Sermon Tone Analysis

Does the bible contradict itself?

So also faith by itself , if it does not have works, is dead.

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

How do we reconcile these two statements?

Context is important.

Paul was speaking to the Romans who were steeped in the old ways of being under the law.

They thought that by doing good works that their efforts would get them into Heaven

Jame was speaking to those who had a warped view of what Paul was saying to the Romans.

The people James was speaking to just wanted to have their faith and that was all they needed.

They didn't need works.

The Romans abused the faith the was given to them.

They reasoned that if they sinned they would bring more glory to God.

So lets sin all the more

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What shall we say then?

Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

So where are we when it comes to faith and works?

It is important to understand that our behavior is the evidence of our Identity.

We behave in accordance with what we believe about ourselves.

That is fine as long as we believe what God has to say about who we are.

All of our lack of faith and our lack of works is an outgrowth of either what we believe about God (good works) or an unbelief in God (Sin).

Jesus had believed in his heavenly father (Faith) and because of this Faith he went willingly to the cross (Works).

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Works are the evidence of true faith.”

“True faith is to legit to quit”

“We exhibit our faith by our actions.”

What examples of works would indicate we have Faith?