Sermon Tone Analysis

James 2:14-19

 

Secular -

~*~*Looney Tunes

·         Video Clip - KIDS

·         Overhead

-          Unnatural

Jer 8:4 "Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: "'When men fall down, do they not *get* *up*?

When a man turns away, does he not return?

Biblical –

 

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?

Can such faith save him?

15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

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 what I do.

19 You believe that there is one God.

Good!

Even the demons believe that-- and shudder.

20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

Personal:

Have you ever had anyone tell you something and not follow through?

~*~* Contractor, neighbour,

-          You begin to wonder about their intent… their heart motives… (what if they were to receive something…$$ + + motivation)

 

Bridge:

We are called to live a life of FAITH IN ACTION (is there any other kind??)

 

Body:

OVERHEAD (or Handout)

Empty Confession + False Compassion + Shallow Conviction = DEAD FAITH

Authentic Profession + Genuine Compassion + Deep Conviction = VITAL FAITH

 

1) Empty Confession vs. Authentic Profession

 

 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?

Can such faith save him?

·         1 Are Paul and James coming to blows over theology?

Gal 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

·         Hammer him Paul…

Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

·         Same argument!! Faith is from God but is exhibited in believers living that faith… *Don’t just stand there do something!*

·         New Believers on the escalator… of sanctification

·         We are growing, organic children… learning… no more diapers or pabulum….

·         It is about a real choice… real grace… Bonhoeffer “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession.

Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.”

n      Authentic Profession is Faith in Action…A Vital Faith given by the grace of God that Spurs us on and saves our soul.

2) False Compassion vs. Genuine Compassion

 

15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

·         “Hey… How are you” (not genuinely asking the question… self-absorbed…distracted…)

·         No brownie points just for asking…

·         Faith is from God but is exhibited in believers living that faith… *Don’t just stand there do something!*

·         How can we say we follow the Leadership and Lordship of our Saviour when we are clearly not following the lead?

– It is unnatural!!

·         If you say you care, if you say I will be obedient to Christ and Love my neighbour as myself… then how can you do nothing for them?

*Genuine compassion - **35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'*

!

n      Genuine Compassion is Faith in Action…A Vital Faith given by the grace of God that Spurs us on to love one another!

3) Shallow Conviction vs. Deep Conviction

 

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 what I do.

19 You believe that there is one God.

Good!

Even the demons believe that-- and shudder.

20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

·          

Matthew 7: 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.

Away from me, you evildoers!' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

·          

 

Conclusion:

 

Dead Faith

·         1

·         2

·         3

 

Vital Faith

·         1

·         2

·         3