HOFC Sermon Archive

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction to the Book of James

2. Trials and Temptation

3. Gaining Wisdom

4. Poverty & Wealth

5. Dealing with Temptation

6. Slow to Anger

7. The Implanted Word

8. Pure & Undefiled Religion

9. Sin of Partiality

10. Dead Faith, Demonic Faith and Saving Faith

INTRODUCTION

Today is Sunday. July 21^st, 2024

Over the last couple of months, we have broken the first chapter of the Book of James down into detailed studies of the trials and temptations we face as believers, how we can persevere through these with the wisdom of God’s word, and count it joy as we endure, knowing that once we do persevere, we will be stronger, more spiritually mature Christians.

We looked at some of the various sins we may face, such as wealth and poverty, the importance of being quick to hear the Word, slow to speak about the Word and slow to get angry about the Word. Last week, we addressed what Scripture says is the pure and undefiled religion, which is action on our part to live out the instruction of God’s Word.

Today, we examine the three types of faith James speaks of in his epistle. Dead faith, Demonic faith, and Saving faith.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

James 2:14-26

“What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; and I have works.

Show me your faith without the works,

and I will show you my faith by my works.”

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”

Faith is essential in your Christian life. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The Christian is saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8). Christians are called to live (or walk) by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). The bible also describes that whatever we do apart from faith as sin (Romans 14:23).

Of the three types of faith James speaks of, only one can save you. So, let’s look at all three for a better understanding.

I. DEAD FAITH (James 2:14-17)

a. Substitutes actual deeds with words (Talk, no action)

i. People who are all talk and no action;

1. Know the correct vocabulary for prayer

2. Know sound doctrine

3. Can even quote scripture correctly

ii. However, their “walk” (deeds, actions) do not measure up to their talk!

b. This is merely an intellectual faith

i. In one’s mind, they “know” the doctrine of salvation

ii. However, they have never submitted themselves to God

iii. They have never trusted in Jesus for salvation

iv. They know the right words, but they do not live those words out with their works, their deeds don’t match doctrine, their actions are not those of faith, but of their own flesh and its desires.

v. They have “dead faith”

c. Can this kind of faith save?

i. NO.

1. Three times in our passage today James emphasizes that “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:17; James 2:20; James 2:26)

ii. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is nothing more than a false declaration.

1. Many claim Christianity, few are actual Christians.

iii. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and those who have it have deceived themselves into a false confidence of eternal life.

iv. You can say the correct words, know the right scripture, and even understand the doctrines of God, but if your walk does not line up with your talk, if your works do not measure up to your words, you have DEAD FAITH, which cannot save you!

II. DEMONIC FAITH (James 2:18-19)

a. Even demons have a type of faith in God, but are not saved

i. They believe in God (no atheist or agnostic demons!)

ii. They believe in the deity of Christ (Mark 3:11-12)

iii. They believe in hell (the Abyss, place of torment) Luke 8:31

iv. They believe Jesus is the Judge! (Matthew 8:28-29)

b. What kind of faith do demons have?

i. The same as the one with dead faith, who only had the intellect of scripture and doctrine, but no submission or good works.

ii. They are also touched in their emotions (they believe and tremble)

iii. Dead faith involves intellect and emotions.

iv. BOTH intellect (knowing Christian vocabulary, doctrine and correct verses), and emotions (feelings, fear, trembling) deceive many into thinking they have salvation, but they are in the same sinking ship as demons with their DEAD FAITH.

c. Does this faith save?

i. NO.

ii. A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred in his heart and still be lost forever!

iii. True saving faith involves something more, something that can be seen and recognized: a changed life! (James 2:18)

“Being” a Christian involves trust and submission to Christ and living for Christ.

You then “receive” life from Christ, and proceed to “reveal” this to the world around you.

How do you know if you have Dead faith, or Demonic faith?

If you JUST believe the right things, and feel the right things, but your service to God never goes beyond intellectually adhering to right doctrines, or never goes beyond emotional experiences while attending service.

James has introduced us to two kinds of faith that can NEVER save: DEAD faith (involving the intellect alone), and DEMONIC faith (involving the intellect and the emotions, but stopping there).

What is the correct faith? What is the faith that saves?

III. SAVING FAITH (James 2:20-26)

a. Saving Faith is based upon the Word of God

i. Romans 10:17 “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

ii. Saving Faith involves the whole of man

1. Dead faith touches intellect

2. Demonic faith involves mind and emotions

3. Saving Faith involves intellect, emotions, and your WILL

a. The mind understands truth

b. The heart desires and rejoices in truth

c. The will acts upon truth

4. True, Saving Faith leads to ACTION

a. Not intellectual contemplation

b. Not emotionalism

c. But obedience in doing good works

b. James illustrates with Abraham and Rahab.

i. Two completely different people!

1. Abraham, father of the Jews; Rahab a Gentile

2. Abraham, a godly man; Rahab, sinful harlot

3. Abraham, friend of God; Rahab, belong to the enemies of God

ii. However, BOTH demonstrated Saving Faith in God!

1. Both, demonstrated by their works (James 2:20-26)

c. What can we learn from today’s verses?

i. Faith without works is dead faith that cannot save you.

ii. Faith “only” cannot justify one (James 2:24).

iii. Perfect faith necessitates works. James 2:22

CONCLUSION

It is important that each professing Christian examine their heart and life, and make sure that they possess true saving faith.

Satan is the great deceiver; one of his devices is imitation. If he can convince a person that counterfeit faith is true faith then he has that person in his power!

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves as we examine our faith:

1. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and confessed to God?

2. Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever been seriously worked up over my sins?

3. Do I truly understand the gospel, that Christ died for MY sins and then rose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself?

4. Did I sincerely repent of my sins, making the decision to turn from them? Do I now hate sin and fear God? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?

5. Have I trusted Christ and Him alone for my salvation by responding to the commands He has given? Have I confessed my faith in Christ and been baptized for the remission of my sins as He and His apostles commanded?

6. Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my good works occasional and weak? 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?

Not every Christian has the same degree of faith; those who have had more time to grow should be stronger in faith

May our prayer be similar to that of the Psalmist's:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." – Psalm 139:23-24

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Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Book of James Part 10: Dead Faith, Demonic Faith and Saving Faith