Faith That Works
Abraham, Rahab, and Obedient Faith
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
The Scandal
Two Examples
■Abraham: the father of the Jews.
■Rahab: a Gentile outsider.
■Both: justified by obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Jewish Pride
Children of Abraham
■Lineage was a badge of honor.
■Heritage was a source of confidence.
■But lineage never saved anyone.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
James Shocks
He Adds Rahab
■Not a patriarch.
■Not an Israelite.
■But a woman who obeyed God.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
The Point
God Humbles the Proud
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Pride Blocks Obedience
■Pride trusts heritage.
■Pride trusts knowledge.
■Pride refuses to submit.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Humility Obeys
■Humility listens.
■Humility submits.
■Humility acts.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Abraham
Respected Patriarch
■Chosen by God.
■Receiver of promises.
■Tested in obedience.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Abraham
Faith That Obeyed
■He placed Isaac on the altar.
■He trusted God completely.
■Faith moved his hands.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Rahab
Despised Outsider
■Gentile.
■Sinful past.
■No status to boast in.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Rahab
Faith That Risked
■She hid the messengers.
■She chose God over her city.
■Faith moved her feet.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Compare
Abraham and Rahab
■Different backgrounds.
■Different reputations.
■Same obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Contrast
Pride and Humility
■Pride says: I am enough.
■Humility says: God is Lord.
■Only humility obeys.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
James 2
Faith Must Work
■Faith that only speaks is dead.
■Faith that only agrees is dead.
■Faith that obeys is alive.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Obedience Proves Faith
■Faith is invisible.
■Obedience is visible.
■God judges by fruit.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
The Real Issue
Submission
■Who is in charge?
■Your will or God’s will?
■Faith bows before God.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Humility
Is Required
■To repent.
■To confess Christ.
■To obey the gospel.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Baptism
Is an Act of Humility
■You surrender yourself.
■You trust God’s promise.
■You obey Christ’s command.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Pride Says
“I Don’t Need That”
■I am good enough.
■I know enough.
■I will not submit.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Humility Says
“Lord, What Must I Do?”
■Teach me.
■Change me.
■Command me.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
James 2:24
Not Faith Alone
■Not empty belief.
■Not proud religion.
■But obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Faith That Refuses to Obey Is Dead
■Dead to God.
■Dead to change.
■Dead to salvation.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Faith That Submits Is Alive
■Alive in obedience.
■Alive in service.
■Alive in Christ.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
The Humbling Truth
Rahab Stands With Abraham
■No one is saved by status.
■No one is saved by heritage.
■Only by obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Application
Lay Down Your Pride
■Stop trusting yourself.
■Start trusting God.
■Submit to His will.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Application
Let Faith Act
■In repentance.
■In confession.
■In baptism.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Baptism
Is Faith in Motion
■You obey Christ.
■You trust His promise.
■You submit to His authority.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Question
Which One Are You?
■Proud like the self-righteous?
■Or humble like Rahab?
■Obedient like Abraham?
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Invitation
Acts 2:38
■Repent.
■Be baptized.
■Submit in faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Final Call
Humble Yourself and Obey
■Lay down your pride.
■Submit to Christ.
■Live by obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ