ACE Men’s Bible Study

James 2:14-26Engaging With Works

Our Journey Continues

a "pillar" of the church (gal 2:9)

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.

What if we don’t exercise our Faith?

and we lose spiritual strength, do we also start to Wilt?

and does this lead to Death?

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?

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)

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 yourrelationship with God

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;

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.

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.

Glorify God with you works

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

VS

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)

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)

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