WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.240 A very good morning for myself. It's great to be here. Thank you so much for the invitation 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:10.980 to join you in fellowship. We were here a couple of years ago as a family for one of 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:15.860 your morning services and we're greatly blessed at that time. I've gotten to know John a bit 00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:21.359 over the years through various gospel activities and it's been a great blessing to make that 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:26.660 connection and have that friendship with John. As John said, up until the end of last year 00:00:26.660 --> 00:00:31.820 I was working at Greenview Evangelical Church that we have some connections with. Delighted 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:37.560 to take all responsibility for Neil, who's such a great servant of the church as the rest 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:45.039 of his family are in Greenview. I was working there until last year and then during last 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:50.480 year I was approached by FIEC, which is the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:56.060 about taking on a role for them in Scotland as their kind of Scottish worker and coordinator. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:02.359 and after a lot of prayer and consultation we were delighted to take up that offer. So 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:08.600 for the last six months or so I've been working for FIEC, going around Scotland, supporting 00:01:08.600 --> 00:01:13.219 the various churches that are part of that network, encouraging them, trying to get to know them 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:17.920 and just being a bit of a flag waver really for that movement. Very briefly, I'm not here 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:23.079 to do a missionary report on FIEC, but very briefly for those who don't know anything about 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:28.480 it at all. It is what it says in the tin, it's a fellowship, not a denomination, it's a network 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:33.519 of independent churches. We believe that churches are best run by the people who are in them, 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:40.480 of evangelical churches, that those that are committed to a very strong body of gospel truth 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:47.079 to the biblical gospel that's historically received and passed on by the church and churches like this 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:54.019 one. And a network that we can encourage each other and things like pastoral support for church leaders, 00:01:54.620 --> 00:02:01.019 church planting and mission and training, and also in some practical ways, some legal services and 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:06.659 others that the network provides. So if you want to know more about FIEC, then do speak to me at the 00:02:06.659 --> 00:02:11.060 end. I'd be delighted to share more about that. But it's been encouraging that it's a growing 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:18.699 network. There's over 500 churches now across the UK are part of the FIEC family. And in Scotland last 00:02:18.699 --> 00:02:23.780 year, we were delighted, actually in Edinburgh, that Charlotte Chapel, just up the road, and Nidre 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:29.360 Community Church, both affiliated. And just this week, Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Glasgow 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:37.819 has voted to join FIEC. So it's encouraging times for the movement. Let's turn to God's words now. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:45.519 That's why I'm here. That's why we're here. And the main is to gather around God's word and to hear 00:02:45.519 --> 00:02:50.699 what God would say to us this morning. So if you have a Bible, I know there's some round about. If 00:02:50.699 --> 00:02:56.560 you turn to James chapter 2, that would be really helpful. And just to keep that open as we look at 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:03.659 this passage from scripture today. James chapter 2, and we're going to read verses 14 to 19. And the 00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:10.020 title I've been given, which is very appropriate and fits with the passage, is Faith Acts. So let's 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:14.759 hear God's words. James 2 and verse 14. 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:24.400 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:31.900 save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:38.420 them, go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what 00:03:38.420 --> 00:03:46.480 good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 00:03:46.980 --> 00:03:54.080 you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith 00:03:54.080 --> 00:04:04.060 by my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe and shudder. May God 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:12.240 bless you as a reading of his precious and inspired words. Coming to that part of James this morning, 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:19.860 which I suppose has made the book of James so controversial through the centuries over the years. 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:25.960 You'll be aware, if you know a bit about the book of James, that it was a New Testament letter that 00:04:25.960 --> 00:04:31.920 Martin Luther, the great reformer, described as an epistle of straw. And the reason that Martin 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:39.340 Luther struggled with James, why it bothered him, was in large part because of the kind of things that 00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:47.560 we have just read this morning. It's a section that seems to jar with the great emphasis of Martin 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:57.600 Luther and others on faith alone as the basis of our salvation. For Martin Luther, Romans was the book. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:04.160 That was the life-changing book for him that just gave him that great revelation of the way to get 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:11.279 right with God, to be accepted and forgiven by God. Romans has that great declaration, doesn't it, 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:21.439 of salvation through faith alone. Full stop, nothing more to be added. The truth that became the heartbeat of the 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:30.339 reformation and is the heartbeat of our own evangelical faith today. The great truth that no one can be saved. 00:05:31.239 --> 00:05:40.279 No one can get right by God or win God's favor by their good works, by law-keeping, by moral performance. 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:50.759 But that only and entirely in Jesus, in the sacrifice that he made for sins, and in receiving his righteousness, 00:05:51.359 --> 00:05:59.099 can any individual man or woman, girl or boy, be forgiven and received by God and welcomed in 00:05:59.099 --> 00:06:07.039 to God's family, be made just in the eyes of God. It is a gift of salvation that is to be taken hold of 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:13.520 and received entirely and simply and exclusively by believing. 00:06:16.520 --> 00:06:25.560 The gospel message of faith alone that is so liberating, freezes from the treadmill and the insecurity, 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:30.080 even the occasional pride of trying to earn God's favor. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:37.199 The gospel message that gives all the praise and glory and credit to Jesus Christ. 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:43.819 This isn't a joint endeavor. A pat on the back for me and a pat on the back for Jesus. 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:52.839 The gospel that invites us to rest on the knowledge that Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:55.719 has dealt with our sins completely. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:07:03.500 Our debt, our guilt, the due punishment of our sins, cancelled forever. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:07.079 So what a shock. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:13.500 What a swerveball to pick up James' letter and read words like verse 17, 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:17.759 faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:23.540 Verse 20, faith apart from works is useless. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.980 What kind of heresy is this? 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.079 Call the elders. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:30.939 Brother James needs a visit. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:32.839 Have you seen Paul's email? 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:34.560 He's going through the roof. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:39.279 Is James contradicting Paul? 00:07:39.739 --> 00:07:41.099 Is he undermining him? 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:44.399 Presenting some kind of alternative gospel? 00:07:45.539 --> 00:07:50.000 A gospel of getting right with God that requires good deeds. 00:07:50.739 --> 00:07:59.719 A Jesus plus kind of Christianity in which what we do becomes an essential component of getting right with God. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:03.740 Well, let me say very simply, no. 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:08.920 I don't think James is proposing or suggesting anything of that kind. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:13.860 Rather, he is a pastor, as John has reminded us this morning, 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:17.900 who is dealing with real people in the real world 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:28.579 and sees that there is a danger of them using faith in a way that abuses the gospel. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:37.620 In this regard, I think James is actually very like Paul in the kind of provocative statements he makes in his letter. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:46.559 Remember how in Romans, how Paul outlined the absolute bankruptcy of law-keeping as a way to find salvation. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:48.759 Romans chapter 3. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:50.899 You might just want to flick back to it. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.279 I don't have PowerPoint this morning. 00:08:52.359 --> 00:08:53.899 It's just like the old days. 00:08:55.599 --> 00:08:56.759 Romans chapter 3. 00:08:56.859 --> 00:08:59.039 These are well-known verses, but they're important. 00:09:03.099 --> 00:09:04.199 Paul writes, 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:30.320 And then he goes on in Romans in chapter 5 to explain how futile law-keeping is. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:36.900 In fact, the law actually only really served to provoke and to increase sin in the world. 00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:43.300 But that God in his mercy through Jesus Christ has overcome all that sin 00:09:43.300 --> 00:09:46.760 and provided grace in Christ to be forgiven. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:51.960 In fact, he says in chapter 5 that Christ's work in dealing with sin 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:59.100 is all the more glorious when you consider just how much sin there was to be overcome. 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:05.259 But Paul's not stupid because he's a real pastor speaking to real people 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:10.240 and he knows exactly what his readers are going to start to think at this point 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.820 as they read through his letter. 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:13.980 Someone has said, 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:16.740 You know that you're understanding Romans as you read it 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:19.500 when you get to one of Paul's rhetorical questions 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:21.700 and it's what you were starting to think yourself. 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:24.800 You know you've been following his line of argument. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:28.580 He knows where our thoughts inevitably will start to lead 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:31.500 when we're told those kind of things. 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:35.720 And so in chapter 6 verse 1, 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.340 he preempts his readers 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:39.960 and he cuts off the error 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:42.840 which is the big danger that we're going to fall into. 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:45.240 Chapter 6 of Romans verse 1, 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:46.660 What shall we say then? 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:48.660 Are we to continue in sin 00:10:48.660 --> 00:10:50.580 that grace may abound? 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:57.980 You know if sin just actually shows us and displays in some way the greatness of Christ 00:10:57.980 --> 00:11:02.720 and trying to not sin can't save us, 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:08.600 then is this not just a ticket, an invitation for us to sin away to our heart's content? 00:11:09.160 --> 00:11:12.280 In fact, we're making Christ look even better the more that we sin. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:15.540 We're making his sacrifice all the greater. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:20.399 And Paul, of course, goes on in chapter 6 to say, 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:24.099 No means, God forbid, was the old AV translation. 00:11:24.319 --> 00:11:26.819 By no means, don't you know, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:30.839 that those of us who have been made dead to sin 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:32.639 can no longer continue in it? 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:37.179 That Christ and his sacrifice has died 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:38.919 so that you might die to sin 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:41.919 and live with him that resurrection life of righteousness? 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:44.579 To think that you would carry on sinning 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:48.139 just because Christ is the only way to deal with your sin 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:50.240 would be to misunderstand the gospel, 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:53.679 to misunderstand the very reason that you have been saved, 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:55.779 the very life that you have been brought into 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:58.819 by grace, by Christ. 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:08.219 And this is exactly what James is doing in chapter 2 of his letter. 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:13.060 He is tackling the issue of what does faith 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:16.240 properly understood look like? 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:20.620 You see, it seems very clear, doesn't it, in verse 14 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:23.440 that even for James to pose the question, 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:26.820 can faith save him, can that faith save him, 00:12:27.160 --> 00:12:29.240 presupposes that among his readers 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.779 there was the assumption 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:35.300 that it would or it could save them in that sense 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:38.819 that faith was the basis of their faith? 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:43.899 You see, James is writing to well-taught evangelicals, I think. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:48.599 People who rightly saw faith as the basis of salvation. 00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:53.859 Unfortunately, just like Paul's readers in Romans, 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:56.479 they were in danger of thinking 00:12:56.479 --> 00:12:59.740 that saving faith was something 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:02.459 that could be of no consequence 00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:04.839 to then how you subsequently lived. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:07.979 Let me put it like this. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:10.079 If Paul's question in Romans is, 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:12.079 does faith mean 00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:14.719 that sinning doesn't matter for a Christian? 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:17.259 James' question is, 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.919 does faith mean 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.659 doing good doesn't matter 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.779 for a Christian? 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:24.899 And in verse 14, 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.479 the opening question, of course, 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:28.120 of our text today, 00:13:28.219 --> 00:13:30.959 it very much assumes that it does. 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:31.019 It does. 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:36.860 What good is it, my brothers, 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.539 if someone says he has faith 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:40.340 but does not have works, 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:42.799 can that faith save him? 00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:46.419 Now notice that this is about a profession of faith. 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:49.919 If someone says he has faith. 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:52.939 So we have a claim to faith here, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:55.299 but a claim which seems to be detached 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:58.579 from any practical demonstration of that faith. 00:13:58.580 --> 00:14:00.700 It's the kind of claim to faith 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.980 that we would say today is, 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.120 all talk, 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:05.180 fine-sounding words, 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:07.139 but devoid of substance. 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.900 It's the kind of faith profession 00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:12.259 that James wants us to know 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:14.500 in our lives and the lives of others 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.700 should be a big concern to us. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:19.400 After all, 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:21.000 when a person becomes a Christian, 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:25.280 when a person genuinely trusts in Jesus Christ, 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.220 when they bow the knee of their heart 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.560 and they open their heart 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:31.040 to the lordship of Jesus Christ 00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:32.560 and repentance and faith, 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:34.140 the Bible is very clear 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:35.000 that they become, 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.360 in that moment, 00:14:36.520 --> 00:14:38.660 a spirit-filled child of God. 00:14:40.660 --> 00:14:42.940 That they become a new creation. 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:47.700 There begins a renewal of heart and mind. 00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:49.960 There is a change, 00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:51.360 a spiritual realignment, 00:14:51.540 --> 00:14:52.180 an adjustment. 00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:54.500 So we would expect to see 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.320 some kind of effects 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.640 being manifest in their lives. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:02.380 Character, attitude, desires, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.940 relationships, priorities. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:06.060 Now some things might be gradual, 00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:07.440 they might be faltering, 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:08.920 they might be embryonic, 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:11.879 but we would expect to see them 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.000 in some measure, 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:13.939 in some way. 00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:17.479 Remember at the beginning 00:15:17.479 --> 00:15:19.399 of 1 Thessalonians, 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.559 Paul writes to that 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.759 New Testament church 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.459 that he had had to leave 00:15:23.459 --> 00:15:24.759 so hurriedly 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.459 and is rejoicing and hearing 00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:27.399 that they have continued 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.199 in the faith. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.779 And he reflects back 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.979 on his visit to them 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:34.399 back in Acts chapter 16. 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:36.240 And he says 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.720 in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.639 and verse 4, 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:41.680 he says, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.180 For we know, 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:43.560 brothers loved by God, 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:45.360 that he has chosen you, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.480 because our gospel came to you 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.519 not only in word, 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.700 but also in power 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.899 and in the Holy Spirit 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.580 and with full conviction. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.899 You know what kind of men 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:56.899 we proved to be among you 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.759 for your sake, 00:15:57.799 --> 00:16:00.019 and you became imitators of us 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.299 and of the Lord, 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:02.560 for you received the word 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.560 in much affliction. 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.500 See, Paul's writing 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:05.940 and he says, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.779 We know that the gospel 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:09.259 we preached to you 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.500 was effective 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:15.320 because it had effects. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:18.980 Because you started to change. 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.159 We know that the faith 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.720 that you embraced was real 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.940 because actually we can see 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:25.860 and hear about 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.440 what has happened in your life 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.899 since that would be evidence 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.320 of the reality of it. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:34.500 But for the person who says, 00:16:34.660 --> 00:16:35.220 I believe, 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.440 I have faith, 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:38.280 but nothing changes, 00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:40.980 James' question is, 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.740 what is the nature of that faith? 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.860 Can that faith, 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:46.160 can such faith save him? 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.180 Or in other words, 00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:50.180 is that kind of faith, 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.700 is that profession 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.320 really saving 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:55.020 genuine biblical faith? 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:58.279 And in verse 15, 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.720 James gives us an illustration. 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.559 James is great, 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.579 gives us an illustration, 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:02.960 saves a lot of work 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.079 for preachers. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.839 And he gives an illustration 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:08.079 of meeting a destitute 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.299 fellow Christian, 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.420 a brother or sister. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.940 And there they are 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.599 and they're shivering 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.920 in their lightweight jacket 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.279 and it's the middle of January. 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.879 Or they're hungry. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.619 What do you do? 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:21.619 Well, if your faith 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.759 is no more than just 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.319 a linguistic formula, 00:17:25.399 --> 00:17:26.399 then you can pat them 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:26.899 on the head 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:28.239 with a few pious words 00:17:28.239 --> 00:17:28.699 and say, 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.759 go in peace, 00:17:29.959 --> 00:17:31.179 be warmed and be filled. 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.099 Verse 16. 00:17:32.979 --> 00:17:34.219 Sounds really spiritual, 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:34.839 doesn't it? 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:35.919 Oozing with faith. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.059 Unfortunately, 00:17:38.239 --> 00:17:39.339 James wants us to know, 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.939 it's a very unbiblical 00:17:40.939 --> 00:17:41.859 understanding 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:44.619 of genuine saving faith. 00:17:45.739 --> 00:17:47.339 Because it makes faith, 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.199 Christian faith, 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.039 into some kind 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.120 of magical spell. 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:54.360 Whereas real Christian faith, 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.720 James wants us to know, 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.880 acts. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.380 For example, 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.299 how do we know 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.960 that God loves us? 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.319 How do you know that? 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:04.720 I mean, 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.819 every Christian would say 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.539 that was true. 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.759 What's the reason 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.680 for our confidence 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.319 in believing 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.980 that God actually loves us? 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.140 Well, it's interesting, 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:13.440 again, 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.319 we won't look to it 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.220 for the sake of time, 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.140 but you go back 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.460 to Romans chapter 5 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.779 and Paul makes 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.980 that great declaration 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.980 of God loves us, 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.160 but he doesn't say 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:22.940 he loves us 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:24.799 just because he told us so. 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.500 Although, 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.299 because that's God, 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.819 that would be enough. 00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:30.460 But actually, 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.519 he gives an example 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.200 of that love. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:32.660 He says, 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.259 we know that God loved us 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.840 because while we were yet sinners, 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.340 Christ died for us. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.740 That God's love 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.140 is not just a platitude, 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:44.040 but it was demonstrable, 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:45.000 it was evidence, 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:46.160 it was worked out 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.000 in history 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:50.000 in a very practical way 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.840 in the giving of his son. 00:18:54.520 --> 00:18:55.000 Now, 00:18:55.040 --> 00:18:55.780 there's another point 00:18:55.780 --> 00:18:56.460 in James 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:58.540 in this section, 00:18:59.180 --> 00:18:59.720 and it may be 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.340 the main one, 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:00.740 actually, 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:02.220 of these particular verses. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.340 And that is, 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:06.080 considering this example 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:07.740 of this destitute, 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.600 hungry, 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:10.419 shivering brother or sister 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.119 in the faith 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:12.459 and our response to them, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:15.319 James is raising the fact 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:15.980 that we are not 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:18.019 to delegate back to God 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.459 the responsibilities 00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:21.299 that he has delegated to us. 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.500 Somebody has said 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:26.059 that God never does anything 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.139 that, first of all, 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:29.179 he can't get people to do. 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.399 That is, 00:19:31.459 --> 00:19:32.000 God, of course, 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.139 could preach the gospel 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.339 directly from heaven. 00:19:35.219 --> 00:19:36.359 A sort of speaker system 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.659 coming down from the clouds. 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.599 But he has delegated 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.500 that to you 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.559 and to me. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.959 God could plan 00:19:43.959 --> 00:19:45.839 or organize churches 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.899 directly from heaven, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.619 but he has delegated 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.579 that to us. 00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.740 God could send 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.219 an angel 00:19:52.219 --> 00:19:52.899 to visit 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:54.079 old Mrs. Jones, 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.480 but he has given 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.439 that responsibility 00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:59.000 to us. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.279 There's a great 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.339 little example 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.599 or window into this 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.079 in Mark chapter 5. 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.379 Remember that well-known 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.120 story of Jairus' daughter 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:10.480 being raised from the dead. 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.240 Amazing miracle. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.200 And Mark notes 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.440 at the end of that incident 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:17.040 that after she is raised, 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.080 Jesus tells the people there 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:20.040 to give the girl 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:21.020 something to eat. 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:24.320 It's a kind of curious detail, 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:24.820 isn't it? 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.280 Why didn't Jesus 00:20:27.280 --> 00:20:28.440 just raise her up 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.140 fully energized, 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.000 fueled up for the day, 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.200 complete in every way 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.000 in that moment? 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.680 Why did he wake her up, 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.100 bring her back from the dead 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.080 and she's actually hungry? 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.779 Maybe he feels a bit faint, 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:41.680 needs a bit of nourishment. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.819 Don't know, 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.480 maybe it's just 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.400 a little example 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.180 in Scripture 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.200 that God will do 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.360 what we can't do, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.819 but what we can do, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.559 he will leave to us to do. 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:58.480 So when people come to us 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.059 for help 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.240 or we see a practical 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.360 or physical need, 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.879 we're not to send them off 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:05.299 hoping for a miracle 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.039 down the road. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.539 What good is that? 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.479 Verse 16. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.219 But as we are able, 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.479 we are to meet that need 00:21:13.479 --> 00:21:14.019 ourselves. 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.419 That will be a demonstration 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:18.519 of real biblical faith. 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:21.519 You see, 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.319 verse 18. 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:24.719 James is very clear, 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.139 isn't he? 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.719 You have faith 00:21:26.719 --> 00:21:27.539 and I have works. 00:21:27.699 --> 00:21:28.559 Show me your faith 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.639 apart from your works 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.800 and I will show you 00:21:30.800 --> 00:21:32.259 my faith by my works. 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.220 In other words, 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.759 if you've got real faith, 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.780 show me the money. 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:40.100 Because biblical faith 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:41.940 is never abstract theory. 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.920 Believing in Jesus 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:45.460 is not an academic 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.580 pastime. 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:50.319 One of the examples 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.379 we sometimes use 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.039 in explaining 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.199 about Christian belief 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:54.139 to people 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.500 in our Christianity 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.720 explored courses 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.419 in Greenview 00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:58.460 is we talk about 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:58.899 the difference 00:21:58.899 --> 00:21:59.839 between believing 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.919 on the one hand 00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:01.419 in something like 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:02.439 the Loch Ness Monster 00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:04.319 and saying you believed 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.819 in, say, 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:06.259 the Labour Party 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.339 or Barack Obama. 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:08.859 On the one hand 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.559 with the Loch Ness Monster, 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.339 you're just saying 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:10.960 that you think 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.559 there might be 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.319 some kind of 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.259 odd creature 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.319 swimming about 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.299 in that water 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.659 up there 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.539 in the north of Scotland. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.720 But it's just a kind 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.180 of statement 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.559 of possibility 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.480 if you like. 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.299 But when you say 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.240 I believe in the SNP 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.200 or I believe in 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.940 David Cameron 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.059 or Barack Obama, 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.240 you're not saying 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.139 you believe 00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:30.180 they just actually 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.220 physically exist. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.500 You're saying something 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.180 more than that, 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.619 aren't you? 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.519 In that sense, 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:34.879 you're saying 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.240 that you have 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.899 a confidence. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.659 You have an investment. 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.639 You have a sense 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.240 that these people 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.220 can deliver 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.279 and do something 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.480 and provide something 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.599 and enable something 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.799 in your life 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.819 or in your country 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.700 that you think 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.559 would be beneficial 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.159 and that you 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:50.399 would be supportive of 00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:51.259 and that you 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.299 would look to 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.839 in a very positive way. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.259 That's the difference 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.960 between believing 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.839 that Jesus exists 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.599 and believing 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.899 in Jesus Christ. 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.639 Because for the Bible, 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.440 any belief 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.339 in Jesus 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:07.339 that doesn't 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.419 affect us, 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.799 that doesn't 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.779 change us, 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:11.879 that doesn't 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:13.180 have some impact 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.500 on who we are, 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.220 the decisions 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.000 we make, 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.420 isn't really, 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.420 from the Bible's 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.160 point of view, 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:21.500 real biblical belief. 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.539 It's just 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.060 the possession 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:24.600 of data. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.340 Now, of course, 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.100 verse 19, 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.320 that data might be 00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:31.259 impeccably 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.100 orthodox. 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.400 You believe 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.340 that God is one, 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.340 you do well. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.240 Even the demons 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.779 believe 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.539 and shudder. 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.639 You see, 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.000 the demons 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.099 cannot be faulted 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.700 in their doctrine 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.200 of God. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.700 But it's not 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.460 of any profit 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:49.899 to them. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.660 Their profession 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.420 is not one 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.000 that will bring them 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.639 any comfort. 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.779 It's one 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.339 to make them 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.839 shudder. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.579 I think it may 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.420 be very significant 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.319 that James 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.319 is using 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.259 this particular 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.819 doctrine, 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.460 the doctrine 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.059 of God's 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.619 oneness, 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.259 in this 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.980 place. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.920 Just turn with me 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.420 back to 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.039 Deuteronomy 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.160 chapter 6 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.379 and verse 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.700 4 and 5 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.720 where that 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.759 great declaration 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.339 of God's 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.700 oneness 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.200 was first 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.099 made to 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.579 Israel. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.500 Verses that 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.940 every Jew 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.420 will have 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.180 memorized, 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.559 have them 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:27.980 pinned to 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.440 their door, 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:28.980 will touch 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.299 them when 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.519 they go 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:29.920 into their 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.420 house. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.059 Hear, 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.539 O Israel, 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.140 the Lord, 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.980 our God, 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:38.759 the Lord 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.339 is one. 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.720 You shall 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.160 love the 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.579 Lord with 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:41.960 all your 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.339 heart, 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:42.759 with all 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.279 your soul, 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.559 and with 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:43.960 all your 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.339 might. 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.220 And these 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.700 words that I 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.200 command you 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.779 today shall 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.200 be on 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.920 your heart. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:50.940 See, it's a 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.660 great declaration 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.140 of God's 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.740 oneness that 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.259 God is 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.019 whole, he 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.680 is unified, 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.259 he is 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.779 complete, 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.140 he is 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.660 exclusive. 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.960 But the 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.599 implication, 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.819 the follow-on, 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.720 the application 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.619 there from 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.160 God's 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.279 oneness is 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.960 therefore you 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.500 should love 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.339 God with 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.099 your whole 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.539 being. 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.359 You should 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.019 be one 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.899 in your 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:10.119 devotion and 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:12.799 love and 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.519 approach to 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.879 God. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.180 And of 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.460 course I'm 00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:15.819 sure you've 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.259 covered this 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.819 already but 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.240 one of the 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.980 great themes 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.799 of James is 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.180 double-mindedness. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.839 You know the 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:23.059 person that is 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.819 half this way 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.539 and half that 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.039 when it comes 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.799 to faith and 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.180 belief. 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.180 And this is 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:27.980 another example 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.579 of don't be 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.240 double-minded. 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.839 Don't have the 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.720 faith compartment 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.980 over here and 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:34.139 then their life 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.500 compartment over here 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.359 and never the 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.900 twain will 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.240 meet. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.440 Every part, 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.579 every facet of 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.099 you should be 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.900 given to God 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.619 because he is 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.259 one, he is 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.140 exclusive, he is 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:45.980 whole and 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.559 therefore you 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:46.900 should be 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.920 absolutely whole 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.960 and united in 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.000 yourself in 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.680 terms of that 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.380 relationship and 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.500 how you respond 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.599 and follow and 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.339 love God. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.819 There's not just 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.740 bits of you that 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.420 are to respond 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.059 to God. 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.660 Faith and 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.579 works are both 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.440 to respond to 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:03.779 God. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.319 there should be 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.980 an integrity 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.899 and a oneness 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:08.899 in our faith. 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.160 Christians are 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.660 not people who 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.200 have been 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.940 forgiven, can 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.839 call God their 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.240 father and look 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.059 forward to the 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:22.399 joy of eternal 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.220 life and a 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.139 renewed and 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.079 sinless creation 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.700 because they do 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:28.680 good works or 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.420 for that matter 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.339 are just nice 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.879 guys. 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:33.360 that's how we 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.240 started and I 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.580 want to make 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.540 that point again. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.880 You will not 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.680 get to heaven, 00:26:38.800 --> 00:26:39.680 you cannot get 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.980 to heaven because 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.900 of your good 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.320 deeds. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.720 Christians are 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.960 people who are 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:46.320 simply trusting 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.720 in Jesus Christ, 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.100 believing that 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.320 when he died on 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.320 the cross he 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.400 took the punishment 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.380 they deserved 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.660 for the rejection 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.260 of God that in 00:26:56.260 --> 00:26:57.360 and through Jesus 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.860 alone everything, 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.519 everything, 00:26:59.679 --> 00:27:00.479 capital E, 00:27:00.699 --> 00:27:01.199 in bold, 00:27:01.419 --> 00:27:02.159 underlined, 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.699 necessary for 00:27:03.699 --> 00:27:04.199 them to be 00:27:04.199 --> 00:27:05.339 accepted by God 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.659 has been provided 00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.459 and to which 00:27:07.459 --> 00:27:08.379 they can add 00:27:08.379 --> 00:27:10.359 nothing when it 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.219 comes to getting 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:12.599 right with God. 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.859 Your best efforts 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:16.179 cannot save you, 00:27:16.699 --> 00:27:17.799 your good works 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:19.039 cannot keep you, 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.359 your good days 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.319 and your purest 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.119 moments cannot 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:23.839 make you any 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.759 more loved than 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:26.059 you already are 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.179 by God. 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.079 We are called 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:31.579 to rest in joy 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.500 and be thankful 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.359 in Christ 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:35.179 for that salvation 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:36.799 completely and 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.279 entirely provided 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:41.240 for us. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.379 And James and 00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:47.159 Paul want us 00:27:47.159 --> 00:27:48.220 in resting 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.279 and enjoying 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.200 and thanking 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.059 God for that 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.740 salvation 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:53.299 to live the 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.500 life that we 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.079 were saved 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.500 for. 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:58.299 to love, 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.039 to care, 00:27:59.179 --> 00:27:59.519 to show 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.019 kindness, 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.679 to serve, 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.359 to provide, 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.119 to comfort, 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:03.659 to show others 00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.419 the kind of 00:28:04.419 --> 00:28:05.099 mercy and 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:06.159 blessings that 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.619 we ourselves 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.399 have received 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:09.179 from God 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:10.919 in Christ. 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.060 Christ. 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.000 And let me say 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.440 this morning 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:14.920 as we finish, 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.740 if that's not 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.440 your heart, 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.039 if you are 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.080 a professing 00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:18.740 Christian this 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.019 morning, 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.500 if you are 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.380 somebody who 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:20.860 would say, 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.400 I have faith 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:23.279 and that's 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.840 not your 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.380 heart, 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.480 that kind 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.300 of call 00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:29.160 to live it 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.560 out, 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.160 to love 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:31.940 and to care, 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:34.840 to demonstrate 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.320 it, 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:36.759 just leaves 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.320 you kind of 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:37.920 cold. 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:40.160 if faith 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.720 in Christ 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.100 for you 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.539 is just 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:41.980 a set 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.160 of 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.740 statements 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.160 or a 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.620 prayer 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:43.960 that you 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.259 made 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.519 many 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:44.900 years 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.240 ago 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.500 a 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:45.900 weekend 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.300 away, 00:28:46.300 --> 00:28:47.580 if it 00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:48.380 doesn't affect 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.580 you, 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.160 if faith 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:49.519 has just 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.360 become an 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.140 excuse for 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.880 sin in your 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.340 life, 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.539 just a get 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.240 out for 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.580 not making 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.080 an effort, 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:59.339 then it 00:28:59.339 --> 00:28:59.799 might be 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.159 that you 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:01.539 have faith 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:01.859 that is 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.279 dead, 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.079 faith that 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.460 can offer 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:05.839 you no 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.460 assurance, 00:29:06.699 --> 00:29:07.519 faith that 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.000 is not 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.579 saving, 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:11.579 and if 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.000 so, 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.359 ask God 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.359 to open 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:14.919 up and 00:29:14.919 --> 00:29:15.419 soften your 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:15.899 heart this 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.220 morning, 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:19.259 ask God 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.179 to work 00:29:20.179 --> 00:29:21.000 again in 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.619 your heart 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.000 and in 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.480 your life 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:22.879 so that 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:23.439 what you 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:24.399 know will 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:24.839 show, 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:28.659 let's 00:29:28.659 --> 00:29:28.899 pray, 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.220 let's 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.980 pray, 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.899 let's 00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:32.959 pray, 00:29:32.959 --> 00:29:33.000 let's 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.899 pray, 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.220 let's 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.899 pray, 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.639 let's 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:36.839 pray, 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.220 let's 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.899 pray, 00:29:37.899 --> 00:29:37.959 let's 00:29:37.959 --> 00:29:38.000 pray, 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.079 Heavenly 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.519 Father, 00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:39.079 we thank 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.459 you for 00:29:39.459 --> 00:29:39.980 the gospel, 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.379 we thank 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:41.659 you for 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.299 the gospel 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.500 of salvation 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.319 by faith 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.879 alone and 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.299 Christ 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.699 alone, 00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.919 we thank 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.220 you that 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.000 our confidence 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.139 is entirely 00:29:49.139 --> 00:29:50.480 upon the 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.959 Son of 00:29:50.959 --> 00:29:51.740 God who 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.500 loved us 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.079 and gave 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.879 himself for 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.179 us, 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.420 and Father 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:55.940 we thank 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.400 you that 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.019 in receiving 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.779 Christ and 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.200 following 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.820 Christ we 00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.240 are brought 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.000 in to 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.600 that new 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.259 resurrection 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.779 life, 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.160 to the 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.680 life of 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.019 faith, 00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.039 the life 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.600 that enables 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.100 us to 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.420 be a 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:05.840 blessing, 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.620 to work 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.180 out in 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.860 our lives 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.980 the kind 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.680 of care 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.240 and love 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.039 and compassion 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.980 and gentleness 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.680 for others 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.600 that you 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.900 have shown 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.580 to us 00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:17.700 in overwhelming 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.180 measure. 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.380 So Father 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.880 may these 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.420 words of 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.279 scripture come 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.700 and just 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:23.000 find a place 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.340 in our 00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:23.779 heart, 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.240 may you 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.019 search us 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.500 out and 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:25.819 may we 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.399 be people 00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:27.480 of faith, 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:27.779 of that 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.299 exclusive 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.019 trust in 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:30.220 Jesus and 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.799 yet people 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.680 who go 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.319 forth from 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.960 this place 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.839 to live 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:34.240 it out, 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:34.859 to show 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.039 it, 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.700 to demonstrate 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.099 it, 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.680 that in 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.259 every part 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.519 of our 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.460 lives you 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:38.819 might be 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.720 fully glorified 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.539 and we 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.000 ask these 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.559 things for 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:41.879 Jesus' 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.319 sake. 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.180 Amen. 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:43.860 . 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:48.380 . 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:51.039 .