The Book of James

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Growing toward maturity in Christ without
shortcuts or gimmicks
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Sometime small things make a big huge difference.
A Small Difference
A Huge Difference
James 214-26
South Haven
Benton Harbor
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Context
James has been pushing hard for OBEDIENCE. But
isnt our salvation based on faith alone?
James 214-26
The Relationship ofFaith Works
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James 2
Context
James 214-26
Faith Works
Legalism
Healthy
Lawless
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Big Idea
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims
to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith
save him?
James 214-26
Real faith begins with accurate belief AND leads
to obedient response.
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Example
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.
James 214-26
Conclusion
Accurate beliefs no action Worthless
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Objection
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 thatand shudder.
James 214-26
DistinguishableInseparableEssential
John 151-17 Matthew 2819-20
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Proof
James 214-26
20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that
faith without deeds is useless?
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Genesis 22 Romans 4
Abraham
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 Gods friend.
24 You see that a person is justified by what he
does and not by faith alone.
James 214-26
Real faith begins with accurate belief AND leads
to obedient response.
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James ltgt Paul
James 214-26
The Apostle Paul fought hard against the false
teaching that we could EARN our salvation ritual
actions such as circumcision, dietary rules and
Sabbath-keeping. Galatians/Romans
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James ltgt Paul
Ephesians 28-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faithand this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can
boast. 10 For we are Gods workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.
James 214-26
Works are the Fruit
Faith is the Root
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Rahab
Joshua 2
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?
James 214-26
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Conclusion
Restatement of the Big Idea
James 214-26
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without deeds is dead.
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Indicators

• FMSC
• Mission Trips
• Safe Families
• Dresses for Haiti
• Open Gym
• Benevolent Fund
• Scholarships for Day Camp
• 360 Blended Value Businesses

James 214-26
Real faith begins with accurate belief AND leads
to obedient response.
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Concerns

1. Can we guard the biblical and theological
   foundation for our action?
2. Can we push beyond superficial solutions to
   poverty?
3. Can we equip everyone for comprehensive obedience
   to Christ?

James 214-26
Real faith begins with accurate belief AND leads
to obedient response.