Ready to Believe (James 2:14-26)
Gearl Spicer, February 25, 2024
Part of the Ready For The Adventure series, preached at a Sunday Online service
James 2:14–26 (Listen)
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So 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 apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
Ready For The Adventure
Ready to Believe
James 2:14-26
2/25/24
How would you describe your faith?
Faith - Saving faith transforms every aspect of our lives, leading to action and impact!
*What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? James 2:14
*Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:17
*You see that faith working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected. James 2:22
*For just as the body with the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26
*You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So everyone good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear goo fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16-20
The real adventure of faith -
I. An honest evaluation of our faith - James 2:14
A. What actions are you taking for God?
B. What evidence do you have for a living faith?
II. A humble approach to helping others - James 2:15-17
A. Involvement opens the door to validation
B. Distinctive and living faith always impact lives
III. The adventure of faith is evident - James 2:18-19
A. Recognition of a living faith
B. Results of righteous living
C. Actions that evidence a genuine faith
Are you ready to take action on this adventure of faith?