Do – Be – Do Faith
James 2:14-26
INTRODUCTION: Last week look at a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, that of our acceptance of others. Favoritism and prejudice are activities not welcome in the church of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith has not place for partiality. So now, today, we continue with James, at what might be called, a second pillar of Genuine Faith – the focused demonstration of our faith directed towards others.
Demonstrative Faith is one of those subjects that all too often falls into the category of, “if I have heard it, I have done it.” An old Evangelist, Howard Butts said this about our tendency to listen, “ Too many churchgoers tend to regard sermon-listening as an end in itself, so much so that sermon-listening may actually be one of America's greatest sins.” Or maybe we can add – one of the Church’s great sins.
SOME THOUGHTS ON GENUINE FAITH
1. CHRISTIANS NEED TO GET OUT OF THEIR STERILE ENVIRONMENT
a. Allowed favoritism
b. Permits workless faith
2. THE CONNECTION OF FAITH AND WORKS
a. ‘What good is it” – literally, “Is it any good”
b. Looking for a “NO” answer in response
c. James is saying that there is no good
3. WORDS DO NOT DISCHARGE THE DUTY OF GENUINE FAITH
a. Works are NOT faith
b. Works are the pulse of faith
i. “I wish you well” – “may you have”
c. Workless faith is worthless faith
2 Samuel 24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
4. LIVING LIKE BELIEVERS SHOULD LIVE
a. Verse 18 – faith revealed with deeds
Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
b. Living continually with our deeds
c. Living visually through our deeds
5. THE PROBLEM OF DEMONS
a. Demons have an intricate knowledge of God
i. They are fallen angels
ii. They were created by God as angels
iii. They had access to all that heaven had to offer
iv. They were involved in daily activity with God
b. For demons the belief in God only produces discomfort
c. For all of their knowledge of God without the light of Christ the demon is in DARKNESS!
d. James is using the demons to illustrate that just as the demon without Christ is missing something precious, so the believer without the exercise of his faith is also missing precious
In the days of the stagecoach, a man undertook a journey. He was informed that there were first, second, and third-class passengers. However, all the seats on the coach looked alike to him, so he purchased a third-class ticket. All went well for a time and the man was congratulating himself upon having saved some money.
Presently they came to the foot of a very steep hill, when the driver stopped the horses and shouted. "First-class passengers, keep your seats, second class get out and walk, third-class get out and push behind."
What we need in the Kingdom work is third-class passengers. Those who will push! Not first-class, who are contented to sit and look on while the others are working, not second-class passengers who are willing to walk away when real work comes; but third-class passengers who are willing to bear "the burden and heat of the day."
i. Believers need to be willing to embrace the activity of their faith.
ii. Our faith needs to be seen to both believer and unbeliever alike.
GENUINE FAITH IS A REACTIONARY FAITH AND ACTS:
READILY
WILLINGLY
RESOLUTLY
SIMPLY
GENUINE FAITH AFFECTS EVERY AREA OF MY CHRISTIAN LIFE:
MY PRAYER LIFE IS AFFECTED BY MY FAITH LIFE – I will pray based upon my faith.
MY PRIORITIES ARE AFFECTED BY MY FAITH LIFE -- I will prioritize based on my faith.
MY POSSESSIONS ARE AFFECTED BY MY PRAYER LIFE – Now whose are they really?
MY PRESUMPTIONS ARE AFFECTED BY MY PRAYER LIFE – What will I trust God with?
6. THE PERSON OF ABRAHAM
a. Had never seen Jesus raise anyone from the dead
i. Abraham moved forward (not even death was too hard for God)
ii. God intervened based on Abrahams actions
b. The actions of Abraham produced an apparent faith
i. “made complete” – make apparent
ii. What he did reveled the faith he had
c. We are not Abrahams!
i. Correct – in fact Abraham had 12 tests of his faith throughout his life
Genesis 12:1-7 - Abraham left Ur and Haran for an unknown destination at God's direction.
Do I trust God with my future? Is his will part of my decision making?
Genesis 13:8-13 -Abraham directed a peaceful separation from Lot and settled at the oaks of Mamre.
Do I trust God with my interests even when I seem to be receiving an unfair settlement?
Genesis 14:13-16 -Abraham rescued Lot from the five kings.
Does my faithfulness to others bear witness to my trust in God's faithfulness?
Genesis 14:17-24 -Abraham gave a tithe of loot to the godly king of Salem, Melchizedek, and refused the gift of the king of Sodom.
Am I watchful in my dealings with people that I give proper honor to God and refuse to receive honor that belongs to him?
Genesis 15:1-6 -Abraham trusted God's promise that he would have a son.
How often do I consciously reaffirm my trust in God's promises?
Genesis 15:7-11 -Abraham received the promised land by faith, though the fulfillment would not come for many generations.
How have I demonstrated my continued trust in God during those times when I have been required to wait?
Genesis 17:9-27 -At God's command, Abraham circumcised every male in his family.
In what occasions in my life have I acted simply in obedience to God, and not because I understood the significance of what I was doing?
Genesis 18:1-8 -Abraham welcomed strangers, who turned out to be angels.
When was the last time I practiced hospitality?
Genesis 18:22-33 -Abraham prayed for Sodom.
Am I eager to see people punished, or do I care for people in spite of their sinfulness?
Genesis 20:1-17 -Abraham admitted to wrongdoing and took the actions needed to set things right.
When I sin, is my tendency to cover up, or confess? Do I practice the truth that an apology must sometimes be accompanied by restitution?
Genesis 21:22-34 -Abraham negotiated a treaty with Abimelech concerning a well.
Can people depend on my words and promises?
Genesis 22:1-12 -Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
In what ways has my life demonstrated that I will not allow anything to come before God?
d. Abraham was a special man with a special faith.
i. God knew we could not all be Abrahams in our faith
ii. After all what does it take to really believe God? A giant faith like Abraham!
Well, that is why God gave us Rahab
7. THE PERSON OF RHAB
a. Yep, we probably cannot go as far as Abraham in our faith
b. But I think we can all go as far as Rahab
c. Rahab illustrates for us
i. Faith is not just what I say, it is what I do
ii. Acts of faith are not related to my time as a believer.
iii. Acts of faith are not related to my knowledge as a believer
iv. Acts of faith are based on my stepping out as a believer
Abraham Lincoln used to remark that he could get any number of men who are "willing to shed their last drop of blood." but he found it difficult to get men to shed their first drop to make a beginning. Don't talk about what you will do for Jesus by and by. Just begin now to love Him, serve Him, and follow where He may lead.
Last year I submitted a plan for the remodeling of the church. This plan took into consideration our needs and desires. It sought to combine our small individual funds for singular construction items into one fund from which cost would be paid for a list of projects (new roof, new sanctuary windows, new entrance doors, wheelchair lift, and parking lot paving). It also involved using the equity we have in our GMH property as collateral, and working with one of the local banks for favorable terms on a construction loan, and then proceeding with the work. In the past, this church has rallied and taken up the challenge. This week we have been shredding the old redeemed certificates from the sinking fund (a fund where members allowed the church to use their money to build and then return those funds to them with interest).
Here we are a year later, with one of the greatest needs unmet – access to the church.
Do what we need to do so that those who are outside will bless God, that we will reap a harvest, and that god will be blessed by the activity of our faith.
BE A RAHAB – STEP OUT
