FAITH AND WORKS
                                                      James 2:14-26
INTRO:
1.  Salvation by faith or by works is an old controversy:  some religions promote                  salvation by works only (Catholicsm), others salv. by faith only (Protestant denom.)
2.  However, the Bible teaches salvation involves both faith & works - Eph. 2:10; Titus         3:5
     a.  Because truth is consistent, we must accept both - there is saving faith and                    there are saving works.
     b.  To conclude that ALL works are non-essential is to "wrest" (distort - NASV)                     scripture - cf. 2 Pet. 3:16
3.  Our text is very clear in teaching on these matters

I.  A DESCRIPTION OF FAITH WITHOUT WORKS: 
    A.  Not profitable - 14a.; cf. Gal. 5:2; 1 Cor. 13:3

    B.  Mere profession - 14b.; Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21ff.; Acts 2:37; 2 Pet. 1:10

    C.  Not saving - 14c
         1.   The question implies a negative answer
         2.   Faith saves (Eph. 2:8), justifies (Rom. 5:1), and purifies (Acts 15:9) - BUT                      FAITH WITHOUT WORKS CONDEMNS!

     D.  A dead faith - 17, cf. 26

     E.  Cannot be demonstrated - 18; cf. Titus 2:7; 3:1; Matt. 5:13-16
          1. Our faith must not be like scribes & Pharisees - Matt. 23:2-3

     F.  A faith of demons - 19; cf. Mark 5:7; Lk. 4:34
          1.  Even demons believed "God is one", but more was certainly required
          2.  Many may believe in the existence of God and Jesus as the Son of God, but                  until they have done ALL THE LORD COMMANDS, their faith is no more than                that of the demons.

II.  THREE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAITH & WORKS:     
     A.  The Christian - 15-16
          1.  Acceptable "works" in benevolence is obeying what God commands in this                     regard - Matt. 25:35; 1 John 3:17
               a.   Without them, faith was nothing - cf. "Road ....paved with good intentions"
          2.  No incompatibility here between faith and obedient works
               a.  We recognize the Bible teaches there are certain "works" that do cannot                        save (of the law, of merit) - Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
               b.  However, we must acknowledge the necessary works - Eph. 2:10cf.                                (Illustration:  Martin Luther's rejection of James)

     B.  Abraham - 21-24; cf. Heb. 11:17 (by faith)

     C.  Rahab - 25; Heb. 11:31 (faith)

                                                                                                  - Dan Richardson