IOI CHRISTIAN MEAL, TOPIC: "Three Kinds Of Faith ( JAMES 2:14-26)

IOI CHRISTIAN MEAL,
TOPIC: "Three Kinds Of Faith ( JAMES 2:14-26)
                               
INTRODUCTION

1. Faith is certainly an essential element in the Christian life:
   a. Without faith, it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
   b. The Christian is saved by faith - Ep 2:8
   c. The Christian is to walk (live) by faith - 2Co 5:7
   d. Whatever we do apart from faith is described as sin - Ro 14:23

2. It is important to realize, however, that there are different kinds
   of faith, but only one that is truly "saving faith"

3. In James 2:14-26, we find James discussing the different kinds of
   faith, with an emphasis upon that faith which works to the saving of
   the soul

[Beginning with verses 14-17, we notice the first kind of faith.  We
might call this kind of faith...]

I. DEAD FAITH (14-17)

   A. THIS KIND OF FAITH...
      1. Substitutes words for deeds (consider James' example)
         a. People with this kind of faith:
            1) Know the correct vocabulary for prayer and sound doctrine
            2) Can even quote the right verses from the Bible
         b. But their "walk" does not measure up to their "talk"!
      2. Is only an INTELLECTUAL faith
         a. In one's mind, he or she knows the doctrine of salvation
         b. But they have never really submitted themselves to God and
            trusted in Jesus for salvation
         c. They know the right "words", but they do not back up their
            words with their "works"!

   B. CAN THIS KIND OF FAITH SAVE?
      1. NO!  Three times in this passage, James emphasizes that "faith
         without works is dead" - Jm 2:17,20,26
      2. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life
         and good works is a false declaration:  A DEAD FAITH!
      3. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a
         false confidence of eternal life

   C. DO WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH?
      1. We do, if our WALK does not measure up to our TALK!
      2. We do, if our WORKS do not measure up to our WORDS!

[We need to beware of mere intellectual faith.  As Warren Wiersbe said,

   "No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same, anymore than
   he came into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same."
   (compare this to 1Jn 5:12)

PRAYER
MAY YOUR FAITH NEVER DIE IN JESUS NAME, MAY GOD GIVE YOU AND ME A GREAT FAITH IN JESUS NAME

Continue tomorrow

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