WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:03.820 So good to see you all here this morning. 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:06.879 We're continuing our series in James, 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:11.800 and we're just going to do the last little bit of James chapter 2 together. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:13.800 But perhaps before we dig into this, 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:18.920 I would like us to just take a minute to think about the week gone by, 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:22.760 just individually, and think to ourselves about this question. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:28.940 What difference has faith in Jesus Christ made to the week just gone by? 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:30.240 In my life? 00:00:31.080 --> 00:00:38.280 What is it about trusting Jesus that has altered the way I would have lived the week just gone by? 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:42.780 Maybe it's your attitudes, your actions, your interactions with others. 00:00:42.900 --> 00:00:46.600 Perhaps it's something you did or something you didn't do. 00:00:47.040 --> 00:00:48.840 Maybe it was the way you reacted to people. 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:51.180 But let's just take a minute and think, 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:56.420 what difference has faith in Jesus Christ made to the week just gone by? 00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:59.200 And then I'll pray, and then we'll get stuck in. 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:13.319 Father God, as we come to this, your word, 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:15.299 and we think of the week just gone by, 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:19.460 Father, we long that as we reviewed a week, 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:21.560 that there might be so much evidence 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:25.219 that we have trusted Jesus and are living for him. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:28.460 And so, Lord, as we come to this passage, 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:33.159 such a challenging passage about the outworking of faith in life, 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:35.760 about the cost of following Jesus, 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:37.240 Father, would you help us? 00:01:38.240 --> 00:01:39.680 Father, would you teach us, 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:41.079 and would you spur us on, 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:44.760 Father, that we wouldn't just have a dry, 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:47.040 intellectual knowledge of Jesus, 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:51.540 but we might have a deep, profound love, 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:58.120 and therefore an active, vibrant service of him in our lives. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:00.800 Father, bless us in his glorious name. 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:01.780 Amen. 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:05.500 So we're in James. 00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:09.580 James is a book that really does make us wiggle and squirm. 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:13.520 As we get into, behind what James is telling us, 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:15.760 it becomes decidedly uncomfortable. 00:02:16.660 --> 00:02:18.480 Because James is very practical. 00:02:19.260 --> 00:02:21.920 And he shines a light on all of life. 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:25.840 And as the light of God's word shines into our lives, 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:27.020 it makes us squirm. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.320 He's writing to his former church, 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:35.380 his former congregation that has spread among the nations. 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:38.200 That they were once all together, 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:39.679 but now he writes to them, 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:42.419 as they are in the midst of a hostile world. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:46.839 His congregation are predominantly Jewish Christians. 00:02:47.539 --> 00:02:49.479 And therefore they're hated by everyone. 00:02:49.619 --> 00:02:51.139 They're hated by the pagans. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:55.599 And they're hated by those people that are still Jewish. 00:02:57.339 --> 00:02:59.019 They're in real trouble. 00:02:59.179 --> 00:03:01.039 It is really hostile. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:07.679 This prejudicial hatred infringes on every area of life. 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:09.399 At work. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.500 On the commute home. 00:03:12.019 --> 00:03:13.439 In the marketplace. 00:03:14.699 --> 00:03:16.439 Everywhere they are, 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:18.379 they are known as Christians. 00:03:19.139 --> 00:03:21.619 And hostility comes their way. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:23.959 To be a Christian, 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:25.719 to own the name of Jesus, 00:03:26.399 --> 00:03:29.219 is to paint a target on your back. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:32.379 For others to shoot at. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:34.580 And James knows this. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:41.079 He knows to be a obvious minority in a hostile world 00:03:41.079 --> 00:03:44.960 is a very unpleasant place to be. 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:47.520 And he's really exhorting them, 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:49.520 don't bow to public pressure. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:55.219 Don't let your faith melt in the heat of hostility. 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.159 James says, 00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:58.759 don't blend in. 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:02.060 Don't back down. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:05.079 Don't compromise your Christian faith. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:07.879 Because the temptation for them, 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:09.919 as is the temptation for us, 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:11.599 when hostility comes in, 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:14.500 we just put on this cultural camouflage. 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:18.120 We just want to look the same as everyone else. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:20.439 Behave the same as everyone else. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:22.300 Do what everyone else does. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:24.160 Say what everyone else says. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:27.680 That it's very tempting, isn't it, 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:28.900 to be like a hedgehog. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:31.020 That you'll walk around, 00:04:31.340 --> 00:04:32.540 safe on a Sunday, 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:34.500 but Monday through to Saturday, 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:36.460 you'll curl up into a prickly ball. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:39.240 Just kind of mothball your Christianity. 00:04:40.460 --> 00:04:42.100 And then make sure you take it off the shelf 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:43.120 and dust it down, 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:45.639 ready for the show next Sunday. 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:49.459 James says this is a real temptation, 00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:51.500 to be one thing on Sunday 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:53.159 and something else during the week. 00:04:53.539 --> 00:04:54.719 All through the letter, 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:57.919 as we were looking at in Team Tabitha on Wednesday, 00:04:58.439 --> 00:04:58.800 he says, 00:04:58.979 --> 00:04:59.839 don't be double-minded. 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:02.240 Don't be too sold. 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:05.959 Don't have disassociative identity disorder, 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:08.759 where you are two people in one person. 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:11.000 You are a Christian on a Sunday, 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:14.579 but just ever so normal during the week. 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:17.199 Don't conceal your Christianity. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:20.519 And that's a temptation for all of us. 00:05:21.539 --> 00:05:22.620 I played cricket yesterday. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:24.019 It was freezing. 00:05:24.719 --> 00:05:26.860 I took a catch that was absolutely hammered at me, 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:28.939 and I thought my hands were going to shatter like glass 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:29.899 because they were so cold. 00:05:30.979 --> 00:05:32.979 But the incredible thing about cricket is 00:05:32.979 --> 00:05:35.759 most of it is spent just sitting around drinking tea. 00:05:36.719 --> 00:05:38.240 And they're always fascinated 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.759 because they know I'm the pastor of a church. 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:43.360 And we're sitting over tea, 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:45.019 and somebody says, 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:48.599 what is being part of a church all about? 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.680 And this isn't just my team. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:53.079 This is the other team as well. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:56.659 I'll tell you, sweat, even though it was so cold, 00:05:56.719 --> 00:05:58.019 was dripping down my back. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:02.339 Because there's a real nervousness, isn't there? 00:06:02.339 --> 00:06:06.479 There's a real pain, a real anguish 00:06:06.479 --> 00:06:09.299 when we have to stand up and stand out for Jesus. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:13.479 I told them that to be part of a church 00:06:13.479 --> 00:06:14.739 is to belong to Jesus. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:17.579 I said to belong to Jesus means that you trust 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:19.159 that he died for us 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:20.579 and raised that we might be forgiven. 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:22.579 Once I said that, 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.839 suddenly people thought it was time 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:25.939 to start playing cricket again. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:29.300 We're all sorely tempted 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:31.040 to keep our relationship 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.860 with the Lord Jesus on the down low. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.620 James knows that's true, 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:37.939 as we all know that's true. 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:39.079 So he writes this letter 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:40.600 and says, 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:42.100 don't just merge and morph 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:44.480 and become like everyone else 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.740 for the sake of ease and comfort. 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:49.199 Make sure you are in the world, 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:50.199 but not of the world, 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:52.079 because we all know the temptation is 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:55.120 to be in the world and of the world. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:58.959 I live a very secluded life. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:01.040 Most of the time I work for a church, 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:04.459 I spend most of my time with people in the church. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:08.839 And I really feel for you guys 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:11.399 who are actually out there 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.819 trying to be different for Jesus, 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:17.279 trying to work in such a way that honors him, 00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:19.519 trying to love your friends in a way 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:21.159 that really adorns the gospel 00:07:21.159 --> 00:07:22.379 and makes it look attractive. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.759 And as I was preparing this this week, 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:27.560 the one thing that I thought I must do 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:29.480 is pray for each of you more. 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:31.680 Pray for each of you more 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.319 as you just live life, 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:35.399 that you might live it in a way 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:37.879 that makes Jesus look glorious. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:40.459 James starts his letter 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:42.219 by talking about not collapsing 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:43.480 under trial, 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:44.699 but persevering 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:46.719 and getting wisdom from God 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:48.500 that we might be mature in faith 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.279 and complete in Christ. 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:52.740 He then says at the end of chapter one, 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:54.180 don't just be hearers of the word, 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:55.019 but doers. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:57.459 Don't just consume a Sunday sermon 00:07:57.459 --> 00:07:58.800 and go out on Monday morning 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:01.180 like you've forgotten what you look like 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:02.459 when you look in a mirror. 00:08:03.400 --> 00:08:05.019 And then chapter two is a real call 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:05.900 to be genuine. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:09.180 The first half is about being genuinely loving, 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.740 genuinely loving towards everyone 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:14.259 and not changing how you approach people 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:15.500 depending on whether they're wearing 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.660 a gold bracelet or not. 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:21.639 He says show universal love to all. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:24.039 And then in the second half, 00:08:24.099 --> 00:08:25.519 he says have genuine faith. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:29.139 Have genuine faith that works out in life. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.759 Real faith, vibrant faith, 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:35.100 faith that leads you into works. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.559 He says that famous thing 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.840 that we looked at last week. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.399 Don't be a Christian of the platitude. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.639 Go in peace, 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:45.259 keep warm and well fed, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:47.220 and then get into your BMW, 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.200 drive home, 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:49.299 have a three course meal 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.960 next to your log fire 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.220 all by yourself. 00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:55.740 Don't just be the platitude Christian 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:57.939 who just says nice things 00:08:57.939 --> 00:08:59.480 but actually has the capacity 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:00.919 and the resource 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:02.000 to do something about it. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.220 Be a whole, 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.500 let there be a wholehearted trust 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:07.819 in Jesus that is evidenced 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:09.039 by your good works. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:12.100 As we move to the end of chapter two, 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:13.259 we'll see that it's not just 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.679 do good works, 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:17.139 but also that good works cost. 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:19.960 There's a real cost associated 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:20.759 and we'll see that 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.580 particularly as we come to 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:24.179 Abraham and Rahab. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:26.460 So let me read chapter two 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:29.799 and I'll start at verse 19 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:33.879 and then to the end of the chapter. 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.159 Here we go. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.519 You believe that there is one God, good. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:40.240 Even the demons believe that 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.659 and shudder. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:43.519 You foolish person, 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:45.220 do you want evidence 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:46.720 that faith without deeds 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.819 is useless? 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:50.279 Was not our father Abraham 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.279 considered righteous 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.480 for what he did 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.340 when he offered his son Isaac 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:55.179 on the altar? 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:57.299 You see that his faith 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.019 and his actions 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:58.980 were working together 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:01.199 and his faith was made complete 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:02.419 by what he did. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:04.899 And the scripture was fulfilled 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.939 that says Abraham believed God. 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:09.259 And it was credited to him 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:09.980 as righteousness. 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:13.620 And he was called God's friend. 00:10:14.579 --> 00:10:15.720 You see that a person 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:16.980 is considered righteous 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:18.980 by what they do 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.879 and not by faith alone. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.279 In the same way, 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.439 was not even Rahab the prostitute 00:10:26.439 --> 00:10:27.360 considered righteous 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.399 for what she did 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.500 when she gave lodging to the spies 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.519 and sent them off 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:33.100 in a different direction? 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:35.840 As the body without the spirit 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.560 is dead, 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.879 so faith without deeds 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:40.820 is dead. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:43.300 Well, there's one verse in there 00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:44.460 that really sets our 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:46.399 theological antennas 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.800 twitching, isn't there? 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.759 This one verse, 00:10:50.180 --> 00:10:51.440 Martin Luther said, 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:52.920 this one verse makes me want 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:53.920 to throw little Jimmy 00:10:53.920 --> 00:10:55.200 into the fire. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:57.399 And this is the problem, 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:57.740 isn't it? 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.480 Verse 24. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.680 You see that a person 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:01.620 is considered righteous 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.840 by what they do 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.600 and not by faith alone, 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:06.200 which seems to be 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:07.519 in direct contravention 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:09.220 of the Apostle Paul 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:09.759 who says, 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.759 for we maintain 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:11.860 that a person 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:12.620 is justified 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:14.279 by faith 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:15.440 apart from works 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:16.519 of the law. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.759 This is 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.860 one of the most 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.940 controversial verses 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:21.300 in the entire New Testament. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:23.320 One of the second 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.820 is Romans chapter 9, 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.580 so it's a good job 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:26.080 we're not doing 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.340 that one tonight. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:31.580 So what are we 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.180 going to do? 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.400 How are we going 00:11:33.400 --> 00:11:34.120 to square 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.520 this circle? 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:38.300 Well, I want you 00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:39.139 to cast your mind 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:40.379 seven weeks forward 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:42.700 to the Commonwealth Games. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.420 And I want you 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:45.520 to think particularly 00:11:45.520 --> 00:11:47.420 of women's gymnastics. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.320 And my favourite 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.500 apparatus in all 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.460 of women's gymnastics 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.620 is the balance beam. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:55.720 It is incredible 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:57.659 that people 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:58.519 can do things 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.519 like this 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:02.080 1.24 metres 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:02.940 off the ground 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:04.000 on a bar 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.080 that's 5 metres long 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.460 and only 10 centimetres 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:06.820 wide. 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:09.220 I find it hard 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:09.840 to walk along 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:10.600 a pavement 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.440 without tripping. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.259 I can't even 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.139 do a handstand 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.759 without breaking 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.419 my neck. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.519 And these guys 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.179 do it on what 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:17.639 in essence 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:19.120 is a glorified railing. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:23.899 Have this in mind. 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.240 Imagine that we 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:26.860 are walking 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.720 along a balance 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:27.919 beam. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:28.560 For some of us 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:29.080 that's easier 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:29.679 than others. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.460 We're walking 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.419 along a balance 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:32.720 beam. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.519 We have to be 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.200 very careful 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:35.759 that we don't 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.480 lean too far 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.120 one side 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.100 and therefore 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:38.740 fall over. 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:39.519 So on this side 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.000 we've got the 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:40.779 Apostle Paul. 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:43.579 and he's telling 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:44.860 the people of Rome 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.159 don't be legalists. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:47.079 Don't think 00:12:47.079 --> 00:12:47.779 that there's rules 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:48.519 you can obey 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:49.199 which will make 00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:49.879 you acceptable 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.579 to God. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.000 Don't lean too 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.759 far this way. 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:55.419 And make out 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:56.059 that grace is 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:56.559 affordable. 00:12:56.839 --> 00:12:57.759 If you do enough 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.839 stuff well 00:12:58.839 --> 00:12:59.759 God will accept 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.100 you. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:01.879 Paul says 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.679 we hold 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:03.199 that a man 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:03.919 is justified 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:04.899 by faith 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.679 alone. 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.259 Faith is all 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:08.620 important. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.639 But on this side 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.779 we've got to be 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.460 careful we don't 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.199 lean this side 00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:12.819 and this is what 00:13:12.819 --> 00:13:13.699 James is writing 00:13:13.699 --> 00:13:14.080 about. 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.580 He says 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:16.179 don't fall 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:16.980 for an easy 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.759 believism. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.199 Don't fall 00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:20.199 for a believism 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:20.799 that is just 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.620 oh I said a prayer 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:22.439 one day in my 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:22.960 life. 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.799 I declared 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.419 I had faith 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:25.740 in God 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.379 but can now 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:26.960 live 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.379 however I like. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:29.699 It doesn't 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:30.139 matter. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.399 Paul says 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:33.000 what I do 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.600 is important 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.139 to make me 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.559 acceptable by God 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.580 and James 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.600 says it doesn't 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.299 matter what I do 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.000 because I am 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.000 acceptable to God 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.679 and both are 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.000 wrong. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:42.679 And we have to 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:43.639 walk this tension 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.919 down the middle. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:45.879 Paul is all about 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.000 affordable grace. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.460 James is all about 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.340 cheap grace. 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.600 Grace that's given 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.440 to us and that's 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:52.840 cheap so it 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.639 doesn't matter. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.519 Got to walk 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:59.279 this balance 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.159 beam well. 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:02.080 That we are 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.340 justified by faith 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.259 alone but don't 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.259 think that faith 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.720 doesn't need to 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.759 work. 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:09.960 So James is 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.460 particularly 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:11.700 writing against 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.720 what we might 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.679 call insurance 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:14.740 policy Jesus 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:16.759 where we just 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.759 believe in Jesus 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.460 and put him in 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.139 our back pocket 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.799 and it doesn't 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.200 matter and one 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:21.899 day we'll cash 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.700 in our insurance 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.559 policy when we 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:23.939 die. 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.360 James says 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.059 don't fall for 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.399 that. 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.240 Don't think 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:28.720 that what you 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.580 do on a Sunday 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:31.899 will save you 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.639 if it's not 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.699 completed by a 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:35.819 consistent life 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:37.220 during the week. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.120 James is saying 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.799 that your faith 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.879 must be active 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.419 fruitful saving 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.059 faith. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.299 Not dead 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.559 demonic futile 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.120 faith. 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:48.379 Do you see what 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.059 he says in verse 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.659 19? 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:50.899 You believe that 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:51.699 there is one God 00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:52.199 good. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.259 Even the demons 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.860 believe that and 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.620 shudder. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.580 His point is that 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.559 even that the 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:00.519 demons have this 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.580 knowledge and it 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:02.259 makes them shudder 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:02.919 whereas you just 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.740 have this knowledge 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.759 and do nothing 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.399 about it. 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.519 James is saying 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:09.439 this faith has 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.580 to be accompanied 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:11.700 by works. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.299 He's saying 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:14.559 faith alone 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:16.340 saves but 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.259 saving faith 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.200 cannot remain 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.279 alone absent of 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:19.980 works in the 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.480 believer's life. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.240 Faith alone 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:25.379 saves but 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.519 saving faith 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.639 cannot remain 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:29.279 alone absent 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:31.679 of works in the 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.919 life of the 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:33.379 believer. 00:15:34.479 --> 00:15:35.279 That's why he 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.239 says verse 20 00:15:36.239 --> 00:15:36.959 you foolish 00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:37.519 person. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.379 Literally the 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:39.979 word is you 00:15:39.979 --> 00:15:41.519 hollow person. 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.620 He's calling the 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.419 person who says he 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.419 has faith but no 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:47.000 works a superficial 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.019 charlatan and a 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.319 fraud. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.399 He's saying if 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:51.959 you've got all 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:53.039 theology all 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:54.059 knowledge but no 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:55.559 doxology praise and 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.279 worship in your 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.699 life you're hollow 00:15:58.700 --> 00:16:01.400 like your easter 00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:01.840 egg. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.080 Nothing in the 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.420 middle. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.860 No consistency. 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.860 All talk but no 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.620 walk. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.320 All icing but no 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:11.240 cake. 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.680 All information 00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:14.160 no transformation. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.020 You're a cul-de-sac 00:16:16.020 --> 00:16:18.379 of knowledge not an 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.560 avenue of good 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:20.440 work. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.460 Such a challenge 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.120 isn't it? 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:24.500 Such a challenge for 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:26.620 us today to not be 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.220 hollow people. 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:30.460 How much substance 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.539 is there to our 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.019 confession? 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.539 When we think about 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.679 what differences Jesus 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:36.259 made to our week was 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.299 it easy to come up 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:37.879 with stuff? 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.860 James says your faith 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.759 has got to drive you 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.820 to good works. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:47.580 Your passion for the 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.659 Lord Jesus is to 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:50.179 overflow into every 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.980 area of your life 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.500 that we together might 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.639 be altogether new 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.360 creations. 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.439 People that do 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.319 things differently 00:16:58.319 --> 00:17:00.980 because we're not 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:02.139 our own but we're 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.919 owned by another 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.799 the Lord Jesus 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.539 Christ. 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.139 Don't let your 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:08.819 faith exist in a 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.799 hermetically sealed 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.720 compartment in your 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.480 life that has no 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.639 overlap into the way 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.440 that you actually 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.480 live. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.660 Don't let your faith 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.639 be like my mum's 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:19.480 silver cutlery that 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.539 you only bring out on 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:22.700 special occasions and 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.639 that's normally never to 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.960 eat with just to polish 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.180 in order that it 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.100 might look nice. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.380 James is so clear. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.480 Christian maturity 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.300 isn't just what you 00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:33.000 know or how much you 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.880 attend but it's what 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:34.820 you do with what you 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:36.980 know and the reason 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:39.180 that you serve and 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.860 love. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.280 Be persistent in good 00:17:42.280 --> 00:17:42.940 works. 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:45.160 Not just education but 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:47.180 equipping for good 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.740 works and the 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.700 edification of the 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.700 saints as it says in 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.800 Ephesians 2. 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:53.839 James says the faith 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:56.059 that is dry, dead and 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.099 doesn't result in good 00:17:57.099 --> 00:18:00.419 works is futile and 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:01.379 sits at the level of 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:01.919 the demons. 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.099 This is something we're 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.119 just doing on a Sunday. 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:07.279 There were no better 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.799 than a demon. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:10.000 Billy Graham tells the 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.700 story of flying from 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.759 Chicago to Charlotte 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.460 years ago. 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.180 Directly in front of 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.480 him sat a large man who 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.440 had been drinking a lot 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.539 in the departure lounge 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.039 before they boarded the 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.460 plane. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.159 Once the plane reached 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.420 cruising altitude and the 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.500 seatbelt sign was turned 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.019 off the man pressed the 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.299 service button and plied 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.639 himself with more 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.480 refreshments. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.299 He repeated this several 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.940 times. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.700 The more he drank the 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.420 louder he became and more 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.539 abusive he got. 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:38.119 The more he drank the 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.259 more he flirted with the 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.960 air hostesses despite 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.299 wearing his wedding ring. 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.440 Finally one of the 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.700 embarrassed passengers stood 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:47.019 up and said to the drunk 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:49.240 Sir do you realise that 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.519 Billy Graham the great 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:52.319 preacher is seated right 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.019 behind you? 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.319 The bleary man struggled 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.240 to his feet stuck out his 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.460 hand and said Billy Graham 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.160 put it there. 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.879 Glad to meet you. 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.579 You have no idea how much 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.559 your sermons have helped 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:03.700 me. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:05.000 I listen to them every 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.440 Sunday. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.539 To which Billy Graham said 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.700 judging by your behaviour 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:11.519 sir they've not helped you 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.420 at all. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:15.759 James is saying faith alone 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.840 saves but saving faith 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:19.320 cannot remain alone absent 00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:22.300 of works in the life of the 00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:22.700 believer. 00:19:22.820 --> 00:19:24.660 To quote Martin Luther who 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.880 didn't actually throw little 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.759 Jimmy in the fire. 00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:29.279 He says oh it is a busy 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.940 active mighty thing this 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:32.779 faith and so it is impossible 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.519 for it not to do good works 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.720 incessantly. 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.700 It does not ask whether there 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:39.460 are good works to do but 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:41.100 before the question arises it 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:42.240 has already done them. 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:44.560 And is always at the doing 00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:45.180 of them. 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.160 He who does not these works 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:49.420 is a hollow man of demonic 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.440 faith. 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:53.640 Jesus himself will say there's 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.560 lots of things out there 00:19:54.560 --> 00:19:55.960 that look like branches but 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.279 they're not connected to me and 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.380 therefore they're not fruitful 00:19:58.380 --> 00:20:00.500 and they're only good for the 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:00.880 fire. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.519 Jesus will tell a story about 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.680 three servants who get 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.740 different sums of money. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.300 And the bottom one gets quite a 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:09.519 lot of money but only one 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:09.860 talent. 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:12.219 And he puts it in the ground 00:20:12.219 --> 00:20:13.219 and does nothing with it. 00:20:13.219 --> 00:20:14.259 And what does Jesus say? 00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:16.859 You wicked lazy servant. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:21.240 And he isn't welcomed into his 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.740 master's rest like the other two. 00:20:25.199 --> 00:20:28.119 It is good works that we are not 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.240 to tire of doing. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:32.440 James says faith alone saves but 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:34.400 saving faith cannot remain alone 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:36.880 absent of good works in the life 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.240 of the believer. 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.920 And James gives us two case studies. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:43.440 He gives us the patriarch Abraham. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:47.759 He points us to the first and 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.539 principal Jewish man. 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.320 The man Abraham. 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:54.299 And he wants to show us that faith 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:56.200 did something in Abraham's life. 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:59.299 He talks about Abraham who was a 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.340 former moon worshipper in Ur of the 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:03.580 Chaldeans and God says leave all 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:06.180 this take your family and go to the 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.620 land that I promised you. 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:10.819 And God makes amazing promises to 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:13.659 Abraham about descendants and land 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:15.639 and that they would be his people and 00:21:15.639 --> 00:21:16.979 that he would be his God. 00:21:17.459 --> 00:21:19.799 And in Genesis 15 verse 6 we read 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.739 what's quoted here. 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:22.919 Abraham believed God and it was 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:25.139 credited to him as righteousness. 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:28.879 That Abraham had faith that what God 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:30.119 said God would do. 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:34.539 But notice that this faith didn't 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:36.239 remain dormant in his life. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:38.339 He didn't just sit back in his 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.879 hammock in the promised land and 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.859 think I'll just wait for this 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.579 dividend to be paid. 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.759 I could do with some descendants. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.899 I'm getting quite old and this land 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.859 is quite tough. 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:51.719 Notice what does he quote? 00:21:52.919 --> 00:21:55.000 He quotes sacrificing Isaac. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.319 Do you know how long there is between 00:21:57.319 --> 00:22:00.759 that declaration in Genesis 15 verse 6 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:02.460 and Genesis 22? 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.659 At least 30 years. 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:09.159 At least 30 years it is said of 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:10.899 Abraham that he believed God and it 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:12.519 was credited to him as righteousness. 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:18.559 That this faith started but it 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.799 completed its work. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:22.299 Because when God says I want you to 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.000 take this son that you've waited so 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.639 long for. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:26.980 This son that I've miraculously given 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.240 you. 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.700 I want you to take him up Mount 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:30.279 Moriah and I want you to kill him as a 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.180 sacrifice to me. 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:34.279 And Abraham could have gone well we did 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.740 this faith thing a while ago. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.039 I'm just kind of like life now. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:42.339 But he takes his son up and he trusts 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:44.920 God and his faith does something. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.380 And he's prepared to pay the highest 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:49.819 price because his faith means that 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.839 much to him. 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:53.420 The highest price of obedience no 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.559 matter what the cost. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:58.359 You see Abraham's faith and Abraham's 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.859 actions were working together. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:03.099 Faith produces good works. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.720 Good works complete faith. 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.859 A virtuous circle. 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:09.819 Faith produces good works. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.859 Good works complete faith. 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.799 See how it finishes? 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:16.500 And he was called God's friend. 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.519 He was called God's friend. 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.879 That's from Isaiah 41. 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:22.840 Where Isaiah is detailing the history 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.480 of Israel. 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:26.120 And he says over all of Abraham's life 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.620 he was a friend of God. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.980 Why was he a friend of God? 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:31.280 Because he not only trusted God but he 00:23:31.280 --> 00:23:33.280 did what God called him to do. 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.300 Do you know what that means? 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.860 That means over our lives can be 00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:38.820 written a friend of God's. 00:23:39.520 --> 00:23:41.360 Because we not only trust what God 00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:44.260 says but we do what God says we are to 00:23:44.260 --> 00:23:44.560 do. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:49.460 Faith alone saves you see but saving 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.819 faith cannot remain alone. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:54.399 Absent of good works in the life of 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.000 the believer. 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:56.839 But James is a brilliant pastor. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.259 Because he knows what we're all 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.679 thinking well I'm not like Abraham. 00:24:01.679 --> 00:24:03.259 Abraham's kind of like the first and 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.819 he's this real picture of faith. 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:07.619 And he's like I'm not like him so I 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:10.019 can't trust and do what he has 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.000 trusted and does. 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:14.000 So look who he brings up in verse 25. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:25.079 In the same way was not even Rahab the 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:26.659 prostitute considered righteous for 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:28.960 what she did when she gave lodging to 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:31.119 the spies and sent them off in a 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.879 different direction. 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:35.139 He is a brilliant pastor James because 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:36.740 he knows all of us exist somewhere 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.819 between that spectrum. 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.819 Somewhere between Abraham the 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:42.139 patriarch and Rahab the prostitute. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:44.440 And if Abraham showed his faith by what 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:46.240 he did in being prepared to sacrifice 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:49.700 Isaac then Rahab showed her faith by 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:53.200 giving shelter and a means of escape to 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.039 the spies. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.660 Abraham is not a special elite that we 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.519 cannot copy. 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:02.700 He is someone that we're called to 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:04.980 emulate by trusting God. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:07.759 It's a remarkable faith. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.359 Rahab's. 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:08.960 Rahab's. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.879 She's in the city of Jericho. 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:14.240 She understands that God is God in heaven 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.879 and God on earth. 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.819 She makes that declaration. 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:20.940 She harbors spies. 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:23.660 If this goes badly for her she will be 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:25.740 executed and Jericho is particularly 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.559 barbaric. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.759 They even sacrifice children so they're 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:30.539 not going to struggle to put a 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.720 prostitute to death. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:35.480 And yet because she has faith in this 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:38.100 God who has revealed himself to her in 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.759 this way. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:41.640 She's prepared to put her life on the 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.140 line. 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:45.839 In order that his work might be done. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:49.380 If you know her story she puts the 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:51.519 spies under palm branches on the roof. 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:54.559 She says oh they're not here they've 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.299 gone this way. 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:57.920 Well she lets the spies down off a rope 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.340 and says go this way. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:02.340 She put her life on the line. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.740 Her faith had a real cost. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:08.539 Because she knew what God said and she 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:10.840 wanted to do what God wanted. 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:14.160 I'm sure we're getting this by now but 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:16.519 faith alone saves. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:19.680 But saving faith cannot remain alone 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:22.519 absent of good works in the life of the 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:22.900 believer. 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:26.140 Now all of us are somewhere on that 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.580 spectrum. 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:30.100 So all of us cannot dodge this command 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:31.960 that our faith must work. 00:26:33.280 --> 00:26:34.700 It's not just James that's got this. 00:26:34.780 --> 00:26:36.380 Hebrews 11 is littered with them. 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.940 Talks about Noah was a man of faith 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:40.200 who built an ark in the desert. 00:26:40.520 --> 00:26:41.400 That's great faith. 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:43.840 That's like opening a vegetable shop in 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.620 the middle of Glasgow. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:50.400 Moses who gave up life in Egypt 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:53.800 didn't consider himself one of Pharaoh's 00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:54.259 sons. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:57.220 Because he knew who God was and what 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.660 he was going to do. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:02.500 Let us not just hear the warning 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:05.640 that faith without works is dead. 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.480 Let us rejoice 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:09.599 in the glorious promise that faith with 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.059 deeds 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.480 is alive. 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.400 And it is life. 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:16.480 It's not just a warning not to do this 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.539 but it is a real 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:20.359 emulation of what it means to trust God 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:22.119 and do what he says. 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:25.039 Because we serve a God 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:26.879 who did more than Abraham. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.240 Who didn't just 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:31.519 wasn't just prepared to sacrifice his son 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.899 but sacrificed his son 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.919 for us. 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:37.319 And we worship the Lord Jesus. 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:40.159 Who wasn't just prepared 00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:42.579 to give us shelter 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:44.359 at personal risk 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:47.240 or give us a means of escape. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:52.019 He actually died that we might have rest forever. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:56.240 And he actually died that we might have a means of escape 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:59.899 forever from the wrath of God to come. 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:03.200 In response to all this good news 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.540 this outrageous grace 00:28:04.540 --> 00:28:06.759 why would we not want to live 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.259 lives of gratitude 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:10.480 joyously involving ourselves 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.140 actively in good works. 00:28:12.800 --> 00:28:14.540 Why would we not live 00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:17.019 all of life as friends of God 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:19.880 with our faith producing good works 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.460 and our good works completing 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.740 our faith. 00:28:23.300 --> 00:28:25.140 That when we think next week on 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.940 what have I done differently 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.900 because of Jesus 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:30.500 we say everything 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:33.060 absolutely everything 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:34.840 because of the God 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:36.700 who loves me. 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.820 This is Michael Jordan 00:28:39.820 --> 00:28:42.740 when he leaves North Carolina University 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.940 and he signs for the Chicago 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.720 Chicago Bulls. 00:28:47.280 --> 00:28:49.180 He signs an endorsement deal 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:51.040 for seven million dollars 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:53.540 with Nike Athletics. 00:28:54.780 --> 00:28:56.420 And when Jordan signed 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:58.019 he also bought out 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.019 Nike Air Jordans 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.360 that exist to this day. 00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:04.500 The first Nike Air Jordans 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.660 were red and black 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:07.340 which in the mid 80s 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:07.900 as today 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:09.420 was a great fashion faux pas. 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:12.240 And no one thought 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.120 they would sell. 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.779 No one thought 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.720 anyone would want 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:17.220 a pair of Nike Air Jordans 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:17.580 because 00:29:17.580 --> 00:29:19.380 they were so hideous. 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.779 Another sports company 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:22.519 tried to hijack the deal 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:24.019 and the one stipulation 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.920 that was different was 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:26.240 we won't bring out trainers 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.139 that are red and black 00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.759 in your name. 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.700 However, 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:33.059 Jordan signed with Nike 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:35.220 and in March 1985 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:37.039 the first Nike Air Jordans 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.799 came out. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.839 By May 1985 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:42.240 just three months later 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.799 these shoes 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.700 had bought in revenue 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.359 of a hundred million dollars. 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.680 They'd sold 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.480 every pair 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.420 that they'd made 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.359 and there was 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.680 a massive crisis 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.200 that they couldn't make more 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.400 fast enough. 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.019 And why? 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.920 Because everybody 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.900 wanted to be 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.660 Michael Jordan. 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.779 Everybody 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:01.480 on the basketball courts 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.720 all around the world 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:04.320 wanted red and black shoes 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:04.920 because they were 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.580 Michael Jordan 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:06.279 and when people 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.060 saw those shoes 00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:07.940 they would think 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.980 they were Michael Jordan. 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.700 Such is the delusion 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.480 of advertising. 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.160 Jesus says 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:17.080 my endorsement deal 00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:18.820 involves doing good works. 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:20.839 to be associated 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.460 with me 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.279 or my team 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.399 means that you do 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.259 good works. 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:26.039 That all over the world 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.919 people that are 00:30:26.919 --> 00:30:28.399 associated with Jesus 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:30.179 will adorn themselves 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:31.220 in good works. 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.460 Will dress 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:34.519 in righteous deeds. 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.039 Our good works 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.879 show our association 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:40.159 to Jesus Christ. 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.099 It is adorning ourselves 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:43.179 with good works 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:44.579 flowing from the gospel 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.519 that people see 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.460 who we are 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:48.579 and striving to be like. 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.759 Our good works 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.639 are to faith 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.960 in Jesus Christ 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.079 what Nike 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.740 and Jordans 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.659 were to basketball 00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:57.639 in the 1980s. 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.700 There was the phrase 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.679 that went alongside it 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.779 I want to be like 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.599 Mike. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:03.859 Wouldn't it be great 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.839 if we go on from here 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.099 and say 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:06.179 I want to be like Jesus 00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:08.200 and I'll do whatever 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.240 wherever 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.259 whenever 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.399 with whoever 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.859 in order that I can 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.439 make him 00:31:13.439 --> 00:31:14.500 look good. 00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:18.179 You see it's quite simple 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:18.900 I think you're getting 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.640 this by now. 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.620 Faith alone saves 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:23.820 but saving faith 00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.920 cannot remain 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.680 alone 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:27.500 absent of good works 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.279 in the life 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.539 of the believer. 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.440 I want to finish 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:31.940 by reading 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.660 Titus 3 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.560 verses 3 to 8 00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:34.140 then I'll pray 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:35.200 and then I'll hand 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.799 back to Ian. 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:38.580 At one time 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.759 we too were foolish 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.720 disobedient 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.240 deceived 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.960 and enslaved 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.039 by all kinds of 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.060 passions and pleasures. 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:45.799 we lived in malice 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.379 and envy 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.339 being hated 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:48.559 and hating one another 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:50.419 but when the kindness 00:31:50.419 --> 00:31:51.619 and love of God 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.700 our Saviour appeared 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:54.039 he saved us 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.200 not because of 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.839 righteous things 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:56.460 we had done 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.759 but because of his mercy. 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.179 He saved us 00:31:59.179 --> 00:31:59.859 through the washing 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.579 of rebirth 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.819 and renewal 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:03.099 by the Holy Spirit 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:04.419 whom he poured out 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.339 on us generously 00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.480 through Jesus Christ 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.200 our Saviour 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.200 so that 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.559 having been justified 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.679 by his grace 00:32:10.679 --> 00:32:11.839 we might become 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.379 heirs 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:13.339 having the hope 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.339 of eternal life. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.119 This is a trustworthy 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.819 saying 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:18.019 and I want you 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:19.339 to stress these things 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.439 so that those 00:32:20.439 --> 00:32:21.220 who have trusted 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.859 in God 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:22.599 may be careful 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.799 to devote themselves 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:25.199 to doing 00:32:25.199 --> 00:32:26.379 what is good. 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.019 These things 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.819 are excellent 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:30.119 and profitable 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.959 for everyone. 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.539 Let's pray. 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.079 Father God 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.699 save us 00:32:38.699 --> 00:32:39.559 from dry 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:41.179 meaningless 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:43.340 demonic 00:32:43.340 --> 00:32:45.060 dead faith. 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.299 Save us 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.640 from just being 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:50.660 lovers of the Lord 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.120 Jesus 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:52.480 for an hour 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:52.920 and a half 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.519 on Sunday. 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.539 But Father 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.480 send us out 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.100 from here 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:59.220 send us out 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.720 as people 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.820 who love him 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.860 who want to 00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:03.600 serve him 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.320 who want to 00:33:04.320 --> 00:33:05.160 make him known 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.400 who want people 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:07.380 to see our good 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:07.980 deeds 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.640 and give you 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.400 thanks on the 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.259 day that you visit. 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:12.039 Father 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.859 keep us 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:13.900 from a dry 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:15.000 intellectualism. 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.460 Father 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.279 spur us 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.940 to a real 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.799 vibrance 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.879 that works 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.359 out in 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.200 every area 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.980 of our lives. 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.400 Father 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.160 we do want to 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.640 say that 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.400 faith alone 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.920 saves you. 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.359 You've done it 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.240 all for us. 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.440 But Father 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.019 save us 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.440 from ever 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.819 thinking 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.779 that faith 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.599 remains alone 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.299 in our lives 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.099 absent of good 00:33:34.099 --> 00:33:34.559 works. 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:35.720 Father 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.420 send us out 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.860 to love 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:37.200 what you 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.560 love 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.860 to hate 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.259 what you 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.660 hate 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:41.019 and to do 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.620 all that you 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:42.140 command us 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:42.580 to do. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.539 Father 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.279 may this week 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:44.620 there be 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:45.640 real evidence 00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.740 that we are 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.539 not our own 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.580 but we are 00:33:48.580 --> 00:33:49.480 owned by another 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.220 even your 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.539 son 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.519 the Lord 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.440 Jesus Christ. 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.180 Amen.