How to Have Faith That Works

June 11, 2006
James 2:14-26
Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor

THEME: For relationships with people to be better our relationship with God Must be Genuine. People experience relational pain most often because they aren’t walking with God. Knowing Bible Facts is not enough to save you. Trying hard to be good won’t save you. Saving faith comes from God alone and always results in good works.

I. Dead faith discourages others from real salvation. (v. 14-17)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10

1. Paul emphasizes the priority of faith and James emphasizes the proof of faith.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Mathew 7:21

II. Demonic faith deceives others, but not God. (v 18-19)

“Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Luke 4:34

III. Dynamic faith delivers from sin to a Christ honoring life. (v20-26)

“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6

Genuine Faith Test:
1. I am increasing in my love for Jesus. Yes No
2. I look for opportunities to share Christ. Yes No
3. I yearn for Christian Community. Yes No
4. There is a marked difference in my conduct. Yes No
5. I am interested in kingdom expansion. Yes No

What did God teach me today?