James – FBC KellerKen Gardner1 James 2Faith That Works James 2: 1 – 13 Favoritism Forbidden James 2: 14 – 16 Faith & Deeds Salvation is By Faith Alone Salvation Produces Faith That Works Salvation

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 2 Three Tests for Applied Christianity 1.Control of the tongueWords James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and as faultless is this: 2.Care for the unfortunateHands to look after orphans and widows in their distress and 3.An unsoiled lifeHearts to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Review

James – FBC KellerKen Gardner3 James 2: 1 – 13 Favoritism Forbidden Prejudice Is A Sin Mt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 4 Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 1-3 Favoritism = Inconsistent with Faith in Christ 1.Command My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. (Stop trying to...) LB:How can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus if you show favoritism to rich people and (if you) look down on poor people? 2. Illustration Suppose (two men) come into your meeting Rich Man – Displaying WealthPoor Man – Displaying Poverty gold ring and fine clothes(“shining”)in shabby clothes (“filthy”) special attention "Here's a good seat” "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,“

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 5 Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 4 Favoritism = Discrimination & Judging 3. Results have you not (you have) discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts ? Honoring the rich & shunning the poor is wrong.

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 6 Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 5 Favoritism = Contrary to God’s Purpose Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 1Co 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1Co 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1Co 1:28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things— and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 1Co 1:29 so that no one may boast before him.

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 7 Why Christians Should Not Show FavoritismJames 2: 6-7 Favoritism = NOT in the Best Interests of the Christian But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? PoorRich ►poor in the eyes ►rich who are exploiting you of the world ► rich in faith and ► dragging you into court ► inherit the kingdom ► you have insulted ► slandering the noble name the poorof him to whom you belong Favoritism = NOT What Experience & Common Sense Suggests

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 8 Favoritism is a Violation of the Royal LawJames 2: Condition If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 2.Correction But if you show favoritism, you sin and you are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 3.Explanation For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Dishonor the poor = Breaking the Royal Law = Lawbreaker

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 9 Favoritism Makes You a LawbreakerJames 2: 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. X

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 10 AppealJames 2: Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! Mercy Judgment (Winner) Favoritism = Evidence of a Spirit Without Mercy. Mt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Mt 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

James – FBC KellerKen Gardner11 END – Week 3 Next: Feb 1James 2: 14 – 26 Faith & Deeds

James – FBC KellerKen Gardner12 James 2: 14 – 16 Faith & Deeds Salvation is By Faith Alone Salvation Produces Faith That Works Salvation

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 13 Dead Faith: Intellect James 2: Argument: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?Implied: No good Can such faith save him?Implied: No Illustration: Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? Implied: No good Conclusion: In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Useless

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 14 Dead Faith: Intellect James 2: In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. The principle is stated in verse 14 and might be paraphrased this way: “Faith that is professed, but not practiced, is of no practical value to us or to others. It does not serve, and it does not save. Unused faith is useless faith.”

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 15 Demonic Faith: Intellect + EmotionsJames 2: But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. FaithDeedsProfession - no workswith works i.e., DemonsGenuine Genuine faith is not mere acceptance of a teaching. DeadDemonicDynamic Faith by IntellectFaith by Intellect + EmotionsSaving Faith

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 16 Dead Faith vs. Living FaithJames 2: Dead FaithIntellect Genuine faith is not an empty claim. Demonic FaithIntellect + Emotions Genuine faith is not mere acceptance of a teaching. Dynamic FaithTrue Saving Faith Genuine faith produces an obedient life.

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 17 Dynamic Faith: True Saving Faith James 2: You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? Evidence #1:Abraham - Jew, godly man, friend of God Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. Conclusion: You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 18 Dynamic Faith: True Saving Faith James 2: You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? Evidence #2:Rahab - Gentile, sinful woman, enemies of God In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? Conclusion: As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Genuine faith produces an obedient life. Salvation is By Faith Alone Salvation Produces Faith That Works Salvation

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 19 Faith per James Evidence – Case Studies 1. Fellow believer in need – words only w/o deeds = no good, useless; there is faith which is dead. 2. Demons who believe – faith w/o deeds = dangerous; there is belief which is not saving faith. 3. Abraham – Jew, godly man, friend of God = actions; genuine faith results in works. 4. Rahab – Gentile, sinful woman, enemy of God = actions; genuine faith produces actions. Faith must be demonstrated by works Conclusion: Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 20 Lesson Truths ‘ faith without deeds is dead’ 1. We show our faith is genuine by doing more than talking about our concern for others. Less talk / more action. 2. We show our faith is genuine by doing more than believing the truth of Scripture. Even demons believe. 3. We show we have been saved when, as a result of our faith, good deeds issue forth from our lives. Works demonstrate faith.

James – FBC KellerKen Gardner21 END – Week 4 Optional: Small Group Discussions Next: Feb 8James 3: 1 – 12 Taming the Tongue

James – FBC Keller Bible Study Ken Gardner 22 James Men’s Bible Study Schedule for January / February 2008 DateBible TextLesson Jan 11James 1: 1 – 18Trials & Temptations Jan 18James 1: 19 – 27Listening & Doing Jan 25James 2: 1 – 13Favoritism Forbidden Feb 1James 2: 14 – 26Faith & Deeds Feb 8James 3: 1 – 12Taming the Tongue Feb 15James 3: 13 – 18Two Kinds of Wisdom Feb 22James 4Submit Yourselves to God Feb 29James 5Patience