Cultural Insight

• In 2014, the FDA required all restaurants to publish calorie counts on all menu items.

• 75% of Americans agree with food labeling.

• The majority say they would choose lower-calorie foods if they had more information.

[Show: George Michael]

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Hebrews 11:6
2 Corinthians 5:7
Ephesians 2:8

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James 2:14

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”

Two Questions:

1. What good is it if someone says they have faith but do not have works?

2. Can that workless faith save him?

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I. FAITH THAT IS ALL WORDS AND NO ACTION

James 2:15–17
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’
without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Modern Examples of “All Words, No Action”

1. The “Social Media Activist” Christian
   a. Pro-Life Activism
   [Show: Metroplex Women’s Clinic]
   b. Political Activism

2. The “Church Critic” Christian

Truth: A faith that is all words and no action is a faith that is dead.

James 2:18
“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

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II. A FAITH THAT IS ALL DOCTRINE AND NO SUBMISSION

James 2:19
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

Deuteronomy 6:5–6
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might…”

Mark 5:7
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

“Faith is taking God at His word.” — Dr. James Reeves

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III. FAITH THAT IS ALL ACTION AND NO EXCUSES

James 2:20
“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?”

a. The Faith of Abraham

(See Genesis 22:1–14)

James 2:21–23
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God.”

Hebrews 11:19

James 2:24
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

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b. The Faith of Rahab

(See Joshua 2:1–21)

James 2:25
“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works
when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?”

Joshua 2:4–5, 10–11

James 2:26
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

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Three Diagnostic Questions

1. What actions have you taken as a result of your faith?

2. In what ways have you submitted yourself to Christ as a result of your faith?

3. Have you ever believed the Gospel?