I would, first of all, I would say tonight.
Thank you for being here. This is an awesome crowd and I
Know It Takes a great effort for you to come after a hot day busy
day at work, mother's at home with kids, for have shall
whatever you've engaged in throughout the day.
I know that's a challenge but you show a great interest in
your spiritual life by being here.
You showed great interest in your home congregation by
assembling Here, this crowd is really amazing to me.
I'm very thankful, I'm very proud of you and I pray that our
lesson will be of encouragement to you and will teach a few
things. And at least remind you of
things you've already been taught and that's most likely
the category it will fit in. I would like to say that I've
appreciated the prayers that every service, I did not mention
that last night and I appreciated the prayer last
night, and I brought the door leather one Sunday morning.
Brother Frank tonight and listen, you've got a
Congregation of much talent if I could live and I could preach
like he can pray brother Frank, then I would feel like I've kind
of changed some things and accomplish something that I
really appreciate brother Frank and the prayer that he prayed
tonight was wonderful. The song selection, I love every
song. That is just wonderful.
You know we're having a gospel meeting.
I like to call it Revival because the gospel meeting that
revives of people that encourages us, all I would
assure you. I am encouraged by you.
I promise you, I am encouraged by you.
I don't tell every place that because I'm not encouraged
everywhere I go but I'm encouraged by all of you and
thank you so much for your attendance and your interest.
I noticed I noticed several of you are writing, what is on the
board before we ever started Services now?
And that will help because they will help you be able to follow
more and and fill in some gaps along the way as we make points
throughout our lesson. So I feel very blessed to be
here and I hope you today. Phil as blessed to be a member
of the plans, Road, congregation and Bakersfield, California, as
we all should is a beautiful. Building is great Christians.
Everybody is happy that are hugging each other's neck there,
shaking it Each other's hand, they're smiling each other and
it just a great joy. May God bless each and every one
of you in your service to God almighty As you see on the
board, today, we're going to preach about faith without works
is dead. To get me warmed up for this
lesson today. I said and listen to a guy teach
just opposite of what I'm going to teach today.
I went on YouTube and listen to a guy.
I preached a sermon today about salvation by faith only and he
just ran all over. So many verses of scripture that
he kind of gets me revved up and ready to roll because I want to
defend the truth and I want you to be able to do that.
I promise you today in order to Be an Effective personal worker
for the Lord, in order to convert people to Christ, not
every time, but many time, maybe most time you need to be able to
explain these passages James 2:14 through 26.
It is so important. The title of the lesson is faith
without works, is dead. You receive that and Verse 17
verse 20 and verse 26. Now in James's, second chapter.
And that's where you can turn if you want to in your Bible.
That's what we're going to spend ninety five, ninety nine percent
of our time tonight. As we conclude our lesson, I'm
going to bring a couple of passages in the Lord willing
from The Book of Revelation, but James chapter to the Book of
James is written by James. The brother of Jesus.
Christ. That automatically makes is perk
up and think about we are reading a book that brother of
Jesus Christ wrote and the message.
He's right in here. He's doing so in a very positive
way. Now if your Bible has
subheadings or even at the very top of the page, it very likely
was safe. Faith without works is dead.
Now yours may not but mine does here and this one does As in
your Pew Bible and others that I have looked at, that's what they
say. So it's very common, whether
your version said, the knob, right, a of faith without works
is dead. This is very, very important.
And by the way, this would be probably one of the shortest
lessons that I preach. So your night tonight is not.
I'm not I may be through before 8:30, I may surprise you all.
I may want to grab those minutes later on during the week and use
them then, but tonight. Right.
This is basically a 30-minute lesson.
We're going to focus in on this important.
Truth, to help you help others to be saved, to help you to
understand. And please, if I do not explain
something to your satisfaction to your understanding, if I
leave any room for question, please ask me I want to talk
with you about that. I'll be glad to listen to what
you say because I can learn from you.
As I hope you can learn from me. And together we can help each
other. In our spiritual journey and
James the second chapter. I would.
First of all, like, to read verse 17, 20, and 26.
Now, remember we're looking at the one contest verses 14
through. 26, verse 17, even so faith.
If it has not works is dead being alone.
Verse 20 but we'll go. I know o vain man.
That faith without works is dead.
Verse 26 for as the body. Without the spirit is dead.
Even so faith without works is dead also, you know what I could
do? I could go sit down now say I'm
through. I've already read it to you
three times. And one segment of scripture
that faith without works is dead.
Now, in order to understand this particular segment of scripture,
there's a lot of history that I love to give, but today, I don't
plan to focus. In on that I planted a to focus
in on simply book chapter verse on what is talk.
I don't plan to talk about how people have abused this.
I may mention a couple of points along the way, but I basically
am going to talk with you about what these verses teach.
James is laying forth, the proposition faith without works
is dead and James 2:14 through 26.
He's going to explain that and here's how He's going to do it,
he's going to ask seven questions and these passages.
He's going to give five illustrations and this passage.
So therefore, And these 13 verses of scripture count.
In verse 14, kind of verse 26, you have your 13 verses with
these seven questions. And these five illustration is a
pretty unique presentation. He is defending a proposition
that you have to have faith, but your faith need me.
Put into action words. Deeds conduct a needs to have
works. To show your faith.
Now, I'm going to read these verses, by the way, they seven
question. I haven't number one through
seven, they'd assembly where you find each of the seven
questions. So, in your Bible, if you have
your personal Bible here, you might and if you right in your
Bible, you might underlie, the questions are highlighted,
however, you like to do. And you might do the same with
the illustration because many people that you talk to
Religious world, they're good people.
They're nice people. They have been misled because
they've been taught wrong. You can show forth the word of
God that faith is important. Works is important, and faith
without works is dead. I want to tell you today,
there's zero tolerance for Faith, only zero tolerance for
that. There are many verses of
scripture and that's one of the gentlemen did today on YouTube
that I was watching him. He gave verse after verse after
verse and said you saved by faith.
You're saved by faith. What sure there are many verses
teacher Saved By Faith, but not a one of them said Faith.
Only knots, one single one. The only time Faith, only a
would be right here in our text when it says not by faith only
so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to really understand
that. And another zero tolerance is to
hear people say Works has nothing whatever to do with your
salvation Works. Has nothing to do with your
salvation that is dead wrong. And I can remember all through
my years of preaching, a variety of people saying that men and
women young and old and the religious discussion on and on
that words has nothing to do with it.
And people have tried to modify it to twister to turn it and it
said differently. But the bottom line.
Anytime anybody says faith only is all you need your worst.
Do not matter. That person is, maybe honestly
misled, but misled Said, you need to know these verses and
I've outlined this in a way that helped me to understand it.
I use this very outline numerous of times and bible studies with
people. And once people can see the
truth of James 2:14 through 26, then they understand.
I've got to do something. What I do does matter, can you
imagine being tall, what you do? Doesn't matter your work?
Doesn't matter. And that's just amazing to me
that anybody would think Jesus came and died at Calvary and
nothing. You do that matters.
That is ridiculous. James hit it head-on.
And here it comes, the brother of Our Lord writes, these words,
we begin. Now a verse 14, will you please
notice? This is question.
Number one, and question number 2 and verse 14 right off the
bat. I mean, he didn't warm up.
He just now Heard it right tight and verse 14.
Why does it profit my brethren though?
A man may say he has faith and have not worked.
Can Faith, save him. You've got to question right
here. He's at first of all, what does
it profit? You're going to see that again
throughout this right, adhesive? What does it profit?
If you have faith, you don't have Works.
He said, can that kind of Faith save you?
That's a good question. Can Faith save?
You can that kind of faith faith that works by itself and no
words. Can that Faith save you?
James is driving the point home immediately.
Drawing everybody's attention to his writing that kind of faith
will not do anything for you. It will not save you.
He said can Faith. That is that kind of faith
faith? That has no words.
Can not Faith to save you. Look at verse 15, please.
If a brother or sister, be naked and destitute of daily food.
And one of you say unto them, Them depart in peace, be warmed
and filled notwithstanding, you shouldn't you give them not
those things that are needed for the body.
Here's the third question and this is your first illustration,
What doth it profit. Notice what he said here, what
does it profit and verse 16? This is your case of
benevolence. Somebody comes up to you a
brother or sister That is in Christ, a fellow Christian comes
up to you and they tell you they're destitute of daily food.
And you say, I hope you have a great day.
We'll see you later and you can walk away.
Your faith has not been put into practice a brother or sister
needed you. They needed your help.
He said for brother or sister comes to you and they're
destitute of daily food and you know, more or less wish them
well and you do nothing to ease their moment of this discomfort
and their difficulty that is wrong.
That's illustration. He gave, you know what?
I can relate to that, you can relate to that there have been
times perhaps in your life. You've needed somebody to help
you or you've helped somebody who needed your help.
And it's a we help each other today, I want to help you
tomorrow. I may need your help for you to
lift me up. What does it what we're dealing
with here? This case of the Netherlands and
verse 15. And as he illustrates his
question and verse 16, he drives his point home.
He said, I don't know what is it profit for you to say?
Well, I hope the best for you and you just walk away and do
nothing. There are some very serious
problem with that type of Christianity.
The fact of the matter is there the lack of spirituality of your
Christianity. If we act this way whenever I
say you, by the way, it's in me. It's me, it's me.
And you both, it's all of us. We working together to learn.
God's will to learn God's way. All right.
Miss stay on was over 17. Even so faith, if it has not
worked, This is dead being alone.
Listen verse 17 is so powerful. That's what James is driving at
and all 13 of these verses. He said I want you to know faith
without works is dead. That is what he's preaching,
that's why he's promoting he laid that out.
Her 17 verse 20 and verse 26. He gave you last, raishin, he
gave question. So everybody would know.
When you put say, I've got faith in, you don't do, show your
words that Faith to of the. Do you any good?
That's why I keep saying. Why does it profit?
What does it gain, you? What are you accomplishing?
Okay, here it is. Everybody I've got faith.
Is that convincing? I got faith?
You don't say anything. Don't do anything.
I got it. You know, faith without works is
dead James, you exactly what he said.
So therefore you understand, we need to put our faith into
action. We will help ourselves
spiritually will have the one we're reaching out to will help
her home. Congregation have a brighter
light before this community. We're showing people what
Christianity is all about. Putting your faith into
practice. Stay with me, please.
Let's look at Verse 18. Yay!
A man may say thou Hast faith, I have worked show.
Me, thy faith, without thy words, I'll show them my faith
by my works, I want to pause, there he is.
Driving this home in a very unique way.
He's an okay, you got faith. I've got faith.
You show me your faith without your works.
I show you my faith by my works. He's driving to this point.
Holman I could have easily put diverse right here too.
What he's doing here is showing the importance of both faith and
works know if no hands and no box.
This is wonderful than teaching were receiving right here from
word of God, verse 19. This is another case of the
illustration of the devil right here, verse 19.
Now I believe there is one God thou doest.
Well, the devil also believed and trembled The devil also,
believe and tremble. If you're saved by faith, One of
the devil saved. He had faith.
James said the devil also believed in tremble.
You know, really. You can read that verse and say,
okay, case and point proven, James show that to be a very
valuable case. It is also interesting to watch,
people read these verses and try to break them apart and say,
Really, they don't mean what they say that.
Preach, I listen to on YouTube this afternoon, as I listened to
him. As if this is going to be
interesting, what's he going to say about that?
He did. I know what it says but it
doesn't mean what it says. I thought, excuse me.
Am I going to believe you tonight?
I don't even know where my going to leave the word of God for
what it really says, and what it really means.
I promise you. One thing, the Bible says what
it means, and means what it says, and the Bible didn't
inspired book of God. God Almighty, he looks at the
word of God, he inspired the word of God.
It means what it says. Okay.
Well let's read on now. Let's take a look at verse 20
but with I know o vain man. Here comes another question by
the way. It's question number four but
we'll do. I know o vain man?
That faith without works is dead.
I don't want to be repetitious in this lesson but we are
driving the prove the proposition that the writer
James had in mind. And in verse 20 he said it
again, faith without works is dead.
Said, you know, today we are not first greater than there.
Might be some virtue phrases here but by enlarge none of us
have heard screams. Okay, we can understand what
this first means and all these other verses they are wonderful
passages and we can help save people's Souls by knowing how to
explain this. This has been very helpful to me
and studying the Bible with people when they have a
background of denominationalism, they've had the background of
salvation by faith alone. They've had the background of
your them. No matter what you do it doesn't
matter. And only known these verses
right here. Have helped.
They've helped tremendously. Okay, let's continue.
I mean, James is on a roll here and here he goes again and verse
21. What Not Abraham, Our Father
justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the
altar. That's question.
Number 5. Question number six in the next
verse, see the end how Faith wrought with his works and by
works and Faith made perfect. Now take a look at that, he
reaches back to an illustration of Abraham that great story.
And at this part of the lesson, you know, I'm always tempted,
run back and tell you the The whole story of Abraham and Isaac
but you know what, I don't do that.
I love the story of Abraham and Isaac, I studied it just last
week before coming here and getting ready for this meeting
but you know what? James didn't, he didn't go back
and rehash whole story. These people knew about Abraham
and Isaac and I know most of you know about Abraham and Isaac
maybe every one of you know about it.
But God told Abraham to offer up, Isaac his son that was very
difficult and trying time that a lot of interesting moments here
are unfolded but what James did he use that illustration of
Abraham? Been told offer up his son,
Isaac. As foot in faith into action.
God told Abraham. What to do, Abraham, didn't
understand all about it but what he did do is exactly what the
father said to do. Oh, and B2B hard, it'd be
terrible to be put in that position.
We know how the story ends and it is by God's name, be
glorified and it is so fabulous. Well, you see when you look at
these verses here and verse 21 and 22, when you look at these
two questions and you look at that illustration, you can see
how it is that James. The brother of Our Lord is that
a straight in that you've got to put your faith into action?
Your faith without works is dead.
You can have faith all day long but if you Don't have the work.
Should support that faith. It will accomplish you.
Nothing. Please understand that.
That's the reason we should not let days turn into weeks and
weeks, turn into months and we are really doing nothing for the
kingdom. The kingdom of God, the church.
The spiritual family. We aren't involved in other
people's lives. We're not trying to help other
people. We've got to put our faith into
action. We've got to do that.
Alright, let's read again. Please.
We're back. Still James to and we were stay
there. In verse 23.
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith Abraham believed
God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was
called the friend of god. Wow, Abraham.
The friend of God, I want you to remember that Abraham.
The friend of God, because in just a moment.
We want to go to re have a hornet.
In contrast to Abraham the friend of God.
So it goes from one extreme of the friend of God Abraham to
Rahab an immoral woman to prove the faith without works is dead.
What an extreme is kind of like the difference between day and
night as far as you can. Imagine a man Abraham quality
and seasoned veteran doing what God Said to a woman who's
immoral. But he used her to prove the
same point that he used Abraham for James is driving this point
home. My friend of this is 2000 years
ago. We've got it today and it's just
as effective today. As it was then oh believe me,
there have been many people to try to disassemble change to 14
through 26. There's some time than a Bible
study. Someone has their Bible and
their Translation of choice. And I region as a constant here
translation for a minute. I look at it yet, it's there.
Okay. Now I want us to read those
verses. I want you to read that to me,
please. And and we were, I listened
carefully and I follow my Bible and they reading their Bible and
their translation of choice, whatever it is, they're choose
and I'll make sure that they're lining up good and most of them
do, I've never had one real of the, didn't they lined up very
well? And I said, let's figure this
out. Why does James saying?
And you know what? And just a very few minutes in
less than an hour of a person's home, study setting across the
kitchen table setting, the comfortable, living room are
just setting and visit with them wherever we may be.
It is so wonderful to let the word of God speak and let us
learn. It is amazing T.
My friend is not going to be hard now.
I know many of you have friends and neighbors that you really
want to reach out to but you feel maybe in Inadequate, you
feel inexperienced. I know that how that is, because
we all feel that way at times about certain topics.
You've got rather in here. That's very, very season.
They can help you but also the more you do it.
The better. You get.
And getting to know James to do. The very important principle to
help you be more successful than what you've ever thought
possible. Okay, let's read on.
Please James the second chapter verse 24 He see then how that by
works. A man is Justified not by faith
only. Now, you know what, I'm going to
say not by faith, only the only time you have read you reading,
your Bible. Faith only is right here and
James the second chapter. And they said by warts by worse,
a man is Justified not by faith. Only.
We get the majority of the religious denomination groups
religions X y&z whoever you want a name?
Majority of them. Will I want to teach you Faith.
Don't they don't that's what this guy did today, Faith,
Thomas Faith, only Words has nothing to do with it.
You don't have to do one thing that is ridiculous.
You cannot read this first right here and draw any conclusion,
verse 24, then Faith only does not save but your words is
important to let me read it again please.
You see? Then how that by works a man is
Justified and not by faith only. Now let's bring in another
illustration. Likewise also was not Rahab the
Harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and
sent them out another way. Again, just like with Abraham
and Isaac. I'm really tempted to go over
and tell you all about Rahab the Harlot but you know, James
didn't. So I'm not going to He just used
an Old Testament occurrence that these people knew about, and you
know about rehab, you know about Abraham, you know, about these
illustrations that he's using and you can relate to that, and
he's using it to show that faith without works is dead.
He said again likewise in the same manner as Abraham was, was
not Rahab the Harlot justified by works.
What's more? He used that term justified by
works. It is amazing to me how people
can stand in front of an intelligent audience.
And say, words has nothing to do with your salvation when you
look at James to and it said you're just fine my words and
when we get to the conclusion of the lesson and we read those two
passages and Revelation, you're going to see how important it
works hard. I want to tell you right now,
it's time for inventory of our lives and to make sure that we
look at our life. Really good.
I want us to look. It ourself like God looks at us.
I want us to be that open and that honest that we look at our
self like God, does he sees everything about us?
Don't you? Look at yourself like you.
Look at others, you know. It's amazing to me how people
look at others and they find very critical things.
Sometime to say. They lick themselves and they
minimize their shortcomings. Just listen to people.
Father. Forgive those who sin against
us, listen to the prayers, father, forgive those who sin
against us, and please forgive me of my weaknesses and
shortcomings listen for that. Hatred all over the country.
Those who do me wrong, they sin. But when it's me, it's a
weakness. It's a shortcoming.
It is amazing. Maybe it's part of humanity, I
don't know, but tell you what, we need to understand our sin is
just as bad as in that Skies. Don't minimize your own.
Just get rid of him and God has showed us how don't try to
manipulate God. You're not going to win, don't
go up against God. You're going to lose.
That's what's going to happen. We will lose Let's just accept
God's Will and I've got so many other lessons that I want to
preach throughout this week that I'm not get to them all and I'm
going to wish I did, but I'm not be able to.
But I want to show you the love of God.
And what he did help you go to heaven and learning this truth
right here, will help everybody know that your name is written
in the Lamb's Book of Life. Your name is written in heaven.
All right, let's take another look here.
Verse 25 with your seventh. Question, number 2, verse 26.
Now the last verse of this reading for as the body without
the spirit is dead, even so faith without works is dead.
Also here's the last illustration given in verse 26,
he uses your physical body, your body.
Without the spirit is dead, he uses that to equate, faith
without works is dead. Dead.
When your body loses its spirit, it's dead body.
When your faith has no word is dead.
Faith. We today will not be saved with
the dead faith. We will be saved with a living
working, active faith. This should motivate us to do
more than what we have been doing.
He should motivate us to get more involved in our spiritual
growth and helping other people to grow.
You know, the more you can reach other people by God's word and
reading the word of God. He just means tremendous amount.
Well, faith without works is dead, has been proven by James,
the brother of Our Lord chapter 2, 14 to 26, in order to prove
that he has seven questions, and he addressed it very directly,
he gave us five illustrations and then in conclusion tonight,
Revelation 14 and verse 13. There are many verses that we
could go to right here. I've just chosen to but the last
book of the New Testament book of Revelation The 14th chapter
verse 13, blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord.
They shall rest from their labors and their Works.
Do follow them there. What their Works do, follow
them. You know what, that shows Works
matters, even after you die your words, We'll follow you.
Oh let's go to another passage Revelation, 20 and verse 12.
Oh this this passage here, it will wake you up.
It's amazing. John.
Who's writing the Great Book of Revelation said, I saw the dead
small and great stand before God and the bunch was opened.
And another book was opened which is The Book of Life.
Notice what he said, Revelation 20:12 and the dead were judged
out of those things written in the books.
According to their words, Do not Overlook Revelation, 14:13
Revelation 20:12. I do you discuss the points of
James 2? Remember the passages of
scripture said and the final day, even after you die, your
words are going to follow you. And the final day, the votes
will be open and another book was opened which is a bunch of
lies and you want your name that book of life and you're going to
be judged by your works. Dear friends, we want to go to
heaven, all of us want to and This Magnificent crowd.
Every one of you. We've got something in common.
We all want to go to heaven. We want our name in the Lamb's
Book of Life. We want to be saved, and the way
to know that you're saved, putting your faith into action,
your faith by itself, will not take you there.
Your faith and works and combined together.
Will I ask you today, please consider where you are
spiritually it? If you're right and ready to
meet your maker, God bless you. God bless you in every way.
But, if you've got sin in your life, there's two ways you need
to go about getting forgiveness of that.
If you never obey the gospel and baptism, that have a baptistery
here, they can fill up in 15 minutes.
You've heard the word of God. Believe that word repent of your
sins confess, a beautiful name of the Lord Jesus Christ be
buried in baptism to wash away your sins, for the remission of
sins. And the Lord will allow you to
the church. Your name will be written in the
Lamb's Book of Life. Wow, that's amazing.
If you've never been baptized the way according to scripture,
you need to be if you have, but you've had a spiritual Challenge
and difficulty Maybe plenty of them.
You need to repent of your sins and confess your faults.
Make a change in your life confess.
I have sinned don't beat around the bush.
I have sinned, don't go blamin. Anybody say I have sinned that's
how that prodigal son didn't look 15 when he decided he
wanted to go back home and said father I have sinned We need to
own up to it when we do wrong and then the Bible says confess
your faults one to another and pray one for another.
We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the
Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. Road in Bakersfield, if you
would like any additional information or you would like to
receive a free Bible correspondence, course by mail.
Please email us at info at True Church of Christ
Bakersfield.com. Our service times are on Sundays
at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Please make plans to join us. We would love for you to be our
honored guest.