Faith without deeds?

Faith and deeds

James 2:14-26 (NIV)What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? [15] Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. [18] But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. [19] You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that---and shudder. [20] You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? [21] Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. [23] And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. [24] You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. [25] In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? [26] As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Have you ever been in a crowded place and yet it still feels dead?

What about a church full of people but feeling dead?

Things aren't going well

James 1:1-2,6 (NIV)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. [2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [6] But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James asks what real faith look like for us and our church?

The question and the answer.

James 2:14 (NIV)

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

James 2:26 (NIV)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

What does our faith look like?

Jewish religion seemed to be all about "doing" - the deeds that went with it.

But then the disciples said it is more about faith, prayer and relationships.

But ...

James 2:26 (NIV)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

We show our faith by our actions and deeds. Our actions can reveal our faith.

Two examples are given.

Abraham and Rahab the prostitute.

James 2:21-22 (NIV)

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

James 2:25 (NIV)

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

Some people thought that Christian faith is just about faith.

James 2:19 (NIV)

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that---and shudder. 

Christian faith is meant to change lives and society.

What does it look like for us individually?

Faith, Prayer, Action and deeds all go together.

During the week we are called to do the same.

We probably fall into two groups;

We may feel intimidated about living in the world are we focus on prayer and faith.

We may just want to do the practical things and leaving the prayer to the spiritual people.

James 2:26 (NIV)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.