Fearless Faith James 2:14-26
Fearless Faith James 2:14-26
Someone said "Faith is not believing is spite of the evidence, but obeying is spite of the consequence." The tree Hebrew children who were facing the fire of a furnace in the court of Nebuchanezar told the king that regardless of whether God would deliver them or not they refused to worship the idol the king had erected. Regardless of the circumstances the young shepherd boy David went out to do battle against an enemy that had grown men shaking in their sandals. Many people have been put to death for their faith in Christ, but that doesn’t mean they lost the battle of life. They had faith that looked far beyond this present world into a glorious meeting with the God of heaven and earth.
This passage in James 2:14-26 depicts three varieties of faith that is displayed in the world we live in: Dead faith, Demonic faith, and Dynamic faith.
I. Dead Faith
1. People with dead faith substitute words for deeds.
2. People with dead faith know the truth but do not live the truth.
3. People with dead faith like to talk but fail to walk.
II. Demonic Faith
1. People with demonic faith believe in the existence of God.
2. People with demonic faith believe in the deity of Christ.
3. People with demonic faith fail to demonstrate what they say they believe.
III. Dynamic Faith
1. People with dynamic faith base their faith in the Word of God.
2. Their faith leads to action.
3. Their faith leads to life change.
Search your heart:
1. Was there a time that I honestly realized that I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and God?
2. Was there a time when my heart stirred in me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever been seriously exercised over my sins.
3. Do I truly understand the gospel, that Jesus Christ died for my sins and arose again? Do I understand and confess the I cannot save myself?
4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn frm them, or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it, or do I hate sin and fear God?
5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and the Spirit?
6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and week? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord. Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others, or am I ashamed of Him?
8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me?
9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return, or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?
There are degrees of growth and no one is at the same place as someone else, but this inventory can be very helpful in determining how you stand before God.
Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, oh Lord, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way everlasting."
Someone said "Faith is not believing is spite of the evidence, but obeying is spite of the consequence." The tree Hebrew children who were facing the fire of a furnace in the court of Nebuchanezar told the king that regardless of whether God would deliver them or not they refused to worship the idol the king had erected. Regardless of the circumstances the young shepherd boy David went out to do battle against an enemy that had grown men shaking in their sandals. Many people have been put to death for their faith in Christ, but that doesn’t mean they lost the battle of life. They had faith that looked far beyond this present world into a glorious meeting with the God of heaven and earth.
This passage in James 2:14-26 depicts three varieties of faith that is displayed in the world we live in: Dead faith, Demonic faith, and Dynamic faith.
I. Dead Faith
1. People with dead faith substitute words for deeds.
2. People with dead faith know the truth but do not live the truth.
3. People with dead faith like to talk but fail to walk.
II. Demonic Faith
1. People with demonic faith believe in the existence of God.
2. People with demonic faith believe in the deity of Christ.
3. People with demonic faith fail to demonstrate what they say they believe.
III. Dynamic Faith
1. People with dynamic faith base their faith in the Word of God.
2. Their faith leads to action.
3. Their faith leads to life change.
Search your heart:
1. Was there a time that I honestly realized that I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and God?
2. Was there a time when my heart stirred in me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever been seriously exercised over my sins.
3. Do I truly understand the gospel, that Jesus Christ died for my sins and arose again? Do I understand and confess the I cannot save myself?
4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn frm them, or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it, or do I hate sin and fear God?
5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and the Spirit?
6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and week? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord. Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
7. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others, or am I ashamed of Him?
8. Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me?
9. Am I ready for the Lord’s return, or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?
There are degrees of growth and no one is at the same place as someone else, but this inventory can be very helpful in determining how you stand before God.
Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, oh Lord, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way everlasting."
posted by Pastor Al at 4:55 PM
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