Actionable Faith

James 2:17–18 ESV

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James introduces us to a concept some will argue

Faith that is dead.

Faith that is alive

Paul and James not debate ; Paul does not advocate for a faith devoid of work.

Makes us aware there are different types of faith.

A Relationship with the Living God demands Living Faith, our faith cannot be untethered from works.

Dead Works and Dead Faith

Hebrews 6:1 ESV

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Faith is an elementary doctrine Christ professed.

Dead works

anything that is done outside of the will of God

even when we claim it is being done for the Lord

Work done in an effort to buy favor

Faith in the same way can be dead

James 2:14–17 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

have you ever considered what it means to tell someone “I am here for you”

consider when its inconvenient for you

The Lord be with you… when the Lord sent you.

Matthew West “Do Something” 2012

Your faith should drive you to take action

If you do not take action your faith is dead

Demonic Faith

James 2:19–20 ESV

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

These are the people who believe in God may even attend church but do not act on their faith

Affirms its not enough to believe

Acts 19:13–18 ESV

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.

the demons know Jesus and His authority

Authority rests in the relationship we have in Christ

Alive in Faith

2 Corinthians 5:6–7 ESV

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Rest in the assurance of what we do not see

Live in the hope of the promises of the Lord

Must Live in faith in order to be found righteous