Wanted Dead Or Alive Series

“Wanted dead or alive”

James 2:14-26

Intro- Good morning church

We have been in a series “Faith without works is dead”. We have been looking at what happens in our life after we have accepted Christ as Lord of our lives.

Sadly for some, they do not change very much.

In fact, some people we do not even know for sure if they have had a salvation experience because their life hasn’t change very much.

They still hang with the same friends and do the same things and when in a push to explain their faith they cannot even acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

The first week, we looked at surrender- total surrender. The kind that throws the white flag and says it is all about you and not about me. What I do from that moment on will be to please you and not me.

Last week, to be good stewards of what God has given us.

Everything we have that is good has come from our Father up above.

We acknowledge him as our source and provider and if he would want to take back anything for any reason, he has our permission to be able to do that.

This week- works. Our faith that produces works (good deeds). Sermon title-Wanted; dead or alive

Again without apology-I am purposefully saying that you cannot earn your salvation by works. It is by the grace of God through Jesus Christ less anyone can boast.

You cannot work hard enough to go to heaven.

There will be no balance sheet with your good and bad things you have done and you sit in wonder how the scale will tip for you for eternity. Jesus on the cross has provided all that we need for salvation, but what happens after we are saved?

Faith has really gotten messed up- some don’t know what they believe

What kind of faith do you have?

Hebrews 11:1- “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and evidence (assurance) about what we do not see.”

There are a lot of religions that offer no hope- you are not sure of the outcome

I want to talk to you about faith.

Faith is an action word

What is it about faith that makes some express themselves -Others lock up their thoughts and don’t want anyone going there

What is it about faith that there seems to be so many answers for

Why do some excel at faith, some plummet, why does it come natural for some and some really have to work at it.

Some have no trouble believing, some spend their whole lives chasing faith

2 Corinthians . 13:5-

“Examine yourselves to see wither you are in the faith” Test yourself

James 2:14-26 Read from Bible

Some people want to get all beside themselves because the apostle Paul talks about “God’s grace”...not by works less any man should boast.

James teachings about faith with works.

I shared with you awhile back that Martin Luther was so convinced that James was wrong that he felt the whole book of James should not be part of the bible.

I want you to see this morning that they were talking about the same thing but from two separate angles, and speaking to different situations.

Did you ever notice when they want to sell something they put “New and Improved” on it. They also put “Real” in front of what they want to sell.

Real coffee, real leather, real lemon added.

Now they have reality TV.- I am sorry but they do not think like everyone

There are phony ideas about faith, and there are phony reasons people serve God.

People take the word of God out of context to say what they want it to say

The book of James is a practical book of the bible. We can relate these things to our lives.

This portion is often misunderstood and cults have used it to prove that you have to work your way to heaven.

People going door to door for salvation

Apostle Paul- addressing the people of Rome was fighting a REAL problem- legalism

“you have to be circumcised, you have to obey the over 600 laws.

James- who is addressing for no better way of saying “lazy” believers, I’m saved praise God

I’ll just be right here waiting for Jesus to return

Paul -is saying- how that you can be sure you’re a Christian

James- is saying- how you can show you’re a Christian

Let’s look at dead faith first

(V14)- James says what good is it-faith that has no deeds or good works

(V16)- If one of you say to him (a person in need) go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs- WHAT GOOD IS IT?