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James 2 Faith That Works. Salvation is By Faith Alone. Salvation Produces Faith That Works. Salvation. James 2: 1 – 13 Favoritism Forbidden James 2: 14 – 16 Faith & Deeds. Three Tests for Applied Christianity. 1.Control of the tongue Words James 1:26
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James 2 Faith That Works Salvation is By Faith Alone Salvation Produces Faith That Works Salvation James 2: 1 – 13Favoritism Forbidden James 2: 14 – 16Faith & Deeds Ken Gardner
Three Tests for Applied Christianity 1.Control of the tongue Words James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and as faultless is this: 2.Care for the unfortunate Hands to look after orphans and widows in their distress and 3.An unsoiled life Hearts to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Review Ken Gardner
James 2: 1 – 13Favoritism Forbidden Prejudice Is A Sin Mt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Ken Gardner
Why Christians Should Not Show Favoritism James 2: 1-3 Favoritism = Inconsistent with Faith in Christ 1. Command My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. (Stop trying to ...) LB: How can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus • if you show favoritism to rich people and • (if you) look down on poor people? 2. Illustration Suppose (two men) come into your meeting Rich Man – Displaying WealthPoor Man – Displaying Poverty gold ring and fine clothes (“shining”) in shabby clothes (“filthy”) special attention "Here's a good seat” "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,“ Ken Gardner
Why Christians Should Not Show Favoritism James 2: 4 Favoritism = Discrimination & Judging 3. Results have you not (you have) • discriminated among yourselves and • become judges with evil thoughts? Honoring the rich & shunning the poor is wrong. Ken Gardner
Why Christians Should Not Show Favoritism James 2: 5 Favoritism = Contrary to God’s Purpose Listen, 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? 1Co 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1Co 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1Co 1:28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 1Co 1:29 so that no one may boast before him. Ken Gardner
Why Christians Should Not Show Favoritism James 2: 6-7 Favoritism = NOT in the Best Interests of the Christian But 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? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? Poor Rich ►poor in the eyes ►rich who are exploiting you of the world ► rich in faith and ► dragging you into court ► inherit the kingdom ► you have insulted ► slandering the noble name the poor of him to whom you belong Favoritism = NOT What Experience & Common Sense Suggests Ken Gardner
Favoritism is a Violation of the Royal Law James 2: 8 - 10 1. Condition If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 2. Correction But if you show favoritism, • you sin and • you are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 3. Explanation For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Dishonor the poor = Breaking the Royal Law = Lawbreaker X Ken Gardner
Favoritism Makes You a Lawbreaker James 2: 11 For 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. X Ken Gardner
Appeal James 2: 12 - 13 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! Mercy <========>Judgment (Winner) Favoritism = Evidence of a Spirit Without Mercy. Mt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Ken Gardner
END – Week 3 Next: Feb 1 James 2: 14 – 26 Faith & Deeds Ken Gardner
James 2: 14 – 16Faith & Deeds Salvation is By Faith Alone Salvation Produces Faith That Works Salvation Ken Gardner
Dead Faith: Intellect James 2: 14 - 17 Argument: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?Implied:No good Can such faith save him?Implied:No Illustration: 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? Implied:No good Conclusion: In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Useless Ken Gardner
Dead Faith: Intellect James 2: 14 - 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. The principle is stated in verse 14 and might be paraphrased this way: “Faith that is professed, but not practiced, is of no practical value to us or to others. It does not serve, and it does not save. Unused faith is useless faith.” Ken Gardner
Demonic Faith: Intellect + Emotions James 2: 18 - 19 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. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. FaithDeeds Profession - Profession - no works with works i.e., Demons Genuine Genuine faith is not mere acceptance of a teaching. DeadDemonicDynamic Faith by Intellect Faith by Intellect + EmotionsSaving Faith Ken Gardner
Dead Faith vs. Living Faith James 2: 14 - 26 Dead Faith Intellect Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Demonic Faith Intellect + Emotions Genuine faith is not mere acceptance of a teaching. Dynamic Faith True Saving Faith Genuine faith produces an obedient life. Ken Gardner
Dynamic Faith: True Saving Faith James 2: 20 - 24 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? Evidence #1: Abraham - Jew, godly man, friend of God Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. Conclusion: You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. Ken Gardner
Dynamic Faith: True Saving Faith James 2: 25 - 26 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? Evidence #2: Rahab - Gentile, sinful woman, enemies of God 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? Conclusion: As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Genuine faith produces an obedient life. Salvation is By Faith Alone Salvation Produces Faith That Works Salvation Ken Gardner
Faith per James Conclusion: Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Evidence – Case Studies 1. Fellow believer in need – words only w/o deeds = no good, useless; there is faith which is dead. 2. Demons who believe – faith w/o deeds = dangerous; there is belief which is not saving faith. 3. Abraham – Jew, godly man, friend of God = actions; genuine faith results in works. 4. Rahab – Gentile, sinful woman, enemy of God = actions; genuine faith produces actions. Faith must be demonstrated by works Ken Gardner
Lesson Truths ‘faith without deeds is dead’ 1. We show our faith is genuine by doing more than talking about our concern for others. Less talk / more action. 2. We show our faith is genuine by doingmore than believing the truth of Scripture. Even demons believe. 3. We show we have been saved when, as a result of our faith, good deeds issue forth from our lives. Works demonstrate faith. Ken Gardner
END – Week 4Optional: Small Group Discussions Next: Feb 8 James 3: 1 – 12 Taming the Tongue Ken Gardner
James Men’s Bible Study Schedule for January / February 2008 Date Bible Text Lesson Jan 11 James 1: 1 – 18 Trials & Temptations Jan 18 James 1: 19 – 27 Listening & Doing Jan 25 James 2: 1 – 13 Favoritism Forbidden Feb 1 James 2: 14 – 26 Faith & Deeds Feb 8 James 3: 1 – 12 Taming the Tongue Feb 15 James 3: 13 – 18 Two Kinds of Wisdom Feb 22 James 4 Submit Yourselves to God Feb 29 James 5 Patience Ken Gardner