Favoritism Forbidden. Faith and Deeds. James 2:1-26

Transcription

1 1 Favoritism Forbidden Faith and Deeds James 2:1-26

2 2 Favoritism Forbidden Faith and Deeds Text: James 2:1-26, 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9. But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

3 3 13. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16. And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

4 4 Introduction: I. Coffman stated that this chapter deals with two subjects; viz, A. Verses 1-13: Christians are not to show special courtesies to people who are rich and influential nor show less respect for the needy. B. Verses 14-26: James opposed the view of the Antinomians that salvation is by faith only. The Antinomians had perverted Paul s teaching that salvation is by faith by teaching that salvation is by faith only. II. Holloway reported that this section takes the form at a diatribe, an ancient literacy style specifically used in discussions of morality. A. James moral subject here is favoritism. Commentary: Favoritism Forbidden James 2:1, My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. I. My brethren, A. This expression refers to Christian disciples, God s family the church. II. Hold not that faith of, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory, to be held in purity of heart, sincerity and without discrimination III. With respect of persons, don t show favoritism. A. Christians are to show honor to those to who honor is due and to pray for those in authority.

5 5 B. Christians are not to show respect of person, but are to treat all fairly without respect to financial and social status. 1. Acts 10:34, 35, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 2. Romans 2:11, For there is no respect of persons with God. C. Holloway wrote that James lovingly made it known that people did not become Christians by being rich and influential, but by the grace of God. 1. Christians must not break the brotherly relationship on the basis of partiality. 2. We must not judge others on the basis of appearance. 3. Deuteronomy 10:17, 18, For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 4. Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 5. Ephesians 6:9, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. 6. Colossians 3:25, But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.

6 6 7. Mark 12:14, And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 8. Leviticus 19:15, Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. James 2:2, For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in godly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; I. For if there come into your synagogue, meeting... A. Evidently church services then as now were open to the public. B. Synagogue was a commonly used word to refer to a meeting place. C. Synagogue was a familiar name to James who resided in Jerusalem. II. a man with, wearing a gold ring, and fine clothing,... A. James said Christians were not to be impressed with outward appearances nor position. B. Christians are to respect faith, character, purity, of heart and life. III. and there come in also a poor man in vile, shabby clothing;... A. The problem was that some to whom James wrote discriminated against the poor, treating the rich and poor very differently.

7 7 James 2:3, And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: I. And you show special attention, have regard to him that wears the fine clothing,... A. Fine clothing is not a sign of godliness! B. In today s churches is preference ever shown the rich and influential in order to get a return of favors? II. and say, sit thou here in a good place; here s a good seat for you,... III. and, but you say to the poor man,... IV. You stand there, or sit under my footstool; sit on the floor by my feet,... A. Disdain for others, rich or poor, is sinful! B. Does the church of which you are a member show the same love, concern and courteous attention to street people who are present as is extended to the rich and famous star of stage, screen and radio? James 2:4, Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? I. Do you not discriminate, make distinctions among yourselves,... II. and become judges with evil thought? A. Catering to the rich and influential is a sure sign of carnality in the hearts of the discriminators. B. Holloway suggested that the setting might be a church assembly gathered for settling a dispute.

8 8 1. The decision may have been made on the basis of appearance without testimony. 2. Matthew 18: 15-20, Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever shall be loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them Corinthians 5:3-5, For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Corinthians 6:1-8, Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to

9 9 this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren Timothy 5:19-24, Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men s sins; keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach s sake and thine often infirmities. Some men s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 6. Leviticus 19: 15, Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment : thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, not honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. James 2:5, Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? I. Hearken, listen, my beloved, dear brethren;... A. Even though the people to whom James wrote were in error about their treatment of the poor and needy, James still regarded them as beloved brethren.

10 10 B. Nonetheless James told them they had better hearken, listen to what he was saying. II. Has not God, did not God choose them that are poor as to the world, in the eyes of the world... A. Luke 6:20, And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is he kingdom of God. III. to be rich in faith,... A. the poor visitor at church is for more likely to become a Christian than the rich visitor. IV. and heirs of, to inherit the kingdom... V. which he promised to them who, that love him? A. Christians are to judge as Christ judges! B. Anything else is sinful. James 2:6, But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? I. But you have insulted, dishonored the poor man. A. Holloway well wrote, Discriminating against the poor goes against the very nature of the God who is no respector of persons. II. Do not the rich oppress you? Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? A. Calvin via Coffman wrote, Why should a man honor his executioners and at the same time injure his friends? III. and themselves drag you before the judgment seats? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

11 11 A. Acts 9:1, And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter went unto the high priest, B. Acts 16:19, And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, C. Judgment seats refer to both Jewish and Roman courts. (Coffman) D. Christians were widely hated. E. Isaiah 3:15, What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, an grind the faces of the poor? Saith the Lord God of hosts. F. Amos 4:1, Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their master, Bring, and let us drink. James 2:7, Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? I. Do they not, are they not the ones that blaspheme that noble, honorable name by which you are called?...name of him to whom you belong? A. The honorable name is that of Jesus Christ. B. Acts 5:41, And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. C. 1 Peter 4:14, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

12 12 D. It is not possible to be friends of God and of the world at the same time. 1. James 4:4, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with god? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. E. Holloway wrote, In the ancient world, honor and shame were all important concepts. The Royal Law James 2:8, If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do will: I. Howbeit if you really keep the royal law,... A. The royal law, the law given by King Jesus. II. according to the scripture found in the scripture,... III. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,... A. Leviticus 19:15-18, Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt no avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of they people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

13 13 B. Mark 12:31, and the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. C. Matthew 19:19, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. D. Matthew 22:39, And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. E. Romans 13:9, For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is breifly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. F. Galatains 5:14, For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. IV. ye do well: you are doing right. James 2:9, But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. I. but if you have respect of persons, show favoritism,... II. you commit sin,... A. Those who show respect of persons are sinners, transgressors of God s will. B. Those who show respect of person based on externals have a mis-guided, errant value system. (Coffman) C. Favoritism is not just bad manners, it is sin! D. Luke 10:25-37, And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

14 14 III. being convicted by the law as transgressors, lawbreakers. James 2:10, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. I. For whosoever shall keep the whole law,... II. and yet stumble in one point, at just one point... A. James tells his readers that they must not think showing partiality is a matter of little importance. B. Matthew 5:19, Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. C. Are some commandments more important than others? 1. Matthew 23:23,24, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. III. He is become guilty of all, he is guilty of breaking all of it. A. Violation any part of the law of Christ makes the violator a law breaker. B. No person can keep the royal law perfectly but perfection can b e received thought God s grace. (Coffman) 1. Matthew 5:48, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

15 15 2. Colossians 1:28, Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; James 2:11, For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. I. For he who that said,... A. Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalr not kill: and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Ye have heard that is was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: B. Matthew 19:18, He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, C. Mark 10:18, And Jesus said unto him, why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God. D. Luke 18:20, thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, Do not steal, do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. II. Do not commit adultery,... A. To show partiality is to adulterate Christian conduct. III. said also, Do not kill, murder. A. To hate your neighbor is to be guilty of murder.

16 16 IV. Now if you do not commit adultery but killeth, commit murder,... A. Notice that James places adultery and killing together as being equally serious. V. thou art become a transgressor of the law, a lawbreaker. A. Holloway again well said, What James promotes is not legalism but consistency between a claimed faith and visible actions. B. There is no place for hypocrisy among Christians! Pretense is out! James 2:12, So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. I. So speak you, and so do, speak and act... A. There must be consistency between what Christians say and what they do! B. Matthew 7:1, 2, Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. C. Do you want God to judge you like you judge others? II. as those, men who, that were going to be judged by a law of liberty, the law that gives freedom,... A. Treat others as you want God to treat you when you stand before God in judgment. B. Remember! We will be judged by the very law we have broken by showing partiality.

17 17 James 2:13, For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. I. For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. A. Matthew 6:14,15, For if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. B. Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. C. Matthew 8:21-35, And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was coverd with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish. And he saith uto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way, And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee. Jesus thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying if you cast us out, suffer us to go away in the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go, and when they were come out, they went into the herd of

18 18 swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. And they that kept them fled and went their ways into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. D. Matthew 5:7, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. II. Mercy glorieth against judgment, mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith and Deeds James 2:14, What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? I. What doth it profit, My brethren, What good is it, My brothers,... A. James continues to condemn those who claim faith, but do not put their faith into practice by caring for others. (Holloway) 1. James 1:27, Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. II. if a man claims to have faith, says he hath faith,... A. Romans 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: B. Ephesians 2:8, Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; III. but have not works?...but has no deeds?...

19 19 IV. can that, such faith save him? A. The answer is a resounding NO! B. Salvation is not by faith only James 2:15, If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, I. If a brother or sister be without clothes, naked and in lack of daily food,... A. James is writing of practical, down to earth benevolence! 1. He was here speaking of needy fellow Christians. 2. If we fail to provide for their needs while fawning over the rich, we gravely sin. II. and one of you say unto them,... III. Go in peace, I wish you well,... A. It is not enough to do no harm. We must do positive good! B. This is a customary biblical greeting. 1. Judges 18:6, And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go Samuel 1:17, Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him Samuel 20:42, And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between

20 20 my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city Samuel 29:7, Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Phillistines Samuel 15:9, And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 6. Mark 5:34, And he said unto her, Daughter, they faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 7. Acts 16:36, And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. IV. be you warmed and filled; keep warm and well fed,... V. and yet you give them not the things needful to the body; but does nothing about his physical needs,... VI. what does it profit? What good is it? A. None! Absolutely none. B. Faith without works is dead!...useless. C. Take these words of Holloway to heart: Even in the Old Testament, there were many who thought they were right with God because they believed the right thing and worshipped correctly while they oppressed and neglected the poor. God reminded them that true worship is to the feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the naked. D. Isaiah 58:6-10, Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal

21 21 thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: E. Matthew 25: 42-45, For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. F. Matthew 7:21, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. James 2:18, Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. I. Yes, someone, a man will say,... II. Thou hast faith,... III. and I have works; deeds;

22 22 IV. show me your faith apart, from without thy works, deeds,... A. These verses (Oesterley via Coffman) imply that a well-known subject or controversy is being dealt with. B. It is impossible to demonstrate faith apart from works. They are inseparable! V. and I by my works shall show you my faith, I will show you my faith by what I do. A. Works are proof of an underlying faith. B. Purchard via Coffman wrote that these words are those of scorn. C. They were directed toward demonstrating faith apart from works, an impossible thing to do. D. 1 Corinthians 13:2, And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. E. Galatians 5:6, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. F. 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; G. Deeds, Holloway wrote, are no good unless they grow out of faith. James 2:19, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. I. You believe that God is one; that there is one God.

23 23 A. Deuteronomy 6:4, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: B. Matthew 19:17, And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, C. Mark 12:29, And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: D. 1 Corinthians 8:6, but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. E. Ephesians 4:6, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. F. 1 Timothy 2:5, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; II. You do well: Good! Whoopee!... III. even the demons (also) believe that and shudder. A. The disciple who claims to believe but does not live and do as Christ demands is no better than demons. 1. Mark 1:34, And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 2. Luke 8:28, When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 3. Mark 1:23, 24, And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone;

24 24 what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 4. Mark 5:7, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 5. Acts 16:17, The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 6. Acts 19:15, And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? B. This kind of faith will not save anybody! James 2:20, But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? I. Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? But will you know, O vain man, you foolish man, A. Barclay noted that the fact that Christianity must be ethically demonstrated is an essential part of the Christian faith throughout the New Testament. B. Tasker via Coffman wrote, The vain man addressed is anyone who is so devoid of spiritual understanding that he does not see that faith which never results in works is merely a sham. II. that faith without works is barren?...useless? James 2:21, Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

25 25 I. Was not Abraham our father, our ancestor justified by works, considered righteous A. Genesis 15:6, And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. B. Romans 4:3, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. C. Genesis 22:12, And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. D. 1 Maccabees 2:52, Was not Abraham found in temptation, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. II. for what he did when, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? A. The works by which Abraham was justified were works of obedience to God and his will. James 2:22, Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? I. You see that faith wrought with his works, his faith and actions were working together, A. Faith and works are cooperative activities. B. Neither is complete without the other. II. and by works was faith made perfect; his faith was made complete by what he did. A. Hebrews 5:8, 9. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made

26 26 perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; B. Faith and works are complete when working together. Neither is perfect without the other. C. Colossians 1:28, Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: James 2:23, And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. I. and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, A. Romans 4:3, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. B. 2 Chronicles 20:7, Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? C. Isaiah 41:8, But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. II. And Abraham believed God, A. Abraham s faith was an active, obedient faith. B. This is the faith that saves and makes a person a friend of God. III. and it was credited, reckoned unto him as, for righteousness; A. Hebrews 1:17, By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

27 27 IV. and he was called the friend of God, God s friend. A. 2 Chronicles 20:7, Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? B. Isaiah 41:8, But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. C. John 15:13-15, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. D. James 4:4, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 2:24, Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. I. You see that by what he does, a person, man is justified, A. Romans 4:1-5, What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. B. Galatians 3:5-9, He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God,

28 28 and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. II. and not only by faith, not by faith alone. James 2:25, Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? I. And in the same way, in like manner was not also, even Rahab the harlot, prostitute, justified, considered righteous by, for works she did A. Joshua 2:1-24, And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and

29 29 that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout

30 30 all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. II. in that she gave lodging, received the spies, messengers, and sent them out, off in another way, direction? James 2:26, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. I. For as the body without, from the spririt is dead, A. Genesis 6:17, And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. B. Genesis 7:15, And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. C. Psalm 104:29, Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. D. Luke 23:46, And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. E. John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. II. even so faith without, apart from deeds, works is dead. Conclusion:

31 31 I. Holloway summarized by saying we can claim faith without works, but this will not feed the hungry, care for orphans, save the soul and is no better than the faith of demons. It is dead! II. Holloway further said that faith is seen by obedient faith, the faith of Abraham and Rahab. III. What kind of faith do you have?

32 32 References Coffman, James Burton. Commentary, Volume 11. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, TX, 1979, Holloway, Gary. The College Press NIV Commentary, James and Jude. College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri, Holy Bible: American Standard Version, Thomas Nelson and Sons, Nashville, TN. Holy Bible: Authorized King James Version, Thomas Nelson an Sons, Nashville, TN. Holy Bible: New International Version, Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI. The Zondervan

33 33 Questions James 2: The Bible says that believers in Christ must not show favoritism. Do you show favoritism? If so, how? 2. Do people where you worship treat rich people and those in shabby clothes differently? If so, how? 3. How can Christians become judges with evil thoughts? 4. Whom did God choose to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom?

34 34 5. How had the people to whom James wrote insulted the poor? 6. How did the rich exploit Christians? See verse Do the rich exploit the poor now? If so, how? 8. Give examples of the rich dragging Christians into court? Does this happen now?

35 35 9. Who slandered the noble name by which Christians were called? What is that noble name? Is this name still slandered? 10. What is the royal law? What does it say? Why is it called the royal law? 11. How, according to James, could we be convicted as lawbreakers? 12. For the and yet at just is of all of it. 13. Which is worse, murder, adultery, or favoritism? Give reasons for your answer. See verse 11.

36 and as those who are going to be by the that gives, because without will be to anyone who has not been. triumphs over. 15. How can the law give freedom? 16. How much mercy will the unmerciful receive? How have you showed or failed to show mercy? 17. What good is it if a man claims to have faith but has not works? Explain. 18. Can faith without works save? See verse 14b.

37 How did James illustrate dead faith in verses 15-17? How responsive is the church of which you are a member to the needs of the poor? 20. How can faith be shown without deeds? 21. The demons believe and shudder. What good does it do them? 22. Why did James call some of his readers, You foolish man?

38 How did Abraham show himself to be righteous? 24. How was Rahab considered righteous? 25. You see that a is by what he and by. As the is. Can a dead faith save?. Note: Questions follow the wording of the New International Version.