Illustration: conversation with woman who couldn’t have children. Accepting as fact the existence of God and that the Holy Bible contains absolute truth is not enough to satisfy God. False Faith vs. Genuine Faith (5 of 11) Series: James: A Faith that Works Josh Malone James 2:14-26 Today we continue in James with what is likely the most well-known and a the same time misunderstood passage in James. Especially since atheism was so strongly beat into our heads for so many years. Our study will be lifted from the 2 nd chapter of the 45 th book in the Bible . I must have been half way across the Atlantic before I began seriously to wonder where I would go when I finally reached India. The store windows were all beautifully decorated, and he observed three little girls intensely interested in … It is dead faith, not saving faith. As I reflected on my experience, I realized why James uses the example he uses about the body without the spirit. He lived by his conviction in what God had already promised him. Madaki, the chief elder in the church, is also one of the most prosperous farmers in Kwoi, Nigeria. You must actively develop it yourself. Suppose a man was on the top floor of an eleven-story building and a fire broke out in the first floor. Is your life full of good works that demonstrate living faith? Amen? Believing in God and proclaiming that you are a “Christian” are not bad things. There were shouts of joy and thanksgiving, but also sighs of regret. 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Does your faith draw people to Christ or push them away from Christ? That is why James says: 19 You believe that God is one. (Luke 5:27-28) What is God currently asking you to do by faith? A person who is not willing to forsake all for Christ cannot be His follower (Luke 14:33). ” So, leaving everything behind, he got up and began to follow Him. by Alistair Begg. JAMES: “James 2” 1 “A Study of James 2” James 2:1-16 INTRODUCTION: A. There is not one verse from Genesis to Revelation about being saved by feelings. Perfect or perfected is τελειόω (teleioō) and its meaning is “to make perfect, complete, to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full”. When my wife and I were college students, she was preparing to take an exam, a very difficult one. 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2) Genuine Faith“A person becomes righteous by believing God’s record concerning His Son. When the women went to his house next morning, Madaki asked them to go to his farm, about three and a half miles away, to carry home his field corn. The intimate experiences of life have shown me that the Bible is a living word, just as definitely God's word to me, personally. But he told them quietly, "The time is past; the corn was brought in yesterday." 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. He lived in total obedience to God. If word of her actions would have reached the king, she could have easily been executed. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected ; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. Over in Burma Judson was lying in a foul jail with thirty-two pounds of chains on his ankles, his feet bound to a bamboo pole. He discovered that the girl in the center was blind, and the others were trying to describe the beautiful things in the window. When it was finished, he invited a newspaper reporter to accompany him and his wife for the inaugural ride. When the first church was formed in Jerusalem, we find the following information about the first believers in the book of Acts: 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. The brother or sister who is without clothing and in need of daily food attain no benefits from the brothers who talk about helping do nothing to help. That is just step one. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence…. May the Lord help us  have genuine faith in our hearts, true faith that manifests itself to others in our good works. Usually, these discussions end up being debates about the differences in doctrines among the different denominations instead of a serious discussion on genuine faith. Those who still believed in God were considered backward thinkers who were not in step with the society of the times. Can faith without works produce salvation? Sermon Illustrations provides sermon illustrations, sermons, eulogies, funeral helps, and counseling aids for ministers. Understanding is the reward of faith. James 2:17, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." It took a few days before I could eat once again. Some brought back a big load, others only a few ears of grain. When we live by the teachings of the Word of God, then God is glorified. The answer is “no way!”. There were barrels and barrels full of body parts soaked in formaldehyde which the students gladly showed me. "I would say he was a fool," the sailor blurted out and by his statement he thus condemned himself.—Gospel Herald. If we consider the above illustration, we can see that the remaining two men demonstrate the genuineness of their faith (or the lack thereof) by what they do. google_ad_client = "pub-6245839880005018"; This is where our genuine faith is manifested. As James closes the subject, he uses the following illustration to explain his point. I wanted to get a better understanding of the word “use” so I looked it up in the original language, Koine Greek. This is where you will have the greatest profit from these benefits. Many people in churches today have turned away from it and aligned themselves instead with a wind of false doctrine, which its opponents call easy-believism. One hundred and four women and girls responded and went to the farm with their baskets, little, big, and middle-sized. Moody told this story at one of his meetings: One evening just before Christmas, a man was walking through the streets of an Eastern city. One took such a load that her strength failed before she got home. I must say one thing though, in order to have saving faith, it is not enough just to accept intellectually that God exists. Spiritual growth begins when we move beyond the futile attempts to grow passively and start actively engaging our faith. Dr. Howard A. Kelly, a great scientist and brilliant surgeon, seated in his library a few years ago, surrounded by an imposing array of books on medicine and surgery, said: "A definite Christian faith is the one really important thing in life. Does your faith manifest life or death? But the poor little girl stood with a blank expression on her face and could not appreciate the beautiful things before her. . But it did come to me at last and then I began to pray about it. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless ? 2:19a G. James is illustrating by a conversation with an imaginary partner. And, while the man stands getting his breath again, out goes the plank from under him, and he is worse off than ever. There was no home ready for us to go to as far as we knew. . What are the heroic deeds that gave me strength and urge me on in my faith? 3. Dawkins View of Faith (For Contrast) Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Some people take this even farther. The man heard the cries of fire but he kept on reading a book. "Now," said Moody, "this is an illustration of the effort we Christians are making to arouse the unconverted to an interest and delight in spiritual things. Just look at that pretty pink bow!" What is his lifestyle like? A person who has faith without works is a religious person who has deceived himself and his faith is useless. The works prove the faith. As such, the Bible is its own defense. B. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden ; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Instead of climbing down the ladder to safety he shouted down to the firemen, `I won't come down until you tell me how the fire started in the building.' They asked me to join them in their lab, which was near by, the lab where they kept the cadavers that they used for dissecting. Paul expounds on this teaching in his epistle to the Ephesians when he writes: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God ; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but our works should display the reality of our salvation (James 2:17-18). 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. When they got to the Red Sea, he got his army to build a bridge across, and everyone got across safely. Sermon illustrations: Faith. In this sermon Alistair Begg breaks down several aspects of saving faith. When she died I was stunned, not merely because of my grief, but because it seemed to me that God had failed me. For example, what is genuine faith? (James 1:26) Because of this section of James’ letter, Martin Luther was tempted to say that James’ epistle was not inspired by God. google_ad_width = 336; Free Access to Sermons on Genuine Faith, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Genuine Faith, and Preaching Slides on Genuine Faith. You do well ; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 th Book in the New Testament . That man was converted then and there.—The Herald of Salvation. What is the impact of this faith, in my own life and the lives of those around me? . The benefits pile up for you in the kingdom of heaven. What are the heroic deeds that lead you on in your faith? How does he live his life daily? The Believer's Assurance: the God Who Keeps Contending Earnestly For The Faith (3-4) Jude's letter begins and ends with very comforting words to Christians. Our teacher said how God sent Moses on a rescue mission behind enemy lines to get the Israelites out of Egypt. God saved us and leads us through life so that we can be a light to the people around us. The lack of good works is the testimony that his faith is not genuine, saving faith. When the devil sees a poor soul in agony in the waves of sin, and getting close to the Rock of Ages, he just holds out the plank of "feeling" to him, and says, "There, get on that; you feel more comfortable now, don't you?" Jesus puts it this way: 14 “You are the light of the world. Vinyl flooring that appears to be ceramic tile. 5. Authentic Christians are transformed by the Holy Spirit. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]. I mean that literally. "Then," said the infidel, "I wrote it myself, and I was the man who saw that little blind girl. What would you think of that man?" Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayestbelieve, but believe that thou mayest understand. St. James affirms this truth in his ... As James closes the subject, he uses the following illustration to explain his point. He was not led by the circumstance. “Lots of different kinds of moms.” ... IOW a genuine faith is not a faith we control as much as a faith we house. Who We Are; Doctrinal Statement; Teaching Statement; Servant Leaders. Faith, being belief that isn’t based on evidence, is the principal vice of any religion. When Jesus changes us, we are changed for real! So `faith' alone, my friend, entitles one to that saving grace which produces a character well pleasing to God. The questions we must ask ourselves are: What is the evidence of my faith? I believed that God would answer my prayer. They stress… There is plastic decking that looks like real wood. We see the mention of: 1. As you can see, we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. A railway ticket, if genuine, certifies that the person presenting it has complied with the company's conditions and is entitled to transportation. It is vastly more important than my profession, than any scientific research, or than any other or all the activities of a man's life, and that from a strictly practical, common­sense point of view. Faith, Quote, Trials. The Greek word translated “use” in English is ὄφελος (ophelos). Faith without works is the same. 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? But if faith in God is the great fact of life, then no matter what may be the outcome of our petitions we will still trust.—The Presbyterian. Illustration: Can you imagine an arrogant young man standing on a basketball court and exclaiming that he can make five out of five half-court shots? Faith Sermon Illustrations . google_ad_height = 280; What do others say about my faith?” What do others say about your faith, dear friend? The Christians are telling and retelling the story all over town, always adding: "That is just how it is in the Jesus way. Genuine faith is not blind; it is based upon knowledge. When all the loads had been brought in, Madaki called the women together and told them that each might keep what she had brought! Some are tares among the wheat while others are doing the right things but for selfish motives. ABRAHAM: the faithful patriarch (V. 21-23). Illustration Four: After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me! Don't watch your feelings. vv. Someone who has genuine saving faith longs for God. On the other hand, if your faith is not manifested in good works, then all of your efforts are done in vain. That is why God was able to add to the number of believers every single day. On a recent Sunday the following announcement was made: "Madaki wants all the women to gather at his house tomorrow morning, Pass on the news." These concerns choke any fledgling faith, and the person falls away. In verse 1 it describes us as "those who are called , loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ." I remember a missionary from China stating that while preaching to the blue­jackets on a British man-of-war at the Port of Wei hi Wai, he was accosted at the close of his discourse by a sailor, saying, "I will not believe what you have told us until you inform me why God allowed sin to come into the world." James again offers two illustrations, from the Old Testament, to make his point for real, definite faith. These are just facts understood on an intellectual level. He was led by God through the circumstance. Some people even go to church week in and week out, maybe even sing in the choir yet they do not change their wicked ways. According to this text, the demons accept the existence of God and tremble at what awaits them in the future because of their disobedience. I used to believe that anything I asked for in the name of Christ, I would receive. Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not athand. The people knew what the former lifestyle of the believers was like and they saw the transforming power of God. //-->. "—Sudan Witness. With all the bodily functions becoming the norm, and socially acceptable jokes simply too PG-13 to make a dent in your partner’s face. It was very dangerous for her to do what she did but even more so, was to go and tell the members of her household so that they could be protected too. Faith is necessary to obtain the gift of righteousness. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works ; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. AN ILLUSTRATION OF DEFINITE FAITH(21). 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way ? The author of the epistle to the Hebrews uses this same idea when he writes about Abraham: 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. From My Life, by Mrs. W. K. Norton, of the Pilgrim's Mission, Benares, India. “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?” James opens us this section of his epistle with the rhetorical question that we just read. Or will you have to admit how you only think that you are a religious person, but in fact, you do not restrain your tongue and have deceived your own heart and that your religion is worthless? I wanted to understand the meaning behind the idea that genuine faith “perfects” us so I looked up the meaning of the original words in Greek. (James 2). Another example James gives us is the harlot Rahab, who was  justified by works when she received the messengers and hid them on her roof. Crafted by California-based artist Mary Park, these illustrations show how real the relationship can get over time. I saw myself standing on a tiny little plank which was floating in a vast ocean. There were those who had refused to go, saying, "I have work enough of my own." That is the type of impact that the experience had on me. He said, “It was amazing. We are going to call them the religious intellectual. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Bible Verses about Faith. On the other hand, faith without works is repulsive to people because they hear of your “faith” but your actions demonstrate something totally different. Absolutely nothing in front of me, or behind me, or at the sides. So God comforted me and seemed to be telling me that I was to trust Him for one step at a time. (James 2). (Acts 2). (Hebrews 11). 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath . An Illustration of Faith. (Matthew 5). A fellow prisoner said, with a sneer on his face, "Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen? Through this kind deed Madaki not only helped many needy families, but he also preached a quiet sermon. 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. (James 2). "Oh," said Moody, "I read it in one of the daily papers. A genuine faith is one that not only believes in God (the demons themselves do that - James 2:19), but leads to open confession of sin and obedience to Christ’s commands. Genuine faith is attractive for the people who are around a person who has it because they experience the works that come as a result of it. 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