Points of Meditation & Reflection
Sermon Title & Text “Faith and Works” James 2:18-26
Faith in Action! In this series we want to move from simply the mention of having faith to tangibly putting it into action by exercising faith in life’s challenges.

1. Faith is a continual growth about what we believe about God. Works are, what our life produces. James explains that faith and works are inseparable and that a faith without works is a dead faith.
2. “Someone” will divide faith and works (production) in to two unrelated categories. However, working without faith or faith without working is dead – of no benefit. There is a deep connection between what you believe and what you do.
3. It takes more than believing in biblical concepts, stories or principles. Anyone can believe. There has to come a point that those beliefs are acted on – for the benefit of others.
4. The example of Abraham: Justified by works and not faith alone.
   a. Justified by Works – cf. Heb 11:17-22
   b. Faith was Active Along With Works – cf Rom 4:3
   c. Faith was Completed by Works - Gen 12 to Gen 22 transformation
   d. Faith-Works Connection made him a friend of God
5. The example of Rahab: Justified by Works and not faith alone
   a. Personal conviction – “I know” in Joshua 2:9
   b. Common knowledge – “We have heard”
   c. Personal Confession - Jos 2:11b
   d. Action Beyond Belief – Jos 2:4-7
6. Abraham and Rahab are on opposite ends of every measuring stick, yet their faith in action lands them in the same story.

Notes:

Lord, we pray these notes and this message are a source of strength, guidance, and spiritual deepening for us all. Amen.

Edward

Everyday Jesus: James 2:18-26
James uses two real life, well-known examples to encourage Christ followers to move from Belief to Action. Let’s search God to move us to a place where our faith dictates our actions.

• Monday: Read James 2:1-26. Meditate on vv18-19. Someone will say (18), and You believe (19); point to opinion shaped by life experience > the fact of God’s Word. Ask God to show you where your beliefs don’t align with His Word.
• Tuesday: Read James 2:20-24 then Gen 12,15-18:15, 20-22. Reflect on what has been your x+y=z. Ask God to transform you by changing that equation, in your life.
• Wednesday: Read James 2:20-24. In these verses, faith was active w/works, faith was completed by works, justification is by both faith & works. As you meditate on these verses, reflect on where your faith & works/actions are or are not linked. Are your actions linked to your faith [vice-versa] or are there broken links?
• Thursday: Read James 2:20-24. In vv22-23, faith & works together, align our lives with the Bible. Pray this question to God: Do the works my faith produces for You (God), allow You (God) to call me a friend of Your (God’s) plan?
• Friday: Read James 2:25 & Joshua 2:1-14. Faith and Works elevated Rahab the prostitute above her status among people. As you read of her in Josh 2, do you have her 4 points of Faith-Works connection - see sermon notes insert - #5 (over),
• Saturday: Read James 2:1-26. In v. 26 Faith apart from Works is dead. Today, ask God to bring your faith alive, by connecting what you believe about God with what you do for God. Make this one of your on-going prayers.