You Can Listen to the Full Sermon Here:-
http://www.nec.org.au/index.php/listen-to-a-sermon-series/practical-faith/
Message
James 2:14-26
"Faith that Works"
Story 1 - Blondin
In the late 1800’s there was a famous French tightrope walker called Charles Blondin. Blondin’s greatest act of fame came in June of 1859 when he attempted to become the first person to cross a tightrope stretched over 400 metres across the mighty Niagara Falls. As he walked 50m above the falls he would do a different daring feat - once in a sack, on stilts, on a bicycle, in the dark, and once he even carried a stove and cooked an omelette!
On one amazing occasion he walked across blindfolded and pushing a wheelbarrow. When he reached the other side, the crowd’s applause was louder than the roar of the falls! Blondin suddenly stopped and addressed his audience: "Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?" The crowd enthusiastically shouted, "Yes, yes, yes. You are the greatest tightrope walker in the world. You can do anything!"
“Okay," said Blondin, "Get in the wheelbarrow ...." But no-one did.
Sometimes faith means having real trust.
Story 2 – Get some lessons
There was a man who desperately wanted to get his license. So before he went for his driving test he got down on his knees and prayed fervently. “Lord You know that I need my license, please help me pass”. The man went for his driving test but failed.
A month later he tried again. Again he spent much time with the Lord. He asked for peace and wisdom and that he would get a sympathetic driving tester. He asked for the wether to be good and for all to go well. The man went for his test, but failed again.
The next month came around, so the man got on his knees. Before he was about to pray he heard a voice from heaven.
“I know that you are going to pray about your driving test before you ask Me again I have something to say. Can you please get some driving lessons.”
Sometimes faith means putting specific actions into place.
Let me ask the question again. What is faith? These two examples highlight two types of faith.
Faith which leads to trust.
Faith which leads to action.
We need to understand that both types of faith are found in the Bible.
In Paul’s letters in the Bible Paul mainly focuses on the first type of faith. This is faith which comes not because we think that we are good enough because we follow a set of rules and laws – but faith which comes because we trust that Jesus has called us into His family despite our short-comings.
James also believes in this type of faith – faith which leads to trust. However, in his letter, James emphasises more the second type of faith – faith which leads to action.
Let me show you what I mean by getting you to turn to
James 2:14-26 (read)
James is very clear about what he wants to focus on.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
(James 2:14)
Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.
(James 2:18)
Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
(James 2:20)
Faith without deeds is dead.
(James 2:26)
When you put it all together like that … well the message stands out in a way that cannot be avoided. We must have a faith that works.
Now, as we think about it, we might start to get a little worried.
Some people in Christian circles stand on street corners handing our tracts while trying to engage members of the public in a spiritual conversation. It is frontline evangelism that can make even the most mature Christian stressed and worried. Many of us don’t have a Christianity that works that way – does that mean we don’t have faith?
Some people in Christian circles go on mission trips, or give up their lives to be in missionary work. They are willing to suffer persecution for their faith. At times it seems that little is happening in response to their efforts – but they push on regardless. If our Christianity doesn’t work that way does that mean we don’t have faith?
If faith works how much work is enough? I’m going to let James answer that question.
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If 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?
(James 2:15-16)
The first thing to note here is that the people in need are brothers and sisters – in other words, those who are part of your Christian family.
You don’t have to go and find an avowed atheist.
You don’t have to share the gospel.
You don’t even need to go to your friends who are not-yet-believers.
Just the people in the church. Those who have the same beliefs and values as you.
The second thing to note is that the nature of the needs are very basic.
You don’t have to build an orphanage in India.
You don’t need to have the family move into your home and care for them.
You don’t need to give your family vehicle.
Just some clothes and some daily food.
That is not hard is it – to do this for a brother or sister in Christ. Yet for some reason James has to write to the believers and give them this reminder. For some reason people just didn’t get it.
Hey, I see that you have no clothes and no food – let me help.
Dear God, please help my brothers and sisters in Christ to be warm, because they have no clothes. I also see God that they are hungry and have no food. Provide for them Lord from the abundance of your blessings.
Ok, that should help. Be warm and well fed. Goodbye.
What is that?! Surely … surely no one who has come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour could be so … well to be so un-Jesus-like to even think that this would be an appropriate response. Even a group of not-yet-believers would care for each other more than this. And I know for sure that no-one in this congregation would do that. So I could finish the sermon now couldn’t I
Except …
Except I think there is more to it than that. Let me show you why.
Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
(James 2:20-21)
The event being spoken about here occurs in Genesis 22. The brief story is that God asks Abraham to sacrifice his sin Isaac. This son was to be the son who would help fulfil the promise that the number of Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. If Isaac dies then the promise won’t be fulfilled. So the request makes no sense. But Abraham does what God asks and, just at the last moment, God provides a ram to take the place of Isaac as the sacrifice. It is an amazing story about faith and works. But it isn’t the first story.
Back in Genesis 17 there is another great story where God appears before Abraham when Abraham is 99 years old. God talks with Abraham and tells him that he will be the father of many nations. Abraham will have a special place in God’s plan. In response to that call from God Abraham has himself and his whole household circumcised. Abraham trusted in God and demonstrated that trust with action. But, again, it isn’t the first time this has happened.
Back in Genesis 12 God appears to Abraham and tells him to leave his country, his people and his father’s household and to go to a new land which God will lead them to. Abraham is 75 years old when this happens and, without hesitation, Abraham does what God says. Without having any idea of the future Abraham responded in faith and set about doing what God asked.
What is my point? James says, “I’m going to give you evidence that faith without deeds is useless” and then he uses an example that happens at least 30 years after Abraham first responded to God. Why not go back to Genesis 12 … or Genesis 17. As we think about that question let me tell you a little story.
One day and old man was sitting quietly on his veranda with his dog. Suddenly a large white rabbit ran across the yard. The dog jumped up, and took off after that big rabbit – barking as he went. Soon, other dogs joined him, attracted by his barking. You can imagine the sight - as the pack of dogs ran barking across the creek, up stony embankments and through thickets and thorns! Gradually, one by one, the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit, discouraged and frustrated. Only the old man’s dog continued to hotly pursue the white rabbit."
Now let me ask this question. Why did all the dogs eventually give up except one?
It’s because they didn’t understand what the chase was all about in the first place – they never saw the white rabbit. Only the one who saw persevered.
When we come into a relationship with Jesus we know it is only by his grace and mercy and love that such is the case.
It takes faith.
Faith which comes as a result of trust.
The sort of faith emphasised by Paul.
Nothing we do can add to our salvation. Our works, or even our lack of works, are not going to make us more or less acceptable to God.
BUT … the way our faith shows itself will continue to grow as our Christian walk continues.
Never, at any point, does James say workless faith is a sign that you are not saved.
What good is workless faith?
Workless faith is dead.
Workless faith does not show your beliefs.
Workless faith is useless.
The main priority here is not for us to be walking around saying, “I have faith. I have faith. I have faith”. James wants us to be honest and say, “When we look at ourselves, and when others look at us, do they see our faith having a genuine impact in our lives?”
So, this morning we had a chance to hear from one couple who have decided – in faith – that God is calling them at the moment to work in India.
What if they didn’t go?
What if they ignored the call?
What if they did nothing?
What good would that be? Wouldn’t that be useless? But they did step out, and many lives are being changed.
Five years ago I knew God was calling me to step out in faith.
It was time to move from being comfortable in a maintenance ministry to step out and plant a new church.
What if I ignored that call?
What if I decided it was too hard?
What if I just did nothing?
What good would that be? Wouldn’t that be useless? Yes it would. Because lives would not have been changed in the way that they have.
Now if Tony and Janeen or Corianna and myself did not do what we did, would that have meant our salvation was at stake – not at all.
Does that means that we are such great people and you and these people in India are now in our debt because of what we did – not at all.
Am I saying that now I expect you to do these sorts of things to prove your faith – not at all.
Faith that shows itself will continue to grow as our Christian walk continues.
The point that is being made is this:-
Do you have a faith that works?
A faith which works will continue to change us.
In a make-believe country where only ducks live all the ducks came into the church, waddled down the aisle and into their pews, and squatted. The duck minister took his place behind the pulpit, opened the duck Bible and read, ’Ducks! You have wings, and with wings you can fly like eagles. You can soar into the sky! Use your wings!’ All the ducks yelled ’Amen!’ and they all waddled home.
There is no point just saying Amen to the fact that God has enabled you to fly with the eagles – only to go home and stay on the ground waddling with the ducks.
A faith which works will achieve more as it matures.
No one expects a first year apprentice carpenter to build a house. But if you say you are a Master Builder, and all you ever do is fit door knobs onto doors … some people would rightly say, “Are you really a Master?” What good is it if a master acts like an apprentice – or even less than an apprentice?
A working faith will constantly change and evolve – as you grow, as you mature, as God gives you new direction in life.
A faith which works will always be genuine.
A newly promoted colonel had moved into a makeshift office during the Gulf War. He was just getting unpacked when out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a private coming his way with a toolbox. Wanting to seem important, he grabbed the phone.
"Yes, General Schwarzkopf, I think that’s an excellent plan." He continued, "You’ve got my support on it. Thanks for checking with me. Let’s touch base again soon, Norm. Goodbye." "And what can I do for you?" he asked the private. "Ahhh, I’m just here to hook up your phone," came the rather sheepish reply.
A working faith does not mean pretending to be something you are not. It means being genuine about who you really are.
It is not about being saved. It is all about living as one who is saved.
So let me finish with this simple question.
How does your faith work?
Prayer
