James Message 5

Is your faith real?

James 2:14–26 NKJV

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Intro: George Barna claims that in his surveys – four out of five Americans claim to be Christians. Yet what they say they believe has very little to do with how they live their lives

The faith that the majority of Americans claim to have does not affect they way they live. Something is wrong with this kind of faith!!!

This is the very condition that James was speaking of in our text today. Living a life as though God’s Word was merely advice and it is up to us to make our own decisions about right and wrong.

Can you see faith? No, but you can see the results of faith.

James has talked about.

When your faith is tested.

Winning the battle over temptations

A life of obedience. (Doer, not just a hearer)

Now, Is your faith real, (Faith in action). This part of the book of James is the theme. Faith, real faith. Real faith saves, real faith is shown by works.

Saying: Actions speak loader then words.

You talk the talk but do you walk the walk.

Many people say think that they are Christians, (think they are going to heaven when they are not)

False assurance. Know the right church stuff. Right church things to say. Sing the church songs. But there is no salvation.

Matthew 7:21–23 NKJV

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

In James day and in our day, there are those who say they are saved, but their life lacks it. Because their faith is not real.

It seems if you put the word "real" in front of anything it sells more – “real coffee” or “real leather.” We’re interested in the genuine article. Coke used to be the "real thing".

Today we are going to see what James has to say about how to have a real faith. There are a lot of phony religions out there -- people who think they are Christians and really aren’t.

In this passage James talks about the difference between real and counterfeit Christians, authentic believers and fake believers. He talks about how you can have a real faith. Jesus verifies this saying that by a person’s fruits you can know them.

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU SAY. VS 14

James 2:14 NKJV

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

VS 14

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation Chapter 2

What profit is there, my brethren, if a person is saying, I am in possession of faith, and he is not in possession of works?

“Can that faith save him?”

This is the most controversial and misunderstood passage in the book of James. Many cults and false religions misunderstand it and try to use this passage to prove you have to work your way to heaven. The entire New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith alone

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Paul was writing to those who did not believe in salvation by faith alone. They believe in ceremonial requirements.

James was writing showing that your faith was evident by your actions.

Paul was fighting the problem of legalism -- the problem of: "I’ve got to keep all the Jewish laws and regulations to be a Christian." Paul is talking to that group.

James is not fighting legalism but laxity -- those that say "It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you believe."

They are fighting two different enemies. But they both use the word "works" in different ways. When Paul uses the word "works" he’s talking about Jewish laws like circumcision and things like that.

Paul is talking about, “How to know you’re a Christian.” James is talking about, “How to show you’re a Christian.” Paul is talking about how to become a believer.

James talks about how to behave like a believer. It is not a contradiction.

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU FEEL VS 15-17

James 2:15–18 NKJV

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

VS 15-16 (naked) (Poorly dressed)

(Brother or sister) fellow believers.

He’s saying, “It’s more than just words. It’s more than just feelings.” If, after church, Archie falls.

"I really feel for you!" -- is that any help?

Real faith is more than just sympathy and feeling and emotion. You get involved. You do something about it. You act on it.

Real faith takes the initiative. A real believer has real faith and it’s practical. It gets involved with people. He’s talking about Christians here.

When you become a part of God’s family you have some family responsibilities. A real believer will care about other believers.

Real faith is generous. It wants to give. Can people count on you in a crisis? How many Christians have the freedom to call you up in the middle of the night if they are in an emergency? Not just talking the talk. Not just feeling for people.

Do you have fellowship with believers? Real faith wants to be around other believers. You love them. It is known we are Christians by our love.

We are a lot better at verbalizing our faith than practicing it.

VS 17

If I don’t feel like helping other Christians, I don’t have a sick faith, I have a dead faith. James is laying it on the line. He says, “Do you want real faith? It’s more than just something you say and it’s more than just something you feel.

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOME SOMETHING YOU THINK VS 18

James 2:18 NKJV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

"show me". The results of real faith is visible. You can see the results. It’s apparent. If you claim to be a Christian, people will be able to see the evidence . It’s visible.

Faith is odorless, weightless, and invisible so anybody can claim to have it. How do you know for sure? James says, “Show me.” If you claim to be a Christian I have a right to ask you to prove it by looking at your lifestyle.

Somebody said, "Faith is like calories. You can’t see them but you know they’re there and you sure can see the results." You can’t see faith but you can see the results. [wind!]

Jesus can see your faith. Elab on story of the 4 friends.

Mark 2:5 NKJV

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

If you grab onto a 220 volt wire you’re going to know it. I don’t see how somebody as big as God can enter your life and it not change you. James says flat out that if it doesn’t change you there’s a question whether He’s really in your life. What can I see in my life that proves it?

`If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?’ That’s a good question. That’s what James was talking about. If you say "I know it!" Then show it! How do you know you’re a believer? You’ll see some changes in your life. Real faith always produces change. Real faith is not just something you say. It’s not just something you feel. It’s not just something you think.

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU BELIEVE

James 2:19 NKJV

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

There are a lot of people who have strong beliefs in God and the Bible, and about Christ. They can recite creeds to you and catechisms and talk about doctrines of the Trinity, and quote Bible verses.

James says, "big deal!" Just saying I believe in God is not enough to get you to heaven. Even the devil believes that.

The word “believe” in Greek means "to trust in, to cling to, to rely on, to commit yourself completely."

I’m a Christian because I believe in Jesus. But it’s more than just a “head” knowledge.

REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING YOU DO VS 20-26

James 2:20–26 NKJV

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

two very different people, Abraham and Rahab -- exact opposite extremes. Abraham is a man. Rahab is a woman. Abraham is Jewish. Rahab is a Gentile. Abraham is a patriarch. Rahab is a prostitute. Abraham is a somebody. Rahab is a nobody.

Abraham is a major character in the Bible. Rahab is a minor character. He uses these illustrations to say, it doesn’t matter who you are as long as you’ve got the important thing. They only had one thing in common -- their faith in God. Their faith in God led them to an action.

You know the story. It’s the ultimate test where God asked Abraham to give up his own son. This has nothing to do with salvation. Abraham was already a believer.

Twenty-five years earlier God had said, “You’re righteous.” He’s not talking about being saved by his works. He’s saying that this just shows how you believe. Abraham obeyed God. (Elab on Story)

And he talks about Rahab. The story is in Joshua 2. It’s the story how a prostitute helped a couple of spies when they were coming into Jericho. Rahab ends up in the family line of Jesus. She risks her life to save the spies.

Our faith is not determined by what we do, it is demonstrated by what we do.

In a very real sense that’s what God says to you. Talk is cheap. Put your money where your mouth is. "I believe in Jesus!" Prove it. Our faith is demonstrated by our actions. Actions speak louder than words. Our behavior shows what we really believe.

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Go back to VS 19

A couple of questions:

Am I really a Christian after all? In the light of what James says, am I really a Christian?

What changes can I point to in my life? Is my lifestyle any different at all from unbelievers? So many people think it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you believe. The Holy Spirit, thru James, says that’s not true. He’s not saying you work your way to heaven. He’s not saying works deliver salvation. He’s saying they demonstrate it. He’s saying that if your faith doesn’t work, what good is it?