Faith in Action: The True Measure of Belief
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. I want to welcome you this morning and thank you for being here today. As I was singing that song backstage with you, "Gratitude," I was just thinking about how grateful I am for Jesus and for you. I missed you last week while I was recovering from surgery, and I appreciate your prayers and encouraging words. I'm grateful to be part of a loving church family. I'm also thankful for Pastor Randy, who always steps in and does an amazing job when needed.
Today, we continue our journey through the book of James, specifically James chapter 2. I felt led this week to pause and invite the Holy Spirit to help us learn from this passage. Let's pray together and seek the Lord's wisdom and guidance. Father God, we thank you for your presence with us. We ask for your wisdom, comfort, and clarity as we study your word today. Holy Spirit, we welcome you here to teach and guide us.
As we dive into James chapter 2, I reflect on my upbringing. I grew up in a family with an amazing mom and dad who are now part of our church. My dad grew up in the Catholic Church, and my mom in the Baptist Church. When they got married, they stopped going to church, and we became an unchurched family for a while. However, during a crisis in our family, my parents realized the need for Jesus in our lives, and we started attending church. I began learning about Jesus and hearing great stories from the Bible.
Despite growing up in church, I was a church kid, not a Christ follower. I remember hearing a sermon that prompted me to walk down the aisle and fill out a card, but I didn't fully understand what it meant to follow Jesus. I was confused by conflicting messages within the church, hearing about being made right with God by grace through faith, but also encountering legalism and a list of to-dos and to-don'ts.
James chapter 2 addresses the relationship between faith and works. James emphasizes that real faith produces real works in the life of a real believer. He uses the analogy of a coin, with faith on one side and works on the other, illustrating that they go together. James challenges the notion that faith can be a private matter, emphasizing that faith should be demonstrated through actions.
James anticipates pushback and addresses the argument that some people have faith while others have good deeds. He asserts that real faith is not invisible but on display through good deeds. He references the Shema from Deuteronomy 6, a prayer recited by Jews, and points out that even demons believe in God but do not have saving faith. James concludes that real faith is not merely intellectual but involves a heartfelt commitment to Jesus.
James calls for self-examination, urging believers to ensure their faith is genuine. He highlights the importance of actions that demonstrate faith, such as caring for those in need. He uses the example of seeing a brother or sister without food or clothing and emphasizes that real faith is involved, not indifferent.
James and Paul are not in opposition but complement each other. Paul focuses on the root of salvation, emphasizing justification by faith alone, while James focuses on the fruit of salvation, showing that genuine faith produces good works. James addresses the issue of laxity, where some believers think they can live however they want because they are saved. He emphasizes that true faith results in a transformed life.
In conclusion, James calls for authentic faith that is demonstrated through actions. He challenges believers to examine their lives and ensure their faith is genuine, producing good works that reflect their relationship with Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith and Actions are Inseparable: Real faith is not just about intellectual belief but is demonstrated through actions. James uses the analogy of a coin to illustrate that faith and works are two sides of the same coin. Just as a coin is incomplete without both sides, faith is incomplete without works. This challenges us to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is visible through our actions. [01:24:32]
2. Intellectual Faith vs. Heartfelt Faith: James emphasizes that even demons believe in God and tremble, but they do not have saving faith. Real faith goes beyond intellectual knowledge and involves a heartfelt commitment to Jesus. This calls us to move from mere intellectual assent to a deep, personal relationship with Christ, allowing Him to transform our hearts and lives. [01:27:53]
3. The Role of Good Works: Good works are not the means of salvation but the evidence of genuine faith. James and Paul are not in opposition; rather, they complement each other. Paul focuses on the root of salvation—justification by faith alone—while James focuses on the fruit of salvation, showing that true faith produces good works. This understanding helps us see that our actions should naturally flow from our faith. [49:36]
4. Self-Examination and Authentic Faith: James calls for self-examination to ensure that our faith is genuine. He challenges us to look at our lives and see if our actions align with our professed faith. This involves caring for those in need, showing love and compassion, and living out our faith in practical ways. Authentic faith is not indifferent but actively involved in the lives of others. [01:18:32]
5. The Importance of Authenticity: James addresses the issue of hypocrisy, emphasizing that real faith is authentic and not just for show. He highlights the importance of being genuine in our faith, not just going through the motions. This resonates with the desire for authenticity in today's culture, especially among younger generations. True faith is not about perfection but about being real and allowing Christ to transform us from the inside out. [01:01:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:13] - Introduction and Prayer
[30:13] - Reflecting on Upbringing
[32:48] - Conflicting Messages in Church
[34:14] - Church Kid vs. Christ Follower
[35:37] - Confusion and Legalism
[37:16] - Simple but Profound Songs
[38:49] - Misleading Messages
[40:25] - If You're Saved and You Know It
[42:09] - Personal Journey to Faith
[43:35] - Understanding the Gospel
[44:54] - Made Right with God
[46:32] - Jesus' Sacrifice for Us
[48:07] - Reading Romans
[49:36] - Faith and Works
[51:02] - Fruit of the Spirit
[52:36] - Discipleship and Growth
[54:11] - James and Paul: Complementary Perspectives
[55:46] - Practical Examples of Faith
[57:08] - Authentic Faith in Action
[58:31] - Hypocrisy and Authenticity
[59:52] - Research on Christian Lifestyles
[01:01:24] - The Call for Authenticity
[01:02:55] - Intellectual vs. Heartfelt Faith
[01:04:23] - Clarifying James and Paul
[01:07:34] - Combating Legalism and Laxity
[01:09:14] - Root and Fruit of Salvation
[01:10:45] - Justification and Validation
[01:12:16] - Real Faith Produces Real Works
[01:13:46] - Phony Believers
[01:15:31] - Wheat and Tares
[01:17:16] - Head to Heart Transformation
[01:18:32] - Real Faith is Involved
[01:19:50] - Caring for Those in Need
[01:21:21] - The Good Samaritan
[01:22:48] - Real Love in Action
[01:24:32] - Faith and Actions are Inseparable
[01:26:10] - Public Display of Faith
[01:27:53] - Intellectual vs. Heartfelt Faith
[01:29:34] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 2:14-26 - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. 1 John 3:16-18 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 2:14-26, what is the relationship between faith and works? How does James illustrate this relationship? [49:36]
2. In Ephesians 2:8-10, what does Paul say about the role of grace and works in salvation? How does this complement James' message? [01:09:14]
3. How does 1 John 3:16-18 define real love, and what actions does it call believers to take? [01:22:48]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the difference between being a church kid and a Christ follower? [34:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize that faith without works is dead? How does this challenge the notion of faith as a purely private matter? [49:36]
2. How do Paul and James complement each other in their teachings about faith and works? What does this tell us about the nature of genuine faith? [01:09:14]
3. What does it mean to have a heartfelt commitment to Jesus rather than just an intellectual belief? How can this be seen in one's actions? [01:27:53]
4. How does the example of the Good Samaritan in the sermon illustrate the principle of faith in action? What does this story teach us about real faith? [01:21:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where your faith is not being demonstrated through actions? What specific steps can you take to align your actions with your faith? [49:36]
2. Think about a time when you encountered someone in need. How did you respond? How can you be more proactive in showing compassion and meeting the needs of others? [01:19:50]
3. James calls for self-examination to ensure our faith is genuine. What practical ways can you regularly examine your faith and actions to ensure they align? [01:12:16]
4. How can you move from an intellectual understanding of Jesus to a heartfelt commitment? What changes in your daily life would reflect this deeper relationship? [01:27:53]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of authenticity in faith. How can you cultivate authenticity in your relationship with Jesus and in your interactions with others? [01:01:24]
6. Identify one person in your life who is in need. What specific action can you take this week to demonstrate your faith by helping them? [01:22:48]
7. How can you balance the understanding that we are saved by grace with the call to produce good works? What does this balance look like in your everyday life? [01:09:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith and Actions are Inseparable
Real faith is not just about intellectual belief but is demonstrated through actions. James uses the analogy of a coin to illustrate that faith and works are two sides of the same coin. Just as a coin is incomplete without both sides, faith is incomplete without works. This challenges us to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is visible through our actions. James emphasizes that faith should not be a private matter but should be evident in the way we live our lives. Our actions should reflect our faith, showing love, compassion, and care for others. This is a call to live out our faith in practical ways, making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us. [01:24:32]
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."
Reflection: Think of a specific action you can take today to demonstrate your faith. How can you show love and compassion to someone in need?
Day 2: Intellectual Faith vs. Heartfelt Faith
James emphasizes that even demons believe in God and tremble, but they do not have saving faith. Real faith goes beyond intellectual knowledge and involves a heartfelt commitment to Jesus. This calls us to move from mere intellectual assent to a deep, personal relationship with Christ, allowing Him to transform our hearts and lives. Intellectual faith acknowledges God's existence, but heartfelt faith involves trusting Him with our lives and following His teachings. This transformation is evident in our actions, as we live out our faith with sincerity and devotion. [01:27:53]
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?"
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Is it merely intellectual, or does it involve a heartfelt commitment? How can you deepen your personal relationship with Him today?
Day 3: The Role of Good Works
Good works are not the means of salvation but the evidence of genuine faith. James and Paul are not in opposition; rather, they complement each other. Paul focuses on the root of salvation—justification by faith alone—while James focuses on the fruit of salvation, showing that true faith produces good works. This understanding helps us see that our actions should naturally flow from our faith. Genuine faith results in a transformed life, where good works are a natural outpouring of our relationship with Jesus. This perspective encourages us to live out our faith actively, serving others and glorifying God through our actions. [49:36]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: Consider the good works that naturally flow from your faith. What specific actions can you take this week to serve others and glorify God?
Day 4: Self-Examination and Authentic Faith
James calls for self-examination to ensure that our faith is genuine. He challenges us to look at our lives and see if our actions align with our professed faith. This involves caring for those in need, showing love and compassion, and living out our faith in practical ways. Authentic faith is not indifferent but actively involved in the lives of others. This self-examination helps us identify areas where we may be falling short and encourages us to make necessary changes. It is a call to live out our faith with integrity and authenticity, reflecting the love of Christ in all that we do. [01:18:32]
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 examine your life. Are your actions aligning with your professed faith? What changes can you make to live out your faith more authentically?
Day 5: The Importance of Authenticity
James addresses the issue of hypocrisy, emphasizing that real faith is authentic and not just for show. He highlights the importance of being genuine in our faith, not just going through the motions. This resonates with the desire for authenticity in today's culture, especially among younger generations. True faith is not about perfection but about being real and allowing Christ to transform us from the inside out. Authentic faith involves being honest about our struggles and allowing God's grace to work in our lives. It is a call to live out our faith with sincerity, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus in all that we do. [01:01:24]
Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
Reflection: Reflect on your faith journey. Are there areas where you may be going through the motions? How can you pursue a more authentic and genuine faith today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you say you believe like you do, then why do you behave like you don't? Okay, and again, we're all going to have our moments where we're going to go into our default mode of our flesh, but James is calling them out in a very pastoral way. Remember, James is a kind of pastor to them. Who will speak to them what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. He is trying to lead them and coach them and lead them to be more like Christ." [58:31]
2. "Real faith isn't just like independent where it's, there's only faith and there's, there's, there's a partnership. And I thought of it like this. It's like a coin. Faith and works are like a coin. There's two sides to a coin. Couldn't find a quarter this morning. And so I picked this up, but, but on a quarter, it says on one side in God, we trust. That's like a good faith side. On the other side, there's an Eagle and there's action that is there. You can't have one without the other. They go together." [01:24:32]
3. "Real faith isn't invisible. It's on display. The word show gets used multiple times here. John uses the word show. It's demonstrated. Some were like, my faith is a private thing. I keep that to myself. All right. James is saying, by the way you live your life, your faith should be a public thing by how you are living." [01:26:10]
4. "Jesus loves me. This I know. Do you hear? For the Bible tells me so. Jesus loves you, and he wants you in his family. Do you know one of the things that Billy Graham said? Billy Graham said that there are people who will, the way he said it, is will miss heaven by 18 inches. And what he meant by that is from the head, to the heart. There's intellectual understanding about who Jesus is and all the stuff that goes with that. We know the songs. We know, we might even have scripture memorized, whatever. But there's not been, there's not been a transformation because I've not received Christ as my savior." [01:17:16]
5. "James would say, maybe like this, real faith produces real works in the life of a real believer. That there should be something that is happening. Now, again, I want to reiterate something, and I want to show you why, that James is not trying to contradict Paul or the Gospels. That is not. James was one of the early church fathers. Remember, he's the half-brother of Jesus. He heard Jesus' teachings. He didn't even believe in Jesus as his Savior until after the resurrection. He intellectually knew everything about Jesus, which he will get to in a second about the intellectual kind of faith. He knew everything intellectually, but there was a point where he had to receive who Christ was." [01:02:55]
### Quotes for Members
1. "84%, this is what it said. 84%, I'm quoting. Of non-Christians say they know a Christian personally, yet only 15% say the lifestyles of those believers are noticeably different in a good way. Now, again, I don't know how accurate those numbers are, but this is what I would say. What he's calling out in this book and what James is calling out is what actually it can sicken most of us. It's hypocrisy. Do you hear what I'm saying? Okay? It's hypocrisy. And that hypocrisy is what we're talking about. Hypocrisy is, and we all can be hypocritical at certain points, but he's talking about a consistent hypocrisy, what James would get at." [59:52]
2. "Real faith is not indifferent. It's involved. Real faith doesn't do what James says next. And you say, you see the person. Now I want to, I want to be clear. He's talking about within the context of the church, I realize this. There are a lot of needs in this community, a lot of needs all over the city. And yes, we do our best to engage where we can. You are not responsible for every single need that is, I want to be real. And you are also called by God to use wisdom and discernment. I'm not saying, please seek wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit. But when the Holy Spirit within our church context, because this was within their church, because he says, brother, you see a brother, you see a sister, you see a brother, brother or sister. We're talking about fellow believers here. And instead of stepping in and getting involved, you simply just say, oh man, I really love you. Goodbye. Have a good day. Stay warm. Eat well. But then he says, you don't give that person any food or clothing. James just says, what good does that do? It's a faith that is a useless kind of faith. That's what he's saying." [01:19:50]
3. "Paul reveals the root of salvation. James focuses on the fruit of salvation. And what that means is Paul is, is more writing about how, by the means, what, how are we made right with God? Okay. And he's combating this legalism that it's in Christ alone, through Christ alone, by faith alone in Jesus, not Jesus plus something else. James, on the other hand, is focusing on the result of what happens after salvation. What should begin to be produced within our lives. And he's combating this legalism that it's in Christ alone, through Christ alone, by faith James is saying this, that if you truly have been born again, your life is going to begin to look different. Because the Holy Spirit lives in you now, and he produces this fruit within you." [01:10:45]
4. "James isn't necessarily telling us how to be saved or to be in right relationship with God. Some of you don't know what to be saved means. What we talk about there is being in right relationship with God, where God freely justifies us, right? God declares his righteousness. When we put our faith in Christ, scripture says he declares his righteousness. He transfers his righteousness into our account. We are now cloaked in Jesus Christ, so when the Father looks upon us, he sees his perfect son, Jesus. He doesn't see my sin. I'm covered by Jesus now, okay? And James isn't necessarily telling us how to be saved. James is really telling us how to be saved, and beginning to show us what a person who is saved begins to look like." [49:36]
5. "If you're saved and you know it. Here we go. You ready? Then your life will surely show it. Oh, wait. That's why we're in the book of James. Because this is essentially, essentially what James would say in chapter two. If you're saved, you've put your faith in Christ. Here's the deal. I was a church kid for a while, but then something began to happen within me whenever I was going to Boswell High School my freshman year. Again, we were going to church, and I was learning all of the things about Jesus. I could sing the songs. I knew how to act. I was doing my best to kind of live off the checklist, so to speak." [40:25]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?