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Message Notes:
In This Series:
James teaches us our faith becomes active when we activate our:
1. Mind
2. Works
3. Speech
4. Future
5. Faith Life
MAIN IDEA:
Your faith becomes real when you activate your works.
Look at your works to determine what you really believe.
James 2:1-13
They struggled with discrimination and treating the wealthy better than the poor …
James 2:1-13
1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting[b] dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name[c] you bear? 8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[d] 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law…Vs. 12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. NLT
Activate your works by treating everyone with the same love (honor, respect, attention, etc.) that Jesus treats them with.
James 2:14-26
They thought faith was simply what they believed in their minds. They did not realize their faith is proven by what they do not what they say.
James 2:14-26
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? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.[f] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith…. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone…26 Just as the body is dead without breath,[i] so also faith is dead without good works. NLT
Your faith is best seen by your works. If you don’t see it … do you really believe it?
1. We are not saved or made righteous by our works.
2. If we have truly understood and received salvation … our works will change to reflect that.
3. But in an effort to change our works … we have to remember tension #1 …
MAIN IDEA:
Your faith becomes real when you activate your works.
Look at your works to determine what you really believe.
CHALLENGE QUESTION:
James says I will show you my faith by my works.
What are some things in your life right now you say you believe but your actions don’t line up?
What does God want you to do to change that.
If you prayed the prayer to start fresh with God today text “startagain” (one word) to 97000 so we can connect with you and help you take the next steps in this amazing decision.
My Notes:
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