Study 7: James: Dec 29

The study of James 2 emphasizes that faith without deeds is dead, urging believers to live out their faith through action. James challenges the idea of a faith that is merely spoken, equating empty claims to lifelessness. Using examples from Abraham and Rahab, he illustrates that true faith is demonstrated by obedience and tangible works. This passage harmonizes with Paul’s teaching on salvation by faith, showing that genuine faith naturally produces good works as a response to God’s grace. The study calls for a transformative faith—one that not only professes belief but actively reflects God’s love and righteousness in daily life.

Sermon Outline

Study Outline: Faith in Action – A Study of James 2

1. Introduction: The Reality of Faith (00:28 - 03:36)

• Key Scripture: James 2:14

• The study begins with an encouragement that God sees and loves us in our struggles.

• James is a straightforward, practical book that challenges believers to align their faith with their actions.

2. The Challenge of Faith Without Works (03:41 - 06:54)

• Key Scripture: James 2:17 – "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

• James calls out a passive faith that lacks action.

• Martin Luther struggled with James' emphasis on works, calling it a "book of straw."

• The truth: James does not contradict Paul but complements the teaching that faith leads to transformation.

3. The Misconception of “Claiming” Faith (06:54 - 15:55)

• Key Greek Word: Lego (claim) – A verbal profession of faith without action.

• Illustration: Comparing faith claims to stepping on Legos—painful and empty when not backed by real living.

• James is addressing false claims of faith, not genuine belief.

4. The Test of Faith: Practical Love (15:55 - 21:35)

• Key Scripture: James 2:15-16

• If someone is in need and we only offer words, not help, our faith is useless.

• True faith results in action; empty words do not meet real needs.

5. Faith Without Deeds is “Necros” (Dead) (21:35 - 26:17)

• Key Greek Word: Necros – Dead, lifeless, like a body without breath.

• Faith that does not express itself in works is spiritually lifeless.

• Illustration: The spiritual danger of becoming stale like wheat bread.

6. The Connection Between Paul and James (26:17 - 30:03)

• Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

• Paul: Salvation is by grace through faith, not works.

• James: True faith naturally produces works.

• The two teachings do not contradict but complement each other.

7. Demonstrating Faith: Abraham’s Example (30:03 - 38:59)

• Key Scripture: James 2:21-23

• Abraham’s faith was confirmed through his obedience in offering Isaac.

• Works did not save him but demonstrated his faith was real.

8. The Warning of Empty Belief (38:59 - 46:01)

• Key Scripture: James 2:19 – Even demons believe, yet they are not saved.

• Intellectual acknowledgment of God is not enough—faith must transform our lives.

• Illustration: Demons recognize Jesus' authority but do not submit to Him in love.

9. The Example of Rahab (46:01 - 50:26)

• Key Scripture: James 2:25

• Rahab’s faith was justified before men by her actions in protecting Israelite spies.

• Faith should be visible through obedience and trust in God.

  
  

10. Conclusion: Faith Expressed Through Works (50:26 - 59:57)

• Key Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

• Faith should transform how we live, love, and serve.

• Illustration: A personal story about choosing grace over judgment by replacing a vandal’s broken taillight instead of seeking revenge.

• Call to action: Step into 2025 with a faith that is active, not just spoken.

Final Reflection & Prayer (59:57 - End)

• Pray for strength to live out faith authentically.

• Challenge: How will your faith be visible this week?

Scripture References

1. James 2:14 – "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?"

📌 Timestamp: 06:54📖

Context: This verse serves as the central theme of the study, where James challenges the idea of faith that does not result in action. The speaker explains that James is addressing the claim of faith (lego in Greek) rather than true faith itself.

2. James 2:15-16 – "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?"

📌 Timestamp: 19:27📖

Context: This passage is used to illustrate that faith without action is meaningless. The study explains that James is not presenting a hypothetical situation but addressing a real issue in the early church—favoritism and neglect of the poor.

3. James 2:17 – "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

📌 Timestamp: 21:08📖

Context: The speaker unpacks the Greek word nekros (dead), emphasizing that a faith that does not manifest in action is lifeless. This ties into the larger theme that faith must be demonstrated.

4. Martin Luther and Ephesians 2:8-10 – "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

📌 Timestamp: 22:39📖

Context: The tension between Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace and James’ emphasis on works is explored. The speaker clarifies that these teachings do not contradict but rather complement one another—salvation is by faith, but that faith must naturally produce good works.

5. James 2:19 – "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

📌 Timestamp: 33:30📖

Context: This verse is used to emphasize that mere intellectual belief is not sufficient for salvation. The speaker connects this to the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) and illustrates that even demons recognize God’s authority but are not saved.

6. James 2:21-23 – "Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?"

📌 Timestamp: 38:59📖

Context: Abraham’s faith is highlighted as an example of faith in action. The speaker clarifies that Abraham’s works did not earn his salvation but demonstrated the legitimacy of his faith.

7. James 2:25 – "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?"

📌 Timestamp: 46:01📖

Context: Rahab’s story is used to show that faith is evidenced by action. Her faith was justified before men because her works demonstrated her trust in God.

8. Genesis 2:7 – "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

📌 Timestamp: 46:45📖

Context: The speaker likens faith without works to the lifeless body of Adam before God breathed life into him. Just as Adam was only alive after receiving the Spirit, faith only becomes alive when accompanied by works.

9. Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

📌 Timestamp: 58:12📖

Context: The conclusion of the study ties this verse into the theme of active faith. The speaker emphasizes that works are not for self-glory but to reflect God’s transformation in believers’ lives.

10. Romans 3:24-26 – "And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

📌 Timestamp: 41:22📖

Context: The speaker contrasts Paul’s teaching on justification before God (dikaio) with James’ teaching on justification before men. James emphasizes that faith must be evidenced by works for others to see.

Word Study

1. Λέγω (Lego) – "To Claim, Say, or Speak"

📖 James 2:14 – "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims (λέγω – lego) to have faith but has no deeds?"

📌 Timestamp: 06:54

Definition & Context:

• Lego (λέγω) means "to say, claim, or speak," and is commonly used in the New Testament to refer to verbal statements.

• In James 2:14, James challenges those who merely claim to have faith but do not demonstrate it through actions.

• Illustration from the Study: The speaker humorously compares lego to stepping on a painful LEGO brick—claims of faith without works cause harm rather than producing good.

• Application: Faith must be more than words; it must be accompanied by action to be real and transformative.

  
  

2. Νεκρός (Nekros) – "Dead, Lifeless"

📖 James 2:17 – "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (νεκρός – nekros)."

📌 Timestamp: 21:08

Definition & Context:

• Nekros (νεκρός) means "dead, lifeless, or without vitality." It refers to something that has lost its function or ability to act.

• James uses this word to describe a faith that does not produce good works—it is spiritually lifeless, just as a body without a spirit is lifeless (James 2:26).

• Illustration from the Study: The speaker compares faith without works to stale wheat bread—spiritually dry and ineffective.

• Application: A genuine faith is active and produces transformation in a believer's life. If faith is not expressed in deeds, it is as lifeless as a corpse.

  
  

3. Δικαιόω (Dikaioō) – "To Justify, Declare Righteous"

📖 James 2:24 – "You see that a person is considered righteous (δικαιόω – dikaioō) by what they do and not by faith alone."

📌 Timestamp: 41:22

Definition & Context:

• Dikaioō (δικαιόω) means "to justify, declare righteous, or prove righteous."

• James uses this word to describe how a believer's faith is proven before others through works, whereas Paul uses the same word in Romans 3:24 to describe justification before God by grace.

• Illustration from the Study: Rahab’s actions justified her before men, showing her faith to be genuine.

• Application: Our works do not earn salvation, but they demonstrate the authenticity of our faith to the world.

1. Hupsos (ὕψος) – "High Position"

Scripture Reference: James 1:9 – “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.”

• Definition: Hupsos refers to elevation, height, or exaltation. In this context, it symbolizes a spiritual elevation that comes from being in Christ, regardless of earthly circumstances.

• Sermon Context: The sermon contrasts the "high position" of believers with their humble circumstances, emphasizing that their identity and value are rooted in their relationship with Christ, not in worldly wealth or status.

• Application: Believers are called to rejoice in their spiritual status in Christ, which is unshaken by external trials or material losses.

2. Tapinosis (ταπείνωσις) – "Humiliation" or "Low Condition"

Scripture Reference: James 1:10 – “But the rich should take pride in their humiliation…”

• Definition: Tapinosis refers to being brought low, humility, or a state of abasement. In the sermon, it is tied to the temporary and fleeting nature of worldly riches.

• Sermon Context: The rich are reminded to find humility in the reality that material wealth fades, and only a relationship with Christ offers eternal significance.

• Application: This word underscores the importance of spiritual humility, urging believers to shift their focus from temporary wealth to eternal treasures in Christ.

3. Peirasmos (πειρασμός) – "Trial" or "Temptation"

Scripture Reference: James 1:2-3, 1:13 – “Consider it pure joy... when you face trials...” / “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’”

• Definition: Peirasmos can mean either a trial (testing of faith) or a temptation (enticement to sin), depending on the context.

• Sermon Context: The sermon differentiates between trials, which God allows to refine and strengthen faith, and temptations, which arise from personal desires and lead to sin.

• Application: Believers are encouraged to endure trials with joy and to resist temptation by seeking wisdom and strength from God.