1. Be Mature False Faith Chapter 6 James 2:14-26

2. Faith is the key in Christian life. –Sinner is saved by faith (Eph 2:8-9) ‏ –Believers must walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7) ‏ –Faith pleases God (Heb 11:6) ‏ –Apart from faith is sin (Rom 14:23) ‏ Faith is obeying in spite of consequence, not believing in spite of evidence Faith is a confidence that God’s Word is true and conviction that obeying the Word will bring His blessing Relationship between faith and works Three kinds of faith –Dead faith (James 2: 14-17) ‏ Believers have responsibility to help those in basic needs

3. Gal 6:10 -As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Matt 25: 40 - And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Gal 5:6 - For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Luke 10: 25-37 Good Samaritan and dead faith James 2:14 - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? –Dead faith doesn’t show changed life and good works James 2:17 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

4. –Alone means by it itself –The saving faith brings life and life produces good works –Dead faith relies on intellect (mind) and is not saving faith: a counterfeit faith Demonic faith (2: 18-19) ‏ –Devils also believe the existence and deity of God Sonship: Mark 3:11-12 Existence of hell: Luke 8: 31 Jesus as judge: Mark 5: 1-13 –Faith is based on intellect and emotion (heart) ‏ –James 2:19 - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. –Being a Christian involve trusting Christ and living for Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10) ‏ –Receive and reveal life Dead in Greek means barren or idle

5. Dynamic faith (2: 18-19) ‏ –Real saving faith that is based on the Word of God (Rom 10:7) ‏ –This involver the whole man: intelligent (mind), emotion (heart), and will. –The mind understands the truth –The heart desires the truth –The will act upon the truth –Dynamic faith leads to action and obedience on the part of the will Reveals good work Examples: Abraham, a Jew – God called to move to make out of him a great nation: Israel where Jesus was born. Genesis 15 – God showed stars and said and make a promise to him. He believed (15-16) ‏

6. –Counted – a legal or financial term meaning “to put to one’s account” –Justification is an act of God which is once-for-all event, not process (sanctification) ‏ –Justify by faith: justified before God and righteous –Justify by work: justified before men as in demonstrated How? Isaac on the altar James 1:16 - Do not err, my beloved brethren. Titus 3:8 - This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Rahab: a Gentile who responded mentally, emotionally and willfully. Will – protected the Jewish spies and shared the good news of deliverance with her family members Harlot – host in Joshua 2 immoral person in James 2

7. II Corinthians 13:5a Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 1.Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God? 2.Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever seriously been exercised over my sin?

8. 1.Do I truly understand the Gospel, that Christ died for my sins and rose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself? 2.Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it? Or do I hate sin and fear God? 5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit?

9. 1.Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus? 2.Do I have desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him? 3.Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me? 4.Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?

10. Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.