1. In his letter James revealed God's will on a number of important subjects that relate to Christianity. 2. In 2:14-26, James wrote about the relationship between faith and works. a. He showed repeatedly that faith without works is dead (vs.17, 20, 26). b. He also showed in vs.24 how God is pleased with faith that is accompanied by works. 3. This morning we are studying the information revealed in 2:14-17. 4. The main point made in these verses is that there is no profit in having faith that is not accompanied by works. Discussion: I. LET US FIRST CONSIDER SOME GENERAL INFORMATION RELATING TO FAITH
A. Faith is an essential part of Christianity. 1. (Hebrews 11:6) It is impossible to please God without faith. 2. Faith is essential; however, God requires His children to have a "working" faith. B. Faith is generally defined as "A conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, conjoined with obedience to Christ." 1. According to its definition, faith that lacks obedience is not true faith. 2. This is the point emphasized by James. II. (vs.14) JAMES ASKED 2 QUESTIONS ABOUT FAITH AND WORKS
A. Question #1: What profit is there for a Christian to claim to have faith that is not accompanied by works? 1. This question was answered earlier in ch.1. 2. (1:22-24) One who is not a doer of the Word is not profited. 3. (1:25) One who does the will of God will be profited. B. Question #2: Can faith that is not accompanied by works save anyone? C. These 2 questions indicate that there is no profit or salvation found in faith that is not demonstrated by works of obedience. III. (vs.15-16) JAMES ILLUSTRATED THE POINT BEING MADE
A. Suppose a brother or sister needs clothing or food. B. The situation involves a Christian telling this needy person to depart in peace and to be warmed and filled, without supplying those things that are needed. C. There is no profit in this for either person. 1. The one in need has not profited because he is still in need. 2. The other person has not profited because he has not obeyed God's will. 3. This kind of faith: a. was demonstrated by the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-32) b. will be condemned at the judgment (Matthew 25:41-46a). IV. (vs.17) JAMES CONCLUDED BY STATING: "EVEN SO FAITH, IF IT HATH NOT WORKS, IS DEAD, BEING ALONE" Conclusion:
1. James helps us understand what the Lord wants us to know about "faith and works." 2. Let us use caution to avoid misunderstanding the information that Paul presented in Ephesians 2:8-9. a. Paul wrote about "works of merit" that a person would do to earn his salvation. b. Salvation cannot be earned because God gives it through His grace. c. The works that will not save us are mentioned in Romans 3:20, 28. 3. James shows us how faith that pleases God is active and obedient. 4. Abraham's faith is a great illustration (Hebrews 11:8). 5. The man born blind provides another great illustration (John 9:7). 6. Lord willing, this evening we will study James 2:18-26.
