Real Faith: Works

Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the fifth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Works”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 2:14-26

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: James 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 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 my deeds. 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? Was not our father 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. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

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? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: Is there a frontline where you may be more prone to showing favouritism? How can Jesusʼ mercy for you transform how you view this situation?

WARM-UP

1. If someone on one of your frontlines was to ask you what the Gospel is all about, what would you tell them?

2. Do good works ever add to our salvation in any way? Why or why not?

Read James 2:14-19

1. What is wrong about claiming to have faith but having no action?

2. Can you think of examples where people have claimed to have faith, but havenʼt acted on it? Are we ever in danger of this?

3. What sort of actions or deeds does following Jesus require?

4. Is there an area in your life where you arenʼt submitting to Jesusʼ lordship? Practically, how could you bring this area into line with Jesusʼ will and actions?

5. How are deeds and actions a fruit of faith rather than a prerequisite to faith? Why is it so important to get this clear?

6. Is it enough to just mentally assent to a set of doctrines or belief? What does James have to say about this type of faith?

7. How can we ensure that we are submitting to Jesus as living sacrifices rather than just believing that ʻGod is oneʼ? Is there anyone who you could keep accountable to?

Read James 2:20-26

1. Why was Abraham initially considered to be righteous (cf. Gen 15:6)? How did he demonstrate this faith? Is James arguing for a ʻworks based righteousnessʼ in these verses? Why/why not?

2. Why is ʻfaith without deedsʼ considered to be dead?

3. How are we justified? How should we demonstrate this in our lives today?

APPLY: On your frontlines, what is one practical way that you can demonstrate your faith?

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you that we have been saved from sin entirely by your grace and mercy. Help us to never rely on our good deeds to save us, or to worry about our amount of good works, but always be assured of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Help us to live out our faith in every area of our lives, for your glory. Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: If someone looked at your texts or emails, could they identify patience and compassion for others? Before you hit send this week, pause to consider how your words express love to others.

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• Listen: “Undivided: The Letter of James Part 6” by John Dickson

• Listen: “When Faith is Alive” by Rico Tice

• Listen: “Real Faith...Works” by David Jackman

SERIES Resources:

• Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)

• Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)

• Course: Introduction to James

• Video: Bible Project Overview of James

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook