Faith Works

Sermon Scripture:  James 2:14-26

1. Real faith is active trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 1

• No Law! No other god’s! No other way! No excuse!
• Admit sin, accept Jesus sufficient sacrifice, and acknowledge Him as your Lord.

2.  Worthless faith identified. Verse 14

• A workless faith is a worthless faith. It is without profit or advantage, useless.
• A worthless faith cannot save from sin!

3.  Worthless faith Illustrated: Verses 15-16, 26

• A worthless faith is faith that does not act on what it says it believes. 
• Need + Helpful words – action = need
• Body – spirit = death
• Comparison: Faith – works = dead faith

4.  Real faith contrasted with Worthless Faith: verse 18

• Faith Alone: Unverifiable claim, illogical claim
• Works alongside Faith: Verifiable and logical
• Works alone: Never an option, not an issue in this letter. See Romans, Galatians, Ephesians

5.  Real faith is more than knowledge of the truth of a fact in the mind. Verse 19- 20

• Demons believe in Jesus but are not disciples of Jesus.
• This type of belief does not save people.
• A vain person equates “knowledge” as the only condition or requirement to follow Jesus.

6.  Real faith is the combined power of faith and works becoming active together. Verses 21-26

• Real faith is necessary for justification.
• Real faith is complete and mature due to the “synergy” of faith combined with works.
• Real faith results in the imputation of righteousness by God. Genesis 15:6, Hebrews 12; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6
• Real faith makes you a Friend of God. Isaiah 41:8
• Real faith exemplified: Abraham, Rahab: Joshua 6:25; Hebrews 11:31

So What?

• ​Do you have an active faith in the person of Jesus Christ as your Lord?
• Do you try to excuse an inactive faith?
• Are you proud of what you know but not of what God is doing through you?
• Have you combined knowledge with action in your walk with God?
• Are you trying to do good things to please God without believing in Jesus as your Lord and savior?