"Alive in Christ: A Faith that Works!" Part 3

I. Sin’s Work AGAINST Us – (2:1-3)

II. GOD’s Work FOR Us – (2:4-9)

III. GOD’s Work IN Us – (2:10)

WHO? – “For we…”

WHAT? – “…are His workmanship [ποίημα]”

WHEN? – “…created” (Lit, “…having been created”)

WHERE? – “…in Christ Jesus”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB95

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

(NIV) – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

HOW? (How do I realize God’s work of salvation?) – “…created […] for good works”

WHY? – “…which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

What did James have to say?

1. REAL FAITH is MORE than VERBAL AFFIRMATION – (2:14-18)

a. Verbal faith does not SAVE – (v.14)

b. Verbal faith does not SERVE – (v.15-16)

1 John 3:17–19 NASB95

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him

c. Verbal faith does not SURVIVE – (v.17-18)

2. REAL FAITH is MORE than MENTAL ASSENT – (2:19)

3. REAL FAITH is MORE than a POSITIVE ATTITUDE – (2:20-25)

a. ABRAHAM the PATRIARCH – (vv.20-24)

b. RAHAB the PROSTITUTE – (v.25)

BOTH were SAVED BY A FAITH THAT WORKS! – (v.26)

CONCLUSION: (2 Cor 13:5) – “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!…”

IF YOU WERE ON TRIAL FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN, WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT?