WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.519 Well turn with me this morning in your Bibles to James chapter 2. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:08.880 We've been in Genesis looking at Abraham. 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:14.800 We started by looking at the walk of faith. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:18.559 Then we went to the war of faith. 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:24.079 And then last week we looked at how to wait by faith. 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:26.079 And I think that got us all. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:29.679 Because there's very few of us in here that are really patient. 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:31.359 Can I get an amen? 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:37.520 In fact, we live in a whole generation now that they don't even know what the word patience is. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:46.000 I mean, I we get a phone, and before the end of the year, we want the new phone because it's faster. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:53.439 We get a computer and by the next year we want another computer because it's faster. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:59.679 Because, and why do we want it because why do we want a faster uh instrument? 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:02.719 Because we want it now. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:05.040 We're not patient. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:09.200 Yeah, we need a new printer because mine has to rest. 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.799 It won't print when I hit print. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:15.439 I thought I was with Susan yesterday. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:19.920 I was wanting to print out my message after I'd finished working on it all week. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:23.120 And I hit print and it said disconnected. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:27.760 And I looked and I said, No, it's not disconnected. 00:01:27.920 --> 00:01:29.200 We have not disconnected it. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.599 So Susan said, Well, turn it on, turn it off. 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:33.200 So I turned it on. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:35.680 I mean it turned it off, then turned it back on. 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:40.719 Looked at my little bar, it said, not connected. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:43.599 I said, offline. 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:45.920 Well, that means not connected. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:48.560 All right. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:49.599 Offline. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:53.120 So she said, well, it needs to rest. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:58.000 And I laughed inside. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:01:59.760 I didn't laugh outwardly. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:02.079 But I was thinking it. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:14.159 And so I just went and made me some coffee, got me a snack, came back, and tried it and hit the little bar again, and it said, online. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:16.400 And it printed. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:21.759 I thought to myself, this thing, hey, is weird. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:28.319 I thought to myself, yeah, Satan's in this thing, but that's okay. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:33.039 So, today, work by faith. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:43.360 And we're going to James chapter 2 because James chapter 2 gives us the greatest two examples of biblical true working faith. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:51.919 Two examples, one being Abraham that we've been looking at, and the other Rahab the harlot. 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:59.280 And you remember that Rahab is in the lineage of Jesus, which makes it so beautiful. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:11.680 So the last paragraph in James chapter 2, verses 14 through 26 deals with you show me your faith, I'll show you my works. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:15.840 If I show you my works, you'll show me your faith. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.879 And so we're going to be looking at what true working faith is. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:26.240 Because faith is a key doctrine in the Christian life. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:32.560 In fact, we know, we said, the sinner is saved by faith. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:36.240 For by grace are you saved through faith, not of yourself. 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:40.080 It is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:41.919 Ephesians 2.8 and 9. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:51.599 But don't ever quote Ephesians 2.8 and 9 without verse 10, which says, For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:58.400 Now watch, unto good works which God has before ordained. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:05.199 In other words, to me, you take those three verses and you see a connection that cannot be separated. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:12.000 That is, you cannot separate faith from works or works from true biblical faith. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:14.879 And that's what we're going to prove this morning. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:16.079 It can't be done. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:19.920 And then secondly, we walk by faith. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:24.879 For by, hey, 2 Corinthians 5, 7, for we walk by faith and not by sight. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:29.439 And then thirdly, without faith, it is impossible to please God. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:32.319 Hebrews 11, 6 says that. 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:42.079 And then we see in Romans 14, 23, whatsoever we do apart from faith is sin. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:50.800 So would you not agree with me that faith is a very important doctrine of the Christian faith. 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:52.079 Amen? 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:55.040 In fact, it's the most important. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:56.480 It really is. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:58.800 So what is true? 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:06.959 Because again, you can't separate faith and works. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:08.800 Not true biblical faith. 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:09.759 Can't do it. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:21.040 So with that said, someone has said, and you might want to write this down, that faith is not, faith is not believing in spite of evidence. 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:27.920 But obeying in spite of consequences. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:28.879 Now that's good. 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:30.000 I'm going to say it again. 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:31.040 Very important. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:40.319 Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequences. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:43.680 And that's what Hebrews 11.1 really is. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:48.240 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:06:07.600 So with that said, it's very important that when you read Hebrews chapter 11, which we call the Hall of Fame chapter for those great patriarchs, we meet men and women who acted on God's word no matter what the price they had to pay. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:17.120 Faith is not some kind of nubiless feeling that a lot of times we see that we work up. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:20.800 I've had people say, Whoo, man, I can't wait tonight. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:22.000 You got to work it up. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:23.279 We got to work it up. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:24.399 Well, I'm going to tell you something. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:28.480 True faith, you don't have to work up because true faith works out. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.519 It works out in you. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:37.040 So, as we look in this passage, it's powerful. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.319 This is so good. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:49.920 Faith is confidence in God's word, that God's word is true and conviction that acting on that word will bring his blessings. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:52.079 I love what he says. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:54.000 Faith cometh by hearing. 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:54.639 And what? 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:56.000 You know it's according with me. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:57.519 And hearing by the word of God. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:59.040 Romans 10, 17. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:07.920 And then he says, if you're willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the lamb, but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.240 Isaiah 1, 19 and 20. 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:12.079 So again, we see the importance. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:18.720 So in this paragraph, James discusses the relationship between faith and works. 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:26.000 And this is an important discussion because if we're wrong in this matter, we jeopardize our eternal salvation. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:27.360 Would you not agree? 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:29.199 It's very important. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:32.160 So what kind of faith really saves a person? 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:33.600 That's the question. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:39.120 Is it necessary to perform good works in order to be saved? 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.800 That's a good question. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:43.839 That's a question I get often asked. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:51.040 How can a person tell whether or not he is exercising true saving faith? 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:57.279 Well, Jesus answers those questions in this passage of scripture. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:00.720 And he answers it with three types of faith. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:08.800 First, we're going to look at the first faith that's exhibited in this passage. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:16.000 And it's called, if you're taking notes, and does everyone have an outline, a worship guide? 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:16.959 Everybody have one? 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:17.680 Okay, good. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:18.319 Here we go. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:19.040 Ready? 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:26.720 So the first faith that you and I are going to look at this morning is called dead faith. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.519 Dead faith. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:34.240 And it's in verses 14 through 17. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:38.960 Read with me in chapter 2, 14 through 17. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:50.000 And it says, James says, What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and hath not works, can faith save him? 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:56.159 In other words, he's asking, basically, can you have a faith that has no works and be saved? 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:58.399 That's the way, that's the question. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:00.159 All right, look at the next verse. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:01.360 Verse 15. 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:12.240 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, now look at the context here. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:17.759 For one of you that say, Depart in peace. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:37.519 Now the context is, after the question's been asked, can a person that really does not exhibit any kind of works, but all he believes in, he's got a faith that he believes in, you know, God or Jesus, but he doesn't have any kind of outward evidences of that salvation. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:40.720 What he's saying here is, can he really be saved? 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.639 And then he doesn't say yes or no. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:44.720 He then just gives an example. 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:46.000 Powerful. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:10:03.600 And so the example is, like we're here today, if someone walks in, they're hungry, they have, hey, they need clothing, they need food, they need help, and then that person that says he believes turns around and says, Oh, we're glad you're here. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:04.240 Welcome. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:05.360 God bless you. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:11.759 And as they leave, he says, Oh, and by the way, be happy, be good, and be well. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:17.200 And they do nothing to meet that need. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.240 Now, if you leave here hungry, it's your fault. 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:23.440 My goodness. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:28.000 You can't walk in this doors without getting something to eat. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.960 And somebody said, Why do you want to feed everybody? 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.879 I said, Because I'm hungry. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:35.440 Amen. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.720 I'm hungry. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:42.720 No, because every time you see Jesus with people, most of the time he feeds them. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:44.320 Why? 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:48.159 Because that, hey, people need food. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:49.679 They need nourishment. 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:51.200 They need clothing. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.960 They need the basic needs. 00:10:53.039 --> 00:11:03.279 And so what Jesus is saying right here, if you see a person that has is in need of basic needs and you don't meet them, and you say you're a believer, something's wrong. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.799 Are you with me, church? 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:10.639 That's exactly what he is saying. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:19.120 Now, even in the early church, there were those who claimed they had saving faith, yet they did not possess salvation. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:22.159 Listen, it's very important you understand this. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:27.039 Whether, remember this, where there's always truth. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.360 Thank God for a church that stands on truth. 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:30.480 Can I get an amen? 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.559 That's one of our key core values. 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:42.559 And in January, that's what I'm going to open up with the new, first of all, the first Sunday in January, we're going to have a beautiful Lord's Supper and prayer time, and I'm going to preach on the Lord's Supper. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:47.360 But then after that, I'm going to start a series on our core values in this church. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:53.600 I want us to know what we believe, why we believe it, and why what this church is built on. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:12:04.320 But with that said, it's so important that we understand that where there is truth, there's always counter-truth. 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:08.559 Satan is an angel of light. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:16.320 He takes false truth and tries to make it so much like real truth that you believe it. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:23.279 So we see Jesus said, I think I have this scripture up here. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.000 It's the outline. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:26.320 Is that not working either, Jason? 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:29.759 I think we got all kind of stuff going on with her. 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:37.519 But in in uh we see in Matthew chapter 7, verse 21, Jesus, listen to what Jesus said. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:44.320 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God. 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:45.519 Wow, thank you. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:45.919 Good. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:52.960 It is a not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter in the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:56.000 And what is the will of the Father? 00:12:56.159 --> 00:13:04.960 For you and me to walk by faith, war by faith, wait by faith, and work by faith. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:08.399 That's his will for our life. 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:11.679 And so it's important that we understand that. 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:14.080 So your letter A in your outline. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:20.960 People with dead faith substitute words for deeds. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:25.360 They substitute words for deeds. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:30.639 They say the right thing, but there's no action. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:34.720 In other words, I call it this. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:42.960 They are professors of Christianity, but not possessors of Christianity. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.240 There's a difference. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.399 You can profess it and not possess it. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.440 Can I get an amen? 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.519 You can. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.679 You really can. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:56.799 So we see people with dead faith substitute words for deeds. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.799 They know all the right vocabulary. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:08.000 In fact, I can tell you who was one of the best examples for this illustration is my youngest daughter, Stephanie. 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:12.639 Stephanie, for years, she could quote the scriptures better than anyone. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.159 She knew the lingo. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:19.200 Her dad was not only a preacher, he was the dean of the seminary. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:24.320 She was brought up having daily devotions, memorizing scripture weekly. 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:28.159 Oh, she was definitely a professor. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:33.440 But Stephanie didn't get saved till almost she was graduating from college. 00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:38.159 Oh, she could snooze you real easily. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:44.320 But her heart was as far from God as anything. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.000 And her actions, too. 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:49.200 She only acted right when she was around me. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:53.679 She knew I would pray for her and kill her. 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.320 Not really. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.840 But anyway, here we go. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:01.279 Look what James does. 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.840 He gives a simple illustration here. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:06.000 A simple illustration. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:08.480 And food and raiment, let us be content. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.919 I mean, the basics. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:16.720 As believers, here we go, we have an obligation to help meet the needs of people no matter who they may be. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.799 Look at Galatians 6.10. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:20.559 And it should pop up there. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:23.360 As we have opportunity. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:29.360 Listen, church, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.559 Now watch. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:35.840 Then he goes on and says, but especially those of the household of faith. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.200 That's us. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.399 Let me tell you, that's why you want to be a part of a church. 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:42.480 That's why you want to be a part of a church. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.840 This is your family. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:46.559 Family takes care of each other. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:58.080 And it's our obligation as a church, family, is to take care of our family, to work together when there's a need. 00:15:58.559 --> 00:16:02.000 And so it's so important that we understand that. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.200 It really is. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:05.519 In fact, Jesus knew that. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:08.799 Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 6, 31 and 32. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:18.320 Therefore, take no thought, say in what you shall eat, or what shall you drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed, for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.639 He knows what we need, the basics. 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:23.360 And guess who he uses to meet those needs? 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.320 Us. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:32.639 Galatians 6, 2, bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.879 What a beautiful picture. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:40.960 Inasmuch as ye have done it, Jesus said unto the least of these, my brethren, watch. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.159 You've done it unto me. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:47.519 Do you realize when we take care of people, it's like we're doing it to Jesus? 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:56.480 Now I don't know about you, but I think if you really understand that truth, that's going to change your attitude about helping people. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:59.360 You're not just helping me. 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:02.159 You're, hey, you're helping Jesus. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.720 Why? 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:11.519 Because that's Jesus' will for the church's life, and the church's purpose is to meet people's needs. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:16.640 That's why they fed people, usually before they gave them the gospel. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:19.200 Or they did it together. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:22.160 And that's why they fed Christians. 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:26.480 Every time you see him with the disciples, he's going to feed them. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:30.000 Man, that's good. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.599 Boy, that's good. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:38.880 To help a person in need is an expression of love and faith works by love. 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.759 Do you understand that? 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:43.839 Galatians 5 6 says, faith works by love. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.000 I love the way John put it. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:51.599 He says, if anyone has material possessions, I think we have this verse, 1 John 3, 17, 18. 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:58.000 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can he love? 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:01.039 Hey, how can the love of God be in him? 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.160 Wow. 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:08.720 And then he goes on, verse 18, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:14.079 How can you say you love someone and not help them? 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:23.440 And that's the exact example that James gives in those verses in 15 and 16 and 17. 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:27.119 So we see a powerful, powerful truth here. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.480 We really do. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:32.799 I got to thinking about the priest and the Levite. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:35.920 Remember them in Luke 10? 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:41.279 Remember the story? 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:48.640 The priest and the Levite are walking, going to a conference. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.319 And you know what? 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:56.160 I'm sure they're going to a conference to preach on how the church ought to reach its community. 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.119 And guess what? 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:06.640 All of a sudden they're walking along and they see somebody on the side of the road, beaten, bleeding. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:11.759 And he happens to be a Samaritan. 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.000 Not a Jew. 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:18.480 People always ask the question if he had been a Jew, you think they would have stopped. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.519 I don't know. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:23.519 My question was, how do they know that he was a Samaritan? 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.759 It shouldn't have mattered. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.400 It shouldn't have mattered. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:39.279 But here they are walking to a conference to defend their faith, but yet they pass the opportunity to demonstrate their faith. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.119 So what would I call that? 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.079 You ready? 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:45.279 Here's the test. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:47.519 What kind of faith would you call that? 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.559 Dead. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:50.000 You got it. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.599 Dead faith. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.119 Dead faith. 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:57.279 That's what you'd call it. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:03.440 Each of them would have defended it, but they would not demonstrate it. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.720 Alright, should. 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:07.519 Fact, James 2.14 should read. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:10.720 Can that kind of faith save him? 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.000 No. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.119 What kind? 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:16.319 The kind of faith that is never seen in practical works. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:18.319 The answer is no. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:29.920 And then I wrote this to myself any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false decision. 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:32.720 It's a false declaration. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:35.279 That kind of faith is dead faith. 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:43.279 Even so, faith, if it look at verse 17, has not works is dead being alone. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:46.640 Listen to the great theologian John Calvin. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:49.440 I love to read Calvin's works. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.680 And listen to what he says. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:54.400 It is faith alone that justifies. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.759 I agree with that. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:21:03.920 But then he added, it is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:10.400 Faith that justifies can never be alone. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:14.240 In other words, let me tell you how Jesus put it in Matthew 7.1. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:19.839 You shall know them by the fruits that they bear. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.960 Jesus is agreeing, he's calling. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.440 Look at B. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:38.079 So A, we see how important it is that people with dead faith substitute words for deeds, but look at the second part. 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:43.920 Dead faith has only an intellectual experience. 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:53.920 In that person's mind, he knows the doctrine of salvation. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:56.240 For by grace are you saved through faith. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.440 He knows that. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.759 He knows that Jesus. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.839 Died on the cross. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:04.640 He was buried, then he rose again the third day. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.000 He knows that. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:11.759 He really understands that. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:15.119 It's intellectual, but he does. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:23.039 And he realizes that what it says, that he was buried, that it rose the third day, and now he's seated at the right hand of God the Father, ready to be our what? 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.160 Mediator. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:26.240 They all they know that. 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.440 It's intellectual. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:30.319 They understand that part. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:33.279 Now watch this. 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:40.880 Knows the right words, but he does not back up those words that knowledge with works. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:46.400 Faith in Christ brings life. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:51.440 Where there is life, there must be growth and fruit. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.799 Has to be. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.160 Has to be. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:23:00.960 Three times in this paragraph, James writes, faith without works is dead. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:03.680 Verse 17, verse 20, and verse 26. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:07.759 So we have to beware of mere intellectual faith. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:13.519 No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same, not true biblical faith. 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.720 You cannot. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:18.640 Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, say it with me. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.079 He's a new creation. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.519 Old things have passed away. 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.440 Behold, all things have become new. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.559 And it's pretty evident. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:31.119 The old way, the sinful ways of living are past, and the good works, the new works, are evident. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.079 Colossians 3 12. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.880 Absolutely. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.079 All over. 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.119 Yes. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.160 That's it. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.079 So we see right here. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:45.440 It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:48.720 The word alone there simply means by itself. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.920 True saving faith can never be by itself. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:56.960 It always brings life and re and life always produces good works. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.880 Always. 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.480 Man, that's good. 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:03.200 So look at the second thing about dead faith. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:09.119 The person with dead faith has, as I said, an only intellectual experience. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:13.039 But now notice this dead faith is not saving faith. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:19.359 Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls a person into a false confidence of eternal life. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:25.680 There's people right here today in the church today that believe because they've made a profession. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:29.599 Okay, been even baptized. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.240 Okay? 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.960 That they're saved. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:37.119 Can I say the profession doesn't save you? 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:40.319 Can I say the baptism doesn't save you? 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:44.559 It's your heart changing. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:48.480 In fact, you're going to see with Rahab, her heart melted. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:51.359 The scripture says in Joshua 2. 00:24:51.680 --> 00:25:05.759 Woo! It's a change of heart, which is evident by a change of life, which is evident by change of works, which is evident by change of attitude, which is evident by a change of action. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:13.119 Woo! It changes you want to. 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:16.400 Somebody said, Well, you you claim you can do anything you want to. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:16.960 I can. 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.720 The problem is I don't want to. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.720 Because I'm a new creation. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.559 Hello? 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:27.200 I'm not a robot after I get saved. 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:29.039 Okay, I'll never lust again. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.640 I'll never have bad thoughts again. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:33.440 I'm saved, and I'm a sanctified robot. 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:39.519 I wish it was that easy. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:42.079 I've been praying through. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:49.359 We go into the altar and pray you through, and then when you pray through, you're sanctified, saved, sanctified, and I'm going to sin again. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:52.000 Woo! I wish that was true. 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:55.119 Sign me up today. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.000 I don't know about you. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:03.359 I get up and I start the battle right after I get up. 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:06.480 Flesh says, don't go to work. 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.920 Flesh says, don't have a quiet time. 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.599 Flesh, don't memorize scripture. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:12.640 Flesh says, stay in the bed and goof off and do nothing. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:15.359 And the spirit says, no, you're a bum. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.480 You're dead. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:26.319 That's dead works. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:32.559 Can I get an O me maybe? 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:37.920 So, beware of the intellectual faith. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:40.880 Dead faith is not saving faith. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.920 It's counterfeit. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.720 Number two. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.359 All right. 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:45.680 Boy, this is gonna really get you going. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:49.200 We got dead faith. 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:53.599 Now James says, I'm really gonna wake you up. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:59.759 Second type of faith in this paragraph is demonic faith. 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:04.079 Oh no, he's gonna talk about the devil with a pitchfork. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:09.599