True Religion - Week 2: "Faith Without Works Is Dead"

Today, we will continue our sermon series, "True Religion: Lessons for the Church from James." 

And this series is seeking to answer a critical question, not only about what true religion is all about, but also: 

How Do We Define What It Means To Be A Christian?

This series on the Book of James will serve as a guide to the essentials of being a Jesus follower in our current culture.  And it couldn't be a more timely series of lessons, as you might imagine. 

Today: Faith Without Works Is Dead 

What has Christianity Ever Done For Us? 

A list of things that matter… 

Human rights - Abolitionist Movement, Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights

Education - Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc., were all founded as Christian universities. 

Medicine - Founded Hospitals and hospital systems. 

Art - Some of the world's greatest works of art are grounded in Christian thought. 

So why does Christianity have such a bad rap in our current culture?

What has Christianity been bringing to the table lately?

    Tee Shirts
    Bad Movies 
    Mediocre Music 
    Christian Nationalism
    Terrible Billboards

    Colleges that revise history and promote division

It lost the plot—and became enamored by the Empire

Became a navel-gazing kind of club for the few. 

But despite all of this, there are still communities of faith striving to do better.  

And our passage from James today offers us a challenge to keep going. 

TRUE RELIGION PUTS FAITH INTO PRACTICE

James 2:1-10, 14-17

A recap of how we get to this passage—James lays down the law. The "Royal Law"

An explanation of the “Royal Law” - something familiar to us. 

James 2:1-10

1 My brothers and sisters, do not claim the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory while showing partiality. 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here in a good place, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit by my footstool,” 

4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 

6 But you have dishonored the poor person. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into the courts? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10. Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has to be accountable for all of it.

Offering up platitudes isn’t helpful. “Thoughts and Prayers” 

The difference between legalism and justice - “Mercy triumphs.”

James uses a harsh word: inaction is faithlessness. Belief without works is not faith; conviction without action is emptiness. 

Questions We Need To Ask 

1. How does my faith inform the way I live?

2. What evidence is there that my faith has been put into practice?

3. How can I show my faith through my actions?

It’s time for us to live bigger than the expectations of our culture. 

TRUE RELIGION PUTS FAITH INTO PRACTICE