Topics: faith, James
I. Real Faith Lives!
- What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him (James 2:14)?
- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (Romans 3:28, see again Ephesians 2:8-10).
- If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself (James 2:15-17).
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
II. Real Faith Produces Passion!
- 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 2:18).
- You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder (James 2:19).
- That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
- But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless (James 2:20, see also Matthew 25:41-46)?
III. Real Faith Has Evidence!
- Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 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. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:22-24).
- 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 (James 2:25)?
- Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
- By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, "In Isaac your descendants shall be called."?He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type (Hebrews 11:17-19, See also Hebrews 11:30-31 and Galatians 3:6-9).
- For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
Sermon by Pastor Dane Nissen, May 3rd, 2026.
Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions
A faith that works
An important Guideline of Life Groups: It is important to have a true faith in Jesus that produces the evidence of works. Discuss the importance of bridging the gap between intellectual belief and having an active faith.
Getting Started:
- 1. When was the last time someone went out of their way to do something good for you? And what did that act of service mean to you?
- 2. Do you live a "Follow me as I follow Christ" or "Do as I say, not as I do" lifestyle?
Discussing Truths:
- 1. Read James 2:15-16. In his hypothetical scenario, how can "I will pray for you" sometimes be a cop-out for not helping?
- 2. What is the difference between believing in your head (mind) and believing in your heart?
Now What? Application:
- 1. What are some "good works" that should accompany a Real faith in Christ, both grand and small, everyday things?
- 2. Based on this passage, what is one area you feel you need to move from "talking the talk" to actually "walking the walk"?
- 3. As a life group, how can we spur each other on to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25)?
- 4. Read James this week. Extra credit for reading it daily.
