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Good morning. I hope you have great start of the week! Yesterday, we were having some technical difficulties with our computers showing sermon points on the screens. Some of you felt you did not get all the points, so Audrey suggested that I make today’s devotional giving you the points. What would have been today’s devotional originally, I moved it to Tuesday. I apologize for this but I have been led to believe that due to the computer problems not sending everything to the screens, you were not able to get your sermon outline filled in correctly. Anything you see bold and underline was a fill-in to yesterday's sermon. 

Some people feel that these two writers in the New Testament hold opposite views and they do not. Which one of them is right? Both of them are right because the are talking about two different concepts from the Bible on this issue of works. Everything underlined would be your fill-ins on your sermon outline. One of the points on the sermon outline people said they did not get filled in was this line: Christianity is not simply a gospel of words; it is a gospel that works. Which is it? Faith or works? Who is right — James or Paul? They are both right! They are talking about two different concepts and here is why.

I was attempting to show how Paul & James do not contradict each other, but compliment each other. Below is that table filled in for you just in case you did not get all of it.  One of the things I gave you was a table with fill-ins comparing James and Paul and their uses of the word “works.” Actually the our web site would not allow me to insert the table, but I think you can figure it out any way. 

 

Paul

James

Emphasis

He was focusing on legalism (i.e., we are not saved by keeping the Old Testament Laws, rituals & regulations).

He was focusing on laxity (i.e., those who say, “It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you believe.” 

Theological Focus #1

He was focusing on the root of salvation — what happens to you internally.

He was focusing on the fruit of salvation — what happens to you externally.

Theological Focus #2

 He is talking about how to know you’re a Christian.

He is talking about how to show you’re a Christian.

Theological Focus #3

 He is talking about how to become a Christian.

He is talking about how to behave as a Christian.

Their use of “works”

He says keeping Jewish laws no longer necessary.

He says having works proves you’re living like Jesus.

So, just in case you missed it as some said they did, here are a few more fill-ins for you:

    • So, the issue between faith and works is not about a contradiction, but about compatibility. The good works God wants you to do after you’re saved go with your spiritual purpose and spiritual SHAPE. 
  1. Real dynamic faith is not just something I say.
  2. Real dynamic faith is not just emotions I feel.
    • If I don't feel like helping other Christians, I don't have just a sick faith, I have a dead faith. 
  3. Real dynamic faith is not just an idea to debate.
    • Real faith always produces change. Your character becomes more like Christ’s.  
  4. Real dynamic faith is not just a concept I believe. Why? Even the demons believe James says and they are not going to heaven. 
    • The Greek word translated in James 2:19 as “shudder, or tremble” is [frissousin, phrissousin] means  "to bristle” -- it’s the word that refers to when hair stands up on its end, to shudder in terror.  
    • The Greek New Testament word translated as believe in James 2:19 means “to trust in, to cling to, to rely on, to commit yourself completely.”
  1. Real dynamic faith is something I do.
    • Two illustrations of two very different people, Abraham and Rahab -- exact opposite extremes.  Abraham is a man. Rahab is a woman. Abraham is Jewish.  Rahab is a Gentile.  Abraham is a patriarch. Rahab is a prostitute in Jericho. Abraham is a somebody.  Rahab is a nobody. Abraham is a major character in the Bible. Rahab is a minor character.
    • Both Abraham and Rehab had one thing in common -- their faith in God. Their faith in God led them to an action.  
    • Abraham in faith followed God without knowing where he was going.
    • But Rahab’s faith was more important to God than her background.
    • Rehab in faith risked her life to save others. 
    • Our faith is not determined by what we do, it is demonstrated by what we do.  

Questions To Consider

  1. Are you absolutely sure that if you died tonight you'd go to heaven?
  2. If you were taken to court and tried for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
  3. Am I really a Christian after all? Have I really put my faith in Christ? I am simply relying upon what I claim I believe to get me into heaven?
  4. What changes can you point to in your life that prove your character is more like Christ’s character?
  5. Is my lifestyle any different from unbelievers?

Scripture To Meditate On: James 2:26, “Just as a body without a spirit doesn’t breathe and is dead, so faith that doesn't DO anything is just as dead” (PAR).

Prayer to Pray: “Dear Jesus, I want there to be enough evidence to prove I am a Christian. I want people, when they look at my lifestyle, see visible and measurable differences that show I am behaving as a Christian. I want people when they look at me, to see that my character is more like Your character. I accept Jesus that real dynamic faith is not something I just say, or feel, or debate or believe. It is something I do. I pray you help me be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer only. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside — Pastor Kelly

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