WEBVTT 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:01.219 Wow, good morning, church. 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:05.719 It's good to see you all. 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:07.919 It's good to be joined by everyone at home as well. 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:11.939 Our sermon this morning picks up our series in the letter of James. 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:15.960 We're looking at James chapter 2, verses 14 through 26. 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:22.039 This is probably one of the most famous parts of the whole letter of James, and we're going 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:23.879 to tackle it this morning together. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:27.219 So let me pray for us, and then I'll read our text. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:28.460 Let's pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.420 Lord Jesus, as we have just sung, it's so easy to be distracted by so many other things 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:39.320 when it comes to the worship of you. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:42.719 Lord, we think about our own acts. 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:44.280 We think about what other people think. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:47.760 We think about maybe, Lord, whatever it is. 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:52.480 But Jesus, we confess that it is indeed all about you. 00:00:52.480 --> 00:00:58.219 You are the center of all that is good and true and right. 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:01.560 You are the one who has created and redeemed us. 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:07.120 So we pray this morning as we come to Your Word, Lord Jesus, that Your Spirit would come 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:09.000 and grant us understanding. 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:14.780 Challenge us, convict us, change us, bring us to new life this morning, Lord. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:16.819 In Your name we pray. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:17.259 Amen. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:19.000 Amen. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:22.040 Okay, James chapter 2, verses 14 through 26. 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:23.120 Let me read this for us. 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:24.700 James says, 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:30.939 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:34.260 Can that faith save him? 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:41.060 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:46.640 them, go in peace, be warm and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:48.560 what good is that? 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:54.159 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 00:01:56.240 --> 00:02:00.100 But someone will say, you have faith and I have works. 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:06.960 Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:10.159 You believe that God is one, you do well. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:13.319 Even the demons believe and shudder. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:19.319 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:25.639 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 00:02:26.979 --> 00:02:31.479 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works, 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:35.659 and the scripture was fulfilled that says Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:38.379 righteousness, and he was called a friend of God. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:44.900 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone, and in the same way, 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:50.539 was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:51.819 sent them out by another way? 00:02:53.280 --> 00:03:00.340 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:07.620 Well, what is saving faith? 00:03:09.140 --> 00:03:12.960 That's what James wants us to consider in our text today. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:20.340 If you say or claim that you have faith in Jesus, but it doesn't make any difference in 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:25.800 the works and the actions of your life, can that so-called faith really save you? 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:29.500 Now, that's an important question. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:36.620 Imagine showing up to an event confident that your name is on the guest list. 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:39.180 I guess some of us had that experience this morning if you're here. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:42.439 Some of us at home have probably had that experience, maybe. 00:03:42.920 --> 00:03:46.580 You know, all week you've been touting to your friends how great it is to be going there, 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:48.960 this event, this gala, this gathering. 00:03:50.300 --> 00:03:55.400 Imagine only to find when you arrive at the door, your name is nowhere to be found. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:04:00.620 Jesus himself spoke like this. 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:05.560 He said, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:11.939 So is our faith genuine, saving faith or not? 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:16.379 But it doesn't just matter for eternity. 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.019 It's also now that this question matters. 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:25.980 I grew up in Pennsylvania, not too far from the town of Hershey, where Hershey's chocolate 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:26.500 is from. 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:30.000 When you drive through the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, they actually sometimes pump 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:33.360 chocolate smell into the air, especially in the amusement park. 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:35.480 Hershey is the town of chocolate. 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:40.160 So growing up, that's mostly what we ate when it came to chocolate, chocolate Hershey's. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:42.160 But then I got married. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:49.939 And in my wife's hometown, there's this little chocolate shop that makes homemade small batch 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:52.259 real deal chocolate. 00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:59.240 And trying that for the first time, I thought, oh man, this is something else. 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:02.980 I'd been eating chocolate all my life, but not like this. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:11.520 Now, could it be that some of us have been dining, have been eating, have been feasting 00:05:11.520 --> 00:05:14.240 on a faith that's not really faith at all? 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:20.560 And the sweetness and the satisfaction of real saving faith, could it be that we've been missing 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:20.840 it? 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:27.319 And so James wants to challenge us this morning. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:29.379 He wants to shock us. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:31.900 He wants to wake us up to the real thing. 00:05:32.460 --> 00:05:34.520 What is saving faith? 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:38.140 And our passage has four parts. 00:05:38.640 --> 00:05:41.939 The first two parts tell us what saving faith is not. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:44.819 And the second two show us what it is. 00:05:45.900 --> 00:05:47.500 So we're going to look at those four parts. 00:05:47.780 --> 00:05:49.160 What it's not, what it is. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:55.000 So first, saving faith is not mere pious talk. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:00.379 In verses 15 through 17, James presents us with an example. 00:06:01.100 --> 00:06:05.899 A brother or sister, that is a fellow Christian, a member of your local church, is in need. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:07.759 They need clothes. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:08.560 They need food. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:11.060 They need practical help getting their feet under them. 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:15.680 And you, seeing their needs, say, go in peace. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.540 Be warm and well-fed. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:23.300 But then you don't actually give them the things that you need insofar as in your power to do so. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:26.780 Is that saving faith, James asks? 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:29.740 It sure sounds spiritual, right? 00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:31.280 Go in peace. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:31.980 A blessing. 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:35.000 Be warm and well-fed. 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:40.160 You know, the way that's worded, it could imply that God will provide your needs. 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:41.300 It's almost like a prayer. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:45.800 It all sounds like pretty pious talk. 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:49.020 But James is quite blunt. 00:06:50.260 --> 00:06:53.200 Faith without works is dead. 00:06:56.520 --> 00:07:03.100 If your faith, if my faith, is just talk and your heart is not moved to action, 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:06.520 then your faith is not merely little. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:08.600 Your faith is not merely immature. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:11.720 It's quite possibly dead. 00:07:14.960 --> 00:07:18.740 Now, a lot of us know what to say in the right situations, don't we? 00:07:19.140 --> 00:07:22.400 In this setting or in that setting with this group of people or that group of people, 00:07:22.400 --> 00:07:24.220 we sort of learn how to speak and how to talk. 00:07:24.260 --> 00:07:25.660 And sometimes that can be a helpful thing. 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:29.860 But, you know, if you've grown up in the church or if you've spent some time around Christians, 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:33.340 you maybe know how to talk the Christian talk. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.640 You know the lingo. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:35.720 You know the vocab. 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:38.960 But James is quite clear. 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:43.580 That is no reliable evidence of a living faith, 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:49.240 of a real, dynamic, trusting relationship with God in Christ. 00:07:50.380 --> 00:07:52.980 Because after all, that is what faith is. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:08:00.960 It's a wholehearted trust in Christ alone for life now and for life to come. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:06.100 But James goes even a little deeper. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:10.939 He says, saving faith isn't just mere pious talk. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:18.000 He says, second, saving faith is not mere proper doctrine. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.579 Doctrine, what you know. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:29.259 In verses 18 and 19, James begins by sort of positing an imaginary conversation partner. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:33.419 And this conversation partner, this imaginary conversation partner says, 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:36.539 Oh, look, James, some people have faith. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.100 Some people have works. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.340 Different strokes for different folks. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:41.960 Why are we being so picky here? 00:08:43.939 --> 00:08:45.659 And James says, well, okay. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:47.360 Show me your faith. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.580 How do I know you have it? 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:54.400 I can show you my faith by my works, James says. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.060 How will you show me? 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:00.300 By what you profess to believe? 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.000 By the doctrines that you hold? 00:09:02.060 --> 00:09:04.060 Is that going to be how you prove to me your faith? 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.400 And then he says this. 00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:07.460 You believe that God is one. 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:08.820 You do well. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:16.340 Now, this doctrine, this biblical truth that God is one, is one of the most foundational, 00:09:16.660 --> 00:09:21.400 in fact, it is really the most foundational creed of the Hebrew Bible of the Old Testament. 00:09:21.760 --> 00:09:24.600 The Lord your God, the Lord is one. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.000 Deuteronomy 6.4. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:29.780 There is only one true God. 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:31.860 Do you believe that? 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:34.060 Good, James says. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.420 You should believe that. 00:09:36.140 --> 00:09:38.300 That's exactly what you ought to believe. 00:09:39.820 --> 00:09:45.040 But merely having the right doctrines in your head isn't saving faith. 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:48.360 Even the demons believe and shudder. 00:09:48.900 --> 00:09:49.660 Verse 19. 00:09:52.640 --> 00:09:57.860 If we were to give, imagine, we were to give demons a theology test, 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:00.480 James says, they would probably pass. 00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:03.300 They know that God is one. 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:05.660 They know that there's only one true creator God, 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:08.879 and that all the rest of the so-called gods are just idols. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.100 They even shudder at the thought. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:18.259 But they haven't surrendered to God in genuine saving faith. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:27.299 Now, I'm glad, as a church, that we love sound doctrine. 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:31.299 We love to think right thoughts after God, 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:32.819 to know Him better, 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:36.860 to understand who God has revealed Himself to be in Jesus and in Scripture, 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.899 and not just according to our own imaginations. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:43.480 We need to be theologically sharp thinkers. 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:54.600 But a mere head full of doctrine is not a sure sign of a heart full of surrender, 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:56.240 full of faith in Christ. 00:10:56.240 --> 00:11:01.159 So what is saving faith? 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.860 Not just what you say with your mouth. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:05.440 Not just what you know in your head. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.799 It's more than pious talk. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:09.080 It's more even than proper doctrines. 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.379 So what is it? 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.980 How do we know if we've got the real thing? 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:14.820 What's the evidence that we have? 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:19.560 This saving trust in Christ alone for life now and life to come. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:28.379 Well, in the rest of the passage, James gives two examples of genuine saving faith. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:34.519 The first is Abraham, and the second is Rahab. 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:38.579 And these two examples form James' fourth, 00:11:38.979 --> 00:11:42.219 excuse me, his third and his fourth point in this passage. 00:11:43.239 --> 00:11:46.399 So number three then, saving faith. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:53.039 Saving faith is proved by obedience to God's commands. 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:59.439 Saving faith is proved by evidence, by obedience to God's commands. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:07.559 If the demons believe and shudder, James now points us to Abraham who believes and obeys. 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:11.699 Abraham, of course, is the father of the Jewish nation, 00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:15.159 the great starting point of God's covenant with Israel, 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:19.000 that covenant that would bring blessing to all the nations of the earth. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:22.439 And the decisive moment for Abraham in his life, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.360 as you read through Abraham's narrative, 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:28.639 the decisive moment for Abraham comes in Genesis 15. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:34.059 When after going years without a child, 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:39.899 years of God seemingly not fulfilling his promises to him and Sarah, his wife, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:43.480 God takes Abraham out on a starry night, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:45.500 and he says, 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:47.340 look at the stars, Abraham. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:48.899 Can you count them? 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:53.079 And Abraham doesn't answer. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:55.240 He's probably just shaking his head. 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.639 Of course I can't count them, God. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:59.340 Staring in wonder at the vast night sky. 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:02.340 And then God says to him, 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:05.360 so shall your offspring be. 00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:07.280 Countless. 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:13.300 And then at that moment, upon hearing God's promise, 00:13:14.420 --> 00:13:15.879 Genesis 15, 6 says, 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:17.899 and Abraham believed the Lord, 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:21.500 and the Lord counted it to him as righteousness. 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:23.700 Abraham became a believer, 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:26.519 became a man of faith, real faith that night. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:30.840 And God counted it to him as righteousness. 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:36.360 That is, God viewed Abraham as wholly acceptable despite his sin. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.899 But James is asking a question here. 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.000 He's saying, 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:47.519 when was the moment of truth for Abraham's faith? 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:52.759 It's one thing to look up at the stars and have a moment. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:58.580 When did we find out that Abraham's faith that night was the real deal? 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:03.360 That moment came years later. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:07.740 When God had fulfilled his promise and given Abraham and Sarah a son, 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:08.899 whom they named Isaac. 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:12.340 And then God told Abraham to take his only son, 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.600 this son that he loved, 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:14.840 and to let him go. 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:19.480 To give him up as a sacrifice to God. 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.620 The ultimate test. 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.879 And a test, by the way, 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:29.279 that's never repeated in the Bible for a human parent ever again. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:32.680 This was an utterly unique moment for Abraham, 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.720 the father of faith. 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:36.200 And you can read this story in Genesis 22, 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:38.920 when Abraham takes Isaac up Mount Moriah, 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:42.620 not knowing how God is going to fulfill his promise through Isaac 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.840 to bless all the nations, 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:45.960 if now God's telling him to sacrifice Isaac. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:48.360 In fact, the New Testament will look back on that moment 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.399 in the book of Hebrews and say, 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:53.419 Abraham perhaps even believed in the resurrection of the dead in that moment. 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:55.320 And that's how he was able to march up that hill. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:00.279 But before Abraham can lower the knife, 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.539 the angel of the Lord calls out, 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:05.240 Abraham, don't harm the boy. 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:08.500 Now I know you fear God. 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:14.320 And God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.320 And then in that moment, 00:15:16.400 --> 00:15:17.879 God renews, he repeats, 00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:20.280 he reiterates his promise to Abraham 00:15:20.280 --> 00:15:22.920 to bless all the nations of the whole world 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:24.900 through him and his offspring. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.480 And that's a promise, by the way, 00:15:28.520 --> 00:15:30.200 that would ultimately come true 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:33.460 in Abraham's ultimate, long, far-off offspring, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.640 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:38.380 The Lord Jesus, who like Isaac, 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.760 was also led up a hill 00:15:39.760 --> 00:15:41.400 with wood on his back. 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.799 But unlike Isaac, 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:45.959 Jesus did become a sacrifice. 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:49.079 The one true sacrifice 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.559 for the sins of all of us, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.120 you and me. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.559 He took our place 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:55.120 and he died the death 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.360 that we deserve to die 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.439 because of our sin. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:00.120 And he offers eternal life 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.220 for all who will repent 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.799 and believe in him. 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.779 But again, 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:08.159 that faith in Jesus 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:09.259 that saves us, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.460 how do we know 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.740 it's genuine faith? 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.419 The thing that proves 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.980 his faith, 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.819 Abraham's faith, 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.279 are his works. 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.899 In verse 22, 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.460 James says, 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.819 real living faith 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:28.620 is active along with works, 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:30.019 even completed, 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.399 that is carried forth 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.899 to its goal by works, 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.679 by deeds, 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:35.600 by actions 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.779 in obedience to God. 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:40.319 But then James 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:40.799 says something 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.639 a little confusing 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.559 in verse 21. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.079 He says that Abraham 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:45.860 was justified 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.959 by works. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.019 And again, 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.659 in verse 24, 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.459 he says that a person 00:16:49.459 --> 00:16:50.899 is justified by works 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:52.419 and not by faith alone. 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:54.720 Now, 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.860 the reason that's confusing 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.539 is because if you read 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.379 the Apostle Paul, 00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.759 on the surface, 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.759 it sounds like Paul 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.319 and James 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:02.240 are saying completely 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.120 opposite things. 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:05.720 In Romans 3, 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.680 Paul will say, 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.480 a person 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.619 is justified 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:10.000 by faith 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.240 apart from works 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.720 of the law. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.039 Now, 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.759 this apparent contradiction 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.440 has caused 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:19.039 a lot of head-scratching 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.940 in the history 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.559 of Christianity. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.500 But I think 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.440 the context 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.660 of James 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:28.639 shows us 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:30.180 that Paul 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.759 and James 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.539 are using 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.180 the word 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.920 justify 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:35.140 in different ways 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:36.340 to talk about 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:37.279 different things 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.259 to address 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.259 different needs. 00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:42.000 Paul 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.880 was writing 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.620 to Christians 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.340 that thought 00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:45.080 they had to keep 00:17:45.080 --> 00:17:45.519 the Torah, 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.080 they had to keep 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.820 the law of Moses 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:47.940 in order to be saved. 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:50.300 James is speaking 00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:50.759 to Christians 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.259 who think 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.940 that giving mere 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.580 lip service 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.019 to Jesus 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.759 will save them. 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:55.140 So you see, 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.160 Paul is combating 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.140 legalism, 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.019 that I have to do 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.560 something 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.159 to earn 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.720 my status 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.259 with God 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.159 and James 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:01.879 is combating 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.740 nominalism. 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.460 If I just say 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.179 the right things 00:18:04.179 --> 00:18:04.740 then I'm in. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.139 So Paul 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:07.740 has to talk 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.119 about what 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.039 actually puts 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.679 you in a right 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:10.139 relationship 00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:10.779 with God 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.039 and James 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.539 has to talk 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:12.940 about what 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.240 actually demonstrates 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:14.799 the validity 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.659 or the reality 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:16.460 of your relationship 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.980 with God. 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.319 For Paul then, 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:19.879 when he uses 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.700 the word justification, 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.539 he means something 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.240 kind of unique. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.659 He means the act 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.419 whereby God 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.539 reckons us, 00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:27.359 declares us 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.059 righteous. 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:31.659 For Paul, 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.200 justification 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:33.099 means God 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.440 declaring us 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:34.919 righteous 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.940 because of our 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.000 union with Jesus, 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.940 the righteous one, 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.819 in faith. 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.879 Because Jesus 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:40.519 is righteous 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.319 and faith 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.099 unites us 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.480 to Jesus, 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:42.960 then God 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.919 declares us, 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.460 justifies us 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:46.799 in Jesus 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.700 through faith alone. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.440 That's what 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.759 justification 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.500 means for Paul. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.619 But for James, 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.980 justification 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.119 here means 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.559 the evidence, 00:18:57.179 --> 00:18:58.039 the proof, 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.440 how do we know 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.500 that you have 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.299 saving faith 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.980 in union 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.519 with Jesus? 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.420 So for Paul, 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.059 to justify 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:06.920 means to make 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.539 or to declare 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:07.879 righteous. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.379 For James, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:08.960 to justify 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.819 is to prove 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.639 or to demonstrate 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:11.159 that you have 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.720 faith in the first 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.119 place. 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.079 Now, 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:15.440 this shouldn't 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.059 surprise us 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.659 that two different 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.359 biblical writers 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:17.940 should use the 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.359 same word 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.099 in different ways. 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.819 That happens 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.460 all the time 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.700 in real world 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.539 language use, 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.099 does it not? 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.599 And the New Testament 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.899 writers are very much 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:27.240 writing in the real world. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.359 Imagine you overheard 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.579 me talking on my cell phone 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.480 saying something like, 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.579 where does he get off? 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.740 Okay, 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.420 you'd think, 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.339 either I was really 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.220 mad at someone, 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:40.399 or I was asking 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.420 which subway stop 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.019 was closest 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.779 to the particular 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.359 destination. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.220 Where does he get off? 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:47.000 And you'd only know 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.659 which one it was 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.339 by the context, 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.460 maybe my tone of voice, 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.279 but ultimately 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.319 the context, right? 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:53.399 You know, 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.119 the same is true 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:54.559 when we read 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.059 the New Testament. 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.139 Lots of words. 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.559 There's a handful 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.619 that can actually be used 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.539 in very different ways. 00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:00.859 Sanctification is one of them. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.559 You read through 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.079 the New Testament, 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.039 sometimes sanctification 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.879 means that you are 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.919 positionally clean 00:20:04.919 --> 00:20:05.519 before God. 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:06.759 Sometimes sanctification 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.679 means this growing 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:08.700 increase in righteousness. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.799 You just have to 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.539 look at the context 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.299 and know which one 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.059 the writer means. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.240 And in reality, 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.619 James and Paul, 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.700 though they have 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.599 their different emphases, 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:19.960 and they have 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.740 their different audiences, 00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:21.159 and they have 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:22.240 their different styles, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.400 they actually both 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.180 come down 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.799 on the same side 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.440 of this issue. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.180 When you read 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.140 across the entire 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.660 of their works, 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.980 you find that there's 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.160 a lot of unity 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.680 and harmony. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.599 Faith saves us. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.440 Both will agree, 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.099 but faith without works 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.980 is dead. 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.380 Paul will say 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.180 in Galatians 5, 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.960 in Christ Jesus, 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.700 the only thing 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.180 that counts 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.859 is faith 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.940 working through love. 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:47.039 The only thing 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.620 that counts 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.400 is faith 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:49.559 working through love. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:51.619 a kind of faith 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.639 that changes your life. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.960 A real relationship 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.599 with Christ. 00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:59.099 I think it was Calvin 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:00.019 who synthesized 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.740 this brilliantly. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.359 He said, 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.159 we are saved 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:04.720 by faith alone, 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:07.559 but not by a faith 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.940 that stays alone. 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.859 We're saved 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.480 by faith alone, 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.740 but not by a faith 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.819 that stays alone. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.379 A faith that will 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:17.339 generate works. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.460 Now, do works add 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.480 something to our faith? 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.279 Is faith sort of 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.799 square one 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.259 and then we've got 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.860 to build a little 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:26.079 castle of righteousness 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.819 on top of that? 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.880 No, James isn't saying 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.640 that faith needs 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.720 to be supplemented. 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:30.740 He's saying that 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.180 if your faith 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.100 doesn't flow forth 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:33.440 in a desire to obey God, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.019 then it's not really 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.600 faith at all. 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.480 It's a test. 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.360 It's an evidence 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.360 of the real thing. 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.340 Which brings us 00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:41.380 back to Abraham then. 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:42.759 Abraham, 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.779 whose works 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.720 justify, 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.600 and for James 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:46.660 that means proves 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.559 or demonstrates 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.740 that his faith 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.619 is the real deal. 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.240 That he is actually 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.440 in a saving relationship 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.079 with God. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.019 Saving faith, 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.220 Abraham shows us, 00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.279 is proved 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.200 by obedience 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.319 to God's commands. 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.159 So as you look 00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:05.039 at your own heart, 00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:06.339 your own life, 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:09.599 do you see a desire 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:11.839 and the follow-through 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:14.119 to keep God's commands? 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:18.159 James isn't talking 00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:19.639 about being perfect here. 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.459 Abraham was far 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:23.059 from perfect. 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.699 Read his story 00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.139 in Genesis 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:26.279 and you will find that out. 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.279 But his faith 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.939 made a difference 00:22:29.939 --> 00:22:30.639 in what he did. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.819 He took God 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.459 at his word 00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:34.819 even if it was 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.519 counter-cultural, 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.919 even if it wasn't 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:37.479 popular, 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.599 even when it was costly. 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:44.000 And that brings us 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.859 to our last point. 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.939 James' last example 00:22:46.939 --> 00:22:48.159 is Rahab. 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.939 And here we see 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:51.819 this fourth point. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.179 Fourth, 00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:53.419 saving faith 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.899 is proved 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.980 in particular 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.759 by love 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.939 for God's people. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.459 Abraham showed us 00:23:01.459 --> 00:23:02.179 that saving faith 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:02.699 was proved 00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.240 or demonstrated 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.879 by obedience 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.659 to God's commands. 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.019 James wants to 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.799 focus it down 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.199 and say, 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.079 saving faith 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.500 is proved 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.199 in particular 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.400 by love 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.559 for God's people. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.980 He writes 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.640 in verse 25, 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.559 and in the same way 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.420 was not also Rahab 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.059 the prostitute 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.120 justified by works 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:19.700 that is proved 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.319 to be faithful 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.620 when she received 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.360 the messengers 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.519 and sent them out 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.380 by another way. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.500 Now you probably 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.240 couldn't imagine 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.340 two characters 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:30.259 more different 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:30.799 in the Bible 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.600 than Abraham 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.539 and Rahab. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.240 One a male, 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.319 the other a female. 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.299 One of them old, 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.660 the other probably young 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.620 or maybe middle-aged. 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:39.619 One the father 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.399 of the Jewish nation, 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.339 the other a Gentile. 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:42.039 One wealthy, 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:43.359 the other a prostitute. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.159 But by juxtaposing 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:47.259 these two figures 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.559 and holding them 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.259 both up 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.139 as exemplars 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:50.699 of faith, 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:52.719 James is making 00:23:52.719 --> 00:23:54.359 a brilliant rhetorical point, 00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:54.859 is he not? 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.439 That no matter 00:23:56.439 --> 00:23:57.839 what your background 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.379 or your upbringing 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:01.119 or your social status 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.159 or your gender 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.059 or your class 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.819 or your race, 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:05.339 there is an equal place 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.819 for you 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.359 in the people 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:06.839 of God. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.500 Whether you're 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:10.899 an Abraham 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:12.359 or a Rahab, 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.519 this family 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.339 is one 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.379 in Jesus. 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.759 And Rahab's story 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.839 is so powerful. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.939 Joshua 2, 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.919 that's where she enters 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:24.919 the biblical storyline. 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.179 And in that moment, 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.959 the people of Israel 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:28.000 are about to take 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.919 the promised land. 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.159 They're about to 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.879 kind of come in 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.379 and God's going to 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.000 give it to them 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.460 and they come 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.839 to the city 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.740 of Jericho first. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.759 And Joshua, 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.720 the leader of Israel, 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:37.000 sends spies into Jericho 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.720 to check it out. 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:39.200 And they meet Rahab. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.500 And Rahab tells them, 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.180 she says, 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.079 we've heard all about 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.420 what your God did 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:45.819 in Egypt. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.000 We've heard all about 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.720 how he dried up 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.319 the Red Sea. 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:51.079 We've heard all about 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.759 how he conquered 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.480 those other kings 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.119 on the other side 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.539 of the Jordan, 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.079 our neighbors 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.960 just over the water. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.619 And you know, 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.440 most of my town, 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.279 our hearts are melting 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.240 in fear when we've heard 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.759 of all this 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.900 because we know 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:02.079 that your God 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.000 is the God 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.759 in heavens above 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.980 and the one true God 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.660 in earth beneath. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.759 In other words, 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:12.319 Rahab professes faith 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.779 in the God of Israel 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.940 having heard 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.039 the message 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.680 of what God has done. 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.740 She hears 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:20.220 and she believes. 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.480 But what demonstrates 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.879 that her faith 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.839 is genuine 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:28.319 is the real deal. 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.059 What demonstrates 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.659 that her faith 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:30.480 is saving faith. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.679 The evidence 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:36.619 is the costly kindness 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:38.399 that she shows 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:39.799 to the people of God. 00:25:41.159 --> 00:25:42.819 At great risk 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.700 to herself, 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:45.419 she hides the spies 00:25:45.419 --> 00:25:47.019 from the Jericho authorities 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.039 when they come knocking 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.759 and she stages 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.859 their daring escape 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.500 from the city, 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.859 putting her own neck 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.519 on the line 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.899 to save this handful 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.460 of spies 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.179 from getting caught 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.879 and getting killed. 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:00.560 And in Jewish tradition, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.220 Rahab becomes 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.000 the model 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.440 Gentile convert. 00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.060 She becomes 00:26:05.060 --> 00:26:05.720 sort of the hero 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.960 of those who would 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.880 come to faith 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.620 from the outside. 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.520 And in the New Testament, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.980 we see that Rahab 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.220 even becomes part 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.120 of the family line 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.680 of the Messiah, 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.300 of Jesus, 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.700 in Matthew 1. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:18.700 And here, 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:20.600 James holds her up 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.740 as an example 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.819 of real saving faith, 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:25.220 faith that works, 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.920 faith that flows forth 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.519 in practical love 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.620 for the people of God. 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:35.279 So how about us, friends? 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.539 Do we have 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.759 the real thing? 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:43.099 Is our faith 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:43.839 mere talk? 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.500 Is it mere ideas? 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.200 Or is it a living 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.379 relationship 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:51.420 that bears the fruit 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.640 of obedience to God 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.700 and love 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.799 for our brothers 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.940 and sisters in Christ? 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.359 You know, 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.359 this is the sort of passage 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.299 that invites 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:03.220 self-examination, 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.039 does it not? 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.839 It's a challenging passage. 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:08.720 And by design, 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:10.039 James wants it 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.699 to be 00:27:10.699 --> 00:27:13.079 very straightforward 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.379 and cause us 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.579 to do some soul-searching. 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.919 But as we apply 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:19.519 this passage 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.279 to our hearts, 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.539 the first thing 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.119 to say 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:23.819 is that we should 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:25.359 not do it alone. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.980 I know many of us 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.099 have what we might call 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.319 tender consciences. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.480 When we hear 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.299 a passage like this, 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:34.939 we bring all 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.659 of our failures 00:27:35.659 --> 00:27:36.779 and all of our 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.359 shortcomings 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.000 to mind 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.920 and we can just 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.539 despair 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.539 of our relationship 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.259 with Christ. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.299 We think of all 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.759 the ways 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.579 we've fallen short 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.319 and all the ways 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.019 we're not where 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.019 we want to be 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.980 and we think, 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.119 well, 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.720 maybe I just, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.639 maybe I don't have it 00:27:49.639 --> 00:27:50.079 at all. 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.259 Well, 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.440 friends, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.180 if that's you, 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.680 let me encourage 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.559 you strongly 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:59.619 to find 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.500 a mature 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:02.019 fellow believer. 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:03.819 Reach out 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.619 to one of the pastors, 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.899 your small group leader, 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:07.000 an older friend 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.519 in the faith 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.380 that you trust. 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:11.320 Find a mature 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:12.019 fellow believer 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.320 and talk to them 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:14.640 about your doubts 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.320 and fears. 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.780 The reality is 00:28:17.780 --> 00:28:18.780 we are often 00:28:18.780 --> 00:28:20.759 not the best judge 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.580 of our own 00:28:21.580 --> 00:28:22.759 spiritual state. 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:25.340 Bernard of Clairvaux 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.200 supposedly said, 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:27.880 he who appoints 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.540 himself 00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:29.540 his own 00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:30.500 spiritual master 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.980 has a fool 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.060 for a disciple. 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:34.659 You see 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.119 what he's saying 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.339 there? 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.559 If you look 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.159 to yourself 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:37.980 as your own 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.740 spiritual guide, 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.480 you're leading 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.919 a fool, 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.519 i.e. 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:40.980 you're being 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.700 very foolish 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.799 to think 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.379 that you're 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.079 the best one 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.759 to assess 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.159 your own 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.879 spiritual life. 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.319 There's too 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.839 much you'll 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.159 miss. 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:49.879 Whether in 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.339 fear 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.319 or in pride, 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.379 you've got 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.000 blind spots. 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:53.559 I've got 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.299 blind spots. 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.599 We need 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.179 someone else 00:28:56.179 --> 00:28:56.799 to take a look 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.319 at our life 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.700 and say, 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:57.960 yeah, 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.299 brother, 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:58.659 yeah, 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:58.960 sister, 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.539 you know what? 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.440 You have 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:00.879 failed. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.460 But look 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:02.799 at all this 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.180 other fruit 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.720 in your life 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:03.980 that, 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:04.879 you know, 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.379 doesn't come 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:05.799 to mind, 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.539 that I see 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.240 and I affirm. 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:10.019 Be encouraged. 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:12.059 So find 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.460 someone to 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.000 talk to 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.839 about this 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.659 as you do 00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:15.399 some examination. 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.940 Second, 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.259 then, 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.740 be open 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.220 to repentance. 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.940 That is, 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.500 if God 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.319 is showing 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.180 you areas 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.319 of your life 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.079 that do 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.720 need to 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.139 change, 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.840 areas 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:30.480 where your 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.259 faith isn't 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.100 bearing good 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:32.560 fruit, 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.720 then today, 00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:36.259 even now, 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:36.960 as we draw 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.500 this service 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.160 to a close, 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.680 go to God 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.300 in prayer. 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.340 Admit 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:42.980 your failing, 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:44.020 your shortcoming, 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.100 your fear. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.480 Ask Him 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.259 for the strength 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.940 and the courage 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.540 and the wisdom 00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.560 and the direction 00:29:50.560 --> 00:29:51.300 to act. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.400 You know, 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.820 all of us 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:55.180 have room 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.840 to grow here. 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:58.500 You can't read 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:58.920 the end of 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.680 James chapter 2 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.220 and not be 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.619 convicted. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.680 Perhaps God 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.460 is pinpointing 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.359 a specific 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.980 thing 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.940 in your life, 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.460 an area 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.339 of obedience 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.940 or an area 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.880 of love 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:13.940 where you know 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.579 you need to 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.079 change. 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.240 If that is 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.619 true, 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.720 take heart. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.359 What you're 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:23.960 experiencing 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.779 is conviction 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:24.799 is conviction. 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.799 And conviction 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.900 is the work 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.600 of God 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.360 the Holy Spirit, 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.240 Jesus tells us. 00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:32.000 So if you are 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.019 feeling the tug 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.600 of conviction 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.460 on your heart, 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.600 then the Spirit, 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.059 the one who imparts 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.600 saving face 00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:38.620 in the first place, 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.600 is at work 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.079 in you, 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:41.039 inviting you 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.140 deeper into life. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.380 Conviction 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.000 is a sign 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.519 that God's 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.240 loving you 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.460 and drawing you 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.319 deeper into 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.000 His life 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.640 of love. 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.720 So don't delay. 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:52.920 Respond 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.620 to the Spirit's 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:53.960 work 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:55.180 and repent 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.900 and go to God 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.259 your Father 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:58.160 who loves you 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.299 and open your 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.059 hands and say, 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.039 okay, Lord, 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.819 let's go. 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.819 Third, 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.720 perhaps you've 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.600 come to realize 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:12.720 that your faith 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.460 up till now 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:15.559 maybe has been 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.799 just talk 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.819 and ideas. 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:21.679 maybe what God 00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:22.259 is showing you 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.619 is that you 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.259 don't have 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.399 real saving 00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:24.799 faith. 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.319 What do you 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.619 do? 00:31:30.419 --> 00:31:30.899 Well, 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.059 friends, 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.500 the answer 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.019 is very 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.519 straightforward. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.220 Turn 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.399 to God, 00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.740 the God 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.720 who loves 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:37.960 you 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.740 and gave 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.099 His own 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.859 Son for you. 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.000 Admit, 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.460 admit that you've 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.000 been deceiving 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.460 yourselves 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.279 and maybe deceiving 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.720 others. 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.559 ask Him 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.079 to forgive 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.860 your hypocrisy. 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.180 Ask Him 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:50.819 to forgive you, 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.500 not because you 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.259 deserve to be 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:52.539 forgiven, 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.700 but because Christ 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.299 died for you 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.740 in love, 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:55.940 because He loves 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.700 hypocrites 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.400 and fakes. 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.220 He loves them 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.660 and shed His 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.059 own blood 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.480 for them. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.279 Admit that you've 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:04.799 been deceiving 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.279 yourself. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.380 Ask God 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:06.960 for forgiveness 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.779 and commit 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.620 your life 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.019 to Him 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.779 from this 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.500 day forward. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.940 surrender to 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.140 Him 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.480 as your 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:12.819 Lord, 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.339 trusting that 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.519 His paths, 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.819 costly though 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.319 they may be 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:17.920 at times, 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.339 are the paths 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.279 of life. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.579 And after 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:24.160 you've made 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:24.839 that commitment, 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.799 then tell 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.299 somebody. 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.839 Make a call. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.299 Send an email. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.579 Let a Christian 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.440 friend know 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.880 about the change 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.599 that's taken 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.160 place. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.180 Because, 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:37.460 friends, 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.019 here's the good 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.380 news. 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:40.600 Faith without 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:41.860 works is dead. 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.560 But, 00:32:42.780 --> 00:32:43.460 as James 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.020 and the rest 00:32:44.020 --> 00:32:44.360 of the New 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.100 Testament authors 00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.680 know and 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.100 proclaim, 00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.260 our God 00:32:47.260 --> 00:32:48.200 specializes 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.100 in raising 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:49.600 the dead. 00:32:50.020 --> 00:32:50.660 Does He not? 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.460 Through 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.460 faith, 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.720 God makes 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.880 us alive 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.840 together with 00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.300 Christ, 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.520 saving us 00:32:59.520 --> 00:33:00.160 by grace, 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.140 creating us 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.900 anew 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.640 in Christ 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:03.960 Jesus, 00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:04.860 creating us 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.340 in Christ 00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:05.800 Jesus 00:33:05.800 --> 00:33:07.260 for good 00:33:07.260 --> 00:33:07.600 works. 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.799 which God 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.199 prepared 00:33:09.199 --> 00:33:09.759 beforehand 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.639 that we 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.079 should walk 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.399 in them. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:12.759 Amen? 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.119 Amen. 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.579 Let's pray 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:14.919 together. 00:33:18.699 --> 00:33:19.599 Lord Jesus, 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:21.399 we take 00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:22.059 just a moment 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.599 of quiet 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.119 before You 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:23.439 now. 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:26.139 And we 00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:26.899 lay before You 00:33:26.899 --> 00:33:27.899 areas where 00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:29.740 Your Spirit 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.500 is working 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:32.240 to convict 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.779 us and to 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.379 draw us 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.059 into life. 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:37.899 Lord, 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.299 so many 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:38.579 of us 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:38.899 over these 00:33:38.899 --> 00:33:39.399 last few 00:33:39.399 --> 00:33:39.819 weeks have 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.559 been particularly 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.399 convicted when 00:33:41.399 --> 00:33:42.279 it comes to 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.599 racial injustice 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:43.960 in our 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.359 country. 00:33:46.679 --> 00:33:47.200 Lord, 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:47.639 we pray that 00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:47.859 You would 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.599 continue to 00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:49.339 convict us 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.819 and You would 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.359 continue to 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:52.819 bring genuine 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.119 lasting repentance 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:56.379 that we might 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:57.359 not simply say 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.099 be warm and 00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.740 well fed, 00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:00.920 but that we 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.039 might act in 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.839 love and 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:04.980 charity and 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.880 use what good 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.720 resources we've 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.579 been given to 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.400 plead for 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.139 justice and for 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.599 change. 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.079 God, 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.599 perhaps it's 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.239 another area, 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:17.699 Lord, how we 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:18.360 use our time, 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.699 how we use our 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:21.159 money, the 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:21.980 relationships we 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.340 have. 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.000 Lord, perhaps 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.340 even You're 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.920 bringing to mind 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.639 a particular 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.300 brother or 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:27.840 sister in the 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.600 faith and need 00:34:28.600 --> 00:34:29.380 who needs 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.760 care. 00:34:33.260 --> 00:34:33.860 Father, we 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.220 know that Your 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.680 Word says 00:34:34.680 --> 00:34:35.539 perfect love 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.519 drives out fear. 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.720 So we pray that 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.440 the perfect love 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:39.260 of Christ for us 00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:40.059 would drive out 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.980 fear and allow 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.940 us to respond 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.660 with acts of 00:34:43.660 --> 00:34:45.019 love to those 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.320 whom You've 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:45.840 placed on our 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.140 heart. 00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:51.480 Lord, we know 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.559 also that perhaps 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.620 some who've been 00:34:53.620 --> 00:34:55.300 able to hear the 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.820 service this 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:57.800 morning don't 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.340 have saving 00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.720 faith. 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:01.840 Father, we 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.340 think of that 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.120 moment when You 00:35:03.120 --> 00:35:04.280 asked Ezekiel to 00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.580 go out and look 00:35:05.580 --> 00:35:06.400 at a valley and 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.039 the valley was 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.580 full of dry 00:35:07.580 --> 00:35:07.980 bones. 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:10.260 And Ezekiel said, 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:10.880 God, how can 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.480 these dry bones 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.760 live? 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.400 They're dry. 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.039 They're dead. 00:35:13.740 --> 00:35:14.400 But then Your 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:17.260 Spirit came and 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:17.760 brought it to 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.120 life. 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.500 Spirit, would 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:22.120 You come and 00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:22.500 would You bring 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.740 life this morning? 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.640 Would You awaken 00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:27.719 saving faith in 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:30.819 Christ for those 00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.359 with ears to 00:35:31.359 --> 00:35:31.579 hear? 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.759 We ask all 00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:35.179 this in the 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:35.920 powerful name of 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.199 Jesus. 00:35:37.339 --> 00:35:37.559 Amen. 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:37.719 Amen. 00:35:38.179 --> 00:35:38.639 Amen. 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.079 Amen. 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:39.639 Amen. 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:39.839 Amen. 00:35:39.839 --> 00:35:39.879 Amen. 00:35:39.879 --> 00:35:40.539 Amen. 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:40.579 Amen. 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:42.859 Amen. 00:35:42.859 --> 00:35:43.259 Amen. 00:35:43.259 --> 00:35:44.119 Amen. 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:47.199 Amen. 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:53.619 Amen. 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:53.779 Amen. 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:54.639 Amen. 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.619 Amen.