‘Real Faith’ part 3 - James 2 & Selected

Pastor Dave Martin, Cross Creek Community Church, July 20, 2014

I. MARKS OF REAL FAITH…

Treat People as Christ would, without Partiality, V1-3

James 2:1 1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show

favoritism.

Let God do the Judging, while you do the loving, Vs 4-9

James 2:4,8 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?... 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor

as yourself," you are doing right.

Live Righteously, Speak Boldly and Act Mercifully, Vs 10-13

James 2:10,12-13 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point

is guilty of breaking all of it… 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by

the law that gives freedom... 13 Mercy triumphs over judgment!

II. REAL FAITH… Is not just something you say –

Empty Confession

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no

deeds? Can such faith save him?

Jesus WARNS about empty confession

Matthew 7:22-23 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,

and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

II. REAL FAITH… Is not just something you feel –

Fake Compassion

James 2:15-16 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 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?

II. REAL FAITH… Is not just something you think –

Shallow Conviction

James 2:18 But 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.

II. REAL FAITH… Is not just something you believe –

Hollow Commitment

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--

and shudder.

REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING YOU DO!

James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

III. O.T. EXAMPLES OF REAL FAITH IN ACTION…

Abraham - James 2:21-22 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

III. O.T. EXAMPLES OF REAL FAITH IN ACTION…

Rahab - James 2:25 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

III. Four Truths about REAL Faith…

1. We are saved by God’s grace not human works

Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not

from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Titus 3:5, Jn 1:12-13, Rom 3:24, Eph 3:24, Rom 4:5, Rom 10:9-10…)

2. We are saved to do good works

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do

good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Mt 5:16, Col 1:10, Heb 10:24, 1Pet 2:12, 2Tim 3:17, 2Tim 2:21…)

3. Faith without works is a dead faith

James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

(Jam 2:14, Jam 2:17, Gal 5:6, Gal 6:9-10, 1Jn 3:17-19…)

4. Real Faith produces good works

Matthew 7:17-20 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears

bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by

their fruit you will recognize them.

(Gal 5:22-24, Phil 1:11, Col 1:10, Mt 12:33-35…)

Faith is the “Root” of Salvation… Internal & UnseenWorks is the “Fruit” of Salvation… External & Seen

“Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again—until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.”

~ William Booth

“Fruit Inspect” your life…

Galatians 5:22-24 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23

gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those

who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its

passions and desires.

“A fruitless life is certain proof that it does not belong to God”

~ John MacArthur

Counterfeit or Real Faith? (Mt 7:21-23)

John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not

send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might

be saved.

REAL FAITH =

Being sure of your salvation… Good fruit will follow!