JAMES 2:18
SHOW ME
YOUR FAITH
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
JAMES 2:18
“But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’”
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
MATTHEW 7:20
“So then, you will know them by their fruits.”
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
VERIFICATION REQUIRED
✈️ To fly: Must show ID.
⚕️ To operate: Must show credentials.
✝️ To be saved: We assume a “claim” is enough.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
THE CONFRONTATION
➤ James attacks the “False Separation.”
➤ “You do the believing; I’ll do the working.”
➤ God refuses this division.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
THESIS
Faith is not merely possessed—it must be publicly demonstrated through visible obedience that others can see.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
POINT 1
THE DANGEROUS DIVISION
Faith & Works as Separate Options
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
A FALSE PEACE TREATY
• It treats faith/works as “specialties.”
• “I’m a faith person, not a works person.”
• This is a delusion.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
DEAD FAITH
➤ Biblical faith is TRUST.
➤ Trust moves the will.
➤ “Faith” that leaves life untouched is DEAD (James 2:17).
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
DEUTERONOMY 6:4–9
CONFESSION DEMANDS LIFE
• “The Lord is One” (Belief).
• Followed immediately by: Teach, Bind, Write, Do (Action).
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
1 SAMUEL 15:22
“Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD?”
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
MATTHEW 7:21
NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS…
! “Lord, Lord” is not enough.
! The issue is lawlessness.
! Obedience to the Father is required.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
JAMES 2:19
DEMONIC THEOLOGY
➤ Demons believe “God is One.”
➤ They have correct doctrine.
➤ But they do not submit.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
WHERE IS THE DIVISION?
? Workplace: Do you compromise truth under pressure?
? Home: Do you sing grace but practice bitterness?
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
POINT 2
THE IMPOSSIBLE DEMAND
“Show Me Your Faith…”
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
SHOW ME (DEIXON)
1. Not “Tell Me.”
2. Deixon = Produce visible proof.
3. A courtroom demand for evidence.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
THE PROBLEM
• Faith is INTERNAL (Invisible).
• We can only see EXTERNAL choices.
• Verdict: Faith cannot be displayed without action.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
GENESIS 22
ABRAHAM TESTED
➤ God’s test did not create faith.
➤ It revealed it.
➤ Inward trust is proven by outward submission.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
JOHN 15:4–8
THE VINE & BRANCHES
• Fruit proves the connection.
• No fruit = No abiding.
• We do not judge the root, but we inspect the fruit.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
THE SHADOW TEST
If someone shadowed you for a week, what would they conclude?
? Do you lie when stressed?
? Do you serve when it costs?
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
POINT 3
THE CONFIDENT RESOLVE
“I Will Show You…”
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
“BY MY WORKS”
➤ Greek Ek = “Out of.”
➤ Works are the fruit of faith.
➤ Not a substitute. A result.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
EPHESIANS 2:10
CREATED FOR WORKS
• Saved by grace (v.8).
• Created for good works (v.10).
• Grace produces obedience.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
1 PETER 2:12
SILENCE THE CRITICS
➤ The world watches us.
➤ Good deeds silence slander.
➤ Live so their accusations fail.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
COMMITMENT
Choose one observable act:
1. Reconcile a relationship.
2. Give generously in secret.
3. Restrain your tongue.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
THE VERDICT
! If faith can’t be seen…
! It can’t be tested.
! It can’t be trusted.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
OBEY THE GOSPEL
1. HEAR the Word (Rom 10:17).
2. BELIEVE in Jesus (John 8:24).
3. REPENT of sin (Acts 17:30).
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
OBEY THE GOSPEL
4. CONFESS faith (Rom 10:9).
5. BAPTISM for remission (Acts 2:38).
6. WALK in new life (Rom 6:4).
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
SETTLE IT TODAY
Stop living a divided life.
Bring your faith into the light.
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
AMEN
Preacher Ed | Waupaca Church of Christ
Created by EVV Keeping the Faith 2026