Faith that Fails
Not all faith is powerful. There is a faith that fails. There is a faith that is worthless. James says that faith without works is dead. The deeds we do are the natural outgrowth of our faith. If there are no deeds, no works of the flesh, then there is no real faith because real faith works.
Friends in High Places
It is important to have friends in high places
Jam 2:23 CEV This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, "Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him." That’s how Abraham became God’s friend.
It really is true that it isn’t just what you know… It’s who you know that counts
One Faith Fails – One Faith Works… It makes us God’s Friend
The Faith that Fails
Is arrogant, religious, worthless, dead. Yet, it has the appearance of life and is often mistaken for the faith that saves.
The Faith that Fails …is a faith that is cultural
It is the way of our family. We go to church. It is our religious duty. We are Catholic; We are Presbyterian; We are Lutheran; We are Baptist; We are Pentecostal; We are well, you fill in the blank. It really doesn’t matter because it isn’t personal. It’s cultural.
Those who are raised culturally are those who graduate HS and then attend a state college where their faith is rocked and their beliefs shattered by the first intelligent agnostic they meet.
The Faith that Fails … is a faith that is seasonal
It is expressed in seasons of distress and grief. It is seen in the religious seasons of Christmas and Easter. It is seen in the seasons of loneliness and weariness. It’s a faith in God that is dependant on the moment and the need.
The Faith that Fails … is a faith that is nominal
Nominal faith is merely a label. Actually it is a mislabel. When you hear of the difficulties between the Protestants and Catholics of Ireland I would submit that what you see is a battle between two groups of thugs. One group mislabeled Protestant and one mislabeled Catholic.
The Faith that Fails … is a faith that is minimal
Some have faith but only the minimum. They want just enough to get by. Too much would mean commitment, change, challenge, compassion and cost. Rather than getting too caught up and carried away it is far better to have the minimum amount of faith to keep God off their backs and still do what they want to do.
The Faith that Fails … is a faith that is sensible
The final faith that fails is a faith that is “sensible”. You can think of it as a faith that is much like a fire extinguisher. It’s there, in the corner, behind the cans of corn and tomato soup just in case there is a fire. Just in case it’s true. It never hurts to be ready.
These faiths fail. They are religious and they are lifeless. They do not work and are not esteemed by God. In fact, this is the faith of the lukewarm and unacceptable. Religious faith is dead.
But let us speak of the faith that works. It’s different. It Works. It is alive and real. It is a faith that is filled with vitality and enthusiasm. In fact, the root of enthusiasm is a compound word that comes from “Theos” or God. God in us = enthusiasm!
This faith is not dead – it works!
The Faith that Works
The Faith that Works … is a faith that is hospitable to rich and poor alike
Jam 2:1 CEV My friends, if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others.
We are all the same in God’s family. (2:1-9)
It is a faith of all and for all. It makes no difference who you are whether rich or poor; good or bad; black, white, red, or green; officer or enlisted; suburban resident or inner city dweller; patriarch or prostitute. Faith that works does not draw lines where God does not draw lines. It favors no one and accepts every one.
The Faith that Works …is a faith that is merciful
Jam 2:12-13 CEV “Speak and act like people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. Do this, because on the day of judgment there will be no pity for those who have not had pity on others...”
The only way we gained our salvation and acceptance is by the mercy and grace of God. (2:10)
We have no right to look down on others because they aren’t like us or they don’t have the same sins we do! There is no judgment of others for wrongs they do while we over look our own.
Jesus is the law that sets us free. Let us let him be the one and only judge. We are far too critical of others and often fail to see it in our selves.
HOLWICK’S ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION Number: 7208
SOURCE: Unknown
ILLUSTRATION:
A man was having difficulty communicating with his wife and concluded that she was becoming hard of hearing. So he decided to conduct a test without her knowing about it.
One evening he sat in a chair on the far side of the room. Her back was to him and she could not see him. Very quietly he whispered, "Can you hear me?" There was no response.
Moving a little closer, he asked again, "Can you hear me now?" Still no reply. Quietly he edged closer and whispered the same words, but still no answer.
Finally he moved right in behind her chair and said, "Can you hear me now?" To his Surprise and chagrin she responded with irritation in her voice, "For the fourth time, yes!" What a warning to us about judging!
Most of us criticize others to cover up for the same faults in our own lives. We also tend to find fault with someone when in fact we are the ones in the wrong, not the other person.
The Faith that Works ...is a faith that is thoughtful
Jam 2:15 CEV If you know someone who doesn’t have any clothes or food, you shouldn’t just say, "I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat." What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help?
It is filled with pity and compassion
See others with God’s eyes. Your ability to be bothered shows your faith.
HOLWICK’S ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION Number: 2645
SOURCE: (James Commentary On Chapter 2)
ILLUSTRATION:
Speaker at Christian conference: If you had an urgent need at 2:00 am, do you know someone in your church who would help you? Not one person raised their hand!
He mentioned it to his wife Celeste, and both agreed there were people in this church they could go to. More than a few. But they would call them in a certain order!
#2645
The Faith that Works ...is a faith that is faithful even when fearful (2:21)
Jam 2:21 CEV Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him. Now you see how Abraham’s faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did.
Abraham was a man of great faith with very real fears yet he was willing to simply trust and obey. Faith does not mean there is not fear or doubt
The Faith that Works ...is a faith that is functional
Jam 2:25 CEV For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.
Abraham was a good man and Rahab was a bad woman but both had a faith that worked. Rahab’s faith functioned to take care of God’s people. She tood practical and real action. Abraham and Rahab both worked. Their faith drove them to action.
Faith that Works is both Faith and Works. Works without faith is not enough. Faith without works is dead. Faith that Works is both Faith and Works.
Two conclusions
Faith that Fails is religious – not relational
Faith that Works is relational – not religious
HOLWICK’S ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION Number: 15197
SOURCE: Fredericksburg Bible Illustrator Supplements
TITLE: Where’s the Faith?
PAGE: 4/1997.101
DATE: 1210
ILLUSTRATION:
Blow the trump and ring the bell;
Dress it up and make it sell;
Fill it with the rich and well;
And count the heads.
We’re doing well!
But where’s the faith?
Read the creed and get it right;
Hold it fast with all your might;
Close the door and bolt it tight;
We’ve no need for further light!
But where’s the faith?
Build the church and make it grow,
Cushioned pews in classic row;
Made for comfort we love so.
Come in, relax, enjoy the show!
But where’s the faith?
In the sickroom on the bed –
Invalid, helpless, but not dead
Hear her praying through the pain,
"May my suffering be your gain."
There’s the faith.
Here a loving mother gives,
With all the reason that she lives,
To strive against unnumbered odds
And bring her children to know God.
There’s the faith.
’Surprising where the faith is found;
Not where reigns the world renown,
But in the din of work and strife,
Where the Cross meets daily life.
There’s the faith.
- Shelby Christian Church, Versailles, IN.
Faith that Works is both Faith and Works
Two Applications
Put your Faith in God TODAY
Demonstrate your Faith in God TODAY
