WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 which is found on page 15 of the church Bibles. 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:09.919 And our second reading is from James. 00:00:10.660 --> 00:00:12.800 Please turn with me to Genesis 15. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:32.299 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:34.519 Do not be afraid, Abraham. 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.799 I am your shield, your very great reward. 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:45.519 But Abraham said, O sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless 00:00:45.519 --> 00:00:50.239 and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus? 00:00:51.099 --> 00:00:55.599 And Abraham said, You have given me no children, 00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:59.140 so a servant in my household will be my heir. 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:02.519 Then the word of the Lord came to him. 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:09.439 This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:14.760 He took him outside and said, Look up at the heavens and count the stars, 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:16.540 if indeed you can count them. 00:01:17.300 --> 00:01:20.659 Then he said to him, So shall your offspring be. 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:27.260 Abraham believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:32.719 Our second Bible reading, as I said, is from James. 00:01:33.160 --> 00:01:36.420 It's James chapter 2, verses 14 to 26. 00:01:36.740 --> 00:01:42.920 But before we turn there, I'm going to briefly summarize the other two Old Testament passages 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:45.520 that James will refer to in this letter. 00:01:46.960 --> 00:01:52.439 James refers to Abraham and Rahab in this section of his letter. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:56.099 In referring to Abraham, he mentions the passage we just read, 00:01:56.679 --> 00:02:02.280 as well as the start of Genesis 22, where God tests Abraham by calling to him 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:09.360 and telling him to sacrifice the promised son, Isaac, as a burnt offering on a mountain. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:15.079 Abraham obeys God and travels with Isaac to the place God told him. 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:20.560 When he arrives, God prevents Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, saying, 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:23.060 Do not lay a hand on the boy. 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:25.599 Do not do anything to him. 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:32.000 Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me, your son, your only son. 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:36.740 This leads to God reaffirming his covenant with Abraham. 00:02:37.640 --> 00:02:43.439 The last illustration James uses is about Rahab and her actions in the book of Joshua. 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:49.460 When the nation of Israel came into the promised land, what was to become the land of Israel? 00:02:49.460 --> 00:02:54.780 In the book of Israel, Rahab could see that God was with them and sided with them. 00:02:55.600 --> 00:03:03.700 She hid some Israelite spies who came to her and made sure they safely escaped from the city of Jericho 00:03:03.700 --> 00:03:07.659 by sending the spies and the people of Jericho in different directions. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:16.460 Okay, now that you have those events in mind, let's read what James says in chapter 2, verses 14 to 26. 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:30.000 And it's on page 1214. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:38.900 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:41.200 Can such faith save him? 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:45.619 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:47.639 If one of you says to him, 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:55.039 Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:56.319 what good is it? 00:03:57.019 --> 00:04:02.699 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:04.819 But someone will say, 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:07.739 You have faith, I have deeds. 00:04:08.359 --> 00:04:12.799 Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:15.120 You believe that there is one God. 00:04:15.739 --> 00:04:16.000 Good. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:18.540 Even the demons believe that. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:19.459 And shudder. 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:21.459 You foolish man. 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:24.800 Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:32.659 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:36.840 You see that his faith and his actions were working together. 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:40.540 And his faith was made complete by what he did. 00:04:41.140 --> 00:04:43.880 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:48.540 Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:51.340 And he was called God's friend. 00:04:52.080 --> 00:04:56.680 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:05.060 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies 00:05:05.060 --> 00:05:07.620 and sent them off in a different direction? 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:13.960 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:19.599 We're going to consider the meaning of what we read in a moment. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.959 But first, let's sing towards hardworking employees with end-of-year bonuses. 00:05:25.239 --> 00:05:28.219 It's the time of year when bonuses are decided. 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:30.319 You've been working hard all year. 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:36.319 And your boss, the person who awards them in this workplace, comes to you and says, 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:38.719 You're the best worker I have. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:44.060 You've done exceptionally well and deserve to get a bonus this year. 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:49.300 However, at the appropriate time, no bonus materializes. 00:05:50.159 --> 00:05:52.980 You ask your boss about it and they say, 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:55.139 Yes, the bonus. 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:57.219 You definitely deserve it. 00:05:58.159 --> 00:06:03.060 Your boss freely admits that under the workplace policy, you deserve it. 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:06.160 And that you should receive it. 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:08.379 But it never materializes. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:12.860 What's more, you happen to know the business has the money to award them. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:15.000 How do you feel? 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:16.780 Confused? 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:17.740 Hurt? 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:18.500 Angry? 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:19.579 Used? 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:24.459 Now imagine another situation. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:27.399 You receive the death threat. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:29.199 You go to the police. 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:31.279 They're immediately concerned. 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:32.459 They say, 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:36.079 Your safety is our first priority. 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:38.679 Given your circumstances, 00:06:39.179 --> 00:06:44.339 we will post offices outside your house for the next few weeks to keep you safe. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:46.739 What if the offices never came? 00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:53.599 Would you not feel that the very institution that was meant to protect you had failed you? 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:55.979 You may wonder what the motto, 00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:58.399 Keeping People Safe, really meant. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:03.719 James tells us it is the same with Christians. 00:07:04.359 --> 00:07:08.039 What good is our faith if we do not have works? 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:12.159 Let's turn back to James 2, 14 to 26. 00:07:14.159 --> 00:07:17.439 In this section, James answers the question, 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:19.959 What does saving faith look like? 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:28.939 He does this by arguing that faith without works is dead and does not justify the person who claims to have it. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:36.279 We might say then that faith without works is not faith at all because it is not saving faith. 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:40.799 In answering the question of what saving faith looks like, 00:07:41.239 --> 00:07:43.319 James begins by posing the question, 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:48.299 What good is a claim to have faith which does not produce deeds? 00:07:48.979 --> 00:07:51.659 From verse 20, he turns to consider the alternative. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:54.299 What faith with deeds looks like? 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:57.060 Let's turn to verse 14. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:07:58.579 James writes, 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:04.199 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:06.300 Can such faith save him? 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:09.600 In this verse, James introduces the problem. 00:08:10.960 --> 00:08:13.139 A person who says that they have faith, 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:15.439 who says that they follow Christ, 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:18.540 but does not act like they follow Christ. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:21.620 He is talking about claim versus action. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:28.500 This person might be identified with the one in James chapter 1, verses 19 to 27, 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:33.019 who is merely a listener or reader of God's word and not a doer. 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:40.019 In verses 15 to 17, James argues his point with a comparison to hospitality. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:45.480 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:47.240 If one of you says to him, 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:50.560 Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:53.299 but does nothing about his physical needs. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.879 What good is it? 00:08:55.739 --> 00:08:58.179 In the same way, faith by itself, 00:08:58.339 --> 00:09:01.359 if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:04.339 What does James mean by this? 00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:07.339 His example here is a comparison. 00:09:08.239 --> 00:09:12.399 He wants us to see the similarities between the situations. 00:09:13.119 --> 00:09:14.099 This is why he says, 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:16.679 In the same way, at the start of verse 17. 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:21.179 What is James' example meant to illustrate then? 00:09:21.979 --> 00:09:23.719 It's an example from hospitality. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:26.539 The example is like those I gave earlier. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:30.779 What good is it if your manager says you deserve a bonus, 00:09:31.359 --> 00:09:33.719 but neglects to give you what you deserve? 00:09:34.459 --> 00:09:39.659 Or what good is it if the police declare that they care about keeping people safe, 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:42.699 but they don't demonstrate they mean it with their actions? 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:47.160 What good is it if you see someone's need? 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:52.080 If you know how to fill that need and can fill that need, 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:56.680 but you decide that what you have is yours, not theirs, 00:09:57.040 --> 00:10:00.620 so you wish them well in having their need met. 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:02.980 Is that showing hospitality? 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:08.280 James is saying that in the same way, 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:10.720 those well-wishers are worthless. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:14.480 So, faith is faith without deeds. 00:10:16.699 --> 00:10:20.360 That is, faith that is not accompanied by action is dead. 00:10:20.579 --> 00:10:21.720 It cannot save. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:26.240 How does this fit with our belief that we are saved by faith alone? 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:28.339 I'll go into that. 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:31.559 But let's save that for later, 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:34.019 after we've examined more of James' arguments. 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:39.480 Let's continue by looking at verse 18 and the first part of 19. 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:42.120 But someone will say, 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:45.000 you have faith, I have deeds. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.879 Show me your faith without deeds, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.919 and I will show you my faith by what I do. 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:55.199 Verse 18 feels slightly strange coming after verse 17. 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:58.360 This verse ties back into 14. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:00.240 His thought runs in this manner. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:03.779 If a man claims to have faith but no deeds, 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:05.460 someone will say to him, 00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:08.000 you have faith, I have deeds. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:12.220 Is the imagined claim of verse 18 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:17.460 meant to be suggesting one can rely on their actions to save them, 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:20.980 as though they could work their way into God's good books 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:24.899 and earn the right to be saved under their own power? 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.379 Not at all. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:31.720 The imagined response turns out to be James' own response. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:34.980 You have faith, I have deeds, he says, 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:37.340 but this is not an isolated claim. 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:41.480 James says that the person with deeds also has faith. 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:45.480 I will show you my faith by what I do. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:48.860 James finishes verse 19 with a comment 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:52.240 intending to show how faith without action is dead, 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:55.340 that it is fraudulent faith. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:58.840 You believe that there is one God. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.460 Good. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:02.460 Even the demons believe that and shudder. 00:12:03.920 --> 00:12:04.940 Faith without deeds, 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:07.340 faith that does not produce action, 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:11.019 may be equated with assent to some intellectual facts. 00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:15.920 It is faith that acknowledges what God wants, 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:18.860 but then refuses to do it. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:23.100 It is like the boss or the police from our imagined incidents 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:25.440 who declare one thing with their mouths 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:28.919 and display something completely different with their actions. 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:32.639 James reminds us that the demons, 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:36.180 those angelic beings who rebelled against God, 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.500 believe truths about God. 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:41.460 But even the demons shudder at that knowledge. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:45.039 James is suggesting that a person who claims belief 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.980 and is not impacted by that claim, 00:12:48.599 --> 00:12:51.199 who thinks they can go on living as they always have, 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:53.879 has even less than the demons. 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:56.679 Because demons in shuddering, 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:58.559 at least demonstrate awareness 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:00.919 of what such belief means for them. 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:05.159 If we truly acknowledge who God is, 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:07.480 there are practical implications. 00:13:08.719 --> 00:13:10.459 True belief produces works. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:13.200 On the other hand, 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:16.280 faith which is dead produces nothing. 00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:19.300 Such a person, in the words of James, 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.920 deceives themselves 00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:23.340 and their religion is worthless. 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:28.160 In verses 20 to 26, 00:13:28.660 --> 00:13:30.280 James turns to examples 00:13:30.280 --> 00:13:33.280 to demonstrate the validity of his argument. 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:36.560 First, he explains how Abraham's faith 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:38.820 supports what he says 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:40.740 in verses 21 to 24. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:41.840 And then, 00:13:42.020 --> 00:13:43.340 how Rahab's faith 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.480 supports what he says in verse 25, 00:13:46.020 --> 00:13:48.120 concluding the whole section in verse 26. 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:51.120 Let's look at verses 20 to 21. 00:13:52.540 --> 00:13:53.960 You foolish man, 00:13:54.520 --> 00:13:55.540 do you want evidence 00:13:55.540 --> 00:13:57.360 that faith without deeds is useless? 00:13:58.180 --> 00:14:00.120 Was not our ancestor Abraham 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.200 considered righteous 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.540 for what he did 00:14:02.540 --> 00:14:05.080 when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:09.400 I summarized this story earlier, 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:13.100 but we'll quickly cover it again. 00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:15.920 Abraham, when called by God 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:17.660 to sacrifice his son Isaac, 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:19.740 the son promised to him by God, 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:20.780 obeys. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.920 However, God stops him before he can. 00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:25.520 And in Genesis 22, 00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:27.460 verses 16 to 18, 00:14:28.020 --> 00:14:30.259 he commends Abraham for his actions, 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.080 saying, 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:33.420 I swear by myself 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:36.060 that because you have done this 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:38.740 and have not withheld your son, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:40.100 your only son, 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:42.420 I will surely bless you 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:43.800 and make your descendants 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:44.800 as numerous 00:14:44.800 --> 00:14:46.759 as the stars in the sky 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.800 and as the sand on the seashore. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:51.040 Your descendants will take possession 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:53.080 of the cities of their enemies 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:55.220 and through your offspring, 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:57.700 all nations on earth will be blessed 00:14:57.700 --> 00:15:00.379 because you have obeyed me. 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.980 This oath, 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.200 this promise that God makes 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:07.600 is a reiteration of the covenant 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.120 he made with Abraham, 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.680 which appears in various forms 00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:15.120 in Genesis 12, 00:15:15.640 --> 00:15:16.600 chapter 15, 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.320 which was the first reading, 00:15:18.900 --> 00:15:19.860 and chapter 17. 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:23.140 There is evidence in Genesis 22 00:15:23.140 --> 00:15:24.660 that Abraham was considered 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:26.060 righteous for his actions 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:27.679 in offering Isaac on the altar. 00:15:28.359 --> 00:15:28.899 That is, 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:30.639 because of Abraham's actions, 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.779 God reiterates his promise, 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.299 his covenant with Abraham, 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.259 saying, 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:37.239 because you have done this 00:15:37.239 --> 00:15:39.359 and have not withheld your son, 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.479 your only son. 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.919 James does not stop here 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:44.039 with his example, though. 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:46.299 In verses 22 to 24, 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:48.299 he makes his argument clearer. 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:50.579 Let's read those verses together. 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:53.720 You see that his faith 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.680 and his actions 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.780 were working together, 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:58.440 and his faith was made complete 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.660 by what he did, 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.660 and the scripture was fulfilled 00:16:01.660 --> 00:16:02.440 that says, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.560 Abraham believed God, 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:07.120 and it was credited to him 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.040 as righteousness, 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:10.700 and he was called God's friend. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.720 You see that a person 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.620 is justified by what he does 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.480 and not by faith alone. 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:19.940 What is James saying 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.700 in these verses? 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:23.080 What is the relationship 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:24.539 between faith and works 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.539 that he's illustrating? 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.300 Is James saying 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:29.200 we need to not just believe, 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.899 but reach a certain level 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:32.279 of goodness to be saved? 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.340 We can answer that 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.279 through a careful reading 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.980 of these verses. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.220 The core of verses 22 to 24 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:41.860 is bracketed with the conclusion 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:43.159 James is pointing us to. 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:46.339 Verse 22 and verse 24 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:47.759 both begin with, 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.439 you see. 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:51.059 You see that Abraham's faith 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.600 and actions 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.500 were working together. 00:16:53.579 --> 00:16:54.980 You see that a person 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:57.100 is justified by what he does 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.659 and not by faith alone. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.319 Similarly, 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.679 the core of these verses, 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.240 which is the second half 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.099 of verse 22 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:07.019 and all of verse 23, 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.519 use terms of fulfillment. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.399 Abraham's faith 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:11.980 was made complete 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.220 by what he did 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.440 and the scripture 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.500 was fulfilled 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:17.240 by what he did. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:24.319 We need to pay attention 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.839 to the order of events 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.940 in this example 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:29.279 so that we properly understand 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.940 James' reading of Genesis. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.160 In Genesis 15, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.019 Abraham believed God 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.819 that God would give him a son 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:39.039 and make him into a great nation 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.779 and it was credited 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:42.659 to him as righteousness. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.799 Afterwards, 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.500 in Genesis 22, 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:49.240 Abraham offered his son Isaac, 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:51.220 the son of the promise, 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:51.960 to God 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:54.279 when God tested him 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:56.079 and God reiterated 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.500 his promises to Abraham 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.039 saying, 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.139 because you have done this 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.759 and have not withheld your son, 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.599 your only son. 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:06.019 James has carefully chosen 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.700 which events of Abraham's life 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.460 to talk about. 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.000 This is crucial 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.740 to his argument. 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.160 They both involve 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.080 the promised son, 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:13.700 Isaac. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.640 Abraham believed 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:17.259 that God would give him Isaac 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.400 in Genesis 15 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:20.940 and he freely offered Isaac 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.700 back to God 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.340 when tested 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.620 in Genesis 22. 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.680 Because Abraham 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.980 had faith in God, 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.220 he carried out 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.200 what God asked 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.620 and so, 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.620 it's put this way 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:32.660 in the book of Hebrews, 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.120 chapter 11, 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:36.840 verses 17 to 19. 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:39.079 By faith, 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.699 Abraham, 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.519 when God tested him, 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.699 offered Isaac 00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.919 as a sacrifice. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.240 He who had received 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.859 the promises 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.559 was about to sacrifice 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.119 his one and only son. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.659 Even though God 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.459 had said to him, 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.740 it is through Isaac 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.579 that your offspring 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.500 will be reckoned, 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:57.199 Abraham reasoned 00:18:57.199 --> 00:18:58.659 that God could raise the dead 00:18:58.659 --> 00:19:00.839 and figuratively speaking, 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.359 he did receive Isaac 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.259 back from death. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:06.599 Abraham offered Isaac 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.460 by faith. 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.420 His actions worked 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:11.180 together with his faith. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.559 The faith he claimed 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.079 to have 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.960 and his actions 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.779 were in agreement, 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.460 they did not contradict 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.099 each other 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.279 and so, 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.200 James says, 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.680 Abraham's faith 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.460 was made complete 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.960 by his actions. 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.039 What does it mean 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.539 that Abraham's faith 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.420 was made complete? 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:32.360 It sounds rather unusual 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:32.960 in English. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.500 We don't really use 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.519 complete in this way. 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:37.440 Unfortunately, 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.539 this is the result 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.600 of trying to translate 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.200 a concept. 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.440 This concept carries 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.539 the idea of fulfillment. 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.320 Abraham's works 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.759 displayed the reality 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.820 of his faith. 00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.920 They were the natural result 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.900 of his faith. 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.320 Going back to our examples 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:53.940 at the beginning, 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.440 imagine instead 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.740 that your boss 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.680 both declares 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.880 you're worthy of a bonus 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.160 and then gives you 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.680 the bonus. 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:03.120 Or the police declare 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:03.720 that they care 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.600 about your safety 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:06.220 and they protect you 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.800 from those who 00:20:06.800 --> 00:20:07.440 threatened you. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:09.640 Now, 00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:10.600 we could say 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.840 that their actions 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:13.020 back up their claims. 00:20:14.020 --> 00:20:15.120 In James' language, 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:15.860 their actions 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.680 could be said 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.720 to complete 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.600 their claims, 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.660 to show 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.460 that they truly 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.660 believe what they say. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.240 This is how 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.460 James can go on 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:26.880 to say 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:28.200 that Abraham's actions 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.360 fulfilled scripture. 00:20:30.540 --> 00:20:31.540 Genesis 15, 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.380 1-6, 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.240 concluded with, 00:20:34.280 --> 00:20:34.820 Abraham, 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.840 that is Abraham, 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.160 believed the Lord 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.960 and it was credited 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.940 to him 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.780 as righteousness. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.560 Abraham's actions 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:44.360 of offering Isaac 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.820 fulfilled this scripture 00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:47.300 by demonstrating 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:48.860 that his faith, 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.840 his belief 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.680 in God 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.100 was true. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:55.079 it was faith 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.219 that was proven true 00:20:56.219 --> 00:20:57.279 by his action. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.379 So going back 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.179 to those questions 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:01.179 I said we could answer 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:02.119 with a close reading 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:03.959 of verses 22 to 24. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:06.159 What is James saying 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:06.819 in these verses? 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.119 What relationship 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:09.079 between faith 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.819 and works 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.799 is he illustrating? 00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:12.480 Is James saying 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:14.099 we need to not just believe 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:15.459 but reach a certain level 00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:15.980 of goodness 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.779 to be saved? 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.219 What is the answer? 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:21.799 Well the answer is 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:23.500 James is not addressing 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.140 that question. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.799 What is James addressing? 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.299 James is addressing 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.200 whether or not 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.240 saving faith 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.079 will produce fruit 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.799 in our lives. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.940 Are we saved by works? 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.600 No. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.380 It is helpful 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.279 to consider Paul 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.059 on this subject. 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.380 Paul says 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.380 in Ephesians 2 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.680 verses 8 and 9 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:54.600 Paul quite clearly 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.600 writes that we are 00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.740 not saved by our works 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.779 but he does not 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.500 stop there. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:00.019 He goes on to say 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.860 in verse 10 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.779 for we are God's 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.359 workmanship 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:05.339 created in Christ Jesus 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:07.679 to do good works 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:09.079 which God prepared 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.740 in advance 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.479 for us to do. 00:22:11.479 --> 00:22:12.319 So we see that 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.279 while we are saved 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.119 by faith alone 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:17.240 that is what we do 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.539 works sorry 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.000 that is what we do 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.179 remain important. 00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:23.079 Why then 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.439 does James claim 00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:26.099 that we are not saved 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.799 by faith alone 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.679 in verse 24? 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:30.039 because he is answering 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.900 a different question. 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:32.480 He is talking about 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.279 whether or not 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.940 we are saved 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.820 by a claim 00:22:34.820 --> 00:22:35.920 to have faith. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.920 True faith 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.720 will necessarily 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.779 produce evidence 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.900 of its existence 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:42.519 as Paul says 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.680 we are created 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.680 in Christ Jesus 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.779 to do good works 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.220 which God prepared 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.940 in advance 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.680 for us to do. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.560 Jesus tells us 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:52.080 if you love me 00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:52.799 you will obey 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.660 what I command 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.279 and if anyone 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.539 would come after me 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:58.399 he must deny himself 00:22:58.399 --> 00:23:00.240 and take up his cross 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.740 daily and follow me. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.139 Saving faith 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:04.899 is productive 00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:06.720 it is worked out 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.559 displayed 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.740 in changes 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.059 in every aspect 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.259 of life. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.740 Saving faith 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.700 is a work of God 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.220 in us 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.420 which inevitably 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.779 transforms us 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:19.099 affecting how we think 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:20.180 and all we do. 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.619 When James uses 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.379 the word faith 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:25.220 in this passage 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.059 he is choosing 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.620 the language 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.420 of those 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.600 whom he is critiquing. 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.039 In verse 14 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.700 he talks about 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.700 those who claim 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.539 to have faith. 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:34.200 All through this passage 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.960 when he refers 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.600 to faith 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.920 he is talking 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.980 about the claim 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.559 to faith. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.180 Making a claim 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.759 to faith 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.900 does not save you. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.680 You need to have faith. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.579 Faith which is not dead. 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:47.539 Faith which produces 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.079 action. 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.660 You need to have 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.960 saving faith. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.059 faith. 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.019 The Westminster 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.160 Confession of Faith 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.579 which is the doctrinal 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.840 standard of our church 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:03.420 in its 14th chapter 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.380 summarizes what 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.319 saving faith is. 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.500 It says among 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.160 other things 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.240 that by 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.579 saving faith 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.500 a Christian 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.500 acts differently 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.500 in their life. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.539 However 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.860 the principal 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:17.120 acts of saving 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:17.819 faith are 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.360 accepting 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.220 receiving 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.039 and resting 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.839 upon Christ 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.200 alone 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.000 for justification 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.360 sanctification 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:25.039 and eternal life 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.819 by virtue 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.519 of the covenant 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.279 of grace. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.940 What does that mean? 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.940 Many wonderful things 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:32.519 but the important part 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.180 that I want us 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.759 to take away 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.319 this evening 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.640 is what I have 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.200 been saying. 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.680 What James 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.460 has been saying. 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.339 That saving faith 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.460 that is faith 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.620 which is not dead 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:44.160 will produce 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.519 changes in our life 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:47.180 good works 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.319 good works 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.500 which do not 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.079 themselves 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.000 save us 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:52.599 but are instead 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.659 an outworking 00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:54.720 of our faith. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.759 What saves us? 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.019 The sacrifice 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.039 of Christ. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.559 He saves us 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.159 through his death 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.859 and resurrection. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.439 Saving faith 00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.220 is not idle 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.639 it produces 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.460 many things 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.779 but our salvation 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.919 our forgiveness 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.779 by God 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.980 for all the wrong 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.799 things we know 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.339 we've done 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.480 all the shameful 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.299 things we wish 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:14.919 to hide from 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.379 the world 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.599 even for all 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.059 those wrong 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.720 things we do 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.440 not realize 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:18.899 we do. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.779 Our salvation 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:22.299 is as Paul 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:22.700 says 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:24.279 not by works 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.279 so that no one 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.859 can boast 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.819 but instead 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.899 is through faith 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:30.200 and so we are 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.460 transformed inwardly 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.980 so that we can 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:34.220 desire what is right 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.500 and we are 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.419 gradually changed 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.200 outwardly 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.379 sanctified 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.379 by God 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.759 so that we both 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.720 more and more 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:43.579 desire what is right 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.720 and are enabled 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.240 to do 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.380 the good works 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.660 which we now 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.519 desire to do 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.420 which God 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.059 has prepared 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.980 for us to do. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.039 James has one 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.880 more example 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.420 for us. 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.579 Let's look at 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.460 verses 25 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.200 and 26. 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.940 In the same way 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:01.220 was not even 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.660 Rahab the prostitute 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.799 considered righteous 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.900 for what she did 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.940 when she gave 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.019 lodging to the spies 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.860 and sent them off 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.860 in a different direction 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:10.339 as the body 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.500 without the spirit 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:11.980 is dead 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.880 so faith 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.600 without deeds 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.099 is dead. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.240 In verse 25 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.799 James offers 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.480 the example 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.299 of Rahab 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.279 the prostitute. 00:26:21.959 --> 00:26:23.019 As I said earlier 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.039 her story appears 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.539 in Joshua. 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.299 She is a prostitute 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.279 who lives in Jericho. 00:26:27.939 --> 00:26:28.599 She protects 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.659 the Israelite spies 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.619 from being captured. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.500 In exchange 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.480 when Israel 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.539 captures Jericho 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.599 her life 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.480 and the lives 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:38.059 of those in her house 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.839 are spared. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.619 Essentially 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:42.019 she and her people 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.819 become a part 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.419 of the people 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:43.899 of God. 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.659 I do not believe 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.599 James idly 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.779 chose this example. 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.839 Rahab was a prostitute 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:53.599 and he points 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.359 that out here. 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.079 She had a shameful 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.639 sinful occupation. 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:58.659 However 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.639 she was considered 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.059 righteous 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.000 by what she did 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.619 in receiving 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.299 the spies. 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:04.839 James offers 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.579 this example 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.339 to show 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.299 that our past 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.399 no matter 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:09.200 what we were 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.359 it cannot prevent 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.099 us from being 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.559 saved. 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.179 That is 00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.819 because we are 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.719 saved by grace 00:27:14.719 --> 00:27:15.719 not by works. 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.419 What shameful 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:18.079 things are in 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.719 your past? 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.079 What things 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:22.819 make you think 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.500 that if someone 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.139 knew everything 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.799 about you 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.299 they would 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.079 despise you? 00:27:28.459 --> 00:27:29.299 God knows 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.539 everything about us 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:32.000 not just what 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.479 we've done 00:27:32.479 --> 00:27:34.019 he even knows 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.779 all the thoughts 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.539 we've ever had. 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:37.480 no matter 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.180 how shameful 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:39.039 or sinful 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.599 our pasts are 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:42.079 God offers us 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.899 his friendship 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:44.339 if only we 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.299 believe in him 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.180 in Jesus 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.819 he promises us 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.500 his spirit. 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.240 He has prepared 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.940 good works 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.680 for us to do 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.159 but not on 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:53.619 our own. 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.200 He transforms 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.940 those of us 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.579 who believe 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:58.119 gradually and 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.440 gently 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.220 into better 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.019 people who 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.460 care and 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.079 love others. 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.500 What if 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.059 you're thinking 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:05.720 I'm not that 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.059 bad 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:07.079 I'm a pretty 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.759 good person 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.099 really. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.720 Jesus tells us 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.779 that to earn 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.599 ourselves into 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.220 favour with 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.019 God through 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.619 our own 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:16.059 works requires 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.799 nothing less 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.559 than perfection 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.599 according to 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.319 God's rules. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.839 In Matthew 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.779 5 48 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.599 he says 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.759 be perfect 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.940 therefore as 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.440 your heavenly 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.079 father is 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.579 perfect. 00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:28.299 We're all 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.440 far from that 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.039 kind of 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.579 perfection. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.759 However the 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.480 example of 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:33.960 Rahab 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.620 who had 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.200 such a 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.579 shameful 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.400 occupation 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.740 demonstrates 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.600 that we 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:39.000 can be 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.819 saved if 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.559 only we 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.180 believe in 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.860 God with 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.279 a true 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.860 faith. 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.600 In 1 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.120 Corinthians 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.980 chapter 6 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.900 verses 9 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.440 to 11 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.319 Paul writes 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:50.119 Do you 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.679 not know 00:28:50.679 --> 00:28:51.199 that the 00:28:51.199 --> 00:28:51.679 wicked will 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.539 inherit the 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.039 kingdom of 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.359 God? 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.599 Do not 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.339 be deceived 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.459 neither the 00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:56.899 sexually 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.579 immoral 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.979 nor idolaters 00:28:58.979 --> 00:29:00.679 nor adulterers 00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.299 nor male 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:02.039 prostitutes 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.919 nor homosexual 00:29:02.919 --> 00:29:03.479 offenders 00:29:03.479 --> 00:29:04.599 nor thieves 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.459 nor the greedy 00:29:05.459 --> 00:29:06.439 nor drunkards 00:29:06.439 --> 00:29:07.399 nor slanderers 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:08.259 nor swindlers 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.019 will inherit 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.739 the kingdom of 00:29:09.739 --> 00:29:10.039 God. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.479 And that 00:29:11.479 --> 00:29:12.239 is what 00:29:12.239 --> 00:29:13.000 some of you 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.419 were. 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.279 But you 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.839 were washed 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:17.079 you were 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.799 sanctified 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:19.119 you were 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.679 justified 00:29:19.679 --> 00:29:20.839 in the name 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.399 of the 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.059 Lord Jesus 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.679 Christ 00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:24.179 and by the 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:24.539 Spirit 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.459 of our 00:29:25.459 --> 00:29:25.819 God. 00:29:27.459 --> 00:29:28.079 Through 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.480 Jesus 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.980 we who do 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.599 so many 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.299 things God 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.919 detests 00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:33.099 can be made 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.779 clean from 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.480 those things. 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.319 Because God 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.000 loves us 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.919 he made 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.899 us a way 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.220 through Jesus 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.240 to be clean 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.640 to be changed 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.500 to come 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.920 to him. 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.660 Rahab 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.660 was considered 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.099 righteous 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.700 for what 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.160 she did 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.660 and spared 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.359 the destruction 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:50.940 that came 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.940 upon Jericho. 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.620 We too 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.680 though we 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.160 are sinners 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:56.620 though we 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.019 do what 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.859 God detests 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.440 need to 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.839 come to 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.460 God in 00:29:59.460 --> 00:29:59.880 faith 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.059 and being 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.720 transformed 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.400 by him 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.240 we need 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.900 to seek 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.539 his will 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.980 and do 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.380 the good 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:06.799 works 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.319 he gives 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:07.799 us to 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.099 do. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.920 James 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.420 wrote this 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.859 passage 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:12.019 to answer 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.539 the person 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:12.899 who is 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:13.299 thinking 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.819 I believe 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.639 God saved 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:15.979 me by 00:30:15.979 --> 00:30:16.399 faith 00:30:16.399 --> 00:30:16.959 but I 00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:17.339 don't need 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:17.859 to change 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.619 I can 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:18.959 live for 00:30:18.959 --> 00:30:19.359 myself 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:19.719 and do 00:30:19.719 --> 00:30:20.000 whatever 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.559 I want 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.500 but what 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:22.859 about the 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.219 person 00:30:23.219 --> 00:30:23.659 who's 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.039 thinking 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.399 I believe 00:30:25.399 --> 00:30:26.099 and I 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:26.459 want to 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:26.879 change 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:28.079 I want 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.399 to be 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:28.859 what God 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.359 wants 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.919 but I 00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.439 just can't 00:30:31.439 --> 00:30:31.819 see any 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.219 changes 00:30:32.219 --> 00:30:32.599 in my 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:32.779 own 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.179 life 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:34.979 should 00:30:34.979 --> 00:30:35.399 they be 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:35.679 worried 00:30:35.679 --> 00:30:36.079 for their 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.559 salvation 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.839 should 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.199 they be 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.579 afraid 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:41.019 do you 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.779 understand 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.299 that it 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.919 is by 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:43.379 grace 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.759 you have 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:43.980 been 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.419 saved 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:45.319 that it 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.779 is not 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.059 by 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.619 works 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:48.000 and that 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.339 there is 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:48.619 nothing 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.159 you can 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:49.720 do to 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.000 earn 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.179 your 00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:50.659 salvation 00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:52.500 such a 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.799 person 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.399 should pray 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.879 pouring out 00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:55.259 their heart 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.679 to God 00:30:55.679 --> 00:30:56.279 seeking 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.819 his help 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.279 this is 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.740 a prayer 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.539 he delights 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.220 to answer 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.559 he will 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.099 not let 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.619 you down 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:04.179 in 00:31:04.179 --> 00:31:04.819 Ezekiel 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.599 36 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.779 verse 26 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.259 God 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.139 speaking 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.519 through 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.159 Ezekiel 00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:10.019 of the 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.240 new 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.579 covenant 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.019 which we 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.619 now have 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.099 says 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.579 I will 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.039 give you 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.480 a new 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.859 heart 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.779 and put 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.220 a new 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.639 spirit 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.259 in you 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.220 I will 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.619 remove 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.139 from you 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.819 your heart 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.599 of stone 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.539 and give 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:21.859 you a 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.159 heart 00:31:22.159 --> 00:31:22.879 of flesh 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:25.440 the fact 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:25.840 that you 00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.300 desire 00:31:26.300 --> 00:31:26.900 what God 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.340 wants 00:31:27.340 --> 00:31:28.160 is a sign 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.660 of change 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.240 in itself 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.760 pray that 00:31:30.760 --> 00:31:31.200 God will 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.700 complete 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.800 this change 00:31:32.800 --> 00:31:33.240 in you 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.800 what's more 00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:35.360 you need 00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:35.700 not do 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.300 this alone 00:31:36.300 --> 00:31:37.240 and you 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.580 are never 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.080 alone 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:38.680 if you 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.200 believe 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.980 God 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.360 is with 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:40.640 you 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.820 but 00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.160 he's 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.440 also 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.740 given 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:42.980 us 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.320 each 00:31:43.320 --> 00:31:43.580 other 00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:44.720 to help 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.100 to encourage 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.900 to build 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.280 each other 00:31:47.280 --> 00:31:47.580 up 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.740 let's 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:48.960 help 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.160 each 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.420 other 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:49.860 as we 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.100 seek 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.460 to live 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:50.660 for 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:50.980 God 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:53.000 let's 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.200 help 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.400 each 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:53.680 other 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.480 as we 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:54.819 become 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.559 outwardly 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.339 the people 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:56.819 God has 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.380 made us 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.180 inwardly 00:31:58.180 --> 00:32:00.200 let's 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.440 pray