Walk This Way: Live By Faith (James 2:14-26) Billy Russell 10/21/18

Walk This Way

“Live by Faith”

(James 2:14-26)

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18).

 

James challenges us to live by faith. He teaches us that faith is active. Faith looks for ways to express we trust God with our lives. Is what you believe about Jesus visible in how you live?

•  Faith is...
  • ... the only way to please God (Heb.12:6)!
    • “Faith is living like God can be trusted.”
  • ... our confidence in and allegiance to Jesus (expressed in how we live).
  • ... belief in action! (James 2:14)
• Faith Illustrated... How is your faith in Jesus being made visible?
  
  • A brief vignette- someone needs food/clothes (2:15)...
  • Choice: does faith act or not (2:16)?
  • Truth: Faith without action is useless (2:17).
• Faith Works... Evidence that faith works- three case studies (2:18-25):
  • Truth: Faith works- it is seen in action, not inaction (2:18).
  • Case Study #1: demons believe in God & shudder! (2:19)!
    • Belief response: faith acts in obedient trust to God.
  •      Case Studies #2 & #3 (2:20-25)
    • Abraham (Gen.15:6; 22:15-18): by faith he obeyed and trusted the LORD to provide.
    • Rahab (Joshua 2): she trusted the LORD & was spared.
• Faith Lives... faith shows itself by how it lives.
  • “Faith without deeds is dead” (2:26).
  • Will you live by faith? How will your faith be visibly expressed?