Authentic Faith: Distinguishing Real from Fake
Summary
In today's message, we explored the critical distinction between real and fake faith, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our world is filled with imitations, from fake products to superficial relationships, but when it comes to faith, authenticity is non-negotiable. Real faith is essential to access the over 6,000 promises of God found in the Bible, which provide stability and strength during difficult times. Fake faith, on the other hand, lacks the power to transform, save, or answer prayers.
James 2:14-20 serves as a guide to discern real faith from fake faith. Real faith is more than mere words, emotions, intellectual debates, or even beliefs. It is demonstrated through actions. James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, highlighting that genuine faith is visible and transformative. This is not a contradiction to Paul's teachings but a complement, as Paul focuses on the root of salvation, while James focuses on the fruit.
James provides practical examples of real faith through the lives of Abraham and Rahab. Abraham demonstrated faith by following God without knowing where he was going, while Rahab risked her life to save others. Both exemplified faith in action, showing that real faith involves trust, risk, and obedience.
As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask ourselves if our faith is genuine. Are we merely talking the talk, or are we walking the walk? Real faith should result in a changed life, visible to others. It is not about earning salvation through works but showing the evidence of our faith through our actions.
Key Takeaways:
- Real Faith vs. Fake Faith: Real faith is essential to access God's promises and withstand life's challenges. Fake faith lacks transformative power and cannot save or answer prayers. Authentic faith is demonstrated through actions, not just words or emotions. [01:22]
- Faith and Works: James and Paul complement each other in their teachings. Paul focuses on the root of salvation, while James emphasizes the fruit. Real faith is visible and results in a changed life, evident through good deeds. [05:23]
- Examples of Real Faith: Abraham and Rahab exemplify real faith through their actions. Abraham followed God without knowing the destination, while Rahab risked her life to save others. Both demonstrated trust, risk, and obedience. [24:05]
- Self-Examination: We must examine our lives to ensure our faith is genuine. Real faith should result in a lifestyle change, visible to others. It is not about earning salvation but showing evidence of our faith through actions. [32:22]
- Faith in Action: Real faith is active, not passive. It involves commitment, choice, and action. Our behavior reflects our beliefs, and genuine faith is demonstrated through our actions, not just words or emotions. [21:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Real vs. Fake Faith
- [00:29] - The Prevalence of Fake in Our World
- [01:22] - The Necessity of Real Faith
- [02:25] - Understanding James 2:14-20
- [03:24] - Faith Without Works is Dead
- [05:04] - Complementary Teachings of James and Paul
- [06:08] - What Real Faith is Not
- [09:01] - The Importance of Actions
- [12:24] - Real Faith in Action During COVID-19
- [15:10] - Intellectual Debates vs. Real Faith
- [19:49] - Sarcasm and Real Faith
- [24:05] - Examples of Real Faith: Abraham and Rahab
- [29:27] - Faith Demonstrated Through Actions
- [32:22] - Self-Examination and Genuine Faith
- [34:17] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- James 2:14-20
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Ephesians 2:8-9
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Observation Questions:
1. According to James 2:14-20, what is the relationship between faith and actions? How does James describe faith that is not accompanied by works? [03:24]
2. What examples from the sermon illustrate the difference between real faith and fake faith? How do these examples help clarify the concept of faith in action? [24:05]
3. How does the sermon explain the complementary teachings of James and Paul regarding faith and works? [05:04]
4. What are some of the fake aspects of life mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the concept of fake faith? [01:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that real faith should manifest in a believer's life? What are the visible signs of genuine faith according to the sermon? [17:56]
2. In what ways do the examples of Abraham and Rahab demonstrate the characteristics of real faith? How do their actions reflect trust, risk, and obedience? [24:05]
3. How does the sermon address the misconception that James and Paul contradict each other on the topic of faith and works? What is the significance of understanding their teachings as complementary? [05:04]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of self-examination in assessing the authenticity of one's faith? How can this practice impact a believer's spiritual journey? [32:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where your faith is more about words than actions? What steps can you take to align your actions with your beliefs? [06:48]
2. Consider the examples of Abraham and Rahab. Is there a situation in your life where you need to demonstrate trust, risk, or obedience? How can you take a step of faith in that area? [24:05]
3. The sermon mentions that real faith is more than an emotion or intellectual debate. How can you ensure that your faith is active and not just theoretical? What practical steps can you take this week? [13:27]
4. The sermon challenges us to examine whether our faith is genuine. What evidence in your life shows that your faith is real? How can you strengthen this evidence in your daily actions? [32:22]
5. During the pandemic, how have you demonstrated your faith through actions? Are there new ways you can serve others or show your faith in your community? [12:24]
6. The sermon uses the analogy of getting into a wheelbarrow to illustrate real faith. What is a "wheelbarrow" moment in your life where you need to fully trust God? How can you take that leap of faith? [31:50]
7. Reflect on the statement, "Faith is something I do." What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith in a tangible way? How can you involve others in this journey? [21:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Faith is Essential for God's Promises
Real faith is crucial for accessing the promises of God, which provide stability and strength during life's challenges. In a world filled with imitations, distinguishing between real and fake faith is vital. Real faith is not just about words or emotions; it is demonstrated through actions. Fake faith lacks the power to transform, save, or answer prayers. Authentic faith is necessary to withstand life's difficulties and to truly connect with God's promises. [01:22]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: Consider a promise of God that you are holding onto. How can you actively demonstrate your faith in this promise through your actions today?
Day 2: Faith and Works are Inseparable
James and Paul offer complementary teachings on faith and works. While Paul emphasizes the root of salvation, James focuses on the fruit, highlighting that real faith is visible and results in a changed life. Faith without works is dead, as genuine faith is demonstrated through good deeds. This is not about earning salvation but showing the evidence of faith through actions. Real faith is transformative and should be evident in the way we live our lives. [05:23]
Titus 3:8 (ESV): "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where your actions do not align with your faith. What specific steps can you take to bring your actions in line with your beliefs?
Day 3: Real Faith is Demonstrated Through Trust, Risk, and Obedience
The lives of Abraham and Rahab provide practical examples of real faith. Abraham demonstrated faith by following God without knowing where he was going, while Rahab risked her life to save others. Both exemplified faith in action, showing that real faith involves trust, risk, and obedience. Their stories remind us that genuine faith requires stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting God with the unknown. [24:05]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What risks are involved, and how can you trust God in this situation?
Day 4: Self-Examination is Key to Genuine Faith
We must examine our lives to ensure our faith is genuine. Real faith should result in a lifestyle change, visible to others. It is not about earning salvation but showing evidence of our faith through actions. This self-examination helps us to identify areas where our faith may be lacking and encourages us to make necessary changes. Genuine faith is active and should be reflected in our daily lives. [32:22]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your daily habits. Are there any habits that do not reflect your faith? How can you change these habits to better align with your beliefs?
Day 5: Faith in Action Reflects Our Beliefs
Real faith is active, not passive. It involves commitment, choice, and action. Our behavior reflects our beliefs, and genuine faith is demonstrated through our actions, not just words or emotions. This active faith is essential for living a life that truly honors God and impacts those around us. By living out our faith, we become a testament to the transformative power of God's promises. [21:40]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where your actions did not align with your faith. How can you ensure that your future actions reflect your beliefs more accurately?
Quotes
Now, there are some areas in life where fake works just fine just as well as the real thing. But there is one area where you have to have the real thing. And it is this, you have to have real faith, not fake faith or it doesn't work. In the Bible, in this book there are over 6,000 promises of God that God has made to you. You need these promises to stay stable, and strong, and healthy during this pandemic. [00:01:15]
Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see your brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say to them, "I wish you well. I feel for you. I hope you stay warm and eat well." But then you do nothing to meet their needs. What good does your sympathy do? It's worth nothing. [00:04:04]
For instance, when Paul is writing, the emphasis of Paul is how to know I'm saved, how to know I'm saved. But the emphasis of James is how to show I'm saved, how to show I'm saved. Paul's focus when he writes about this, he's focusing on the root of my salvation, which is internal and unseen. James is focusing on the fruit of my salvation, which is external, and visible. It's two sides of the same coin. [00:05:05]
Real faith he says is more than just words I say. "Real faith is more than just the words I say." It's more than just a memorized prayer. Sometimes people pray, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep", et cetera. And that doesn't mean you're a Christian, that doesn't mean you know the Lord, doesn't mean you have faith. It's just something you say. [00:06:48]
He says, "Real faith is more than just an emotion I feel." He says that in the very next verse. "Real faith is more than emotion I feel." You can be inspired, and you can be emotionally moved, and you can get a quiver in your liver, and you can have goosebumps, and you can be really emotional and never have real faith. James gives us an example of this. [00:10:06]
For some people, faith is just an intellectual game. It's just a mental challenge. It's a theology to be studied. It's a doctrine to be debated. It's a dogma to be defended. It's an idea to be discussed. It's a truth to be talked about. In other words, for them faith is not something you do, faith is just a conversation. They love to talk, talk, talk, talk. [00:13:14]
Now you say, "Well, I believe there is a God." And I say, "Well, good for you." But even the demons believe that and they are afraid. It's foolish not to realize that faith in God is useless if you don't do what God wants you to do. Now, after reading that passage that I just read, I'm sure some people think that James is contradicting Paul, who wrote some of the other books in the New Testament, but that's a misunderstanding. [00:19:45]
Faith is active it's not passive. Faith is a commitment. Faith is a choice. Faith is an action. Faith is something I do. James 2:26 he says, "Just as a body without a spirit doesn't breathe and is dead, so faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead." Have you noticed the word that James uses over and over in this section? There's a word, he used it in every single verse I read you, it's the word do. [00:21:40]
Abraham followed God, without knowing where he was going, that's faith. Abraham followed God without knowing where he was going. He didn't say, "God, show me where we're going first." No, God told him, "Just head out that direction." "How will I know when I get there?" "I'll tell you when." He's going to a place he's never seen, never been, trusting a God he didn't know before this, but he acted on his faith. [00:24:05]
Rahab risked her life to save the spies that Joshua had sent into Jericho. And because she risked her life in order to save God's people, God put her in the genealogy of Jesus. Do you know that in Matthew in the New Testament, where it lists all the people, it says the father beget this father, he had this father, four women are mentioned, one of them is Rahab. She wasn't even Jewish and she was a prostitute. [00:29:27]
Now, let me make it really clear. Works, don't save you. They can't save you. You can't work your way to heaven. You can't earn your way to heaven. They're not the root of your salvation, they are the fruit. They show you are a Christian, they don't make you a Christian they show it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says this, "It is by grace, you have been saved through faith. By grace through faith for a life of good works, which God has already prepared for us to do." [00:32:22]
I just said a few words, did it change your life? What changes can you point to in your life? What changes can I point to in my life? Is my lifestyle any different from unbelievers? Each week, we do a couple things at the end of each service as Saddleback Church, the first thing we do is we recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. And if you have not ever done this, I wanna lead you in a prayer right now. [00:34:17]
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