A Profitable Faith. Series

A Profitable Faith.

James 2:14-26 C:\MyData\JAM-OLD But Good\JAMES2-2.WPD

{14} What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that

faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

{16} and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not

give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? {17} Even so faith, if it has no

works, is dead, being by itself. {18} But someone may well say, "You have faith, and I have

works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

{19} You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. {20} But

are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? {21} Was

not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

{22} You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was

perfected; {23} and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED

GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the

friend of God. {24} You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone. {25} And

in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? {26} For just as the body without the spirit is

dead, so also faith without works is dead.

INTRODUCTION:

When I was a newer Christian a person I was witnessing to asked me what do you get out of going to church? I had never really thought about that before, I went to give and never ask what I was getting. When I stopped to think about that question I came up with several answers.

I received from my church instruction, inspiration, opportunities of service, and opportunities to be involved in carry out the great commission. That experience caused me to ask how my faith profited me. James asked the question about faith "what use is it, my brethren, . . .". I want to answer some questions about a profitable faith.

1. A Profitable Faith is . . Practical.

2. A Profitable Faith Is . . Provable.

3. A Profitable Faith Is . . Philosophical

1. A Profitable Faith is . . Practical. v 14-16

{14} What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that

faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

{16} and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not

give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

EXPLANATION

A. Practical Faith Will . . Save Sinners. v 14

{14} What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that

faith save him?

ILLUSTRATION

The salvation of the Apostle Paul serves as an example of one saved through faith.

B. Practical Faith Will . . Satisfy Shortage. v 15-16

{15} If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

ILLUSTRATION

Marian Anderson was an outstanding opera star. Toscanini told her that she had the finest voice of the century. She was invited to the White House to give a private concert for the Roosevelts and the King and Queen of England. Her hometown of Philadelphia awarded her the Bok Award as the person who had done the most for the city.

On one occasion, she stood beneath the Lincoln statue and sang for a crowd of 75,000 including most of the high-ranking leaders of government. However when asked by a newspaper reporter to name the greatest moment in her life, she referred to none of those outstanding events.

Instead, she said the greatest moment of her life was the day she went home and told her mother she wouldn’t have to take in washing anymore, that she had enough to provide for her mother. Marian Anderson was not overwhelmed by her greatness or hardened by her fame. She had the right attitude about herself.

APPLICATION

A Profitable Faith is . . Practical.

2. A Profitable Faith Is . . Provable. v 17-18

{17} Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. {18} But someone may well say,