Psalm 37:3-6 James 2:14-26

Intro Determined will of God - Sovereign Will It is that which will happen. It is unconditional, unchangeable, and purposeful. And it is unpredictable and inevitable. And most importantly, it is mysterious . Ephesians 1:11 says that God “works all things after the counsel of His will.” “ For God causes all things (good and bad things) to work together for good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28).

Intro

Determined will of God - Sovereign Will

It is that which will happen. It is unconditional, unchangeable, and purposeful. And it is unpredictable and inevitable. And most importantly, it is mysterious .

Ephesians 1:11 says that God “works all things after the counsel of His will.”

“ For God causes all things (good and bad things) to work together for good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28).

Desired will of God - Moral Will It is not inevitable. It may or may not happen. We can choose not to do it. And most significant, it is not a mystery. It is something that we can know and should do. Believers are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can “prove what the will of God is” (Romans 12:2). The desired or moral will of God is something we can discover. And we discover His will in His Word.

Desired will of God - Moral Will

It is not inevitable. It may or may not happen. We can choose not to do it. And most significant, it is not a mystery. It is something that we can know and should do.

Believers are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can “prove what the will of God is” (Romans 12:2). The desired or moral will of God is something we can discover. And we discover His will in His Word.

God wants you to be saved (II Peter 3:9) – “ The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” II Corinthians 13:5, “ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test? ” James 1:22, “ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ”

God wants you to be saved (II Peter 3:9) – “ The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

II Corinthians 13:5, “ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test? ”

James 1:22, “ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ”

I. Dead Faith (James 2:14-17) - Belief without Benevolence Dead faith is false faith, and it is dangerous because it gives false confidence of eternal life.

I. Dead Faith (James 2:14-17) - Belief without Benevolence

Dead faith is false faith, and it is dangerous because it gives false confidence of eternal life.

II. Demonic Faith (James 2:18, 19) - Creed without Conduct vs.19 - Even demons have faith, but what is it that they believe? They believe in the existence of God; not atheists. They believe Christ is the Son of God (Mark 3:11, 12). They believe Christ will Judge the world and them (Mark 5:1-13). They believe there is only one God (James 2:19; Deuteronomy 6:4).

II. Demonic Faith (James 2:18, 19) - Creed without Conduct

vs.19 - Even demons have faith, but what is it that they believe?

They believe in the existence of God; not atheists.

They believe Christ is the Son of God (Mark 3:11, 12).

They believe Christ will Judge the world and them (Mark 5:1-13).

They believe there is only one God (James 2:19; Deuteronomy 6:4).

Things that neither prove nor disprove the genuineness of saving faith (In other words, you can be a Christian and possess these things or be a non-Christian and still possess them): Ethics - (Matthew 6:1-18 - giving, prayer, fasting) Knowledge - Even demons know who Christ is, the Son of God (Luke 4:41) Ministry (Matthew 7:22,23) Time of decision

Things that neither prove nor disprove the genuineness of saving faith (In other words, you can be a Christian and possess these things or be a non-Christian and still possess them):

Ethics - (Matthew 6:1-18 - giving, prayer, fasting)

Knowledge - Even demons know who Christ is, the Son of God (Luke 4:41)

Ministry (Matthew 7:22,23)

Time of decision

III. Dynamic faith (James 2:20-26) - Truth with Transformation

III. Dynamic faith (James 2:20-26) - Truth with Transformation