Pr. Asap Singh

Scripture Passage: James 2:14-26

 

INTRODUCTION: 

 

“FAITH or WORKS?” - It is (was) a controversy whole through the church history that many believe Paul and James are varying in their belief on faith and works. Paul is nullifying the fact of – Salvation only by faith in Romans 4, on the other hand James argues that Faith without works is dead (James 2).

Today we will be examining in the fact that should we have “FAITH” alone or plus “WORKS”? In earlier weeks we looked at people who came to Jesus and were filled with faith. Their faith led them to action – to take the first step of reaching out Jesus. Can’t we call them an action?

Both Paul and James look at Christian life in different dimensions. Paul on the one hand writing to the unbelievers – the way to become believer is only by faith. James on the other hand writing the believers to show their faith should be in the form of action (works). In other words faith alone saves a believer in inner point of view, that inner faith is evidenced to others by actions.

Today we will be looking at the fact in the point of James – how does faith and work go together or complement each other. (James 2:14-26). Pure faith will tend to do the following as the evidence of inner faith.

The above passage starts with a question “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” a strong statement on faith and works argument starts here, I find three strong reasons James brought out here to explain the readers that faith is evidenced in “GOOD DEEDS” it is not just deeds – Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20 contrasting a good and bad tree based on its fruits not the outward appearances.

1.      FAITH IS EVIDENCED IN COMPASSION (JAM 2:15-17)

One of the reasons the Christian missions started with compassion works because of the Faith they had in the Lord. Reformation in the society, education, healthcare, charity works … etc… are the results of early Christian missionaries and their compassion towards people as Jesus had compassion towards the people, “Good tree bears good fruits.” Now-a-days India is facing the crisis of people bothering about cows rather than the poor and needy in the society.

James ends chapter 1: 27, with this statement “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Godliness is something caring for the orphans, widow and distressed… how can we care for them – it is by being compassionate to them.

James 2:15-17 talks about “Care for people who are in need” Faith in activity (deeds) once you started doing it, it becomes a repeated act or called “Chain Reaction” in science. Faith is like an elevator / moving train / aero-plane – as long as you watch it from far you will be standing where you are – once you get into it you will be moving from one place to other.

 

True Faith Activates With The Nature Of God – Our God Is Not Passive But Active.

I John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death”

I John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

God is love so you must love (His activity must be activated in us) – “I will pray for you.” Is the worst excuse to someone who is in need. When God’s nature is activated in us – we are active in faith – which will be evidenced in Compassion.

True (pure) faith leads you to Compassion – That is the evidence that you have faith!

2.      FAITH IS EVIDENCED IN COMPLIANCE (JAMES 2: 21 – 24)

                                                                                                           

The prime example is taken from the life of Abraham – Abraham’s life is explained in two stages in this passage. We see a passive faith and an active faith (after obedience to God’s commandment).

Stage 1: He had to believe that he will have a son and an innumerable generation – Lord told him to look at the sky and count the stars in the night - and the sands of the sea in the day time. He was reminded of God’s promise both day and night (Psalm 1:2). He had to believe almost a 100% impossible thing – the response from Abraham is “I Trust You” - A passive act in Faith (Just believe)

Stage 2: It is further explained when the impossible became possible almost 14 years after the birth of Isaac. The sacrifice of Isaac is an action or obedience (Compliance), for which he again said “Lord I will do it.”

v. 21, “He had to obey or act upon it” an active faith. Gen 22:3, “He rose up early in the morning – Saddled – Started travelling” probable he had not been informed where he is going to Sarah. It shows the eagerness to act upon the faith that he had towards the Lord.

v. 22 – “his faith was made complete by what he did” – Christian life is all about moving from PASSIVE faith to ACTIVE obedience.  Hebrews 11:17-19 the same action is explained. He believed (passive faith) and acted upon it (active obedience)

The result: v.23, “he was called God’s friend”   

True (pure) faith leads you to Compliance – That is the evidence that you have faith!

3.      FAITH IS EVIDENCED IN COURAGE (JAMES 2:25)

The example used by James is Raheb – the harlot. We see about the statement of faith spelled by Rahab in Joshua 2:9-11.

“I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. ¹⁰ We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. ¹¹ When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below…”

She was courage to take the first step in faith – the true faith in her evidenced through her courage. She would be killed by the king if he comes to know that she saved the spies of Israelites – she had faith in the Lord so that she was willing to take risk in her courage.

Rehab’s incident proves that “Trust in God and act according to it” Our faith is in something that is active so you must be active…

True (pure) faith leads you to Courage – That is the evidence that you have faith!

Conclusion:

To prove your faith is Real, you must prove it by works (deeds) – because faith is evidenced in three “C”s

·         Be Compassionate (because God is Love)

·         Be Compliance (Obey what God commands you to do)

·         Be Courageous (on your believes – and act accordingly)

FAITH without activity is MERE BELIEF

FAITH with work is what a REAL FAITH

May God enable you to be evident in your faith. Amen

Courtesy: Rev. Charles Price, Living Truth, Canada on his sermon on James, “Faith and Belief”

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:

Matthew 6: 5-13 & Luke 18:9-14

INTRODUCTION:

Prayer brings transformation but Prayer with transformation is effective as the Bible Say. A transformed person can pray and bring transformation to a community / state / country. Today I want to encourage you to be transformed in the presence of God and Transform the world around you. You can be the agent of transformation or spent your life idol as mere Christian.

THE PASSAGES

Matthew 6: 5-13 (NASB),⁵ “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.⁷ “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

⁹ “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ¹⁰ ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ¹² ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

Luke 18:9-14 (NASB), ⁹ And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 5-7 is called as the sermon on the mountain, We have no idea how long the sermon went on or how many people were attending in exact numbers. This sermon is the longest sermon recorded in the gospel concealed of three chapters. These chapters contain highest spiritual and moral lessons for anyone who lives anywhere in the world at any time.

PRAYER: We need to have a different understanding or interpretation about prayer at this time. When we use the word “prayer” it immediately reminds of asking something to God for our need or someone’s need. Prayer is beyond that! Prayer makes us to realize we are inferior to God and we are in need of His help, it also based on the relationship. Prayer is communication based on the relationship we have with God. Old Testament understanding of God is different from the Father identified by Jesus. The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving kindness (Ps. 145:7) we see it through Jesus.

The kind of dad we have makes difference in our understanding of “God as Father.” My dad was strict in every aspects, my daughter on the other hand drags attention and demands her place as my child. In Prayer we claim our right as children of God, not always begging for mercy / things before God. My God is the owner of the universe I being His child must claim everything my father possesses.

TRANSFORMATION: it is explained as “Remarkable change in form, nature or appearance. For example sugar turns into cotton candy – worm turns into butterfly. These are examples for transformation – a change in nature/appearance or essence.

Transformation in Christian understanding in “Inner change” or “change of heart.” Paul identified this as “New Creation in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). Even though the Old Testament had this idea of inner transformation, the New Testament emphasizes it further.

Ps 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

John 9:31, “We know that God does not listen to sinners”

Catholics have “Prayer for Transformation” as a part of service in most cases.

“PRAYER TRANSFORMS US BUT GOD WANTS A TRANSFORMED PRAYER.”

The passages identify contrast in the mindset of prayer. The first is the prayer of a hypocrite and the second part identifies the prayer of a righteous (Transformed person).

1.       PRAYER OF A HYPOCRITE (MAT 6:5-8)

In both these cases Jesus identify the “Pharisees” who by themselves called as righteous people but there was no inner transformation so that Jesus called them “The hypocrites.” Outside looks pretty good but the inside is full of dirt and deceit. Jesus expects the contrary in prayer – no matter how you look outside Jesus expects purity in the heart. The hypocritical prayer is self centered which has following aspects…

a.      Expectation to pray in the public (either temple or street)

b.      Wanted to get public attention

c.       Wanted to show polished long prayer & Repetitions.

All the above were good, but something essential is missing that is “GOD” we see the similar case when Pharisee prayed in the synagogue (Luke 18:10ff)

2.       PRAYER OF A TRANSFORMED (RIGHTEOUS) PERSON (MAT 6:9-13)

This prayer has the intention to exalt God and humble selfishness. This prayer doesn’t boast – gives importance to the inner man. I see the following nature as Jesus taught the prayer to the disciples,

a.       Exalts God (Hallowed by thy name)

b.      Expects His Kingdom (Thy Kingdom Come)

c.       Content in God’s Provision (Give us the daily bread)

d.      Extends Forgiveness (Forgive us – we forgive others)

e.      Expels Temptations (Deliver us from Evil One)

The prayer of the tax collector was similar to the second prayer, which Jesus approved at the end of the passage. God wants to hear a transformed prayer to change the world.

CONCLUSION:

We are all the agents of transformation to the areas we placed – Matt 5:13-16, “There is no use of Salt and light if they don’t serve the purpose for which we use them.”

A transformed person can transform the world – If there is no inner transformation in us, we cannot expect transformation outside through us. Only a tuned guitar tunes other, an un-tuned guitar can never help us tune a guitar so also the transformation serves in transforming others.

The experience in “Bulb Factory” a raw material goes through a transforming process, once it goes through that – it lights up the world and the shape never changes again.

David wanted to have this transformation as he sinned against the Lord so that he prays to the Lord, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me!” (Psalm 51: 10). You can pray to the Lord to transform right now to be the agent of transformation to your community. May God enable to achieve it as you go through the transforming process. Amen!

Pr. Asap Singh

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Introduction:

Bible has unique chapters in the expression of particular themes, there is chapter for

·         CREATION (Genesis 1);

·         WORD OF GOD (Psalm 119);

·         LOVE (I Cor. 13);

·         SPIRITUAL GIFTS (I Cor. 12);

·         HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2);

·         FAITH (Hebrews 11)

·         NEW CREATION (Rev 21)

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Impossible is a strong negative expression that says “IT CANNOT HAPPEN.” It is not HARD TO HAPPEN. Hebrews records four such things in the epistle,

6:4 – Impossible to restore someone that taste God’s goodness and leaves Him.

6:18 – Impossible for God to lie

10:4 – The blood of bull or goat Impossible to take away the sins of people.

11:6 – Impossible to please God without faith

However the verse in Matthew 19:26 says, “For man it is impossible but for God all things are possible.” Speaking of rich man entering into the kingdom of God in comparison with camel and eye of the needle.

FAITH – Forsaking All I Trust Him.

FAITH is like a muscle the more you exercise, the more it grows

In the past weeks I spoke about the need of faith from the life of Disciples so that Jesus condemned them “O You of Little Faith.” Nevertheless he never hesitated to appreciate the gentiles who had faith on him by saying “You have Great Faith.”

1.      THE POWER OF FAITH IN SALVATION (Luke 7:36-50)

A long passage where Jesus was in the house of Simon, the Pharisee for a meal along with his disciples. Mary Magdaline, a sinful woman washed the feet of Jesus with precious alabaster and tears, wiped it with her hair (The glory of woman). Jesus at the end of the passage in v.50 - Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

There was no healing occurred but the forgiveness of sins – the forgiveness of sins brings salvation. Luke 19:9, Jesus declared salvation in Zacceaus house after forgiveness and repentance.

The scenario here is,

Simon - A Pharisee, religious person who is polished look outside but corrupt with his thought inside, he was boiling with his thoughts but unable to ask Jesus.

Disciples – Might be annoyed of her actions in the public. Judas wanted to sell the precious alabaster and give it to poor (Matt 26: 8 cf. John 12:5).

Jesus - Looked her inner heart which is full of faith and longing for forgiveness and salvation. Jesus declared salvation on her.

Matthew 26:13, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” The great faith found in her led into salvation – v.50, “Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, “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.

Jesus found the great faith in her and said – v.50 - Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

THE POWER OF FAITH LEADS TO SALVATION

2.      THE POWER OF FAITH IN HEALING (Luke 8:40-48)

Miracle inside a miracle – Jesus in this case was not intended to perform the healing of the woman with blood issues. He was in urgent to raise Jairus’ daughter who was dying.  Jairus’ was an official in synagogue – His only 12 years old daughter – she was about to die (not yet dead) – A desperate situation for a father who wants to restore his daughter.

DESPARATE situation often makes us to MISS the mark. We fail to behave who we are… (My experience with the school teachers as they were delaying to give the relieving orders last week)

SHE IS A WOMAN OF FAITH: Matt 9:21-22 (cf. Mark 5:34), She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” What a great faith statement in the time of urgency and great crowd pushing him on his way.

Jesus found the great faith in her and said – v. 48, Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” The passage continues with Jairus’ daughter dead and Jesus rose her back to life.

THE POWER OF FAITH LEADS YOU TO HEALING

3.      THE POWER OF FAITH IN RESTORATION (Luke 18:35-43)

Miracles are not Wonders. Wonders are greater than the miracles. Wonders are restoring something that is irrevocable by human efforts. It can be healing or control over the nature, etc.

The miracle of restoring the sight of a blind man (Named Bartimaeus in Mark 10). Jesus looked at the persistence of the blind man – He was not bothered about the negative circumstance and rejection from the people. His faith is proved when he was shouted more in his adversity to Jesus (v.39), “He shouted more unto Jesus.”

Jesus’ Response in v. 42, “Your Faith has healed you.”

Similar instance we see it in Luke 17:11-19, “One among the ten lepers came back to Jesus to thank Him for the healing, Jesus restored his health and appreciated of his faith.

v.19, “Rise and Go: Your Faith has made you well.”

THE POWER OF FAITH CAN RESTORE ANY PHYSICAL / SPIRITUAL DISORDER.

Conclusion:

Do you understand the power of faith in your life and experience it in its fuller way?

·         Faith has power to SAVE you

·         Faith has power to HEAL you

·         Faith has power to RESTORE you

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Amen