Is Your Faith Dead?

James: A Christian's Guide To Living From Jesus • Sermon • Submitted 2 months ago • Presented 2 months ago

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Good morning and welcome to CCC. I hope you enjoyed the greeting time this morning. As the elders were talking this past week we felt it was important to bring that back to truly give us a few moments to greet each other.

I mention last week a new prayer ministry starting up. Please see Tony for more information and how to get plugged into that.

Lets Pray

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As we continue in James this morning we come to James 2:14-26 go ahead and turn there in your Bible or the pew Bible or on your phone or tablet or device.

James 2:14–26

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14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

We are going to look at three truths and realities together this morning

1. Faith with works meets real needs vs 14-17

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James 2:14–17

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“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

People have real needs

People have real hurts

People have real situations

People have real circumstances

People have real needs

Life is busy

You have schedules

You have responsibilities

The problem is those are worldly things not Godly

So many times you put off God for worldly obligations

That moves then into sin

Idols

Putting something before God

You are not here on earth to work to earn money you are here to be an ambassador for Christ

Now don’t go out and quit your job tomorrow unless God tells you to do so

Your workplace is your mission field however when you make excuses to not do God’s work because of your work you are wrong!

There are times you have to work and miss things that is not what I am talking about

However there are things we don’t have to do right then and there but use that as an excuse to not do the things of God and that friends is sin and wrong

When you see someone with real needs and God says move you are to move

If you were starving and didn’t have adequate clothing and someone said “I’m praying for you....stay warm and full”

You would want to punch them in the face you would think

How can I stay warm and fed without your help to do so

I don’t have the means to do either of those things

Listen this is important I don’t care if you are busy and neither does God if you are called by God to help and you don’t help that is sin.....you are rejecting something that God called you to do

You are saying to God well I know you said that but I know better because I am not going to do it

I know you want me to help God but I just don’t have the time

Faith is dead without works

Here is the truth behind it.

God created them

God loves them

God wants them to come to repentance or return home

Jesus died for them

However, by refusing to do what God asked you to do you are clearly pointing to the fact you hate them

Now pastor josh that is too far

Luke 6:31

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“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

Jesus says it is not too far.

You would not want someone to leave you hungry and naked

So don’t leave others that way

That is the opposite of love!!!!!

Here is another truth you need to understand

Matthew 25:34–40

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“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

What you do to people you do to Jesus

When you feed the hungry you feed Jesus!

When you take in the stranger you take in Jesus!

When you clothe the naked you clothe Jesus!

When you ignore people you ignore Jesus!

Anytime you see homeless or someone down on their luck you need to pray for them but also pray to God am I to help them Father

1 John 3:17–18

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“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

You have the world’s good because of where you live......The USA....the western world

God will guide you if you seek Him and His guidance

I love vs 18 here

It is so powerful and most of the time very convicting

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth”

Love is action not lip service

Powerful....don’t just love by praying

You should be praying but if that is all you do, you need to check your heart because the Bible just told you not to love in word nor tongue but in deed and truth

If all you do is talk to someone, you better check your heart

Don’t love by talking

Love by doing

Faith without works is dead my friends

2. Faith without works shows your heart vs 18-20

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James 2:18–20

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“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

These works are not just helping the needy but doing God’s will

Standing on God’s Word

Calling sin sin in your own life

Putting on God and taking off…casting off the flesh

Walking in newness of life

Claiming to be a Christian is not enough

In fact claiming to know God is not enough

James 2:19

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“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

Demons believe there is one God

It comes down to are you moved enough to do God’s will

What is your fruit?

Matthew 7:16–17

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“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

You will know them

You will know you

By your fruit

Works

Jesus died to save you....that requires a response

A faith that requires you to do His will....works

Your religion doesn’t matter

If you believe just going to church and sitting in a pew week in and week out is proof your faith is alive you are mistaken

You should be here week in and week out but just being here is not enough

Do works

Galatians 5:6

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“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

A faith based upon being a consumer looks good but is nothing of substance

Today so many are driven away from Jesus because His “followers” have no substance

something we must understand is relationships are works

You have so many opportunities to fellowship and build genuine relationships with your family here at CCC

Sunday mornings

Sunday nights once a month worship night and FELLOWSHIP dinner

Monday nights ladies discipleship

Wednesday nights Men discipleship and Co-ed Bible study

Friday noon ladies Free In Him Bible study and lunch

Trips to plays and concerts

Events for the community

The problem is only a small percentage of the church is there

How can you build a true relationship based on a few minutes saying hi how you doing in passing at church??????

Luke 15:2

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“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

I looked at this verse in several versions and where the KJV says receiveth

the NLT says associating

the ESV says receives

the CSB says welcomes

Receiveth…receives....associating and welcomes all come from the same Greek word

Prosdechomai

The problem with prosdechomai is we do not have an English equivalent

Dechomai is a general greeting....hey how you doing…kids good…wife good....nice to see you

When you add Pros to dechomai it changes it completely

Prosdechomai means you are very intentional about relationships…it is intimate, intense hospitality

Truly caring for someone

In the church setting if someone new walks in 5 or 6 of us should greet them seeking prosdechomai relationships…making sure they know where the restrooms are.....making sure they know there is coffee available.....talking about communion and handing them a bulletin and or notes sheet

offering to sit by them or them by you

Trying to find out about them

Offering to be their host for the day and answer any questions they may have

Prosdechomai

This is truly looking to get to know someone deeply

intimately

Not just nice to see you but

How are you

Who are you

I am honored you are here

How can I help you

Works

Faith without works is dead

This goes to our church family as well

How many of you have true deep conversations with those in your church family?

Prosdechomai be intentional with your fellowship and seek relationships that Jesus sought

Faith without works is dead

3.Faith on display by your works vs 21-26

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James 2:21–26

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“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Abraham’s faith was on full display with Isaac

Hopefully you know the story God promised Abraham a son when he was 99 years old....in fact God promised Abraham he would be the father of nations....his decedents would be as numerous as the stars

Then Isaac came....promise delivered upon and what does God do but ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac

Abraham is willing

He loads up and they go…travel several days to where God tells him to stop that is where we pick up

Genesis 22:9-12

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“And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.”

Abraham was serious

He built the altar

He bound his son

He put him on the altar

He grabbed the knife and raised it up ready to plunge it into Isaac and kill him

His faith was in God

his trust was God

he fully believed God is faithful and just and keeps His promises which is what led to his action

His works

Rahab is also mentioned…she was a prostitute

Joshua 2:1–12

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And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. 3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. 4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: 5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. 6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. 7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. 8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token

Rahab’s faith saved her and her entire household

She only did the work of hiding the spies because of her faith in God

Faith without works is dead

You see faith in Jesus....true faith results in transformational change

John 20:19

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I am only going to read first half right here

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,

After Jesus died on the cross the disciples were very afraid.....hiding....weak

They knew this day was coming yet they ran and hid in fear

They gathered together and hid behind closed doors

I wonder how many times do you and I run and hid from the works God has for us to do

You are feeling some real mountains

some real pain

some real circumstances

Maybe God is calling you out of addiction

adultery

greed

pride

selfishness

idols.....putting worldly things where God should be

Maybe God is calling you to do more here at CCC

Maybe God has laid a ministry on your heart

We are in desperate need of a youth program in addition to Sunday School and Children’s church

I thank God for all of our teachers but especially our children’s Sunday School and Children’s church teachers and helpers

However without youth and truly ministering to kids CCC will die out because without a vibrant youth ministry it will be hard if not impossible to grow and eventually we will die

Maybe God has said go.....make the youth ministry happen

and instead of standing on scripture and having God as your trust

you run and hide

stay in isolation

cower in fear

refuse to do the things God has called you to do

That is not where God wants you

That is not where God calls you

Notice what happens after they see resurrected Jesus

John 20:19–23

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“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

Jesus was there and

They knew Him

Peace be unto you

He gave them the Holy Spirit and wow what a difference

They left with faith

true faith in Jesus

They went from hiding in an upper room scared of the Jews to boldly and unashamedly proclaiming the gospel

They no longer allowed emotions and circumstances and pain and mountains keep them from having faith and that faith resulted in works

Only one of the 11…John…Was thought to die a natural death

Peter was crucified upside down

Andrew crucified on an X shaped cross

Thomas…Doubting Thomas was a martyr

Phillip was arrested and cruelly put to death

Matthew.....his death is not as clear but many believe he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia

Bartholomew was either beheaded or flayed alive

James the lesser was a martyr

Simon Martyr

Mathias death by burning

James the greater executed by sword

They had faith....faith that resulted in works and those works got them killed

What is so sad about the western church and even CCC is most feel accomplished by making it to a church service on Sunday morning.

They feel really good if they also make it to Sunday School

If Jesus does not consume you

Consume your thoughts

Consume your conversations

Consume your actions

Consume your time

Did you really meet Jesus or are you just a hearer

The older I get and the closer to Jesus I get the more I realize I am not here for me

I am not here for my comfort

I am not here for rest and relaxation

Now there is a time and place for rest and relaxation.....seasons

Mel and I and Mom and Kenny and Truman and a friend of his are headed to Branson for part of Spring break....rest and relaxation

However the problem here in American and the western church and even here at CCC is rest and relaxation and comfort is more important to us than doing the work of Jesus and fellowshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ

I get rest and relaxation by being with my brothers and sisters in Christ

Sundays are exhausting for me

I roll into the church between 5 and 5:30 am every Sunday morning and I am doing something from the time I get here until the time that I leave around 1 pm

Preparing the building....making sure the heat or air conditioning is set...

Making sure the coffee is stocked and ready to go, if not running to a store to get it

Making sure that my sermon is ready

Making sure that the sermon notes are made and printed and folded and ready

Trying to invite people via social media

Sending messages out to the congregation encouraging them to make it to service

Preparing for High School Sunday School class

If it is meeting Sunday preparing for that

Getting the computer ready for service, creating the schedule that you see each week

Making sure everything is ready for the worship team

Practicing with the worship team

Then when people get here trying to talk to every single person who is here

Teaching High School Sunday School

Helping lead worship

Giving the message God has given me

Trying to meet and greet new folks after service

Talking with anyone who needs me after service

Making sure church is shut down, streaming is off, lights are off, doors are locked

I don’t say that for you to feel sorry for me

I say all of that to tell you this one of my favorite Sundays is the last Sunday because of worship night and fellowship dinner because I love to be with you guys

It refreshes me

When I am blessed to have a prosdechomai moment at church it refreshes me despite the physical toll church takes on me as the pastor

It is about perspective and seeing things as God sees them and making people important in your life

When people are truly important in your life the rest melts away and doesnt matter

Love changes everything and when you put God first and love people as Jesus loves you then you always have what you need even when your physical body says I need rest you know that God will provide you with the energy you need to put people first

Prosdechomai

Faith without works is dead

The question this morning is this

Is your faith alive or dead?

You will know by your fruit........

Faith without works is dead

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