WEBVTT

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 Well, James chapter 2, as well as parts of the Bible, which much ink has been spilled over.

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! A couple of years ago, I got a text message from a friend of mine, for the sake of argument, we'll call Gavin.

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 Gavin was, is, was, is a faithful minister in a Bible-believing church.

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 He was well-loved by his congregation and by his family.

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 And I don't recall all the details of the text message, but it basically read like this.

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 He quoted chapter 2, verse 24.

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 You see, a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

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 I couldn't be reading the whole passage that morning.

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 He said this, Stuart, am I alright? Am I a Christian? Help me.

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 What are your feelings is as you read these words?

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 James is very stark, isn't he?

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 Verse 17.

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 Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

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 Verse 20.

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 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

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 Verse 26.

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 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, it's also faith apart from works is dead.

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 It's very strange, isn't it?

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 James is not beating about the bush.

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 And that's what got Gavin worried.

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 That's what got him thinking.

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 And his worry made him text me.

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 He wanted to be sure he was justified.

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 He was forgiven.

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 He was part of God's people.

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 And I think that's exactly why James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote these words.

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 He wanted to shake up complacent people.

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 He wanted to shake up his readers.

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 As we read through this book, we realise they were double-minded, as he calls them, back in chapter 1, verse 6.

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 They had spiritual schizophrenia.

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 They would pray, but not really believe that God would answer prayers.

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 They would love to hear God's word preached, but they'd never actually respond and do anything to obey.

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 They all, chapter 3, verse 1, wanted to be teachers.

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 They were really into the Bible.

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 But actually, they loved the world.

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 They wanted all the things the world wanted.

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 Chapter 4, verse 4.

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 You ask and you do not receive, because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions.

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 You adulterous people.

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 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

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 They would split people.

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 Divided in their thinking.

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 Divided in their hearts.

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 Divided in their loyalty.

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 So James is rattling their cage.

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 For those who know their theology, and say we're saved by faith, we can cross out, fold our arms now.

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 He wants to get them thinking.

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 And James' main point is the point that my friend Gavin got.

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 That actually faith without works is useless.

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 Now at first sight, this might sound like James is contradicting the Apostle Paul.

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 So if you compare James, chapter 2, verse 24, you see the person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

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 And then if you read Romans 3, verse 28, Paul writing,

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 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the Lord.

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 You might think there's a contradiction there.

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 Well, we'll see.

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 Clearly there isn't.

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 Because the Bible does not contradict itself.

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 We'll see why later on.

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 But first, we need to make sure we understand what James is saying.

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 What James is saying.

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 And he's wanting us to understand the genuine saving faith.

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 What it looks like.

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 What is the nature of true faith.

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 He's going to tell us three things about it.

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 First of all, it's more than mere profession.

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 It's more than mere confession.

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 But rather it results in transformation.

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 It's more than mere profession.

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 It's more than mere confession.

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 It results in transformation.

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 Let's put it another way.

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 It's more than merely saying the right words.

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 More than merely agreeing with the right doctrine.

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 Rather, it's embracing God's promises wholeheartedly.

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 So first of all, true faith is more than mere profession.

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 It's more than merely saying the right words.

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 Look at verse 14.

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 What good is it, my brothers,

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 is, my brothers,

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 if someone says he has faith,

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 but does not have words,

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 can that faith save him?

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 Now the original language is clear.

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 The answer to that question is,

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 no, such faith cannot save you.

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 So the problem James is getting at

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 is the problem of people claiming to have faith,

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 but not actually living it out.

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 It's just mere words.

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 It's just their talk.

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 People can claim all sorts of things.

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 I can claim to be a great football player.

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 You look at my life,

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 you'll probably see I never was,

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 and never will be.

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 So James says,

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 it's not just what you claim.

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 Today, many people still claim to be Christian.

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 You know, a census form,

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 they'll tick a box.

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 Or they'll say,

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 I prayed that sinner's prayer on us,

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 as a student,

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 or as a young person at camp.

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 Or I've been to church,

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 or I've been baptized.

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 James says that,

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 it's more than mere profession,

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 it's more than merely saying the right thing.

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 And that's what his whole illustration here,

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 the point of his illustration,

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 verse 15.

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 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed,

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 and lacking in daily food,

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 and one of you says to them,

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 go in peace,

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 be warmed and filled.

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 That's actually a prayer.

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 It's actually a prayer.

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 Oh, you're suffering.

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 Be warm, be filled.

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 As in, God fill you,

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 God warm you up.

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 If you say those things,

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 without giving them the things needed for the body,

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 what good is that?

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 It's an illustration of words themselves

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 being powerless and useless.

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 You might say the right things,

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 but if you have the resources to help someone,

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 James says,

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 and you're not actually helping them,

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 that's no good.

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 Likewise, faith without any action

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 is no good.

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 Now, this was obviously happening

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 in James' church.

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 All through this book,

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 we see a division between the wealthy,

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 the haves and the have-nots.

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 So James is using this illustration

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 to, again,

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 to rattle their cage a bit.

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 And it's quite testing for us as well,

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 as Simon was saying this morning,

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 how easy it is for us

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 to turn away from the adverts on the tube

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 because of our compassion fatigue.

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 And of course,

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 we can't respond to every advert

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 for money on the tube.

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 But that's not the point.

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 But it's so easy, isn't it,

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 for us to pray for our brothers and sisters

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 around the world in need,

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 but not actually do things.

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 It's much harder to get involved

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 in the Ealing Church's

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 winter night shelter.

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 It's much harder to actually give

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 to Christian organisations.

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 But James is also using this example

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 to remind them of something

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 he's told them.

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 Back in verses 12 and 13,

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 he reminded them

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 they have to live

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 as those who will be judged

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 under the law of liberty.

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 That is, the law as fulfilled

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 and explained by Christ.

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 He's reminded them

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 there's a day coming

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 when Jesus will come back

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 and judge his people.

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 And in Matthew chapter 25,

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 Jesus told a story

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 about that day.

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 The parable of the sheep

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 and the goats.

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 And Jesus tells

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 that he will come back

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 as a king on his throne

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 and divide the people

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 of sheep and goats.

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 And James is actually

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 using words from that story.

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 Here.

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 Because in that story,

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 Jesus says to the sheep,

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 to those who are his people,

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 to those who are going to be

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 accepted into the eternal kingdom,

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 he says this,

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 Come you who are blessed

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 by my Father.

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 This is Matthew 25,

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 verse 34.

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 Inherit the kingdom

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 prepared for you

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 from the foundation

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 of the world.

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 For I was hungry

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 and you gave me food.

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 I was naked

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 and you clothed me.

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 And in the parable,

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 the sheep then say,

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 When did we see you hungry?

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 When did we feed you?

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 When did we clothe you?

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 Jesus says,

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 What you did for the least

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 of my brothers and sisters,

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 you did for me.

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 James is picking up

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 on the words of that parable

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 inserting it here.

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 You see a brother or sister?

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 You don't feed them?

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 What kind of faith is that?

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 He says.

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 Remember,

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 judgment is coming.

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 The Lord Jesus

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 will sit on his throne

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 and judge.

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 Your faith should be seen

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 in your deeds.

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 I notice it's not that

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 the good works

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 in that parable

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 saved the people.

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 Those sheep didn't even know

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 they fed the Lord Jesus.

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 When did that happen?

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 Rather,

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 it was their faith

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 worked out

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 and practiced in their lives

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 that led to those actions.

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 It was that transforming faith,

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 the genuine faith they had

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 that showed

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 they trusted in Christ

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 and resulted in

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 being new people.

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 James is reminding

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 his readers of this.

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 True faith

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 is more than

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 merely saying

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 the right words.

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 True faith

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 is more than

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 mere profession,

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 we might say.

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 It's more than

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 just saying

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 the right words.

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 But secondly,

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 true faith

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 is more than

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 merely agreeing

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 with the right doctrine.

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 It's more than

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 merely agreeing

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 with the right doctrine.

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 Look at

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 verse 18.

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 James comes back

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 with an imagined

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 objector.

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 But someone will say,

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 you have faith

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 and I have works.

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 Show me your faith

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 apart from your works

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 and I will show you

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 my faith

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 by my works.

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 You believe

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 that God is one,

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 you do well.

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 even the demons

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 believe

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 and shadow.

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 See, the demons

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 have great theology.

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 There was a lady

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 in our last church

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 who was actually

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 into witchcraft.

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 She was a Satanist.

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 She introduced herself

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 as a Satanist.

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 And she was miraculously

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 saved and came to the Lord.

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 One of the interesting

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 things she told me

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 was actually

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 all the Satanists

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 fully understand

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 that they're on

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 the believing team.

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 That's part of the doctrine.

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 They do know

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 that Jesus is one

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 and they persist

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 in their rebellion.

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 They've got great theology

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 just like the demons

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 who knew Jesus was Lord.

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 They believe

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 and shudder.

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 The danger is

00:09:50.959 --> 00:09:51.860
 we can be like them.

00:09:52.579 --> 00:09:53.699
 We can believe

00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:54.759
 the right things

00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:56.860
 and yet we don't

00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:57.740
 actually respond.

00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.240
 There's no real change

00:09:59.240 --> 00:09:59.779
 in our lives.

00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:00.639
 Even the demons,

00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.159
 James says,

00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:01.519
 shudder.

00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:02.740
 They do respond in some way.

00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:03.439
 It does affect them

00:10:03.439 --> 00:10:04.360
 a little bit.

00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:06.059
 But what about you,

00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:06.399
 James says?

00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:07.199
 Does it affect you?

00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:09.259
 I think it's a real problem

00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:11.379
 for churches like the churches

00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.299
 I've lived in,

00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.000
 grown up in

00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.179
 and served in.

00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:15.399
 Churches like us.

00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:16.980
 Where we are rightly

00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:18.559
 concerned for white doctrine.

00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:20.319
 We're rightly concerned

00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.799
 to hold to what

00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:22.639
 the scriptures teach.

00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:24.340
 But so often

00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:26.059
 we can think

00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:26.959
 that is sufficient.

00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:28.279
 You know,

00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:29.159
 I've heard people saying

00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:30.899
 not about this church

00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:32.379
 but about a number of churches.

00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:32.579
 Yeah,

00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:34.159
 we're a gospel-centered church.

00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:35.460
 We love people

00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:36.379
 by sharing the gospel

00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:36.919
 with them.

00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:37.919
 We're not into

00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:38.879
 social action.

00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:40.279
 You can feed people

00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:40.779
 all you like

00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:41.139
 but that won't

00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.019
 save them from hell.

00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:42.539
 Well,

00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:42.860
 yes,

00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:43.719
 that is true

00:10:43.719 --> 00:10:44.860
 to an extent

00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.979
 but it's a false

00:10:45.979 --> 00:10:46.699
 dichotomy.

00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:50.139
 For if we have

00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:51.159
 faith in Christ

00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.799
 our lives will be

00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.439
 transformed.

00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.679
 Our lives will be

00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.039
 different.

00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:54.779
 If it's merely

00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:55.419
 intellectual

00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.620
 then it's not

00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.319
 genuine faith.

00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:57.939
 That's what Paul's

00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:58.159
 saying,

00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.219
 what James is saying.

00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:00.899
 True faith

00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:01.819
 is not merely

00:11:01.819 --> 00:11:02.579
 agreeing with

00:11:02.579 --> 00:11:03.240
 the right doctrine.

00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.399
 At the end of a

00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.159
 Christianity explored

00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:06.279
 many years ago

00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.100
 a friend of me,

00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:08.299
 an old colleague of mine

00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:09.419
 from my old childhood

00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:09.939
 come along

00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:10.639
 turned to me

00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.079
 and said

00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:13.019
 so what are you

00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:13.259
 saying?

00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:14.379
 All I need to do

00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.319
 is believe this

00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.699
 and that's all.

00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:18.000
 Is it really that simple?

00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:19.980
 Of course,

00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:20.659
 the answer to Thomas'

00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:21.120
 question

00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.199
 isn't really that simple

00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:23.399
 is yes

00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.579
 and no.

00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:25.899
 Yes,

00:11:25.939 --> 00:11:26.620
 it is that simple.

00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:27.639
 We simply trust

00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.459
 in Jesus Christ.

00:11:28.839 --> 00:11:30.179
 That's all we have to do.

00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.399
 But simply trusting

00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.439
 in Jesus Christ

00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:35.239
 isn't merely

00:11:35.239 --> 00:11:36.099
 agreeing

00:11:36.099 --> 00:11:37.259
 with the doctrine.

00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:39.899
 The demons

00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.859
 believe the doctrine

00:11:40.859 --> 00:11:42.019
 but it doesn't

00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.559
 change them.

00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:47.620
 That's a danger

00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.039
 for us,

00:11:48.079 --> 00:11:48.419
 isn't it?

00:11:50.219 --> 00:11:51.159
 I was never taught

00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:52.039
 the catechism growing up.

00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:52.799
 I wish I was.

00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.299
 It would be a great

00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:54.299
 thing to have learned

00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:54.879
 when I was young.

00:11:55.479 --> 00:11:56.319
 But there's a danger,

00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:56.839
 isn't there,

00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:57.939
 that we think that

00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:58.719
 teaching the catechism

00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.360
 to our children

00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:00.779
 makes them good believers

00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:01.700
 and that's it.

00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:03.820
 I'm so glad

00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:04.360
 I learned many

00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:04.920
 memory verses

00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:05.820
 when I was a child.

00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:07.779
 I should encourage

00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.259
 my children

00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.560
 to learn more

00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.100
 memory verses.

00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:11.540
 But even just

00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.500
 knowing the memory verses

00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.560
 doesn't change it,

00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.279
 doesn't save it.

00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.879
 Intellectual assent,

00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:17.820
 agreeing with

00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:18.600
 the right doctrine,

00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:20.879
 isn't genuine faith.

00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.899
 As one commentator

00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.879
 perceptibly put it

00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.379
 on this verse,

00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.879
 it is a good thing

00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.759
 to possess

00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.840
 accurate theology

00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:30.200
 it is a good thing

00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:31.460
 to possess accurate theology

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:33.780
 but it's unsatisfactory

00:12:33.780 --> 00:12:35.480
 unless that good theology

00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.480
 possesses us.

00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:38.460
 It's good to possess

00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:39.220
 the right theology

00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.600
 but does our theology

00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.600
 possess us?

00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.340
 Are our hearts

00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.240
 gripped by it?

00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:45.200
 See,

00:12:45.280 --> 00:12:45.899
 true faith

00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.759
 is more than

00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.660
 mere profession.

00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:48.680
 It's more than

00:12:48.680 --> 00:12:49.680
 saying the right words.

00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:50.940
 True faith

00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:51.660
 is more than

00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:52.639
 mere confession,

00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:53.860
 agreeing with

00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:54.500
 the right doctrine.

00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.160
 True faith

00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:58.139
 embraces God's promises

00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.120
 wholeheartedly.

00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:00.779
 And that's James' point

00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:02.079
 in verses 20-26.

00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:04.240
 And this genuine faith

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.500
 results in transformation

00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.659
 when we embrace

00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.299
 God's promises

00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:08.039
 wholeheartedly.

00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.039
 And that's why James

00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:10.579
 uses these two examples

00:13:10.579 --> 00:13:11.299
 in the Old Testament.

00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.100
 One is Abraham,

00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:14.719
 the ultimate insider,

00:13:15.339 --> 00:13:16.079
 the great father

00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:16.740
 of the faith.

00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.179
 The other is

00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:18.699
 Abraham,

00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.120
 the ultimate outsider,

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.879
 the Canaanite

00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.480
 prostitute.

00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.000
 And James is using

00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.879
 these two extreme

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.740
 examples to say

00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.560
 that it doesn't

00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:26.920
 matter whether

00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.460
 you're the best

00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:27.860
 of people

00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.420
 or the worst

00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:28.899
 of people,

00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:31.100
 true faith

00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:31.920
 will be shown

00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:33.019
 in your actions,

00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.500
 not merely your words

00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.340
 and assenting

00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.580
 the right doctrines.

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.600
 So let's look

00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.539
 at these two examples.

00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.120
 God had promised

00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.580
 Abraham an heir.

00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.220
 In Genesis chapter 15

00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:45.100
 God had promised

00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.899
 a son from Abraham's

00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.379
 own body

00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.320
 who would be

00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:48.960
 his heir

00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.740
 through whom

00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.899
 God's great promises

00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:51.379
 to Abraham

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.240
 would carry forward.

00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.960
 In Genesis chapter 15

00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.659
 verse 6

00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.500
 Abraham looks up

00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.460
 at the stars in the sky

00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.120
 because God had said

00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.580
 God has made

00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.379
 descendants of stars

00:13:59.379 --> 00:13:59.899
 in the sky.

00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.820
 Abraham believed God

00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:02.600
 in verse 6

00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.240
 of chapter 15

00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.680
 of Genesis

00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:06.000
 we're told

00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.740
 Abraham believed God

00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.700
 and God credited

00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.360
 it to him

00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.279
 as righteousness.

00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:13.519
 Then over 30 years later

00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.620
 when that son

00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.139
 had been born

00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.240
 and Isaac had been born

00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:18.120
 God chested Abraham

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.340
 in Genesis chapter 22

00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:19.840
 said go

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:21.360
 sacrifice Isaac

00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.600
 your only son

00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.220
 whom you love

00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:23.840
 take him

00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.340
 and sacrifice him.

00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:27.980
 That was to test

00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.480
 his faith.

00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.300
 It was a trial

00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:31.120
 just as James' readers

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.259
 were undergoing trials

00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.500
 as we read in chapter 1.

00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:36.180
 But Abraham did that.

00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:36.919
 He set off

00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.700
 with his servants

00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.500
 he set off

00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.139
 with Isaac

00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.060
 and with fire

00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.840
 to go up

00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:41.720
 onto Mount Moriah

00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.240
 to sacrifice his son.

00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.220
 Why did he do it?

00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.879
 Well here's

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.820
 because he embraced

00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.519
 God's promises

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.320
 wholeheartedly.

00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.600
 Here's how the writer

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.080
 of the Hebrews

00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:51.720
 in the New Testament

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.240
 puts it.

00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.220
 By faith

00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.040
 Abraham

00:14:54.040 --> 00:14:55.300
 when he was tested

00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:56.700
 offered up Isaac

00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:58.300
 and he who had

00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.320
 received the promises

00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.440
 was in the act

00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.120
 of offering up

00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.920
 his only son

00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:02.779
 at whom it was said

00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.820
 through Isaac

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.600
 shall your offspring

00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.200
 be named.

00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:06.540
 He considered

00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:07.560
 that God was able

00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.560
 even to raise him

00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:09.160
 from the dead

00:15:09.160 --> 00:15:10.540
 from which figuratively

00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:10.960
 speaking

00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:12.100
 he did receive him back.

00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.200
 In other words

00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.420
 Abraham believed

00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:15.139
 God's promises

00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.120
 he embraced

00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.759
 God's promises

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.579
 wholeheartedly.

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:18.899
 So he figured

00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.759
 I don't understand

00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.620
 what's going on here

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.479
 but I believe

00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:23.459
 if I take my son

00:15:23.459 --> 00:15:24.019
 up this mountain

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.059
 to sacrifice him

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.959
 God can bring him

00:15:26.959 --> 00:15:27.519
 back from the dead

00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.039
 if necessary.

00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:28.839
 God will do

00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:29.620
 what he's promised.

00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:31.539
 Abraham embraced

00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.139
 those promises

00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.019
 wholeheartedly.

00:15:34.479 --> 00:15:35.019
 See faith isn't

00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.419
 merely about

00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.679
 doing good things.

00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:37.919
 That's not

00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.519
 James' point

00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:38.879
 is it?

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.079
 James isn't saying

00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:41.000
 do good things

00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.959
 because you believe.

00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:42.759
 He's saying

00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.839
 embrace God's promises

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.620
 wholeheartedly

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.820
 as Abraham did.

00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.620
 See faith is

00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.519
 in that sense

00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.360
 well it's not

00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:49.960
 irrational

00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.180
 it's super rational

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:53.200
 super irrational

00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.940
 bigger than reason.

00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:57.100
 Abraham did

00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:57.600
 what seemed

00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.720
 completely irrational

00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.680
 because he trusted

00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.300
 something better

00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.120
 than human reason.

00:16:02.540 --> 00:16:03.080
 He trusted

00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.879
 the word of God

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.399
 he trusted

00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.759
 what God had promised.

00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:06.940
 And that's what we see

00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.800
 with Rahab as well

00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.560
 this other example.

00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.060
 So Rahab lived

00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.879
 in the city of Jericho

00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.259
 you can read

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.700
 the story

00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:12.720
 of Joshua

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.340
 chapter 2

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.299
 and chapter 5

00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:16.559
 and Joshua

00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.480
 had sent some spies

00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.200
 in to check out

00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:18.580
 the city

00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:20.100
 and they had

00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.860
 hidden themselves

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.879
 at Rahab's house

00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.419
 where they'd gone

00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.039
 to Rahab's house

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.000
 Rahab had hidden

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.100
 them in the roof

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.919
 of her building.

00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.439
 The king of Jericho

00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.460
 sent soldiers around

00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.879
 to get these men

00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.100
 and Rahab lied

00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.039
 sent the soldiers

00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.539
 off in the opposite

00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.059
 direction

00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.500
 and then got the men

00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.259
 down from the roof

00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.940
 and said to them

00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.940
 this

00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:38.520
 I know

00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:39.560
 that the Lord

00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.280
 has given you

00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:40.860
 the land

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.940
 and the fear

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.280
 of you

00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.420
 has fallen on us.

00:16:44.660 --> 00:16:45.620
 How did she know that?

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.120
 She knew it

00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.700
 because she'd heard

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.560
 how God had rescued

00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.180
 them out of Egypt.

00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:49.940
 She'd heard

00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.420
 how they'd come

00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:51.300
 across the Red Sea.

00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:52.240
 She'd heard

00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.200
 as all the people

00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.140
 of Jericho had

00:16:54.140 --> 00:16:55.540
 how God had defeated

00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.840
 the Amorite kings.

00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:57.740
 She'd heard

00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.400
 how Israel

00:16:58.400 --> 00:16:59.000
 had come across

00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.720
 the Jordan River

00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.460
 or would soon

00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:01.820
 come across

00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.440
 the Jordan River.

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.360
 So she believed

00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.500
 God's great promise

00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.939
 that he was going

00:17:07.939 --> 00:17:08.399
 to give

00:17:08.399 --> 00:17:10.219
 that land

00:17:10.219 --> 00:17:10.799
 to Israel.

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.819
 Even as a complete

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.359
 outsider

00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.199
 someone who worshipped

00:17:14.199 --> 00:17:14.979
 other gods

00:17:14.979 --> 00:17:16.599
 she still believed

00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.379
 God's promise.

00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:19.299
 And so

00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:21.519
 because she rescued

00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.719
 those spies

00:17:22.719 --> 00:17:24.079
 when the Israelites

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.679
 came over

00:17:24.679 --> 00:17:25.819
 and destroyed

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.139
 under God's orders

00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:28.240
 destroyed Jericho

00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.639
 she was saved.

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:30.939
 That was the sense

00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:31.399
 in which she was

00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:31.959
 justified.

00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:33.000
 She was rescued

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.059
 from God's

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.839
 just judgment

00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.039
 against that city

00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.980
 because she had

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.019
 shown her faith

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.339
 by saving

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.399
 the spies.

00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.480
 She embraced

00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.179
 God's promises

00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:45.079
 wholeheartedly

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.459
 and so she was

00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:47.240
 transformed

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.899
 she was completely

00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:48.319
 different

00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.359
 to everyone else

00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:49.879
 in Jericho

00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:51.220
 who did not believe.

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.939
 See by these examples

00:17:52.939 --> 00:17:53.919
 James is demonstrating

00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:55.099
 that for everyone

00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:56.019
 true faith

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.980
 has the same effect.

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.399
 It's shown

00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.000
 in actions

00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.619
 it leads to a

00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.059
 transformation

00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:01.659
 in our lives.

00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:02.740
 It's not merely

00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.500
 about profession

00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.839
 or confession

00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.500
 it's about embracing

00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.299
 God's promises

00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.420
 wholeheartedly.

00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.180
 Now that's the

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.640
 conclusion

00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:12.120
 there's a bit of

00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:13.980
 detail we need to go into

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.319
 if we look at

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.539
 verses 20 to 23

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.220
 because James

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.000
 tells us more

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.759
 about the quality

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.620
 of this true faith

00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:20.120
 as we look at the

00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.940
 details of his argument.

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.140
 So verse 21

00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:24.180
 was not Abraham

00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:24.700
 our father

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.000
 justified by works

00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.759
 when he offered up

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.660
 his son Isaac

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.180
 on the altar?

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.240
 You see that faith

00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.480
 was active

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.900
 along with his works

00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.140
 and faith was

00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:35.640
 completed by his works

00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:36.759
 and the scripture

00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.440
 was fulfilled

00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.220
 that says Abraham

00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.120
 believed God

00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.100
 and it was counted

00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:40.960
 to him as righteousness

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.400
 and he was called

00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.780
 a friend of God.

00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.180
 Now at some point

00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.759
 this seems like a

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.140
 contradiction

00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:46.640
 doesn't it?

00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.200
 Romans 4

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.400
 Paul says

00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.160
 Abraham

00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.980
 Paul uses this

00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.660
 Abraham as the

00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.740
 example of being

00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.920
 justified by faith

00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:55.220
 not by works

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.200
 yet James

00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.660
 seems to say

00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.460
 exactly the opposite

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.820
 Abraham is justified

00:18:58.820 --> 00:19:00.060
 by his actions

00:19:00.060 --> 00:19:01.420
 not by faith alone.

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.259
 How does that work out?

00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.480
 Well we see the

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.140
 difference between

00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.120
 the two situations

00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.920
 that these writers

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.019
 are dealing with

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.700
 and also what they say.

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.759
 So Paul is writing

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.920
 about the chronology

00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:14.160
 of faith

00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:16.279
 the timing of it

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.759
 so Abraham's faith

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.720
 came first

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:20.339
 that was where

00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:20.980
 it all started

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.600
 whereas James

00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:23.220
 is writing about

00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:23.880
 the quality

00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:25.000
 of Abraham's faith

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.019
 he's showing how

00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.860
 that faith played

00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.920
 out in the rest

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.480
 of his life.

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.779
 Paul was dealing

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.980
 with a situation

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.900
 where people thought

00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:34.259
 their own works

00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.640
 were all important

00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:36.400
 what they do

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.559
 is all important

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.799
 that their works

00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.360
 make them right

00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:39.860
 with God

00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:41.079
 so they were

00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.860
 rejecting the

00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.299
 sufficiency

00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.500
 of Christ's

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.440
 sacrifice alone

00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.920
 and falling into

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.339
 the trap of

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.059
 legalism

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.100
 of trying to do

00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.039
 the right things

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.259
 to be with God

00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.419
 to be God's

00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:51.959
 friends.

00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.740
 So Paul's

00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.139
 dealing with a

00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.740
 situation where

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.740
 works are all

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.259
 important

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.399
 James is dealing

00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.059
 with a situation

00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.980
 where people think

00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:01.519
 works are of

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.359
 no importance

00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.599
 they can just

00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.359
 let go and let

00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:04.719
 God

00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:06.379
 so they were

00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.259
 emptying the cross

00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.899
 and resurrection

00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.399
 of Christ

00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:08.939
 of its power

00:20:08.939 --> 00:20:09.759
 in a different way

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.480
 they were emptying

00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.139
 of its power

00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.399
 to change lives

00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.439
 to transform

00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:14.619
 them

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.099
 make them new

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:15.480
 people

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:17.240
 their temptation

00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.140
 was not legalism

00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.799
 but license

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.039
 anything goes

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:21.380
 I believe

00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.680
 Jesus died for me

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.400
 I can do

00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.200
 whatever I want

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:26.620
 so James is

00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.000
 talking about

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.640
 the quality

00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.140
 of Abraham's

00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:29.380
 faith

00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:29.860
 the quality

00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.599
 of genuine

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.059
 faith

00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:32.259
 that truly

00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.160
 trusts in

00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:33.599
 Christ

00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.539
 in his death

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.259
 and resurrection

00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.220
 to make us

00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.960
 right with God

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.440
 three qualities

00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.059
 he draws out

00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.680
 verse 22

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.240
 first of all

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.360
 it's active

00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:42.420
 not passive

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.100
 verse 22

00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:44.519
 you see that

00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.560
 faith was active

00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.820
 along with his

00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:47.320
 works

00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:48.700
 in the original

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.500
 language

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:49.920
 it's literally

00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.200
 faith works

00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.660
 together

00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.759
 with his

00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.220
 works

00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.279
 faith was

00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.240
 the fuel

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.880
 the power

00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:57.460
 how does a car

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.000
 move

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.160
 well it's because

00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.700
 it's got an engine

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.480
 but it's got fuel

00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.420
 that goes in the engine

00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.620
 there's no fuel

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.539
 it won't go anywhere

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.539
 the fuel works

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.380
 together with the engine

00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.420
 to make the car move

00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.800
 so faith works

00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.940
 with Abraham's

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.700
 works

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:12.000
 it is active

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.279
 it drives action

00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:15.920
 faith is not

00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.539
 passive

00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.640
 God pleasing

00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.500
 works do not

00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.660
 happen without

00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.160
 faith

00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.339
 and in the original

00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.059
 language as well

00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.619
 it's this sense of

00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.720
 this was an ongoing

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.519
 thing throughout

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.440
 Abraham's life

00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.819
 faith was constantly

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.920
 active with his

00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.200
 works

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.519
 not just a one

00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.140
 off thing

00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:31.859
 so faith is

00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.200
 active

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.619
 secondly

00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.839
 genuine faith

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.740
 matures as it

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.259
 works

00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:38.220
 look at verse 22

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.859
 faith was completed

00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:41.400
 by his works

00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:43.000
 that word completed

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:45.019
 is often translated

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.759
 perfect

00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:47.340
 or mature

00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:50.220
 and with maturity

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:52.120
 the idea here is

00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.540
 of the faith

00:21:53.540 --> 00:21:54.160
 developing

00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.259
 as it is used

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.500
 as it is exercised

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.440
 a bit like

00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.880
 muscle matures

00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:00.440
 as you exercise

00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.400
 as it grows

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.380
 or sometimes

00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:02.940
 you hear football

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.440
 commentators

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.240
 talking about

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.440
 a young player

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.560
 being a bit naive

00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.100
 in what he did

00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:07.440
 I don't know

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.080
 when they say that

00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:09.160
 such a misuse

00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.759
 of the word naive

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.279
 anyway

00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:12.079
 very naive there

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.879
 he needs to be

00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.779
 a bit more mature

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.960
 and as he gets

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.559
 more experience

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.059
 he gets more

00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.460
 mature

00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.920
 it's the same

00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.660
 way with faith

00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.879
 faith matures

00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.720
 as it is used

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.700
 as it is exercised

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.900
 so a young footballer

00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.640
 matures

00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.839
 as he gets more

00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.539
 experience

00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.299
 see Abraham

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.019
 had faith

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.519
 when he believed

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.339
 in God's promise

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.920
 but faith became

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.559
 more mature

00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.379
 throughout his life

00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.579
 as he exercised it

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:35.299
 through ups and downs

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:37.079
 and it came to his

00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:38.940
 most evident maturity

00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.940
 in the test

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.099
 of sacrificing Isaac

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.839
 and with the idea

00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.379
 of maturity

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.319
 there's an idea

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.940
 of a purpose

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.419
 there isn't it

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.879
 something to be

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.440
 mature

00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:48.339
 means it has to

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.779
 have a goal

00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.579
 have a purpose

00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:52.259
 and so it is

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.180
 faith

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.019
 is meant to

00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.359
 mature

00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.039
 it's meant to

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.419
 grow

00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:56.680
 and it grows

00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.980
 as it is exercised

00:22:57.980 --> 00:23:00.599
 and the ultimate

00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.059
 goal is

00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.740
 transformation

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.139
 so back in

00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.700
 chapter 1

00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.419
 verse 18

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.960
 maybe over the

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.400
 page in your

00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:06.640
 Bible

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:10.039
 James said this

00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.120
 of God's own

00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.420
 will

00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.200
 he brought us

00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:12.900
 forth by the

00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.620
 word of truth

00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.640
 that we should

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.200
 be a kind of

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.279
 first fruits of

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.920
 his creatures

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.660
 see God's goal

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.640
 is transformation

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.680
 that we should

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.380
 be different

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.880
 we shouldn't

00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.900
 remain static

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.400
 and unchanged

00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:25.560
 we should mature

00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:26.700
 as our faith

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.300
 is used

00:23:27.300 --> 00:23:27.860
 and developed

00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:29.220
 over time

00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:31.360
 see faith is

00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:31.960
 completed and

00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.779
 matures as we

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.500
 exercise it

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.680
 so it's active

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.339
 it matures

00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.740
 and thirdly

00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.940
 it finally

00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.200
 results in

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.900
 justification

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.359
 look at verse

00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:40.900
 23

00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:42.180
 the scripture

00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.880
 was fulfilled

00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.500
 that says

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.859
 Abraham believed

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.819
 God and it

00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.480
 was counted to

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:46.740
 him as

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.240
 righteousness

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.940
 now in what

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.420
 sense was that

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.299
 scripture fulfilled

00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.539
 there are at

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.279
 least three ways

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.960
 the Bible can talk

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.480
 about scripture

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.099
 being fulfilled

00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:54.900
 we might talk

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.359
 about things

00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:55.839
 being fulfilled

00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.240
 in our own

00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.660
 lives

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:58.000
 it can be a

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.799
 promise being

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.259
 fulfilled

00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.680
 and that certainly

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.160
 happens

00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.240
 it's not quite what

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.000
 James means here

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.880
 or secondly

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.579
 a pattern

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.640
 or a role

00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.420
 can be fulfilled

00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.819
 so if you think

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.420
 back as far as

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:09.680
 Christmas

00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.259
 which is not

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.759
 long ago

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.779
 we often have

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.319
 that reading

00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.839
 don't we

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.120
 from Matthew

00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.799
 chapter 2

00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:16.120
 this was

00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:16.599
 happened to

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.160
 fulfill what

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.640
 God had said

00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:17.920
 through the

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.559
 prophet Hosea

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.720
 out of Egypt

00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.660
 I called my

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.039
 son

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.940
 there Jesus

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.640
 was fulfilling

00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.059
 an Old

00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.900
 Testament pattern

00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.519
 that as

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.440
 Israel had

00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.079
 been in Egypt

00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.759
 and was called

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.240
 out of Egypt

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.900
 so Jesus

00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.940
 as God's

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.980
 perfect son

00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.980
 was down

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.420
 in Egypt

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:32.980
 and brought

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.600
 out of Egypt

00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:34.640
 for his

00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.100
 ministry

00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:36.519
 so you can

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.880
 fulfill a

00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.140
 promise

00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.500
 or fulfill

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:37.940
 a pattern

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.759
 or

00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.380
 this is what

00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:39.720
 James is

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.500
 doing here

00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.860
 something can

00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.580
 be fulfilled

00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:43.300
 in reaching

00:24:43.300 --> 00:24:43.980
 its ultimate

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.840
 significance

00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:46.480
 so Jesus

00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.019
 says that

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.519
 I haven't

00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:47.780
 come to

00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:48.360
 abolish the

00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:48.600
 law and

00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.019
 the prophets

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.660
 Matthew 5

00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.060
 17

00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:50.740
 but I've

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.080
 come to

00:24:51.080 --> 00:24:51.640
 fulfill

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:51.980
 them

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.800
 in other

00:24:52.800 --> 00:24:53.019
 words I've

00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.259
 come to

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.580
 bring them

00:24:53.580 --> 00:24:53.820
 to that

00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.140
 ultimate

00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.720
 significance

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.460
 to do

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.740
 all that

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.160
 was written

00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.800
 in the

00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:57.180
 past

00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.880
 to fulfill

00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:57.880


00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.580
 to bring

00:24:59.580 --> 00:24:59.780
 it to

00:24:59.780 --> 00:25:00.120
 its greatest

00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.600
 significance

00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.380
 and that's

00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:01.620
 the way

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.259
 James is

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.600
 using the

00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.120
 word here

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.320
 God had

00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.920
 said 30

00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.600
 years earlier

00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:08.980
 that Abraham's

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.580
 faith was

00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:10.060
 counted as

00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:10.500
 righteousness

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.880
 now that

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.420
 reaches its

00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.340
 full significance

00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.780
 as we see

00:25:14.780 --> 00:25:15.380
 this man

00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:15.900
 Abraham

00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.180
 prepared to

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.900
 sacrifice his

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.480
 own son on

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:18.920
 the altar

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.160
 but he's been

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.400
 so transformed

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:21.880
 through his

00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.759
 faith in the

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.400
 living God

00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.180
 as life goes

00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:24.500
 on

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.280
 and what's

00:25:26.280 --> 00:25:26.680
 the final

00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.220
 result of

00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.480
 that

00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:29.059
 what's

00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.259
 Abraham

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.660
 called

00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:29.860
 at the

00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.059
 end of

00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.660
 verse 23

00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:33.700
 a friend

00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.579
 of God

00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.960
 a friend

00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.559
 of God

00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.380
 so James

00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.700
 is using

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.380
 justification

00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.400
 in a slightly

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.920
 different way

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.480
 to Paul

00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.420
 when Paul

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.920
 talks about

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.460
 justification

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.579
 he's always

00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.079
 talking about

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.640
 the initial

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.400
 declaration

00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.360
 by God

00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:48.079
 of our

00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.620
 innocence

00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.779
 before him

00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:51.160
 when we

00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.940
 trusted him

00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.259
 but justification

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.740
 is used in a

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.319
 number of ways

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.720
 in the Bible

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.460
 James uses it

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:55.900
 in a different

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.220
 way

00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.779
 and here

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.079
 he's talking

00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.480
 about the

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.880
 final

00:25:58.880 --> 00:25:59.620
 declaration

00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:01.620
 the public

00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.220
 declaration

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.920
 by God

00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:04.579
 of our

00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:04.980
 innocence

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.740
 before him

00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.319
 when Christ

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.000
 returns

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.380
 we can see

00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:09.720
 that because

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:09.940
 that's the

00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.559
 whole context

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:10.980
 here

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.259
 back in

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.019
 verses 12

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.519
 and 13

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.980
 James has

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.299
 been saying

00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.700
 judgment

00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.299
 is coming

00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:18.380
 he's alluded

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.140
 to the parable

00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.500
 of the sheep

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:19.920
 and the goats

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.259
 where people

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.200
 are finally

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.819
 publicly

00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.620
 justified

00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:24.160
 their faith

00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:24.660
 demonstrated

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.019
 by their

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.420
 actions

00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.440
 it's clear

00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.060
 from the

00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:27.400
 example

00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.019
 of Rahab

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.500
 she was

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.000
 justified

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.680
 in that

00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.200
 judgment

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.340
 she was

00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:32.820
 saved

00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:33.220
 from that

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.620
 judgment

00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.500
 as the

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.880
 Israelite

00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.220
 soldiers

00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.860
 came in

00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:37.320
 and

00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:38.759
 enacted

00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.640
 God's

00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:39.880
 judgment

00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.180
 on the

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.500
 city

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:42.019
 of Jericho

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:44.360
 so here

00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.700
 James'

00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:45.240
 meaning

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.120
 that through

00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.660
 a lifetime

00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.400
 of faith

00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.700
 will ultimately

00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.460
 result in

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.560
 vindication

00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:52.400
 in the

00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.400
 final declaration

00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.000
 of innocence

00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.780
 before God

00:26:54.780 --> 00:26:55.720
 when Christ

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.280
 returns

00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:57.380
 as judge

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:59.519
 that's

00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.320
 why we

00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:00.860
 go on

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.960
 showing our

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.560
 faith in

00:27:02.560 --> 00:27:03.100
 our works

00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.660
 he says

00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.480
 that's what

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.019
 true faith

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.460
 is like

00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:05.820
 it is

00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.360
 expressed

00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:06.980
 in works

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.720
 it is

00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.259
 active

00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.120
 it matures

00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.500
 and it will

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.180
 result in that

00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.220
 final declaration

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.040
 of being

00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:13.880
 God's friend

00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:16.259
 so what does

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.180
 faith look like

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.120
 that really

00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.700
 embraces

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.519
 God's promises

00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:21.400
 well what did

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.799
 it look like

00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.279
 for Rahab

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:22.680
 and Abraham

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.879
 it didn't mean

00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.420
 doing nice

00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.279
 things necessarily

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.759
 did it

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.940
 it didn't mean

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.460
 being a nice

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.900
 person

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.099
 it meant

00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:30.000
 taking God

00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.639
 at his word

00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:31.900
 it meant

00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.420
 doing things

00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.519
 that seemed

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.420
 crazy to the

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.920
 world around

00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.639
 no one else

00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.059
 in Jericho

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.559
 was about to

00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:36.819
 take in

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.579
 Israelite slaves

00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.480
 no one else

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:38.900
 in Jericho

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.379
 was about to

00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:39.799
 lie to the

00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.039
 king

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.660
 and send

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:40.980
 his soldiers

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.279
 off in

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.440
 the other

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.920
 direction

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:45.119
 to Abraham's

00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:45.400
 servants

00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:45.779
 who must have

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.339
 seemed mad

00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.099
 taking Isaac

00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:48.180
 off to be

00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.619
 all to be

00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.299
 sacrificed

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.899
 and yet

00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.319
 that's because

00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:51.899
 they trusted

00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.899
 something better

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.639
 and bigger

00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.440
 and stronger

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.579
 than human

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.039
 reason

00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.659
 they trusted

00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.539
 God's promises

00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.919
 now what sort

00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:00.460
 of works will

00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.119
 develop in our

00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:01.579
 lives

00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.720
 if we're genuinely

00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.599
 embracing God's

00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.339
 promises from our

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.839
 hearts

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:06.399
 well think about

00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.019
 the week ahead

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.859
 the week of

00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.220
 prayer

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:10.680
 to someone who

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.359
 doesn't believe

00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.180
 isn't prayer the

00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.680
 most pointless

00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.139
 thing

00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.480
 I had a great

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.940
 story a while

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.779
 ago about a

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.200
 friend who was

00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.960
 a vicar

00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:18.139
 and he was at

00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.859
 his desk in

00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.259
 his study

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.859
 praying

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.500
 and the

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.019
 window cleaner

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.460
 knocked on

00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:21.740
 the window

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:21.900
 and said

00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.160
 look mate

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.420
 you're not

00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:22.759
 doing anything

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.240
 come give me

00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.599
 a hand for

00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:23.900
 a moment

00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.180
 he said

00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.700
 no I am

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:25.980
 doing it

00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.400
 I'm praying

00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:26.819
 this is the

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.240
 work

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:29.599
 but naturally

00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:29.879
 we think

00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.099
 well the

00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.559
 window cleaner

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.900
 don't we

00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.500
 praying is

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:31.819
 pointless

00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.279
 you're just

00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.019
 doing nothing

00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.680
 here's how

00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.240
 our faith

00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.940
 can lead to

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.500
 action this

00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.819
 week

00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:38.420
 we make

00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.279
 time to

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.720
 pray

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.180
 to join

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.660
 with others

00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.240
 in prayer

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.460
 what about

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:44.940
 where we put

00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.599
 our money

00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.180
 and our time

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.080
 see natural

00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:47.799
 human logic

00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.600
 would say

00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:49.680
 we put

00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:49.960
 money

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.340
 we got

00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:50.840
 spare money

00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:51.279
 we invest

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.759
 it in good

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.259
 savings

00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.240
 and good

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.940
 pension plans

00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.740
 and it's not

00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.420
 bad to do

00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:56.580
 that

00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.019
 it's not wrong

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.600
 to do that

00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:59.380
 but faith

00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.200
 embraces God's

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.259
 promises wholeheartedly

00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.240
 remembers what

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.859
 Jesus says

00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.460
 about treasures

00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:03.879
 on earth

00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:04.740
 where moth

00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.099
 and rust

00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.680
 destroy

00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.680
 there are

00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:07.200
 treasures in

00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.500
 heaven

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.500
 where thieves

00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:08.839
 do not

00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.220
 break in

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.619
 and steal

00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.440
 and moth

00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:10.740
 and rust

00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.059
 do not

00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.500
 destroy

00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:13.119
 and so

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.680
 we see

00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.059
 with the eyes

00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.680
 of faith

00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.599
 we invest

00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.019
 in what will

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.559
 last forever

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:17.980
 don't we

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:19.920
 we invest

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.160
 in gospel

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.619
 work

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.379
 we invest

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:22.879
 in a building

00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:23.339
 project

00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.879
 we might help

00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.279
 the gospel

00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:24.839
 be proclaimed

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.839
 for generations

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.640
 to come here

00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.879
 we invest

00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.259
 in God's

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.779
 family around

00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.220
 the world

00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.039
 or another

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.660
 example of what

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:30.980
 faith

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:32.180
 embracing God's

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.500
 promises

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.040
 from a half

00:29:33.040 --> 00:29:33.460
 means

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.580
 is the

00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.040
 illustration

00:29:35.040 --> 00:29:35.680
 James uses

00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.060
 here

00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:37.259
 these rich

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.620
 men in

00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:37.820
 James'

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.460
 congregation

00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:40.019
 saying

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.660
 go in peace

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.100
 be warm

00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:41.759
 and filled

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.600
 weren't really

00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.380
 embracing God's

00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:44.700
 promises

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.060
 they weren't

00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.920
 seeing the

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.279
 poor and

00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.720
 needy among

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.000
 them

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.740
 as those

00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:47.980
 to whom

00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.200
 they were

00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.779
 joined in

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.300
 Christ

00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:49.880
 they're

00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:50.340
 brothers and

00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:50.800
 sisters

00:29:50.800 --> 00:29:52.779
 as they're

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.440
 being selfish

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.420
 rather than

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.140
 giving it

00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.140
 practically

00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.720
 helping

00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.560
 those in

00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:57.860
 God's

00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.360
 family who

00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:58.900
 needed it

00:29:58.900 --> 00:30:02.580
 I'm sure

00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:02.920
 we can all

00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.240
 think of

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.840
 more examples

00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.180
 for our

00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.820
 own lives

00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.540
 and what

00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:05.740
 would it

00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.420
 look like

00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.480
 when we

00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.280
 embrace God's

00:30:08.280 --> 00:30:08.700
 promises

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.660
 wholeheartedly

00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:11.920
 James is

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.340
 really putting

00:30:12.340 --> 00:30:13.060
 a question to

00:30:13.060 --> 00:30:13.620
 us all here

00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:15.100
 whose friend

00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:15.620
 are you

00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:16.180
 whose friend

00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.660
 do you want

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.100
 to be

00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:19.280
 Abraham had

00:30:19.280 --> 00:30:20.180
 genuine faith

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:22.100
 it was active

00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:24.080
 it matured

00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:25.019
 through use

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.079
 resulted

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.259
 finally in

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.900
 justification

00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.220
 of being

00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.539
 God's

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:28.940
 friend

00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:30.359
 but later

00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:30.799
 on he gives

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.160
 the warning

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.480
 I've already

00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:31.960
 quoted it

00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.440
 chapter 4

00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.039
 verse 4

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.920
 that these

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.299
 people

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.740
 James is

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.400
 writing to

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.200
 were so

00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.960
 double minded

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.980
 they were

00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.519
 really friends

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.779
 with the

00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.160
 world

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.139
 you are

00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.539
 doffrous

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.960
 people

00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.879
 do you not

00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.200
 know that

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.799
 friendship with

00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.160
 the world

00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.799
 is enmity

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.700
 with God

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:46.119
 therefore

00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:47.220
 whoever wishes

00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.579
 to be a

00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.019
 friend of the

00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.379
 world

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.500
 makes himself

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:49.980
 an enemy

00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.519
 of God

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.119
 so their

00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:51.680
 friendship with

00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.019
 the world

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.379
 was seen

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:52.599
 with their

00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.259
 preoccupation

00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.000
 with status

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.000
 with wealth

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.579
 with their

00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.400
 own plans

00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:58.619
 with ease

00:30:58.619 --> 00:31:01.519
 not with

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.319
 God's ways

00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.619
 so James

00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.019
 is asking

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.339
 them and

00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:04.799
 asking us

00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.380
 whose friend

00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:05.660
 do you want

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.000
 to be

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:08.440
 to my

00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.940
 friend Gavin

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.619
 was unsettled

00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.079
 by James

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.339
 words

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.319
 confused even

00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.640
 maybe many

00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.000
 of us here

00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.579
 are tonight

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.640
 well let me

00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.079
 be clear

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.480
 let me be

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:16.839
 clear what

00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.579
 James says

00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.779
 James is not

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.359
 saying good

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.900
 works can

00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.359
 save us

00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.299
 they cannot

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.380
 James has

00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.220
 already told us

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.299
 back in chapter

00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.259
 1 verse 21

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.500
 what can

00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.120
 save us

00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:28.400
 therefore put

00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:28.940
 away all

00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.480
 filthiness

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.120
 and rampant

00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:30.620
 wickedness

00:31:30.620 --> 00:31:31.559
 and receive

00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.319
 with meekness

00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.279
 the implanted

00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.319
 word which

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:34.759
 is able to

00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.180
 save your

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.640
 souls

00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:37.259
 only coming

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.900
 to Christ

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.940
 in need

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.839
 accepting the

00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.779
 gospel message

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.259
 of salvation

00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:43.039
 through Christ

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.460
 alone

00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.420
 of his death

00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.000
 on the cross

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.559
 to pay for

00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.059
 our sins

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.240
 his resurrection

00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.279
 guaranteeing

00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.880
 us new life

00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.720
 that is the

00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.339
 only way

00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.159
 to be saved

00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:53.959
 saving faith

00:31:53.959 --> 00:31:55.599
 is never

00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.119
 alone

00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:57.159
 because God

00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:57.939
 makes us

00:31:57.939 --> 00:31:58.519
 new people

00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.759
 so can I

00:31:59.759 --> 00:31:59.959
 ask you

00:31:59.959 --> 00:32:00.319
 what is your

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.240
 confidence in

00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.959
 is it in

00:32:02.959 --> 00:32:03.539
 your theology

00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.959
 is it the

00:32:04.959 --> 00:32:05.199
 fact you

00:32:05.199 --> 00:32:05.740
 prayed a prayer

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.259
 once

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.819
 or your

00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.279
 baptism

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:10.099
 James tells us

00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:10.759
 true faith

00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.519
 is not a

00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:11.899
 matter of

00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:12.599
 mere words

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.679
 not a matter

00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:13.959
 of mere

00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.539
 intellectual

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:14.959
 ascent

00:32:14.959 --> 00:32:16.019
 but wholeheartedly

00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.859
 embracing

00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:17.599
 God's promises

00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:19.259
 maybe some

00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.679
 people here

00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.059
 feel

00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:21.099
 I'm confident

00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.459
 because I'm

00:32:21.459 --> 00:32:22.219
 a nice person

00:32:22.219 --> 00:32:23.679
 I do good

00:32:23.679 --> 00:32:24.339
 things

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:26.419
 please be clear

00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:27.259
 James does not

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.039
 say good works

00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.740
 will save you

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:30.039
 only faith

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:31.059
 will save you

00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.879
 and that faith

00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:32.539
 is shown

00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:34.439
 perhaps some

00:32:34.439 --> 00:32:34.740
 of us here

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.379
 like Gavin

00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:36.019
 my friend

00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.259
 Gavin

00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:36.980
 are concerned

00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:39.039
 how did I

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.359
 answer

00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:39.859
 how would you

00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:40.459
 answer someone

00:32:40.459 --> 00:32:40.899
 a friend

00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:41.719
 who texted

00:32:41.719 --> 00:32:42.019
 you like

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.279
 Gavin

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.879
 texted me

00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:43.719
 am I alright

00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:45.199
 let me tell you

00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:45.659
 how I answered

00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:45.959
 him

00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.200
 I pointed

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.680
 out to him

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.640
 the change

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.180
 in his character

00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:49.579
 I'd seen

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.240
 over the years

00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:50.799
 I pointed

00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:51.160
 out his

00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.660
 humility

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.600
 I pointed

00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:52.860
 out his

00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:53.460
 desire for

00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:53.980
 godliness

00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.880
 I pointed

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.500
 out his

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.039
 sacrificial

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.759
 service to

00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.059
 many

00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.180
 the warm

00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.819
 hospitality

00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.340
 he and his

00:32:59.340 --> 00:32:59.980
 family offer

00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:02.220
 I was able

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.740
 to point to

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.539
 his works

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.860
 as evidence

00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.400
 of God's

00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.019
 work in his

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.420
 life

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.620
 the genuine

00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.480
 nature of

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.360
 his faith

00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:09.980
 embracing

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.740
 God's promises

00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:12.620
 and of course

00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:13.059
 I pointed

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.500
 him to our

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.240
 faithful saviour

00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.940
 Jesus Christ

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:17.299
 pointed him

00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.740
 to his

00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.700
 perfect life

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.640
 his perfect

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.220
 obedience

00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.299
 his death

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:22.000
 on the cross

00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.940
 to pay for

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.600
 our sins

00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:25.840
 his gift

00:33:25.840 --> 00:33:26.299
 of the holy

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:26.720
 spirit

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.080
 to all

00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.500
 he turned

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:27.840
 to him

00:33:27.840 --> 00:33:28.620
 to change

00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:29.019
 us

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:31.140
 see all of us

00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:31.640
 who claim to

00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.380
 trust Christ

00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:34.059
 need to go

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.500
 back

00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.120
 need to look

00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:35.860
 at our lives

00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.580
 but most

00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:36.920
 importantly

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.420
 look at our

00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.900
 saviour

00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:39.320
 and come to

00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:40.320
 him again

00:33:40.320 --> 00:33:40.720
 and again

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.080
 we shouldn't

00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:41.880
 be complacent

00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.980
 but we

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.279
 shouldn't be

00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:43.820
 concerned

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:45.019
 we should

00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.279
 put our

00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.679
 confidence

00:33:45.679 --> 00:33:46.279
 in Christ

00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.019
 bolstered

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.599
 by the

00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:47.919
 evidence

00:33:47.919 --> 00:33:48.299
 of his

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.639
 word

00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:49.339
 in our

00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:49.819
 lives

00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.779
 let me

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.179
 close this

00:33:51.179 --> 00:33:51.740
 line from

00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.000
 Matthew

00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.279
 Henry

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:52.500
 the

00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.099
 puristy

00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:53.759
 commentator

00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:55.079
 he said

00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.419
 this on

00:33:55.419 --> 00:33:56.059
 this passage

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.740
 true

00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:56.740


00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:56.779
 true

00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.179
 believing

00:33:57.179 --> 00:33:57.679
 is not

00:33:57.679 --> 00:33:58.059
 an act

00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:59.079
 of understanding

00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:00.179
 but a

00:34:00.179 --> 00:34:00.519
 work of

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:00.859
 the whole

00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.319
 heart

00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:02.240
 to have

00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.619
 to deny

00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.039
 his own

00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.379
 reason

00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.159
 affections

00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:04.779
 and interests

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.559
 is an

00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.200
 action fit

00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.039
 to try

00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:08.219
 a believer

00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.420
 there is

00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:09.860
 no middle

00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.320
 state

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.480
 everyone

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:11.900
 must either

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.559
 live as

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:12.860
 God's

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.299
 friend

00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:14.480
 or God's

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:14.860
 enemy

00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:16.480
 let's pray