August 1, 2021
THE BOOK OF JAMES
Part 4: What Is Real Faith?
(James 2:14 NIV) What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Three Types of Faith
(2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV) 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?
- Faith that is __________.
(James 2:17 NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
- _____________ not lifestyle.
(James 2:15–17 NLT) Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
- ___________ not fruit.
(Luke 6:43 NIV) Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.
(John 15:5-6 NLT) Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
- Faith that is _____________.
(James 2:19-20 NLT) You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
(Mark 1:23–24 NLT) Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
- Knowledge with ______________.
(1 Corinthians 8:1 NLT) But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
- Rebellion with _______________.
- Faith that is _____________.
(James 2:17-18 NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Dynamic Faith
- Dynamic faith ________________.
(James 2:21-22 NIV) Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
2. Dynamic faith ________________.
(James 2:25 NIV) In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
(Romans 10:10 NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
3. Dynamic faith ________________.
(James 2:26 NIV) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
(Philippians 2:12-14 NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing.