First Baptist Church, 9 West Main St, Earlville, New York
Series: JAMES June 18, 2017 10:30 AM, J B Stopford, Pastor
TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A New Minister Funny”
A new minister comes to down. Seeking to get to know the town better, he takes a walk downtown and asks a little boy, “where can I find the Post Office?” And is told. Then he asks, “where can I find the grocery store?”, and he is told. Finally, he offers to the boy to come to church Sunday so that the boy can find Jesus. The boy wisely replies, “mister, you couldn’t find the post office or the grocery store. How do you expect to find Jesus?”
INTRODUCTION Around 500 years ago one of the most famous Biblical scholars refuted the book of James as been “canonical” – worthy of being in the Scriptures. His name? Martin Luther! He said that both Romans and Galatians refer to the just must live by faith, alone! No works could earn our salvation. So he openly questioning whether or not this book should be a part of our complete book.
You state: “I got faith. I believe in Jesus. I’m good to go. I need nothing more – Luther must have been right.”
In the section in our outline entitled “Faith Expressed”, what does 2:26 mean “faith without deeds is dead.”? Am I set simply with faith in Jesus alone, or do I need more? PRAYER
#1. PROOF #1: Faith must be active! (vs. 14-17)
James says that it is one thing to SAY you have faith; it is another thing to PROVE you have faith.
He uses the illustration of a brother or sister – i.e., another human being – who is without their daily need: clothes and daily food. What if you began you day praying, “God send someone my way so I can share the love of Jesus.” Then a poor person crosses your pathway, seeking help – with even his daily need. Even as a Christian, it would be easy to send them on their way and say “I’ll pray for you!”. It would be easy to say mentally, “you are an interruption to me – I’m doing the work of the ministry here.” In reality, that interruption IS your ministry for that moment! That interruption IS God’s answer to your prayer. And, in turn, your genuine care for that poor person is vivid proof that your faith is more than just nice words on a paper stating your beliefs. Your faith is active!
#2. PROOF #2: Faith is more than just a doctrinal statement (vs. 18-19)
James now uses an interesting example. Perhaps you go back to your statement of faith. “I have faith! I believe! I’m good to go!”. James then says, “you have just quoted the doctrinal statement of the demons. Illustration: In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus confronted 2 men who were demon-possessed. When rebuffed by the Savior, the demons said – and note their words – ““What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”. Whoa. What did they say? “I have faith. I believe in Jesus. I’m good to go – for now, but I know what is coming.” True faith is more than just a doctrinal statement!
#3. PROOF #3: The Bible has 2 good evidences that true faith will be demonstrated by acts of faith
(a) Abraham (vs. 20-24) Note James’ illustration of Abe’s offering his son Isaac. And note in particular James’ insight, in v. 22. Abe had faith – but his faith was empty and not complete until he demonstrated it. And as a result, Abe was credited by God for being righteous. And he was called God’s friend. Why? Because his trust led to action! [Note James application to his readers in v. 24]
(b) Rahab (v. 25) James minces no words when referring to Rehab, the lady that the 2 spies of Joshua met in Jericho. Her occupation – her character – was that of a harlot! But there was gossip in Rahab’s day – they didn’t have TV or the internet, but word spread fast that on the other side of the Jordan, the Israelites had destroyed nations that were bigger, fiercer, tougher, meaner than the land where Rahab lived. Her conclusion? “…for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath”. (Joshua 2:11) That was her statement of faith! THEN she verified that faith by hiding the slaves from their pursuers. Faith in action. Deeds proving her statement of faith. And she was honored to become part of the lineage of…the Lord Jesus. Check it out in Matt. 1:5 – she’s in Jesus’ genealogy!
CONCLUSION “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (v. 26)
The cart and the horse must be in the right order. Romans does say, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” (4:2). And Galatians does say, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (2:16). And Paul does say in Titus, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (3:5).
That is true faith. True faith is in a Person. True faith is a trust, an eternal trust that the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus was accomplished for you to cover your sin. It can’t be worked for or earned. It is a gift from God.
And James agrees. In essence, he says, “you say you have true faith – prove it! Demonstrate it!”
Let’s covenant today together to show to those God purposely crosses your path today that you love the Lord Jesus as Savior! Love them as God does. Put your faith to action!
One last thought: IF you have been convinced that you have been living trusting your good deeds for your salvation, why not cast them aside at the foot of the cross! Trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of the One Who gave Himself for you. Trust Jesus today! John says, “but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” Have you received Jesus as your Savior?