Daddy's Daughter: A Short Summary of My Dad's Sermon

An Illogical Conclusion
(James 2:14-26)

In today's text, Pastor James lays out one main principle: Faith without works is dead. He gives us 4 hypothetical situations and 2 hypothetical questions. The two questions are: "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?" (James 2:14) and "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?" (James 2:20). He then gives us two negative examples.

1. The first is about a poor man. Pastor James paints the picture of a poor, somewhat smelly, man entering your church. You welcome him in and invite him to come sit by you. After the service, you're talking to him in the foyer. You find out that he has been having his share of troubles. You go, "I'm so sorry." You say that you care about him. You then say, "Well, bye," and head home to your hot meal cooking in the oven. Faith is demonstrated by works.
2. The second is about a critic in James' audience. Pastor James anticipates someone going, "Well, wait a second here, Pastor. What if I have faith, but no works, and this guy over at the food shelter has works, but no faith? That must mean your theory is wrong." James just shakes his head. He then tells the critic that he must have a faulty definition of faith. Faith and works go together. One without the other, is neither. Faith is demonstrated by works.

James proceeds to give us two historical examples.

1. Abraham. Abraham was told by God that he was going to be father of a great nation (Genesis 12:2). His line would be blessed. But there was one problem for Abraham: he was getting old and he still didn't have any children. He was finally blessed with a son, Isaac. There was another problem for Abraham, though; the Lord told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him. God asked Abraham, "Am I enough?" and Abraham said, "Yes." In the end, God provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac. God wasn't asking Abraham to give Isaac up for Him; He was asking Abraham to live a life of complete obedience. He is asking us the same thing.
2. Rahab. I just talked about Rahab, so I'll just skim this. Rahab, of course, was a prostitute, but she put her faith in God. Because of it, God saved her and her family. She backed her faith up with works (saving the Israelite spies).
   

If we have faith, our works will show. Christianity is not a spectator's game. So, what about you? Will you enjoy a "comfortable" seat in the crowd, or will you get into the game?