james – fbc kellerken gardner1 james 2faith that works james 2: 1 – 13 favoritism forbidden...

James – FBC Keller Ken Gardner 1

James 2 Faith That Works

James 2: 1 – 13Favoritism Forbidden

James 2: 14 – 16Faith & Deeds

Salvation isBy Faith Alone

Salvation ProducesFaith That Works

Salvation

James – FBC Keller Bible Stud y Ken Gardner 2

Three Tests for Applied Christianity1.Control of the tongue Words

James 1:26

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts

as pure and

as faultless is this:

2.Care for the unfortunate Hands

to look after orphans and widows in their distress and

3.An unsoiled life Hearts

to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Review


James 2: 1 – 13Favoritism Forbidden

Prejudice Is A Sin

Mt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,

and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.


Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 1-3

Favoritism = Inconsistent with Faith in Christ

1. CommandMy brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

(Stop trying to ...)

LB: How can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus if you show favoritism to rich people and (if you) look down on poor people?

2. IllustrationSuppose (two men) come into your meetingRich Man – Displaying Wealth Poor Man – Displaying Poverty

gold ring and fine clothes (“shining”) in shabby clothes (“filthy”)

special attention"Here's a good seat” "You stand there" or

"Sit on the floor by my feet,“


Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 4

Favoritism = Discrimination & Judging

3. Results

have you not (you have) discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Honoring the rich & shunning the poor is wrong.


Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 5

Favoritism = Contrary to God’s Purpose

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

1Co 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1Co 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1Co 1:28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 1Co 1:29 so that no one may boast before him.


Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 6-7

Favoritism = NOT in the Best Interests of the Christian

But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

Poor Rich►poor in the eyes ►rich who are exploiting you

of the world ► rich in faith and ► dragging you into court► inherit the kingdom► you have insulted ► slandering the noble name the poor of him to whom you belong

Favoritism = NOT What Experience & Common Sense Suggests


Favoritism is a Violation of the Royal LawJames 2: 8 - 10

1. ConditionIf you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as

yourself," you are doing right.

2. CorrectionBut if you show favoritism, you sin and you are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

3. ExplanationFor whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one

point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Dishonor the poor = Breaking the Royal Law = Lawbreaker


Favoritism Makes You a LawbreakerJames 2: 11

For he who said,

“Do not commit adultery,” also said,

“Do not murder.”

If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

X


Appeal James 2: 12 - 13Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by

the law that gives freedom,because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone

who has not been merciful.

Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Mercy <========> Judgment(Winner)

Favoritism = Evidence of a Spirit Without Mercy.

Mt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.Mt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,

and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.


END – Week 3

Next:Feb 1 James 2: 14 – 26

Faith & Deeds


James 2: 14 – 16Faith & Deeds

Salvation isBy Faith Alone


Salvation


Dead Faith: Intellect James

2: 14 - 17 Argument:What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has

no deeds? Implied: No good Can such faith save him? Implied: NoIllustration:Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.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? Implied: No good

Conclusion:In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,

is dead.

Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Useless


Dead Faith: Intellect James

2: 14 - 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by

action, is dead.

Genuine faith is not an empty claim.

Mat 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.

The principle is stated in verse 14 and might be paraphrased this way:

“Faith that is professed, but not practiced, is of no practical value to us or to others. It does not serve, and it does not save.

Unused faith is useless faith.”


Demonic Faith: Intellect + EmotionsJames 2: 18 - 19But 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.You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.

Faith DeedsProfession - Profession -

no works with worksi.e., Demons Genuine

Genuine faith is not mere acceptance of a teaching.

Dead Demonic DynamicFaith by Intellect Faith by Intellect + Emotions Saving Faith


Dead Faith vs. Living Faith James 2: 14 - 26Dead Faith IntellectGenuine faith is not an empty claim.

Demonic Faith Intellect + EmotionsGenuine faith is not mere acceptance of a

teaching.

Dynamic Faith True Saving FaithGenuine faith produces an obedient life.


Dynamic Faith: True Saving Faith James 2: 20 - 24You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without

deeds is useless ?

Evidence #1: Abraham - Jew, godly man, friend of GodWas not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what

he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?You see that his faith and his actions were working together,

and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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.

Conclusion:You see that a person is justified by what he does

and not by faith alone.


Dynamic Faith: True Saving Faith James 2: 25 - 26You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without

deeds is useless ?

Evidence #2: Rahab - Gentile, sinful woman, enemies of God

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?

Conclusion:As the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without deeds is dead.

Genuine faith produces an obedient life.Salvation isBy Faith Alone


Salvation


Faith per James Evidence – Case Studies

1. Fellow believer in need –

words only w/o deeds = no good, useless;

there is faith which is dead.

2. Demons who believe –

faith w/o deeds = dangerous;

there is belief which is not saving faith.

3. Abraham – Jew, godly man, friend of God = actions;

genuine faith results in works.

4. Rahab – Gentile, sinful woman, enemy of God = actions;

genuine faith produces actions.

Faith must be demonstrated by works

Conclusion:

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.


Lesson Truths ‘faith without deeds is dead’

1. We show our faith is genuine by doing more than talking about our concern for others.

Less talk / more action.

2. We show our faith is genuine by doing more than believing the truth of Scripture.

Even demons believe.

3. We show we have been saved when, as a result of our faith, good deeds issue forth from our lives.

Works demonstrate faith.


END – Week 4Optional: Small Group Discussions

Next:Feb 8 James 3: 1 – 12

Taming the Tongue


James Men’s Bible Study Schedule for January / February 2008

Date Bible Text LessonJan 11 James 1: 1 – 18 Trials & TemptationsJan 18 James 1: 19 – 27 Listening & DoingJan 25 James 2: 1 – 13 Favoritism ForbiddenFeb 1 James 2: 14 – 26 Faith & DeedsFeb 8 James 3: 1 – 12 Taming the TongueFeb 15 James 3: 13 – 18 Two Kinds of WisdomFeb 22 James 4 Submit Yourselves to GodFeb 29 James 5 Patience

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