This document summarizes a Bible study on James 2:14-26 about faith and works. It discusses that faith without works is dead, and uses examples from Abraham and Rahab to show how their faith was perfected and justified through their works. It also references how Jesus modeled works through his preaching, teaching, and acts of compassion. The overall message is that works glorify God and strengthen our relationship with him by perfecting our faith.
4. Greater Works
2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works? Can
that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister
is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in
peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet
you do not give them what is necessary for
their body, what use is that? 17 Even so
faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by
itself.
8. Strengthening our Faith though
Works
18 But someone may well say, "You have
faith and I have works; show me your faith
without the works, and I will show you my
faith by my works."
James knows this from who?
9. Jesus, taught faith though works
James experience this though Jesus Christ.
What kind of works did Jesus do while on
earth?
•Jesus begins to preach (Matt 4:17)
•Jesus begins to teach (Matt Ch. 5 & 6)
•Jesus saves a women from being stone to
death (John 8:1-11)
•Jesus Shows compassion to others and the
need for workers (Matt 9:35-38)
10. Faith though Works = Relationship
19 You believe that God is one. You do well;
the demons also believe, and shudder. 20
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish
fellow, that faith without works is useless?
It’s building your
relationship with
God
11. Perfecting our faith though works
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by
works when he offered up Isaac his son on
the altar? 22 You see that faith was working
with his works, and as a result of the works,
faith was perfected;
12. Perfecting our faith though works
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says,
"AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT
WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS
RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the
friend of God.
13. Glorify God with you works
24 You see that a man is justified by works
and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way,
was not Rahab the harlot also justified by
works when she received the messengers
and sent them out by another way.
14. Glorify God with you works
26 For just as the body without the spirit is
dead, so also faith without works is dead.
VS
15. Jesus, Modeled for James & You
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are
right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your feet, you also
ought to wash one another's feet. (John
13:13-14, ESV)
16. James was taught well
I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it
is that bears much fruit, for apart from
me you can do nothing. If anyone does not
abide in me he is thrown away like a branch
and withers; and the branches are gathered,
thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:5-
6, ESV)
Only 11 of the disciples remained to hear Jesus
Jesus was pouring into them everything they needed to know before He was to be crucified
…continued to work with the Jews ….keep helping the poor.
I did – content mgmt system for the church
Lots of hours, lots of work, thought it was great… no one liked it!
True Faith Transform us….our conduct and thoughts (If we truly believe, we must change)
What are greater works that I should be praying for?
God promises to do amazing things for us and around us! The opportunity to increase our faith is huge!
You Faith can weaken with out good deed
Which leads to a spiritual death
We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God….deeds are a verification of our faith (But that’s not all)
Characteristics of Christ that is more powerful that miracles