Let's Do This! James 2

Series: Let’s Do This!

Summary of Let’s Do this pt 1!

What did we learn last week?

1. We need to be like James and do this by being men and women of prayer.

a. We need to have nicknames like “Old Camel Knees”.

b. We need to understand what prayer will do for us:

i. Prayer is the essential action which helps us to know God better and this prevents us from being polluted by the world.

ii. Prayer will always bring fresh infillings of the Spirit which always brings us joy and refreshment on a daily basis.

iii. Prayer always unlocks God’s wisdom for our lives. It gives us spiritual insight for living life and making choices God’s way.

iv. Prayer is the key that unlocks the power of God for our lives and for other lives.

v. Prayer is the greatest stress management exercise you could ever do.

vi. Prayer will always reveal God’s agenda for your life.

2. We need to be like James and be men and women of action. We need to just do it.

a. Christians are suppose to be living like they believe- they need to put their beliefs into action. They need to do it! Be Christ-like in talk and walk.

i. They need to be driven by their salvation experience to be doing acts of service.

ii. They need to be committed to not allowing the things of the world to pollute them and render them inactive.

b. The church and every Christian in it needs to make sure they are not like the church of Laodicea – a bunch of lifeless-actionless Christians who are asleep in their faith walk.

i. Christians need to be active -fresh and alive with the living water of Jesus flowing through them.

Sermon 2: Faith and Deeds!

Scripture Texts: James 2:1-3:12

Thesis: James tells us that if we want to pursue perfection in Jesus then we have to not show favoritism to others, we must have faith with action and by all means guard our tongues.

Texts James 2:1-26

1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.

2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”

4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

16If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless£?

21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.