WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.339 Let's read together from James chapter 2, verses 14 to 26. 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:11.519 And one of our elders is going to come and read for us. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:12.780 George, come and read for us. 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:20.780 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:23.400 Can that faith save him? 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:28.300 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:30.460 and one of you says to them, 00:00:31.080 --> 00:00:33.299 go in peace, be warmed and filled, 00:00:33.899 --> 00:00:36.600 without giving them the things needed for the body, 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:38.500 what good is that? 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:44.799 So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:47.320 But someone will say, 00:00:48.040 --> 00:00:50.320 you have faith and I have works. 00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:53.159 Show me your faith apart from your works, 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:56.320 and I will show you my faith by my works. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:58.619 You believe that God is one. 00:00:59.200 --> 00:00:59.960 You do well. 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:03.299 Even the demons believe and shudder. 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:07.540 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:10.480 that faith apart from works is useless? 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:15.060 Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:18.019 when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 00:01:18.019 --> 00:01:23.099 You see that faith was active along with works, 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:26.560 and faith was completed by his works. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:30.299 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:32.199 Abraham believed God, 00:01:32.399 --> 00:01:35.120 and it was counted to him as righteousness, 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:38.799 and he was called a friend of God. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:42.219 You see that a person is justified by works, 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:43.879 and not by faith alone. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:45.780 And in the same way, 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:50.719 was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:52.599 when she received the messengers 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:55.319 and sent them out by another way? 00:01:56.199 --> 00:01:59.140 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:04.599 so also faith apart from works is dead. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:05.539 Amen. 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:08.180 And may God bless to us the reading of his own precious 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:10.060 and most holy word. 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:13.340 All right. 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:16.020 Last week, James, the little brother, 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:18.379 the little brother biologically of Jesus Christ, 00:02:18.819 --> 00:02:21.640 performed surgery on us 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:26.199 as we try to become a community of mercy. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:28.420 So what he said last week was that 00:02:28.420 --> 00:02:31.920 we have to cut out favoritism, partiality. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:33.980 So in order to become a people, 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:35.379 a community that show mercy, 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:39.639 we have to root out any sense 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:41.060 in which we look at other people 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:44.680 and value them as less than 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:46.939 based on social hierarchies like race, 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:49.900 ethnicity, performance, economic status, 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:50.639 anything like that. 00:02:51.019 --> 00:02:52.699 So last week he told us what we've got to put away. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:54.780 This week he comes and says, 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:57.219 as we long to become a community of mercy, 00:02:57.620 --> 00:02:58.340 what to put on. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:02:59.780 So this is a positive vision 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:01.639 of how to become people of mercy. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:04.759 And it's rooted in chapter one, 00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:06.339 verse 22, 23, 00:03:06.339 --> 00:03:07.559 where he told us, 00:03:08.299 --> 00:03:09.559 pure religion is this, 00:03:10.239 --> 00:03:12.159 to visit the widow and the orphan 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:12.879 in their affliction, 00:03:13.119 --> 00:03:13.679 so mercy, 00:03:14.239 --> 00:03:15.959 and to keep oneself unstained 00:03:15.959 --> 00:03:16.959 from the idols of the world, 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:18.879 obedience, holiness. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:22.679 And so today he gives us a positive vision. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:25.239 If you've rooted out partiality in your heart, 00:03:25.299 --> 00:03:26.719 how do you then become a community 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:27.839 that's full of mercy? 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.759 And it's mainly through becoming a people 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:32.780 full of good works. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:34.259 And so all throughout that passage 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:35.480 you'll have heard that 00:03:35.480 --> 00:03:37.460 there's this call to good works. 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:39.340 There's a recent book 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:41.800 by a theologian named Tom McCall, 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:43.480 and he says at the very beginning 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:45.719 that good works, 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:47.219 a theology of good works, 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:48.159 a call to good works, 00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:50.520 is the most neglected aspect 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:52.520 of theology focus 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:54.360 in all of Protestant thought. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:03:57.039 And that may be true, 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:57.459 I'm not sure, 00:03:57.579 --> 00:03:59.179 but it's important 00:03:59.179 --> 00:04:00.679 that we can sometimes 00:04:00.679 --> 00:04:01.979 forget about good works. 00:04:02.979 --> 00:04:04.159 And this passage says that 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:06.439 in order to live out 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:07.699 the vision of James 1, 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:08.620 becoming a community 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:09.459 full of mercy 00:04:09.459 --> 00:04:10.639 is to become a people 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:11.419 full of good works. 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:13.500 And so let's think about it together. 00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:15.139 Four things to see. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:17.480 Justifying works, 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:19.779 dead faith, 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:20.719 living faith, 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:22.319 and the root of living faith. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.079 So first, 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:26.939 what sounds contradictory, 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:28.560 justifying works. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:29.759 So, 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:32.019 let's deal with the hardest thing first. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:33.740 In chapter 2, 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:34.719 verse 24, 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:36.719 we have a verse 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:38.259 that has confounded 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:40.399 Christians for centuries, 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:43.259 and has even split denominations 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:44.939 many, many times. 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:46.579 And it's 2.24, 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:47.139 read it with me. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:48.300 You see that a person 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:49.000 is justified 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:50.639 by works 00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:52.099 and not by faith alone. 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:53.199 Now, 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:53.919 that sounds 00:04:53.919 --> 00:04:55.919 like a direct contradiction 00:04:55.919 --> 00:04:58.500 to the Apostle Paul 00:04:58.500 --> 00:04:59.560 in the book of Romans. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:04:59.819 So, 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:00.919 Romans 3.28, 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:02.039 Paul says, 00:05:02.180 --> 00:05:03.240 a person is justified 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:04.439 by faith alone, 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:06.060 not by works. 00:05:07.039 --> 00:05:07.339 And then, 00:05:07.599 --> 00:05:08.500 James 2.24 says, 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:09.659 a person is justified 00:05:09.659 --> 00:05:11.060 not by faith alone, 00:05:11.159 --> 00:05:12.240 but also by works. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.800 And so, 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:14.439 that has been 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:16.160 such a text 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:17.139 that's proved 00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:17.900 so difficult 00:05:17.900 --> 00:05:19.360 for Christians 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:20.759 for the last couple thousand years 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:21.360 that we've been around. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:23.280 Has the Bible 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:25.120 contradicted itself? 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:27.000 It sounds like it. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:28.360 And the answer is, 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:29.460 surprise, 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:30.000 no. 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:31.199 No. 00:05:31.500 --> 00:05:32.360 Said contra. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:33.100 We rebut. 00:05:33.280 --> 00:05:34.699 It has not contradicted itself. 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:34.980 No. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:35.879 Instead, 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:37.480 what's going on here 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:37.939 is that 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:39.480 the scholars, 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:40.180 the theologians, 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:40.920 the commentators, 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:42.300 the saints of old 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:43.420 recognized that 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:45.460 there are two different uses 00:05:45.460 --> 00:05:47.040 to the word justify 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:48.360 going on between 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:50.520 Paul and James. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:51.480 So, 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:53.020 when Paul uses the word 00:05:53.020 --> 00:05:53.860 to justify, 00:05:54.100 --> 00:05:54.620 justification, 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:56.540 he's using it 00:05:56.540 --> 00:05:57.720 in the sense of 00:05:57.720 --> 00:05:59.319 getting right with God. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:05:59.540 So, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:00.740 justification for him 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:01.560 means reconciliation. 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:02.800 It means, 00:06:03.020 --> 00:06:03.759 how can you stand 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:04.319 in the presence 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:05.120 of a holy God 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:06.420 while you need justification? 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:07.980 It's getting right with God, 00:06:08.080 --> 00:06:08.920 being able to enter 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:09.860 His presence. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:10.540 And so, 00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:11.319 if you imagine, 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:11.680 Paul, 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:13.060 the metaphor Paul's 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:13.500 thinking of 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:14.060 is the courtroom. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:15.259 It's a legal concept. 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:16.520 And in the courtroom 00:06:16.520 --> 00:06:17.280 of justification, 00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:19.580 imagine that you have 00:06:19.580 --> 00:06:21.160 committed a great crime 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:23.480 and the judge 00:06:23.480 --> 00:06:24.879 stands up 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:25.480 and says, 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:26.800 you have been pronounced 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:27.840 not guilty 00:06:27.840 --> 00:06:29.660 even though you did it. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.139 And in the eyes 00:06:32.139 --> 00:06:32.660 of the court, 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:34.340 you have been set free. 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:35.620 Before the law, 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:37.400 you are reconciled 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:37.860 to the law. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.740 You are good 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:39.580 with the law. 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:40.699 You are in right standing 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:41.300 with the law. 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:42.139 And so, 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:42.819 when Paul uses 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:43.500 the word justification, 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:44.839 he's got that sense 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:46.199 that before God, 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:47.659 He has pronounced you 00:06:47.659 --> 00:06:48.579 forgiven, 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:49.419 acquitted, 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:50.060 legally, 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:51.399 clean, 00:06:51.659 --> 00:06:52.319 before the court 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:52.879 of His justice. 00:06:54.159 --> 00:06:54.459 So, 00:06:54.599 --> 00:06:55.459 how do you receive that? 00:06:55.479 --> 00:06:56.039 Do you receive that 00:06:56.039 --> 00:06:56.539 by works? 00:06:56.659 --> 00:06:57.039 No, no, 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:58.120 never by works. 00:06:58.799 --> 00:06:59.819 You receive God's 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:01.079 pronouncement of justification 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:02.819 only by grace 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:04.060 through faith 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:05.539 in Christ alone. 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:07.339 That's Romans 3.28. 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:09.779 But then James comes 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:10.159 and says, 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:10.599 but wait, 00:07:11.419 --> 00:07:11.599 no, 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:12.839 justifying faith 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:13.759 is not alone. 00:07:14.579 --> 00:07:15.599 You don't just need faith, 00:07:15.659 --> 00:07:16.359 you also need works. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:16.539 Well, 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:17.560 he's using the word justify 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:18.659 in a different sense. 00:07:18.719 --> 00:07:19.079 And the word, 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:21.139 the sense that he's using it 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:21.739 is in, 00:07:21.859 --> 00:07:23.339 is the way we use it 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:24.279 very commonly today. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:25.519 Most of us don't use it 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:26.899 in the way Paul is using it 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:27.819 in normal speech. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:29.500 But we use justify 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:30.939 in the way James is using it, 00:07:31.059 --> 00:07:32.339 and that's to demonstrate something 00:07:32.339 --> 00:07:33.979 or to prove something, 00:07:34.039 --> 00:07:34.199 right? 00:07:34.299 --> 00:07:34.439 So, 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:36.839 imagine that you, 00:07:38.239 --> 00:07:40.000 you imagine a mechanic, 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:40.659 a mechanic, 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:41.019 there's a, 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:41.879 there's a auto, 00:07:42.099 --> 00:07:43.039 auto shop 00:07:43.039 --> 00:07:44.739 hiring a mechanic, 00:07:44.739 --> 00:07:45.699 and the mechanic 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:46.799 sends in his CV, 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:48.559 and it's a very good CV. 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:50.099 He's got lots of skills 00:07:50.099 --> 00:07:50.799 on paper, 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:53.279 and he gets the job, 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.459 and on day one, 00:07:54.859 --> 00:07:56.299 the boss comes and says, 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.299 now here's the spanner, 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:59.199 and there's the engine, 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.839 and I want you to do surgery, 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:01.719 beautiful surgery, 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:03.540 that only a skilled mechanic 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:04.320 could possibly do 00:08:04.320 --> 00:08:05.460 on an engine like this, 00:08:05.700 --> 00:08:06.620 and you see, 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.500 what does he have to do 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:07.900 in that moment? 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:10.640 He has to justify his CV. 00:08:11.340 --> 00:08:12.460 He has to demonstrate, 00:08:12.640 --> 00:08:13.340 he has to prove, 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.140 he has to show 00:08:14.140 --> 00:08:15.420 that what he has claimed 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:16.540 to be true of his identity, 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:17.780 a great mechanic, 00:08:17.940 --> 00:08:19.560 is actually true in real life. 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:21.060 That's how James 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:21.840 is using the word. 00:08:22.700 --> 00:08:23.280 And so Philip, 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:24.740 there's a Lutheran 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:26.740 that followed Martin Luther, 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:27.820 he was kind of the next 00:08:27.820 --> 00:08:29.540 theologian after Martin Luther, 00:08:29.700 --> 00:08:30.560 Philip Melanchthon, 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:33.860 and he has formed this phrase 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.360 that has been famous, 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.000 that sort of captures 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.220 how you put Paul 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:40.080 and how you put James together. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.639 And here's the phrase 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.080 that Melanchthon gave us. 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:46.159 We are saved by faith alone, 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:48.460 but not by a faith 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:49.639 that remains alone. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.879 We're saved by faith alone, 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:53.279 we're justified by faith alone, 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:54.799 but never by a faith 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:55.860 that remains alone. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.259 So another way it's been said 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:59.220 is you are saved by faith alone 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.059 and Christ alone 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:01.620 through grace alone, 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:04.539 but that faith never fails 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:06.639 to demonstrate itself over time. 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:08.500 So that's what Paul, 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:09.120 James means, 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:10.159 faith without works 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.000 is dead faith 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:12.860 because living, 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:13.899 justifying faith, 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:15.059 reconciling faith 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:15.899 with God the Father 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.620 will prove itself 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:19.120 to be real faith 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.340 through change, 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:21.059 through good works, 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:21.939 through works of mercy 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:23.419 and works of obedience. 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:25.219 Now, I need to move on. 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:27.019 This is not some abstract, 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:29.299 this is not just a discussion 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:31.059 for Edinburgh Theological Seminary 00:09:31.059 --> 00:09:31.919 or New College. 00:09:32.599 --> 00:09:34.299 This is not abstract theology. 00:09:35.459 --> 00:09:36.039 And we know that 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.059 because James brings 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:39.159 this whole situation 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:40.079 so close to home 00:09:40.079 --> 00:09:41.339 because he starts out 00:09:41.339 --> 00:09:42.599 in verses 15 and 16 00:09:42.599 --> 00:09:44.120 by giving a situation 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.079 and saying there are 00:09:45.079 --> 00:09:46.299 brothers and sisters 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:47.399 in the local church 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:49.120 who are coming and saying, 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:50.740 I'm hungry and I'm thirsty 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:51.659 and I'm cold. 00:09:51.659 --> 00:09:54.059 And people in the local church 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:54.500 at the time 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.259 are simply saying, 00:09:55.579 --> 00:09:56.579 well, peace be with you. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:58.000 I hope it goes well. 00:09:58.199 --> 00:09:59.439 But they're not supplying 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:01.959 clothing or food or drink. 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:03.459 And he's saying, 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.559 you see, this is not abstract 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:06.519 because he's calling out 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.120 the church and saying, 00:10:07.339 --> 00:10:08.519 if this pattern continues, 00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:09.339 then it is showing 00:10:09.339 --> 00:10:11.240 that your faith is dead faith. 00:10:12.319 --> 00:10:14.319 So faith actually works itself out 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:16.299 how in meeting needs, 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:16.899 mercy, 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:17.779 the works of mercy 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:20.220 is how close to home, 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:21.660 real life that James 00:10:21.660 --> 00:10:23.080 is bringing this for us. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:24.279 Now secondly, 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:26.899 he takes us to really see that, 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:28.040 to get that down into our hearts. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.920 He takes us into a deeper dive 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:31.800 into what is dead faith. 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:33.620 And he does that in verse 19. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:34.920 So you'll see in verse 19, 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.240 he says, 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.800 you believe that God is one, 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.300 you do well. 00:10:40.680 --> 00:10:42.160 Even the demons believe that 00:10:42.160 --> 00:10:43.139 and shudder. 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:45.320 Now he's saying, 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:48.040 he's quoting from Deuteronomy 6, 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:49.779 that God is one, 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:51.240 the Shema in Hebrew, 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:52.279 hear O Israel, 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.059 the Lord your God, 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.839 the Lord is one. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:54.679 And he said, 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:56.019 you believe that doctrine, 00:10:56.199 --> 00:10:56.939 that is very good, 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:57.939 you need to believe that doctrine. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.240 But he said, 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.240 you know that the demons 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:01.159 believe that as well. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.579 And so he's pointing out 00:11:02.579 --> 00:11:03.360 the fact that the demons 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.579 live in the spiritual realm 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:05.459 and in the spiritual realm, 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.379 they know all about God 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:09.439 and they believe 00:11:09.439 --> 00:11:11.699 correct doctrine about God. 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:13.059 They even shudder 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.059 in his presence. 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:15.099 They even tremble 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:17.100 when they are in his presence. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.180 They fear God. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.200 And he's saying, 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:19.980 so you say you have 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:21.259 correct doctrine, 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:22.060 but the demons have 00:11:22.060 --> 00:11:22.659 correct doctrine. 00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:25.120 But you pass by the believer, 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.019 the brother or sister, 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:28.340 who is naked and hungry 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:29.519 and you don't feed them 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:30.259 or clothe them. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:30.800 He's saying, 00:11:30.920 --> 00:11:32.800 even the demons believe 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:33.759 as much as you believe. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:37.360 But without that faith proved, 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:38.779 it's proving itself 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.779 as dead faith. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.240 And of course, 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.840 the demons have dead faith. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:42.720 They're lost. 00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:44.740 Now what he's doing here 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.860 is he's pointing us 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:47.120 to the different one 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.420 of the different ways 00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.560 to have dead faith. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.860 And let me give you three. 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:54.259 There are more than this, 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:56.440 but I think these three 00:11:56.440 --> 00:11:57.560 are the primary ways 00:11:57.560 --> 00:11:59.700 that dead faith happens. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:02.740 Number one is decisionism. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.759 And decisionism says, 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:07.080 I once prayed a prayer 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:08.779 at X time 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:10.920 asking God into my heart. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:13.360 And I did it secretly 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:13.939 in my soul 00:12:13.939 --> 00:12:14.899 to hedge my bets. 00:12:16.219 --> 00:12:16.839 I needed, 00:12:16.979 --> 00:12:17.659 I know that, 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.740 I won't say it out loud 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.059 like this, 00:12:19.099 --> 00:12:19.759 but I know that I needed 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.599 fire insurance. 00:12:22.219 --> 00:12:23.939 And so at X time long ago, 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:25.000 I asked God, 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.059 I made a decision 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:27.120 that I wanted God 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.979 into my heart 00:12:27.979 --> 00:12:29.419 so that I would know 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.899 that if whatever else 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.620 happens in my life, 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:32.539 at least I'll have 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.379 that to lean on. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.679 And just notice that 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:36.279 when we say that, 00:12:36.339 --> 00:12:38.179 we're saying it's my decision 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.500 to accept the Lord 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.120 into my heart. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.659 Or another one 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.500 would be moralism. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.359 Moralism says, 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:45.299 I believe that 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:46.179 at the end of my days, 00:12:46.219 --> 00:12:47.299 I've done more good things 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:47.939 than bad things. 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:49.159 And so in the great scales 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:49.699 of justice 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:50.699 in the heavenly courtroom, 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.419 God will put my good works 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:53.179 on one side 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:54.239 and my goodness 00:12:54.239 --> 00:12:55.419 will outweigh my badness. 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.059 And again, 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:58.219 when we say that 00:12:58.219 --> 00:12:58.599 in our heart, 00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.659 we're saying one day 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.439 God will judge 00:13:00.439 --> 00:13:01.479 my performance 00:13:01.479 --> 00:13:02.399 and he'll see 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.279 that it was good. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.139 It was good enough. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.419 Or, 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:06.939 in the case of the demons, 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.199 it's the problem 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.159 of intellectualism 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.319 that produces dead faith. 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.259 I agree with 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.340 correct theology. 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:13.639 You know, 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.059 he's saying here 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:14.899 that even the demons 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.879 can say yes 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.360 to the truths 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.679 of the apostles' creed 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.659 as they're written on paper. 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.980 And in that say, 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.159 you know, 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:22.939 I do believe, 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.740 I assent to the right doctrines, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.199 therefore, 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.419 I believe God 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.240 will accept me. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:28.080 And that's called 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.000 intellectualism. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.700 And in that case, 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.080 we're saying 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:32.360 it's my knowledge 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.980 that earns me the right. 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.340 To God's presence. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:36.279 And you see, 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.620 in every single one of these, 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.460 the reason it's dead faith 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.240 is because it's 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.240 my knowledge, 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.220 my performance, 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.240 my decision 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.980 that's the basis 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:46.159 of getting into 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:46.980 God's presence. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.360 And instead, 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.699 what James is calling us to, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.659 I don't think he's 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.299 pushing Paul 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:52.980 out of the picture, 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.179 no, 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:53.539 not at all. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.860 He's even using 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.019 Paul's language 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:58.460 because he's observing Paul. 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.580 He knows what Paul said 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.220 about justification 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:00.899 is so true. 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.480 And we could sum it up 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:03.799 like this. 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.419 What's the difference 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:04.979 in dead faith 00:14:04.979 --> 00:14:05.519 and living faith? 00:14:05.599 --> 00:14:06.019 It's this. 00:14:06.339 --> 00:14:06.899 In the great hymn, 00:14:06.939 --> 00:14:07.559 we're going to sing it 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:08.179 in just a moment, 00:14:08.339 --> 00:14:09.000 Rock of Ages. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:11.039 When you sing 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:11.539 Rock of Ages, 00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:12.259 you say, 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.399 nothing in my hands 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:14.919 I bring, 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.740 simply to the cross 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.199 I cling, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.959 naked I come to thee 00:14:18.959 --> 00:14:19.519 for dress. 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:20.620 Helpless, 00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:21.959 I look to thee 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:22.439 for grace, 00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:24.419 foul I 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.819 to the fountain fly, 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:26.579 wash me, 00:14:26.719 --> 00:14:26.939 Savior, 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:27.740 or I die. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.240 You see the difference? 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:28.819 The difference in 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:29.500 dead faith 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.159 and living faith 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.459 is my performance, 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:32.799 my prayer, 00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:33.539 my decision, 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.139 my knowledge 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:37.039 versus a heart 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.959 that has been changed 00:14:37.959 --> 00:14:39.379 with justifying faith 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.179 says, 00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:41.459 nothing in my hands 00:14:41.459 --> 00:14:41.879 I bring. 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.459 Simply to the cross 00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:43.719 I cling, 00:14:43.839 --> 00:14:44.179 naked, 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:44.799 foul, 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:45.799 helpless, 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.179 I come to thee. 00:14:47.859 --> 00:14:49.059 That's the fundamental 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.959 difference between 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:50.979 dead faith 00:14:50.979 --> 00:14:51.759 and living faith. 00:14:51.859 --> 00:14:52.579 And so the question here 00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:54.500 is not do I acknowledge 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.579 the right sentences 00:14:55.579 --> 00:14:56.379 about God 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.959 or did I make 00:14:57.959 --> 00:14:58.939 the right decision 00:14:58.939 --> 00:15:00.179 at the right time 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:01.039 in my life 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.239 or have I done 00:15:02.239 --> 00:15:03.219 enough good 00:15:03.219 --> 00:15:05.000 for God to accept me? 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:06.199 The real question is 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.599 has God gotten 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:08.819 a hold of your heart? 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:09.759 Has God gotten 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.439 a hold of your heart? 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:12.199 Not do you accept him 00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:13.759 but has he reached out 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.399 to you 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.059 and gotten a hold 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:15.500 of you 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.539 and turned your life 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.120 upside down 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.599 and you say, 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.459 nothing in my hands 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:18.879 I bring. 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.159 Simply to the cross 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.599 I cling. 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:22.079 That's the difference 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:23.559 between dead faith 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.159 and living faith. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.939 There's one writer, 00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:26.980 commentator, scholar 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.459 who sees Leslie Mitten. 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.299 He puts it like this, 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.379 summarizing this passage. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.719 It's a good thing 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:32.199 to possess 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:33.279 an accurate theology 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:35.620 but it is unsatisfactory 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.339 unless that good theology 00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:39.319 also possesses us. 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:41.919 Thirdly, 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.839 deeper into living faith. 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.360 Now, 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.519 the positive vision 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.379 of living faith, 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.179 the beautiful vision. 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:49.879 Notice that 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.939 the illustration 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.500 that James gives us here, 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.220 the situation 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:54.980 that he's addressing 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.600 when he says 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.480 that faith without works 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.120 is dead faith 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:59.740 is just this normal situation 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.139 where in the first century church 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.220 where we mentioned last week, 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:03.819 people really were struggling 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:05.720 with genuine nakedness, 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.399 not having clothes, 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.460 just tatters to wear 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:10.279 or genuine hunger, 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.139 not having enough food 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.639 to survive. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:13.779 And he's saying 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:15.059 that in the church community 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:16.399 there were instances 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.019 where the church 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.099 was gathering on a Sunday 00:16:18.099 --> 00:16:19.379 and those needs 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.879 were completely being ignored. 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.219 Notice how ordinary 00:16:23.219 --> 00:16:24.279 that would have been for them. 00:16:25.359 --> 00:16:25.979 So, in other words, 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.819 he doesn't say that, 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.139 here's how you measure 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:28.799 living faith. 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:30.699 When the church decided 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.699 to take that mission trip 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:32.919 this summer to Timbuktu, 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.879 did you sign up? 00:16:34.719 --> 00:16:35.019 You know, 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:35.919 did you sign up 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.519 to the mission trip 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.279 on the other side of the world? 00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:37.559 No, 00:16:37.619 --> 00:16:38.219 he takes something 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:40.080 so normal 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.680 as the needs 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:42.460 that are happening 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:44.399 in the weekly worship service, 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.279 people in this room 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.000 that have needs 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.440 and saying, 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.800 are you awake to them? 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.519 That devastatingly ordinary 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.360 as the measure 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.340 of the difference 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.100 between dead faith 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:53.120 and living faith. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.620 And what happens here 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.920 is that somebody 00:16:55.920 --> 00:16:57.420 comes to this person 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:58.420 who's hungry, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.860 thirsty, 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:00.560 thirsty, 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.160 and in the text, 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:01.700 verse 16, 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.160 they say, 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.279 well, friend, 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.559 be well and be fed 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.660 and may God bless you. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:09.560 And the commentators say 00:17:09.560 --> 00:17:10.880 that this is very probably 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.040 a benediction, 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.620 a benediction 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:15.240 that was being pronounced 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.279 in churches already. 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.440 So they're quoting here 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.440 in the same way 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.620 that maybe you might know 00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:21.560 the benediction I give 00:17:21.560 --> 00:17:22.680 at the end of every service, 00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.519 grace, mercy, 00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:24.200 and peace to you 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.920 in the name of God, 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.220 the Father, 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:25.480 Son, 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.000 and Holy Spirit. 00:17:26.540 --> 00:17:26.759 Now, 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:27.420 in our instance, 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.060 we don't have 00:17:28.060 --> 00:17:29.500 the same situation going on, 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:31.060 but to bring this 00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:31.840 to our moment, 00:17:32.540 --> 00:17:33.420 this would be 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.680 like somebody coming up 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.640 to you in tea and coffee 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.980 and saying, 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:40.000 I can't pay my rent 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.540 and I'm being kicked 00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:42.620 out of my flat tonight 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.500 and I think I'm going 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.180 to be on the street. 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:46.120 And you're saying, 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:46.540 well, 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.460 just step aside 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.920 for a second. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.600 Grace, 00:17:48.840 --> 00:17:49.080 mercy, 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:49.960 and peace to you 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.640 in the name of God, 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:50.960 the Father, 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:51.180 Son, 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:51.620 and Holy Spirit. 00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:53.060 And you're saying, 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.100 and then your friend 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:54.580 later saying, 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:54.740 you know, 00:17:54.780 --> 00:17:55.460 I heard so-and-so 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.960 was getting kicked 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.560 out of their flat. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:56.920 They're not going 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.259 to have a place 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.800 to sleep tonight. 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.080 And he said, 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.580 don't worry, 00:17:59.400 --> 00:17:59.800 don't worry, 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:00.380 I pronounced 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.280 the benediction 00:18:01.280 --> 00:18:01.920 this morning 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.120 over them. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.080 It's going to be okay. 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:05.460 That's the illustration 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.039 he's giving. 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:06.799 And he's saying, 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.319 now, 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.319 benedictions are very good. 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:11.720 But he's saying, 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.299 that is proving itself 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.980 to at least be sleepy faith. 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.099 Faith. 00:18:16.199 --> 00:18:16.559 In other words, 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.279 what is living faith? 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:18.019 Living faith 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.779 is looking for needs 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.519 and meeting them. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.759 That's all. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.659 And he gives us 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.779 two great examples here 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:26.699 through Abraham 00:18:26.699 --> 00:18:27.639 and Rahab. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.339 And you'll see that 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:30.039 in verses 21 and following. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.980 Was not Abraham 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.899 our father justified 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:32.500 by works 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.940 when he offered up 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.819 his son Isaac 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.960 on the altar? 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.279 And then down 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.480 in verse 25, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:38.960 you see, 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.279 in the same way Rahab, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.059 the prostitute, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.119 justified by works 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.859 when she received 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.440 the messengers 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:44.720 and sent them out 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.379 by another way. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.319 Now he takes 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.879 these two figures, 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.839 Abraham and Rahab, 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.480 to example this to us. 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.680 And what is he saying? 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.480 He's pointing us 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.379 to what is lived faith? 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.059 Lived faith 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.980 is the example 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.420 of Abraham. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.480 He's not using Abraham 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.059 to say Abraham 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.740 as a hero. 00:18:59.919 --> 00:19:00.379 No, he's saying 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.359 he's an exhibition. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.200 And the exhibition 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:03.940 of lived faith 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.799 is that when God 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:05.299 came and said, 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:05.740 Abraham, 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:08.000 give your only son. 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.059 Put the knife 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.700 to his neck. 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:10.839 Oh, what a command. 00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.579 We don't have time 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:13.599 to explain that command. 00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:15.000 We'll have to come back 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.579 later to that. 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:17.359 But when he said 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.500 that Abraham obeyed, 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.519 what is lived faith? 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.799 The example of Abraham. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.539 First, it's obedience. 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:24.619 So when you read 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.399 the Ten Commandments, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.899 when you read 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:26.639 the Sermon on the Mount, 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.240 the Christian 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.120 who has experienced 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.920 justification longs, 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.680 at least is growing 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.220 and longing, 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.819 to obey the commands 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.180 of God, 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.440 to obey the Ten Commandments, 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.640 to obey the Sermon 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.000 on the Mount. 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.859 And then, 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.599 on the other side, 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.200 Rahab, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.359 the prostitute, 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.880 welcomed the spies 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.339 of Israel 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.079 into her home 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.059 and protected them 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.660 when they had great need. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.519 So you see what he's doing? 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:48.799 He's saying, 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.640 on the one hand, 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.240 lived faith 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.880 is obedience 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.579 to God's command. 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.180 On the other hand, 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.819 it's Rahab, 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.920 which is meeting 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.480 a need 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.539 when it comes to you, 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.660 like the spies. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.200 And so how do you 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.220 live your faith out? 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.860 He's saying you 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:01.000 obey the commandments 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.540 of God 00:20:01.540 --> 00:20:02.519 and then you look 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.240 for needs 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.380 as God brings them 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:04.720 to you 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.519 through other people 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.540 in your life 00:20:06.540 --> 00:20:07.860 and you meet those needs. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.560 You obey the commands, 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.200 you meet the needs. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.000 James 1, 22, 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.019 what is pure religion? 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.080 To care for the orphan 00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:14.500 and the widow 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.860 and their affliction needs 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:17.660 and to keep yourself 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:19.040 unstained from the world 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:20.100 by obedience, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.779 holiness, 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.759 those two things. 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.519 Lived faith, 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.940 pure religion. 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:27.039 Now this is what's called 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.960 a merism. 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.480 And a merism in literature 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.920 is where you take 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.019 two extremes 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:34.220 and you put them together 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.160 to say that, 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.600 look how wide 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.480 this commandment goes. 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.100 Abraham was 00:20:39.100 --> 00:20:41.279 the father of the nations. 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.660 Abraham, 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.740 the father of the covenant. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.559 Abraham, 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.880 a mighty warrior. 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:45.580 Abraham, 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.480 father Abraham, 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:47.900 we say. 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.500 Rahab was a Gentile 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.980 Canaanite prostitute 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.700 that in the eyes of the world 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.599 no one cared about. 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.000 And you see what he's doing? 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.240 He's saying, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.819 look at the great father Abraham 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.960 and the great Rahab 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.519 as examples 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.099 of what it looks like 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:04.000 to live your faith out. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.400 Both. 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:06.160 Both ends of the worldly spectrum 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.980 of social status 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.500 and hierarchy. 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.460 You see he's saying 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.279 no favoritism, 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:09.660 no. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.579 Look, 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.500 on every end 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:13.039 we've got both sides 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.759 of great examples 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.279 of what it means 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.960 to live faith 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.880 across the Bible. 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.599 The point is that 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.160 a heart that God 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.360 has gotten a hold of 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.860 lives the faith out 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.859 by meeting needs 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.779 and longing 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.519 to obey God's commands 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.219 in their life. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.419 Fourthly, 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:26.839 lastly, 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.799 that brings us 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.159 to the real root 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:32.119 of living faith. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.559 Now, 00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:35.399 he tells us here 00:21:35.399 --> 00:21:36.839 that in verse 15 and 16, 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.599 which brings us back 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.500 to last week's passage 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:39.919 as well, 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:42.179 that dead faith 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:43.279 has evidence. 00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:43.899 Dead faith 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.699 has a tell. 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:45.899 Dead faith 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:47.379 shows itself up. 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:49.379 And that evidence here 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.300 is in a lifestyle, 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.120 a pattern 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.680 of not meeting 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.860 the needs of people 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.480 that God puts 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.200 along our path. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.580 So, 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.260 dead faith 00:21:58.260 --> 00:21:59.140 shows itself up 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:00.040 over time 00:22:00.040 --> 00:22:01.800 when we consistently, 00:22:02.020 --> 00:22:02.600 pervasively 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.940 don't meet the needs 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.480 of the people 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.160 that God puts 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.760 in our path 00:22:05.760 --> 00:22:06.960 and give ourselves 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.100 away in generosity. 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:09.720 Now, 00:22:09.760 --> 00:22:10.400 notice it's not 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.200 a lack of doctrine. 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:11.960 How does this happen? 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.480 It's not a lack 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.940 of doctrine. 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.220 It's not a lack 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.940 of willpower. 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.880 It's something deeper 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.220 than that. 00:22:16.260 --> 00:22:16.960 It's something deeper. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:19.240 And what's deeper 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.039 than that, 00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:21.100 if we come back 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.220 to Rock of Ages, 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:22.799 we'll see it. 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.120 Remember, 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.420 the heart 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.319 that has been 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.660 justified by faith, 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.660 grace alone, 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.480 and faith alone, 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.140 Christ alone, 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.299 can say, 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.000 Lord, 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.440 nothing in my hands 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:32.960 I bring 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.880 simply to that cross 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.279 I cling. 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.519 Naked I come 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.319 to thee for dress. 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.920 Foul I to 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.700 that fountain fly. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:39.880 Now, 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.960 if you can say that today, 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.720 if that's your heart, 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.400 this is the deep, 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.799 this is how lived faith, 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.720 it's so deep. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.819 How it works 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.740 is that when you look out 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.960 and you see somebody, 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.539 you see somebody 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.819 that is in need, 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.940 a principle triggers 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.740 in your soul. 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.319 And the principle is, 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.779 I was that person 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.259 in need. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.039 So when you can say, 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.039 naked I come 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.880 to thee for dress, 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.480 hungry, 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.299 hopeless, 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.819 helpless, 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:07.640 Lord, 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.420 I come to thee, 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.160 you see, 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.819 then you've got 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.980 justifying faith 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.539 in your life, 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.400 and you've got 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:12.960 this principle 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.600 down in your heart 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.199 that when you see 00:23:14.199 --> 00:23:14.959 somebody in need, 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.199 that principle 00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:17.039 gets triggered 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.919 and you say, 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.039 I want to move 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.740 towards that person 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.639 because I am 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.199 that person. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.039 I am the person 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.899 who God helped. 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.659 I am the poor beggar 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.980 who God moved toward. 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:29.139 I am the hungry. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.079 I am the naked. 00:23:30.179 --> 00:23:30.639 I am the person 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.219 in tatters 00:23:31.219 --> 00:23:33.139 that God showed mercy to. 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.339 You see, 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.219 that's the principle. 00:23:34.459 --> 00:23:35.599 That's at the deeper root 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:36.839 of real living faith. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.059 And it's for that reason, 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.459 I think, 00:23:38.459 --> 00:23:40.519 that James, 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.519 to illustrate that, 00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.779 takes us to Abraham. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.859 Right? 00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:45.579 Because Abraham, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.659 in Genesis 22, 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:49.099 he was called 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:51.219 to take his son, 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.319 his only son, 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.519 up the mountain, 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.279 Mount Moriah. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.379 And his only son, 00:23:57.719 --> 00:23:58.000 Isaac, 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.619 put the wood 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.439 upon his back 00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:00.939 that day, 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.859 carried the wood 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.419 up the mountain. 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.939 And as they were 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.740 going up the mountain, 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.139 Isaac turned to his father, 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.879 Father Abraham, 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.960 and he said, 00:24:09.040 --> 00:24:09.360 Dad, 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.480 where is the lamb? 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:15.000 And Abraham said something 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.520 very famous 00:24:15.520 --> 00:24:16.020 and very important. 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:16.460 He said, 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.760 God will provide. 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.120 You see, 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.980 Abraham in that moment 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.300 was not trusting 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.020 in his obedience. 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.940 He was not trusting 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.060 in his performance. 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.260 He was trusting 00:24:25.260 --> 00:24:26.740 in God's provision 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.900 of a substitute. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.640 He was trusting 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.940 that God would provide 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.340 the lamb 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.000 for the sacrifice. 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:33.900 And you know, 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.600 you probably know 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.380 from Genesis 22 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.940 that that day, 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:37.880 Abraham, 00:24:38.300 --> 00:24:39.320 his hand was stayed. 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.840 He did not take 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:42.080 the life of his only son. 00:24:42.760 --> 00:24:43.160 And you see, 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.280 that place where he did that, 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:45.860 Mount Moriah, 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.500 Mount Moriah, 00:24:46.800 --> 00:24:48.180 that's one of the hills 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.640 that Jerusalem 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.560 was placed upon. 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:51.900 Mount Moriah 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.900 is a set of hills 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.980 where eventually 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.140 the temple would be built. 00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:55.760 Eventually, 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.280 eventually, 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.940 another son, 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.700 the only begotten 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.340 son of the father, 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.960 would go up 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.860 Mount Moriah, 00:25:04.020 --> 00:25:04.900 this very same mountain 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:06.019 that we see in Genesis 22, 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:07.360 the mount we call Golgotha, 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.920 Calvary, 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:09.140 and he would carry 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.120 the wood upon his back. 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:13.120 And that day, 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.680 instead of us saying, 00:25:14.800 --> 00:25:15.720 but where is the lamb? 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.040 There would be no substitute. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.220 He was the lamb, 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.700 the son of God, 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.720 the only begotten. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:23.200 He was the one 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.840 that was sacrificed 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.460 in our place. 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:26.440 He came to meet 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.200 the need of mercy 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.400 that we have most desperately. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:29.900 See, 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.320 he chooses Abraham 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.980 so that we might be able 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:34.700 to say something like this. 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:36.100 You don't become a person 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:37.279 of good works 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.200 by doing good works. 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.200 You become a person 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.920 of good works 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.920 by saying, 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.380 God took my sin 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.200 so seriously 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.640 that it cost the life 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.880 of his only begotten son. 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:51.000 And that he showed me 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.000 in that moment 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.180 how much he loves me, 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.220 how much he wants 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.960 to move towards me 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.400 and my need. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.580 And then out of that principle, 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.080 you live your life. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:00.900 Out of that principle, 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.600 you live your life. 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:02.639 And so, 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.379 I'll simply finish 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:03.719 with this. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:06.379 In verse 22, 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.519 he says, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.219 you see that faith 00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:10.899 was active 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:12.480 along with Abraham's works 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.480 and faith was completed 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.639 by his works. 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.480 Now, 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.679 here's how it all works. 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:20.099 Here's how justifying faith 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.439 and works 00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:22.119 all fit together. 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.139 He says that 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.099 in Abraham's life, 00:26:25.459 --> 00:26:26.919 he believed on God 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.580 and it was counted 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.560 to him as righteousness. 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:31.000 That's what Paul means 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.000 by Romans 3.28. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.580 He believed 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:35.380 because in the courtroom 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.200 of God's justice, 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:36.840 God was saying, 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.360 you're acquitted, 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:37.960 you're forgiven, 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.680 you're not guilty. 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.140 God was showing him 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.860 active mercy 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.420 in that moment. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.820 And then it says, 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.279 his works, 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.900 his obedience 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:46.060 made him complete, 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.060 his faith complete. 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.920 And the word that gets used 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.800 there for complete 00:26:49.800 --> 00:26:51.140 is the word 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.740 that we were so focused on 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.820 in our first couple sermons. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.980 It's the word 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.019 from James 1.4. 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.759 Where James was telling us 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.160 that in our suffering, 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.800 we can become complete, 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.560 perfect. 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.500 That's the word. 00:27:04.800 --> 00:27:05.460 It gets translated 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.100 in the SVS. 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.519 Perfect, 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.660 lacking in nothing. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:07.940 You see, 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.519 it's the same word, 00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:09.220 mature. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.100 And so here's how it works. 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:12.800 When you look 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:14.759 to God alone 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.360 through Christ 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:16.100 by faith alone 00:27:16.100 --> 00:27:16.700 for grace, 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:18.100 you receive justifying, 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.680 justification. 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.519 You receive the gift 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:20.940 of forgiveness. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.180 And then when you go 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.580 and you see people in need 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:26.300 and you say, 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.240 I now long 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.819 to do God's commands 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.879 as he's given them to me, 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.759 what happens? 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:33.139 That compassion, 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.359 that act of compassion 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:35.399 and love towards people 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:37.500 then completes your faith. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.279 Or what does that mean? 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.359 It matures it. 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.720 So that maturing faith 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.899 isn't what's saving you, 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.059 no, 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.200 but it is making you 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.940 more like Jesus. 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.899 It's completing you. 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.680 It's making you whole. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:50.000 It's making you perfect, 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:50.480 quote unquote, 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:50.899 complete, 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.700 lacking in nothing, 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.079 you see? 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.699 And so sometimes 00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:55.279 we don't feel like 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.619 moving towards people in need. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.059 We don't feel, 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:58.879 we are Christians 00:27:58.879 --> 00:28:00.379 and yet we don't have 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.279 the emotion 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.059 in a moment 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:03.720 to go and show compassion. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.639 We don't have the emotion 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.259 in a moment 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:07.179 to take up somebody's need 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:07.779 in our life. 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.019 And here's what he's telling us. 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:10.480 That doesn't mean 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.240 you have dead faith. 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.639 No, instead, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.659 he's saying, 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.599 in that moment, 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.519 remember, 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.639 count it all joy, 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.079 remember, 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.659 consider, 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.599 remember the principle, 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:20.359 God showed me mercy, 00:28:21.439 --> 00:28:22.019 so I, 00:28:22.179 --> 00:28:22.819 in the ledger, 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.379 in the ledger, 00:28:24.719 --> 00:28:26.059 the intellectual ledger even, 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:26.779 I'm going to move 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.399 towards this person 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:27.799 in mercy. 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.699 And that act of mercy 00:28:30.699 --> 00:28:31.839 is actually going 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:33.159 to reignite your faith. 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:34.740 See, 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.799 moving towards people 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.419 in compassion 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:38.519 is what reignites 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.359 sleepy faith. 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:42.019 If you have justifying faith 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.519 in your life, 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.079 no matter how you feel, 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:46.240 he's saying, 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.579 move towards people in need 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.919 and it's going to give you, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.740 it's going to give you 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.980 faith that you didn't know 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.500 you could have. 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.960 It's going to strengthen. 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.220 It's going to put you beyond 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.399 what you thought 00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:57.059 could be possible. 00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:59.220 God loved us first. 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.179 He showed us mercy. 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.279 Therefore, 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:04.159 we are to become a people 00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:06.259 who show mercy to others. 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:07.839 Let us pray. 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.039 Father, 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:10.339 we don't for a second 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.199 come today believing 00:29:11.199 --> 00:29:12.639 that our good works 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.460 will justify us 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.879 and instead 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.460 we hear these words 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:18.700 that justification 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:21.600 comes by Jesus Christ alone 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.860 and his work for us. 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.180 And so, 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:24.420 I pray that today 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.380 somebody in this room 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.100 would believe that 00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:27.360 maybe even for the first time 00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:28.740 that they can receive 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.360 your forgiveness 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.980 only through your grace. 00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:31.920 And then, 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:32.259 Lord, 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:34.279 would you work in us 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.500 a heart that longs 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.559 to move towards people 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.620 in mercy 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:39.220 because of obedience, 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.140 not on the platform 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:42.059 of moralism 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.400 or intellectualism 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.720 or behaviorism 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:46.440 or decisionism 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:48.780 but entirely on the basis 00:29:48.780 --> 00:29:49.780 that we are people 00:29:49.780 --> 00:29:51.280 who you love. 00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:51.900 And so, 00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:53.340 we thank you for your love. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:55.600 Let us rest in it 00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:56.300 now as we sing. 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.259 Let us celebrate it 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.380 now as we sing. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.440 As we sing these words, 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.420 naked we come to thee 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.800 for dress, 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.380 helpless we look to thee 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:02.860 for grace, 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:05.000 foul we to thy fountain, 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.700 we fly, 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.720 wash us, 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:07.100 Savior, 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.180 or we die. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.840 And we pray that 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.360 in Christ's name. 00:30:10.780 --> 00:30:11.040 Amen.