Authentic Faith and Works
James 2:14-26
FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS USELESS, UNPROFITABLE, & UNABLE TO SAVE
LOVE, JUST LIKE FAITH, WITHOUT BEING SHOWN IS GOOD FOR NOTHING
SAYING YOU HAVE FAITH WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF THAT FAITH IS USELESS CHATTER
AUTHENTIC FAITH IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY WORKS IN THE BIBLE
The Gospel and Partiality
James 2:1-13
AUTHENTIC FAITH IS INCONSISTENT WITH PARTIALITY
GOD SAVES IMPARTIALLY ACCORDING TO HIS OWN GRACE AND PURPOSES
AUTHENTIC FAITH IS INCONSISTENT WITH PARTIAL OBEDIENCE
The Gospel and Partiality
James 2:1-13
AUTHENTIC FAITH IS INCONSISTENT WITH PARTIALITY
GOD SAVES IMPARTIALLY ACCORDING TO HIS OWN GRACE AND PURPOSES
AUTHENTIC FAITH IS INCONSISTENT WITH PARTIAL OBEDIENCE
“Settled Truth in Unsettled Times”
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
I. OUR WORLD IS BROKEN
II. GOD IS SOVEREIGN
A. God reigns and rules over all things large and small.
B. All things exist for God’s glory and purposes - even viruses.
C. God controls all of history.
D. God is in control of our personal stories.
III. JESUS ALONE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW
TWO APPLICATIONS:
1. No matter the circumstance, God’s mission doesn’t change
2. The Church will endure.
Evidences of Spiritual Maturity and Wisdom Part 2
James 1:21-27
III. EVIDENCE 3: HOW WE OBEY THE WORD OF GOD
IV. EVIDENCE 4: HOW WE DIRECT AND CONTROL OUR SPEECH
V. EVIDENCE 5: HOW WE DEMONSTRATE COMPASSION TOWARD THE MOST VULNERABLE
VI. EVIDENCE 6: HOW WE LIVE UNSTAINED FROM THE WORLD
Evidences of Spiritual Maturity and Wisdom
James 1:19-21
I. EVIDENCE 1: HOW WE LISTEN, SPEAK, AND CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS
II. EVIDENCE 2: HOW WE RECEIVE THE WORD OF GOD
A. Receiving the Word with meekness
B. Receiving the Word with a prepared heart
C. Receiving the Word for what it is and what it does
God’s Wisdom in Temptation Part 2
James 1:16-18
I. THE TEMPTATION TO MISBELIEF ABOUT GOD
II. TRUTH IS THE ONLY REMEDY FOR DECEPTION AND MISBELIEF
A. God is absolutely good
B. God only gives good gifts
C. God is our Father
D. Our Father never changes
III. THE GOSPEL PROVES THE GOODNESS OF GOD
God’s Wisdom in Temptation
James 1:12-15
I. EVERYONE FACES TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS
II. GOD TEMPTS NO ONE TO SIN
III. HOW DOES TEMPTATION HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES?
A. Desire
B. Deception
C. Decision
D. Death
God’s Wisdom in Poverty or Riches”
James 1:9-12
I. LET THE POOR BOAST IN HIS HIGH PLACE IN CHRIST
II. LET THE RICH BOAST IN HIS LOWLINESS BEFORE CHRIST
III. GOD’S BLESSING AND REWARD COME TO ALL WHO PERSEVERE UNDER TRIAL
Wisdom, Maturity, & Faith
James 1:5-8
I. YOU NEED GOD’S WISDOM TO ENDURE TRIALS PROPERLY
II. GOD IS WAITING AND WILLING TO GIVE IT
III. YOU MUST ASK FOR GOD’S WISDOM IN FAITH
Persevering in Joy
James 1:1-4
I. LIVE FROM YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST
II. TRUST GOD’S PURPOSES IN YOUR TRIALS
A. Trials are meant to purify and refine our faith
B. Trials are meant to produce steadfastness in our lives
C. Trials are meant to grow us in maturity
D. Trials are meant to provide opportunities for us to find joy in Christ
How the Mighty Have Fallen Part 2
2 Samuel 1:1-27
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF FEARING THE LORD
II. THE PRIORITY OF GRIEVING
A. Grief in light of God’s honor
B. Grief in light of remembrance
C. Grief in light of gratitude
D. Grief in light of love
How the Mighty Have Fallen
1 Samuel 31:1-13
I. THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE
II. THE SHAME OF GOD’S NAME BEING DISHONORED
III. KINDNESS & GRATITUDE IN THE MIDST OF PAIN
When Things Go from Bad to Worse
1 Samuel 30:1-31
I. GOD NEVER PROMISES THAT THINGS CAN’T GO FROM BAD TO WORSE
II. GOD’S STRENGTH IS SUFFICIENT
III. GOD’S PROVIDENCE IS MOST OFTEN SUBTLE AND UNANNOUNCED
Praying, Sowing, Reaping
Matthew 9:35-10:1
I. WE NEED THE HEART OF JESUS
II. WE NEED TO GO INTO THE FIELDS LIKE JESUS
Walk in the Light
1 John 1:1-10
I. THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT CHRIST
II. THERE IS NO DARKNESS IN GOD
A. Light speaks of God’s Glory
B. Light speaks of God’s Truth
C. Light speaks of God’s Righteousness, Holiness, and Purity
III. THERE IS NO FELLOWSHIP WITHOUT REPENTANCE
The Light Will Shine Forever
Revelation 22:1-7
I. JESUS WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW
II. JESUS WILL FOREVER BE WITH HIS PEOPLE
III. JESUS WILL BE COMING SOON
The Light Has Dawned
John 1:1-14
I. THE LIGHT REVEALS
A. Jesus is revealed as the Word
B. Jesus is revealed as eternally preexistent
C. Jesus is revealed as God in the flesh
D. Jesus is revealed as Creator of all things
E. Jesus is revealed as Life
II. THE LIGHT IS REJECTED
III. THE LIGHT IS RECEIVED
