Community Baptist Church Hastings

Faith and Works 10/25/26
James 2:14-26

Intro: Mat 21:19
A. Background Heb 11:1, Joh 20:29, Eph 2:8-10
1. Faith defined
2. Faith vs Works
3. Faith and Works: two sides of the same coin
B. Not Faith Alone vv14-17
1. By itself, faith does not save
2. Faith without works is dead
C. Works Prove Faith vv18-19 Deu 6:4, Mat 21:19
1. Faith = trust + obedience (or belief plus action)
2. Knowledge is not enough, true faith transforms
D. Faith AND Works: Two Examples vv20-26
1. Abraham and Rahab Gen 22, Jos 2, 2Cor 5:21, Mat 1:5-6
a. Both had faith AND demonstrated it
b. Both faced possible loss of life
c. Both considered righteous/justified
d. Both are ancestors of Christ
2. Why These Two?
a. Could they be any more different?
b. True faith is what matters, regardless of who you are!
E. Faith: with and without works
Faith without
works: cannot save v14 is no good v16

is dead v17,
26

is useless
v20

Faith with
works

demonstrates
faith v18

credits one with
righteousness v21, 23, 25

completes
faith v22

justifies
v24
F. Questions to consider Mat 5:20, Eph 2:10, Luk 9:23
1. Faith: Do I truly have faith, or am I just going through the motions?
2. Works: Am I fulfilling those works God has planned specifically for me?
3. Commitment: What has being a Christian cost me? What price am I willing to pay?