Faith That Works
James 2:14–26
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Springboard
Matthew 7:21
■Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter.
■Only the one who does the Father’s will.
■Words alone do not save.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
The Illusion
Empty Faith
■A forged deed looks real but has no value.
■Many hold a “faith” that never obeys.
■Comfort without submission is deadly.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
James Asks
James 2:14
■What profit is a faith that only speaks?
■Can that kind of faith save?
■The expected answer is no.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Faith Must Act
■Real faith moves the will.
■Real faith changes choices.
■Real faith obeys God.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:15–16
■Words cannot clothe the naked.
■Words cannot feed the hungry.
■Unmet needs expose empty faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Compassion Obeys
■Prayer is not a substitute for action.
■Kind words are not enough.
■God measures love by deeds.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:17
■Faith without works is dead.
■Not weak. Not sick. Dead.
■A corpse cannot save anyone.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Dead Faith
■Dead faith talks.
■Dead faith agrees.
■Dead faith never obeys.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:18
■“Show me your faith.”
■Faith must be demonstrated.
■Works are the evidence.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Your Life Preaches
■Your schedule reveals your faith.
■Your priorities reveal your faith.
■Your obedience reveals your faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:19
■Demons believe.
■Demons tremble.
■Demons do not obey.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Demonic Faith
■Correct doctrine is not enough.
■Strong emotion is not enough.
■Submission is the difference.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Abraham
James 2:21
■Called by God.
■Tested by God.
■Obeyed God.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Abraham
Faith in Action
■He placed Isaac on the altar.
■He trusted God with what he loved most.
■His faith obeyed.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:22
■Faith was working with his works.
■Works brought faith to maturity.
■Obedience completes faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Rahab
James 2:25
■An outsider.
■A sinner.
■A believer who acted.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Rahab
Faith That Risks
■She hid the messengers.
■She chose God over her city.
■Her faith acted boldly.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Compare
Abraham & Rahab
■Different backgrounds.
■Different stories.
■Same obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Contrast
Yet United
■Abraham: respected patriarch.
■Rahab: rejected outsider.
■Both: justified by obedient faith.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
God Shows No Favoritism
■Background does not save.
■Reputation does not save.
■Obedient faith saves.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:23
■Abraham believed God.
■It was counted as righteousness.
■He was called God’s friend.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Friendship With God
■Not a feeling.
■Not a slogan.
■Loyal obedience.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:24
■Not by faith alone.
■By faith that works.
■By faith that obeys.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
The Modern Lie
■“Just believe” without change.
■“Just feel” without obedience.
■God calls for action.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Scripture
James 2:26
■Body without spirit is dead.
■Faith without works is dead.
■Life requires obedience.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Truth
Living Faith
■Lives in daily choices.
■Shows in sacrifice.
■Proves itself in obedience.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Application
Examine Yourself
■Does your faith obey?
■Does your faith sacrifice?
■Does your faith serve?
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Invitation
Acts 2:38
■Repent.
■Be baptized.
■Let faith act.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Final Call
Obey Today and Live
■Do not keep a dead faith.
■Do not delay obedience.
■Act now and live in Christ.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
