Here are my sermon notes from James 2:14-19 on Mother's Day 2017 at our brand new Travelers Rest campus for North Hills Church. FYI - Yellow highlight is Scripture and Blue highlights are my slides.
We/Tension: Sometimes we know just the right “Christian” thing to say, don’t we? Our prayers sound fancy, but they lack a humble heart. We wear the Christian T-shirts that says, “Jesus is my homeboy” or “God answers Knee-mail!” Maybe even a Jesus fish on your bumper. What are we doing to show our faith to people in need? In these verses, James discusses just how scary it is when our lives don’t mesh with our words.
Big Question: If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
- The scripture is teaching that if we say we love God, we won’t just talk it but walk it!
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
- Many people say, “sure I know Jesus but I’m not going to be a fanatic about it. I mean, Do I really have to show it in my actions?
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. James 2:14-19.
If you are a follower of Christ, it should completely obvious! Simply believing that God exists is not enough. Even the demons believe that! - Demons believe and shudder (tremble or shudder means “hair standing on edge”).
Here are two truths from James 2:
Serving is not an option for followers of Jesus
James 2 is explaining that it is not just acknowledging God exists. It is a transformation of our hearts! WE DON’T EARN OUR SALVATION. We are not saved by good works, but for good works.
Ephesians 2:8-10 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Growing up we did chores around the house. We served because we were part of the family. Faith and Works are like breathing. We breathe in God’s salvation and breathe out a life of giving.
Your faith is shown to others in how we serve and care for others
15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and
you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
What we do reveals what is important to us (v.15-17) He wants us to realize that a person not living for God is not alive at all, but a corpse.
NEKRON is referring to being dead like a corpse is dead. ILL: Zombie vs. Living and breathing action.
Roadblocks that keep us from serving:
- Fear (rejection, doing the wrong thing) (SLOTH VIDEO)*
- Ignorance/Unclear
- Selfishness
- Busyness
Biggest roadblock: No one is serving me, why should I serve them?
What keeps you from putting action to your faith?
Serving God’s Way:
- Identify someone in need
- Do something to help them this week (Get off the sidelines and in the game).
Read the last part of James, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:22-27
Give me all the benefits of following Christ but I don’t want to be conformed to His image.
So what about this week? Practical ways to serve:
- Help be a greeter before and after Source to welcome others.
- Help set up for Freedom Fest on July 1st
- Serve as set-up/clean up team
- Serve your parents at home without them asking, take initiative.
Main Thought: Show your faith by helping someone in need!
Big Question: If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
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