Real Faith
Real Life, Real Faith: Lessons from James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Anyone here afraid to fly in an airplane?
What does it actually take to step onto an airplane? Faith!
That might serve as a good starting point for our discussion here into one of the most controversial passages of scripture. It focuses very closely on the phenomena of “faith”.
Another appropriate introduction might help:
Listen to a stripped down summary of the bible passages found in Hebrews 11— sometimes called the “Faith chapter” in scripture.
By faith, Abel offered a sacrifice to God.
By faith, Noah built an ark to save his family.
By faith, Abraham set out to a place to receive an inheritance.
By faith, Moses left Egypt behind.
By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,
Faith in each of these examples, is partnered with action. The action was seemingly fueled BY the faith. Not the other way around. Faith for these individuals, and for us today is far more than only an intellectual exercise— it’s not just a pleasant contentment of the heart or soul only. We will see today that it is
More than what we “think” alone.
More than what we “feel” alone.
It is indeed expressed in what we “do”.
In many ways, the tone of what James is writing to us today reminds me of an old funny saying-
James would most likely sound much like a couple of my old coaches: Maybe you had one too:
“I’m from Missouri”— The Show me state.
Don’t tell me about it— show me.
Three simple points here today:
I think some today are making a false confession that they believe in God and have faith in Jesus. Their actions don’t match their words... (Hang with me— I know that’s a provocative statement)
I think that we often make a foolish compromise when we try to live in this world, believing that we can separate our “faith” from our choices and actions in life.
I think we should consider the firm commitment that our life can be— and build that in ourselves and each other as much as we can!
I’ll give you a hint here too— I have come to conclude that our faith will have a direct effect on our Communion with God, and our Compassion for others.
We will be in the book of James— Chapter 2, picking up in verse 14.
I. Are we living a false confession? (James 2:14)
I. Are we living a false confession? (James 2:14)
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
It’s a powerful tactic in debate or deep thoughtful conversation to ask this type of question. It’s a “rhetorical” strategy— He’s asking a question to get us readers to consider.
Another way he might ask this question is : The New Living Translation:
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
I guess I might be like you right now— if you were forced to answer that question, you might honestly say “I don’t know”.
It might be helpful to further define “Faith”.
What is faith anyway? (Heb 11:1)
What is faith anyway? (Heb 11:1)
Faith - “complete trust or confidence” Dictionary.com
Faith involves a confident trust in something or someone beyond oneself, even in the absence of complete understanding or certainty.
There is also a common “biblical definition” of faith in the Hebrews 11 passage— it’s right at the beginning of that section:
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
James is urging us to consider---
James is urging us to consider---
Faith is not just what we think, it is revealed by what we do.
Faith is not just what we think, it is revealed by what we do.
If you have hope and assurance in something— even if you don’t understand or can’t see the complete picture--- You are going to ACT a certain way that will reveal that faith.
You gotta get on the airplane!
2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
These definitions seem to build into our minds an idea that faith is NOT just what we say, or what we may only believe in our minds— it’s about what we trust and have the utmost confidence in, revealed by our actions in real time!
James continues the illustration further---
James continues the illustration further---
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
Is this hypothetical (or “made up”) example a picture of what a real Christian person— a person who has claimed— confessed to have faith in Jesus— would do?
He’s writing to you— a self-proclaimed follower of Christ— What good is what that person said? It’s a nice thought— a fairly well intentioned comment, some could even consider it a kind of “blessing”— but from the hurting person’s perspective— what good is it, really? Not much to be honest.
CARTOON SLIDE
What’s missing here isn’t just helping someone who we come across who has a need— or who is suffering:
What do we really lack if we are only “talking” about faith, but not “walking” IN our faith? (remembering that faith is defined as having the utmost trust and confidence in GOD for our life)
One of the most popular criticisms of Christians in the world today? That we are hypocritical. That we say one thing— and then do something else contrary to that.
A superficial faith lacks compassion, and communion. (v.16)
A superficial faith lacks compassion, and communion. (v.16)
We lack compassion for others. That deals with our love of others on Christ’s behalf.
We lack communion with God. That deals with our love of God as superior to us.
This happens to line up well with the two great commandments Jesus identifies to summarize the entire Law and Prophets (That’s found in Matthew 22:36)
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength--
and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
And then James writes one of the most powerful statements in all of scripture: The signature phrase from our memories of this entire letter:
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Wendy and I have had the following interaction on MORE THAN ONE Occasion:
Wendy: Ok, I’m leaving, what time will you be home?
Me: Oh— ah--- like by maybe 6:00, 6:15?
Wendy: Really?
Me: Yes, for sure....
And then she could very easily look me in the eye— and state---
Wendy: James 2:17.... Really? “Faith without works is dead.”
Have we claimed to have faith in God, but somehow it has not inspired us to act differently--- to worship differently, to view and serve others differently, or to become more self-aware and change at all? Then that faith, James declares is dead.—
Kind of like the energy we know is present in the food we have in our pantry or refrigerators. That food has energy and elements and chemicals that will be transformational for us— hopefully good food will make us healthy and strong, right— but what do we have to do with it? EAT IT! Yes, we need to eat it. Otherwise— it will spoil, or be “dead”. It’s only value to us is realized when we chew it, swallow it, and assimilate it.
Or it is also similar to --what we see happening all around us these days in the spring— Seeds. Those little seeds are basically the crop that will be produced… Right? But what must be done to that seed? You gotta plant it! You might have to water it— cultivate it— nurture it— but if you do, it will produce the crop.
What good is it to have a whole barn full of seeds? That’s a fine potential— but it’s incomplete.
What good is it to have a pantry full of wholesome, nutritious, high energy food— and never eat it? Do we really have it then? At the very best— our interaction with that food is incomplete, or to have a whole barn full of seeds, but never putting them in to the ground!— and that leads us to our next observations:
Continue reading now in 18:
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
This is really a brilliant set of statements!
For this section— I want you to ask
II. Are we living a foolish compromise?
II. Are we living a foolish compromise?
The compromise here involves a separation of faith and real life. A compartmentalizing of our beliefs and what we say we trust in— and how we live.
In the original culture and especially within the Jewish culture— faith and actions were not understood as separate. You were expressing what was on the inside by what you did on the outside. James is a devout Jewish person before his interaction and faith in Jesus— His older brother!!!!!
We in our western- post-modern culture— especially since the Enlightenment period— during the 1600-1700’s . There was a growing emphasis on reason, science, intellectualism, individualism and skepticism.
There was an increase in secularism, or a movement away from considering the church as an authority in life.
In some ways this was a fine move toward expanding our understanding of the world — how things really work in the universe— advances in science, medicine, technology, etc. We discovered that the earth is not the center of the universe— that matter is made up of very unique patterns of atoms and molecules.
There was also a very unfortunate separation that occured also. A “faith” emerged from this time in history that was only intellectual— it was a “belief” void of power and passion— and somehow a faith became possible ---a faith that somehow did not impact how a person lived it out.
It must have been more common that we think— even in James’ time— Jesus observed that the Pharisee’s might have all the exteriors of life lined up It is fine to “believe” — that is certainly a great start… You can reason, and conclude that you do in fact believe— But I hope we can all agree that it can’t stop there.
James then suggests another powerful example of this separation in action:
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Belief is important, but it is not faith in God. (v. 19)
Belief is important, but it is not faith in God. (v. 19)
But a faith apart from the communion, and compassion is not mature faith! I’m not sure what that is— it’s a fine thought I guess… but no more than that.
It is a tragic and foolish compromise we have bought into if we look, act, talk, and live JUST LIKE THOSE WHO HAVE NO FAITH—
The key phrase for me is the question James poses “What good is it?” Their belief doesn’ do the demons much good— except produce in them fear, not faith.
Matthew 7:26 (NIV)
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
Like looking at yourself in the mirror, and then walking away and forgetting what you look like!
John weighs in on this concept also— and he gives us just a slightly different angle to view it all:
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
What John is speaking about is something specific that comes OUT of our faith: Do you see it? It’s love. Now Love happens to be one of what the Apostle Paul named as the “Fruit of the Spirit”— That’s Galatians 5:23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
All of these attributes are “action oriented”— they all occur within relationship to someone else… It’s what “comes out” on a tree— or in this case, what comes “out” of your complete trust and confidence on God for your life!
And our minds could quickly go back to our Lord Jesus’ teaching where he mentions the FRUIT of a tree:
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
The next reasonable step in our belief is to act upon it.
The next reasonable step in our belief is to act upon it.
What is the overarching general fruit of your life? Is it these attributes Paul mentions in Galatians?
Sometimes we may be hesitant to take that long look in the mirror— How self-aware are you?
It’s a foolish compromise to believe that we can claim to have faith (fully trusting in God for everything)— and NOT be changed by that faith. NOT bearing the fruit of His Spirit inside us.
Our faith is in Jesus— and if what we are reading and learning about Him is actually true---we either live like He is the Lord OF all— or he actually isn’t the Lord AT all. Hot— or Cold--- Don’t be luke warm. That faith is safe--- it’s useless, and frankly pretty boring and not fun.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Sure— I would love that Brother James: Move me forward— challenge me— grow me!
He gives us two more powerful examples— that leads us to our third AND FINAL question today:
III. Are we living a firm commitment? (v.21)
III. Are we living a firm commitment? (v.21)
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Basically, James is reminding us that merely believing is not having faith— necessarily. Faith is the complete and utmost trust in God. If we only believe, that’s the first part— if that belief is to become faith— it will move us somehow— Remember our qualifiers of “moved”-- Communion with God, Compassion for others, Conversion of my self.
22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Actions are not the source of our faith, they are the result .(v.22)
Actions are not the source of our faith, they are the result .(v.22)
That could be said of our salvation and justification also— it’s not found in the actions— the actions are the result!!!
Owen and Matt have done a great job setting this up in the last two weeks messages!
Our faith is the driver of what we do— but if we don’t actually do anything different than those who have no faith— do we really have faith?
Real faith is more than what we say— it is our full hearted trust in God— expressed through everything we do.
Consider that story from Genesis 22, Abraham is instructed by God to sacrifice his own son, Isaac, who is basically a young boy, on an alter on the top of a small mountain. Can we even imagine?
We look at our precious little ones, and we cannot imagine God giving us that instruction.
We can’t unpack all that— but lets talk about faith— talk about trusting God with your everything.
Ultimately, God did not allow Abraham to follow through with it— but God did allow them to make the trip, gather the wood and build the altar. The scripture says that God intervened through an angel, right at basically the last second:
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Talk about trials— talk about the testing of faith? God said to Abraham— DO YOU TRUST ME OR NOT?
Another mind-blowing fact about this story is the exact location: Region called Mount Moriah.
In the Jewish tradition and history: The site of the TEMPLE MOUNT Today! The site of the 1st and 2nd temples built by King David, and King Solomon!
In the Islamic tradition and history: The DOME OF THE ROCK today!
[photos] of these locations
23 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.
…and he was called God’s friend. Why? Partly because Abraham— the father of both Isaac and Ishmael, was faithful. Not just in words— not just in feelings, or in intellectual belief. He was faithful IN HIS ACTIONS. It was the deeds that proved the faith.
This sets up one of the most difficult passages in all of scripture:
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
TAKE A MOMENT AND LET THAT STATEMENT SETTLE IN… Now circle the word “Alone”. If that word “alone” was not there— we probably wouldn’t have this book in the bible. yeah— it’s that controversial.
If I could (which I’m not allowed by the way, but IF I could), I might add this to that verse---“Because what they do is the only true reflection of their faith.”
You can talk about it— you can think about it— you can really earnestly believe it— but until you step out of the boat, its not actually complete. That’s the expression of your truest faith— making it real.
Remember that powerful incident— Jesus instructs Peter to step out of the boat… and he walks on water with Jesus for a little bit— but he gets distracted, loses focus, and sinks— He calls out “Help me LORD”— and what does Jesus say as he is grabbing him?
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
By faith— we do. Or by Faith we do not. “There is no try.” Sorry— wrong metaphor.
Titus 3:8 (NIV)
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.
Our actions are the next logical step— if we have made this firm commitment in trusting God with everything— we will act accordingly.
We can ask our kids nicely to take out the trash— several times RIGHT MATT?… but have they really heard us— have they really obeyed and “listened” to us--- until they take out the trash!
This echoes the powerful words of our Lord Jesus:
He goes on in verse 25 to name another example of someone’s actions born out of their faith:
25 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?
A non-Jewish, woman, who was in a line of work that was NOT wholesome or respected--- even Rahab is counted as “faithful” because of the faith she displayed through supporting the people of God.
You can read more about that exciting story in Joshua 2. She basically helps the scouts who are spying on Jericho. She shows compassion and care for them— at a critical point in Israel’s history.
James utilizes four “real-life” examples here in his teaching, two that represent what faith is NOT, two that represent what faith IS:
Hungry people going unfed displays an ineffective faith. (v.15) (no compassion for others, only judgment)
The belief of demons demonstrates a counterfeit faith. (v.19) (no communion with God, only fear)
Abraham’s obedience to God is an example of undoubting faith (v.21) (absolute peace with God)
Rahab’s compassion for people demonstrates a charitable faith. (v.25) (absolute empathy with people)
There is so much left to say— so much we could still unpack— but let me try to summarize:
James is not teaching against the statement “We are saved by Faith Alone”.
He is not saying that salvation comes by works INSTEAD of faith. He is simply challenging you today to understand that faith without any tangible expression, isn’t complete or mature at all. And if I may shape it a little for us— if our faith stays in this state of idle, with no evidence— it is actually dead. It’s not bearing Fruit--
And as a master teacher would do— James leaves us with a final clear and unapologetic conclusion: James ends this section of his letter with a magnificent sentence:
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Our culture and might I say our enemy the devil desires us to believe that these two aspects of our being: Our faith and our actions— can be separated… That one somehow does NOT affect the other.
Faith THROUGH works. The works is the life— the works is the fruit. Without the life and fruit— the faith is dead and useless.
Faith is our absolute trust in God our creator— and it produces a communion of peace with Him and a compassion for others.
It is still by faith alone— but it is expressed through the works God gives.
Are you facing a mount Moriah? A place of decision? I’m going to pray here in a moment and i want you to press into God this morning. Trust Him. Live your faith.
Is God calling you to trust Him more? Oh for Grace to Trust Him more.
What saves is faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.
J. I. Packer