What does
faith look like? part 1
Background from the NT: James 1: 2 - 12
Memory Verse: My brethren, count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations -- James 1:2
- Working faith stands tall in
the midst of trial and temptation
This is the kind of
faith that has feet and hands.
- It brings patience -- James 1:3-4
- Patience is defined as
a state of steadfastness, constancy, endurance
- You have to let it
work. Don't run from trials -- let God use them to
increase your patience through faith in Him
- It asks for wisdom -- James 1:5
- Rather than ask
"why is this happening to me?" ask instead
for wisdom for daily living.
- God delights in giving
wisdom. (2 Chr 1:10-12) Believe that, and live it
each day.
- It's stable -- James 1:6-8
- It's never
wishy-washy, it never hangs over the rail, sea-sick.
- If you're
double-minded, don't expect to receive anything from
God
- It's humble -- James 1:9-11
Jesus preached on
spiritual paradox in the Sermon on the mount (Matthew 5)
- The poor in
spirit would receive the Kingdom, mourners would
be comforted, the meek would be exalted, the
persecuted would be rewarded, etc
James borrows from that
sermon in this verse to describe the paradox of humility
-- the greatest will be the least, and the least will be
the greatest.
Working faith accepts
that paradox and puts it into practice.
- It's ultimately victorious through
the Grace of God -- James 1:12
"For when he is
tried" means shown to be approved. We are approved
through our acceptance of Jesus.
The crowns we'll lay at
the feet of Jesus (Rev 4:10)
- Crown of
Life for those who endure trial & temptation
-- James 1:12
- Crown of
Righteousness for those who look for His return
-- 2 Timothy 4:8
- Crown of
Glory for those who spread the gospel of Christ
-- 1Peter 5:4
- Crown of
Rejoicing for those who are saved -- 1
Thessalonians 2:19
What does faith look like?
part 2
Background from the NT: James 1: 13 - 27
Memory Verse: But be ye doers of the word,
and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. -- James 1:22
It recognises the beginning and the
end of sin -- James 1:13-16
- Rule of thumb #1:
God does not tempt anyone. Never has, never will.
- Rule of thumb #2:
Lust is the lure, sin is the hook, death waits at
the other end of the fishing line.
It recognises the source of
righteousness -- James 1:17-20
Every "good and
perfect" thing is a gift from God
Through faith we accept
the ultimate good gift of His Word -- Jesus
It knows the difference between
"walking the walk" and "talking the talk"
-- James 1:21-27
We are commanded to put
wickedness away and meekly receive the Spirit of God.
It's a choice.
We are commanded to Do,
not just Hear.
We are commanded to
take control of our language.
We are commanded to
love others, and to keep ourselves clean from the
nastiness of this world. (keep your distance from the
gutter or you will get splattered)
What does faith look like?
part 3
Background from the NT: James 2
Memory Verse: Even so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone. -- James 2:17
It's a level playing field -- James
2:1-9
Faith is an equalizer -- we
shouldn't give preferential treatment to people based on
outward things like race, social class, wealth, etc.
Partiality implies an inner
judgement of worth
It is contrary to God's way
of doing things if we commit that sin.
- Read 1 Samuel
16:7
It abides in God's "Law of
Liberty" -- James 2:10-13
It strives to uphold all
the law (Commandments)
It agrees with Jesus'
teaching that hating a brother is the same as murder (Matthew
5:22)
Note the warning of mercy
and judgment
It's made alive through works -- James
2:14-20
It walks the walk
It's practical -- Faith
says "God loves you, c'mon I'll buy you some chow."
It's more than just
"believing in God" (vs 19)
It has feet -- James 2:21-26
Abraham: justified by
faith, and by doing the will of God
Rahab, a common whore:
justified by faith, and by doing the will of God
What does faith look like?
part 4
Background from the NT: James 3
Memory Verse: And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. -- James
3:18
It understands the power of the
tongue -- James 3:3-8
We can tame horses with
a bit
We can turn ships with
a rudder
We can burn a forest to
the ground with a single match
The tongue will not
easily be tamed
It produces the right
"fruit" -- James 3:9-12
Olives don't grow on
fig trees
Salt water doesn't flow
from a fresh water spring
The presence of Faith
will bring forth fruits of the spirit and fresh, living
water
Galations
5:22 -- Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness,
Goodness, Faith, Meetkness, Temperance
It has heavenly wisdom -- James
3:13-18
Earthly wisdom is
characterised by envy, jealousy, bitterness, strife,
confusion, evil works. If so-called wisdom looks like
that, it's from the devil.
God's wisdom is pure
and good -- it's easy to spot.
It recognises the "Harvest
Principle" (verse 18) : sowing, cultivating, harvesting
The peace-making farmer
sows seeds of righteousness
He tends the fields,
weeds out the bitterness, waters it with fresh water
When the harvest comes,
he reaps what he has sown, which has increased in measure
to the effort he made to tend it.
Most crops take a
season to mature -- Faith is no different.
What does faith look like?
part 5
Background from the NT: James 4
Background from the OT: Psalms 90:1-12
Memory Verse: Humble yourselves in the
sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. -- James 4:10
It seeks the will of God -- James
4:1-3
We want the wrong
things, then sin to get what we should not have in the
first place
It humbly seeks the friendship of
God -- James 4:4-10
You have to choose: be
friends with the world or with God. You can't have it
both ways
Verse 5, New Living
translation: "What do you think the Scriptures mean
when they say that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed
within us, jealously longs for us to be faithful?
The blood of Jesus
makes it possible to be a friend of God. See also Hebrews
10:22.
It does not judge others -- James
4:11-12
When we judge others,
we're making ourselves equal to God.
Our job is not to
interpret the law, but to obey it.
It is not presumptuous -- James
4:13-17
We have forgotten the
truth behind the saying "If the Good Lord's willing,
and the creek don't rise."
Our society stresses
the importance of independence and self-determination.
Faith understand just how insignificant we and our puny
plans are when compared to the majesty of God.
Read Job 38:1-4
What does faith look like?
part 6
Background from the NT: James 5
Memory Verse: The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much. -- James 5:16b
It stands against corruption and
unrighteousness -- James 5:1-6
A stark warning of
things to come for those whose treasure is their riches
A reminder that God
hears the cries of innocent victims
It stands in support of those who
faithfully endure -- James 5:7-11
Another reference to
the Harvest Principle, chapter 3, verse 18
Repeating the themes of
chapter 1, verses 2-4
"The end of the
Lord" is marked by His mercy
It is linked with prayer -- James
5:13-18
In case of troubles,
PRAY
In case of sickness,
PRAY
In case of sin, PRAY
When your brook dries
up, PRAY (refer to 1st Kings 17)
Copyright 2003 Leon V. Smith. All rights
reserved.
