James 2:14-26The WordStreet Level Faith on the Street

Faith without love is a dead faith. 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Text Message:o Do the writings of James and Paul contradict one another?

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.Paul in Galatians 2:16

o Compare Paul’s words to James’ in James 2:24. o Like interpreting all of Scripture, context is everything!o In context, Paul is clearly referring to works of law.

In context, James is clearly referring to works of love.o Therefore, this is not working for salvation, but working from

salvation.Contradiction? heck it out: James writes that we are

to “receive… the implanted word,” which is very peculiar.o If theady been received?

The idea here is that for one who has received Christ, the word is implanted into his/her spirit BUT that does not mean God’s Word has become a living priority in life!The Word of God in our lives has movement:First, the Word of God must be implanted.Then, the Word of God must become important.Finally, the Word of God must be implemented.

o Underline what the implan-death, but freedom from anger, etc.Faith without love is a demonic faith. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Text Message:o Notice the phrase, “God is one,” not hearers only.”which is

probably a reference to Israel’s Great Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4.

o Underline the last sentence about “the demons.”o The idea here is that even demons have some response to

believing in God; how can the follower of Christ not have any?Hearing God’s Word is not the destination, but a rest stop along the way!

o Seven times in the Gospels Jesus says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

o The idea with both Jesus and James is to hear in such a way as to act.

Faith working through love is a living faith. 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Text Message:o Look at the brilliant move James makes with two examples:

Abraham, the Jewish male. Rahab, the Gentile female.contrast above:A hearer who forgets vs. a doer who acts.

o Bringing it all home with two more verses:To obey God’s Word can be summed up in two words:Activity – What we do that pleases God (i.e. 27a).Abstinence – What we don’t do that pleases God (i.e. 27b).

o In light of all of the above:1) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20

Is it reasonable to think Christ is living within and there be

no visible outworking of this?Has the Word been implanted into you? (John 1:12).[2)] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision

counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Galatians 5:6What importance does God’s Word have in your life? Is it more like:A vaccination (“Been there, done that…”)?

[3)] A booster shot (“I listen to the sermon most of the time”)?A vitamin (“My day is off if I don’t’ read God’s Word”)?

[4)] Am I doing (and not doing) what God’s Word says?)[5)] The key is to begin reading the Bible and then keep reading it!   

You are now entering your mission field!

James 2:14-26Street Level Faith

Faith without love is a dead faith. 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Text Message:o Do the writings of James and Paul contradict one another?

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.Paul in Galatians 2:16

o Compare Paul’s words to James’ in James 2:24. o Like interpreting all of Scripture, context is everything!o In context, Paul is clearly referring to works of law.

In context, James is clearly referring to works of love.o Therefore, this is not working for salvation, but working from

salvation.

Faith without love is a demonic faith. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Text Message:o Notice the phrase, “God is one,” which is probably a reference

to Israel’s Great Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4.o Underline the last sentence about “the demons.”o The idea here is that even demons have some response to

believing in God; how can the follower of Christ not have any?

Faith working through love is a living faith. 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Text Message:o Look at the brilliant move James makes with two examples:

Abraham, the Jewish male. Rahab, the Gentile female.

o Bringing it all home with two more verses:1) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20 Is it reasonable to think Christ is living within and there be

no visible outworking of this?2) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision

counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

You are now entering your mission field!

James 2:14-26Street Level Faith

Faith without ________ is a ________ faith. 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Text Message:o Do the writings of James and Paul contradict one another?

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.Paul in Galatians 2:16

o Compare Paul’s words to James’ in James 2:24. o Like interpreting all of Scripture, ___________ is everything!o In context, Paul is clearly referring to works of ___ ______ .

In context, James is clearly referring to works of ________.o Therefore, this is not working ___ ___ salvation, but working

_________ salvation.

Faith without ________ is a ______________ faith. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Text Message:o Notice the phrase, “____ _____________ ,” which is probably a

reference to Israel’s Great Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4.o Underline the last sentence about “the demons.”o The idea here is that even demons have some _______ ___ to

believing in God; how can the follower of Christ not have any?

Faith working through _______ is a ____________ faith. 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Text Message:o Look at the brilliant move James makes with two examples:

Abraham, the Jewish male. Rahab, the Gentile female.

o Bringing it all home with two more verses:1) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20 Is it reasonable to think Christ is living within and there be

no visible outworking of this?2) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision

counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

You are now entering your mission field!

James 2:14-26Street Level Faith

Faith without ________ is a ________ faith. 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Text Message:o Do the writings of James and Paul contradict one another?

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.Paul in Galatians 2:16

o Compare Paul’s words to James’ in James 2:24. o Like interpreting all of Scripture, ___________ is everything!o In context, Paul is clearly referring to works of _________.

In context, James is clearly referring to works of ________.

o Therefore, this is not working ______ salvation, but working _________ salvation.

Faith without ________ is a ______________ faith. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Text Message:o Notice the phrase, “_________________,” which is probably a

reference to Israel’s Great Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4.o Underline the last sentence about “the demons.”o The idea here is that even demons have some __________ to

believing in God; how can the follower of Christ not have any?

Faith working through _______ is a ____________ faith. 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 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? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Text Message:o Look at the brilliant move James makes with two examples:

Abraham, the Jewish male. Rahab, the Gentile female.

o Bringing it all home with two more verses:1) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20 Is it reasonable to think Christ is living within and there be

no visible outworking of this?2) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision

counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Galatians 5:6

You are now entering your mission field!