you.’

You know that such a desperate situation demands an immediate response. But all you have done is to speak some kind words to them. You know how to say the right thing, but you do not do the right thing. James is asking them, …What good is it? What good is it if you see someone in need and you say, "I feel for you!" but do nothing to help.

Remote Control w/ dead battery Illustration

‘So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.’ (V. 17).

The word “dead” in this passage comes from a Greek word meaning ‘unfruitful’, ‘barren’ or ‘nonproductive.’ It describes the condition of a faith that is not accompanied by works. That kind of faith is dead faith. And dead faith does not work.

Illustration: Attending Southern Seminary with Evangelicals

True faith can never be alone, works must accompany it. People do not believe that we are saved if they do not see good works in our lives. Because…“Our action speaks louder than our words.” People are looking at what we do more than listening to what we say.

Illustration:

The amazing story of Charles Blondin, a famous French tightrope walker, is a wonderful illustration of what true faith is. Blondin's greatest fame came on September 14, 1860, when he became the first person to cross a tightrope stretched 11,000 feet across the mighty Niagara Falls. People came from miles away to see this great feat. He walked across, 160 feet above the falls, several times... each time with a different daring feat - once in a sack, on poles, on a bicycle, in the dark, and blindfolded. One time he even carried a stove and cooked an omelet in the middle of the rope! A large crowd gathered and the buzz of excitement ran along both sides of the riverbank. The crowd cheered as Blondin carefully walked across - one dangerous step after another - pushing a wheelbarrow holding a sack of potatoes. Then at one point, he asked for the participation of a volunteer. Upon reaching the other side, the crowd's applause was louder than the roar of the falls! Blondin suddenly stopped and addressed his audience: "Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?" The crowd enthusiastically yelled, "Yes! You are the greatest tightrope walker in the world. We believe!" Then Blondin asked, so "Who wants to get into the wheelbarrow." Suddenly, the crowd went silent and no one responded.

They said they had faith until they had to prove it. They had dead faith.

Real faith isn’t just the words you say, it’s also seen in the works you do.

After talking about dead faith, which does not take action, James talks about another kind of faith in vs. 18-19, which he calls…

II. Demonic Faith

In vs. 18-19 James offers a rebuttal to people before they even get to make excuses, he said some of y’all will say “YOU have faith and I have works” as if you can separate the two. Like taking two paths to the same destination.

“Show me your faith apart from your works.”

James says, “Show me.” How could a person show his faith without his works? … Impossible!

Even the demons believe in God but their belief alone doesn’t lead to them being transformed and serving God. Demonic faith is faith that’s involves your head but not your heart.

Here it is… if someone tells you they can sing… you can’t tell by just looking at them.. I mean if that’s that case, I would be world famous because I know how to look like a singer… have y’all ever seen someone who just looks like a singer…

You know the right facial expressions… it looks like they are on key… but then you hear them… and OMG.

Listen faith is like air… you can’t see it but you know when it’s not there.

You can't see faith but you can see the results of faith. If you claim to be a Christian, people will have to be able to see it.

Here’s something to consider, If someone took you to court and blamed you for being a Christian and they had to prove it with evidence and the Judge said, “You can’t use going to church on Sunday as evidence because even the devil does that.”

Would you be convicted of being a Christian I mean would their be other evidence to prove you’re a Christian.

In Mark 11 we see the story of Jesus leaving an area called Bethany and he’s on a journey and the Bible says that he was hungry… off in the distance he saw a fig tree and it looked good… I mean the leaves were healthy and blowing in the wind. Jesus walks toward the fig tree and if Jesus was like me and maybe even like you, when you have food in your mind you can almost taste it before you get it.

Ohhh but the disappointment that comes when you don’t get what was expected.

the text says that when Jesus got to the tree it had no fruit on it… it’s sort of like having a taste for Chick-fil-a and you drive their picturing your food … almost tasting the fries in the bag… then you pull up and realize it’s Sunday.

That’s the same for a Christian who who produces no fruit.

After talking about demonic faith, which is ‘informed but not transformed’, James talks about another kind of faith, which is…

III. Dynamic Faith

In vs. 20-26 He says dynamic faith is the faith that is actively at work. It is based on God’s Word. Dynamic faith is real and it results in changed lives. Dynamic faith involves the whole person: head, heart and hands.

To show his readers that ‘faith apart from works is dead,’ James gives 2 examples. These are two great persons in the Bible who had dynamic faith in God. The first person is…

Abraham

God promised a son to Abraham when was 75 years old. Abraham believed God’s promise, and this faith gave to him the righteousness he needed for salvation. God had promised Abraham that through Isaac, he would have children more numerous than the sand of the sea and the stars of the heavens. Then God asked Abraham to sacrifice that son Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. Abraham had faith in God, and therefore he was not afraid to obey Him. He cut the wood, built the altar and was ready to sacrifice his own son. Hebrews 11:17–19 indicates that Abraham believed that God could even raise Isaac from the dead. In short, Abraham proved his faith by his works. His obedience to God was the evidence of his faith in God. His faith was made perfect in his act of obedience. Therefore, Abraham was not saved by obeying God’s difficult command. God declared Abraham righteous long before he was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac. So…

Abraham was not saved by ‘faith plus works’, but by ‘faith that works.’

Rahab (v. 25)

In Joshua chapter 2, we read that Rahab was a prostitute in the city of Jericho. Israel was about to invade their Promised Land and take the city of Jericho. Jericho was the first and most intimidating target, so Joshua sent spies into the city. They went to the house of Rahab because they thought that, it would not arouse suspicion for strangers to go to the house of a prostitute. But they were mistaken. The king of Jericho got word that spies had come to the city and were at the house of Rahab. The king immediately sent men to search for the spies. But, Rahab hid them and helped them to escape. Because of her faith proved by her works, her life was spared when Jericho fell.

Rahab was already a believer in the God of Israel before the two spies came to her house. The Word about Israel and her God had come to Rahab and the other inhabitants of Jericho before the spies ever came. And Rahab had believed that Word. In Joshua 2:11 she said,

“When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Her reception and protection of the two spies proved her faith in God. So, “Rahab was not saved by ‘faith plus works’, but by ‘faith that works.’

Dynamic faith involves our head, heart and hands together to put our faith in action. We must demonstrate our faith through works in our daily Christian life. Our ‘faith apart from works is dead.’

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