<p> WINTER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2017-2018 THEME – GENUINE FAITH IS EVIDENCED BY OUR ACTIONS UNIT III – GODLY FAITH </p><p>“JAMES TEACHES THAT OUR ACTIONS AND OUR WORKS DEMONSTRATE OUR CHRISTIANITY”</p><p>Sunday School Lesson X – February 4, 2018 Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher Lesson Text: James 2:14-26 (NLT) Required Reading: James 2:1-26 (NLT) Motto Text: James 2:17 (NLT), “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”</p><p>Reliable Resources: Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Libronix Electronic Library; The Outline Bible; Precepts for Living; Nelson Study Bible; Visualized Bible by Tyndale; Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament; Children’s Ministry Resource Bible Notes; George Brooks Preaching Commentary INTRODUCTION: Let us begin our lesson from James with a Scholarly Note concerning its background by Dr. John MacArthur. “James, like all of the general epistles except Hebrews, is named after its author (v. 1)…James wrote with the authority of one who had personally seen the resurrected Christ (I Cor. 15:7), who was recognized as an associate of the apostles (Gal. 1:19), and who was the leader of the Jerusalem church. James most likely, wrote this epistle to believers scattered (1:1) as a result of the unrest recorded in Acts 12 (in A.D. 44). There is no mention of the Council of Jerusalem described in Acts 15 (A.D. 49), which would be expected if that council had already taken place. Therefore, James can be reliably dated about A.D. 44-49, making it the earliest written book of the NT canon.” Beloved, today’s lesson for some is like entering a “Twilight Zone.” That is, it is hard to determine the real personality of their Christianity. Some days, you meet this congenial person who makes you see Jesus Christ in their daily activities, but on other days you meet someone who reminds you of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” on a late show. James declares to us in the lesson verses that “faith without works is dead.” Or simply in the words of our title today, “James Teaches That Our Actions and Our Words Demonstrate Our Christianity.” Anticipated Power Points:  Faith without Works is Worthless. James 2:14-17  Faith without Works is Wicked. James 2:18-19  Faith with Corresponding Works is Wise. James 2:20-26 LESSON OUTLINE</p><p>I. Faith without Works is Worthless. James 2:14-17 Paul’s teachings in Ephesians 2:8-10 walk parallel to James’ teachings in these verses. We are saved by grace through faith, which demonstrates its worth by worthy actions! The activity of true faith is transformed from Heart to Head to Hand! As a believer, I can’t say I have faith in my heart and no correlating works through my hands.</p><p>Pastor George Brooks declares in his commentary on James, “It has been suggested that there really is no conflict between faith and works. In the Christian life they go together like inhaling and exhaling. Faith is taking the Gospel in; works is taking the Gospel out. Actually, what James is saying is, you cannot have one without the other…The word ‘believe’ comes from two words, ‘be’ and ‘live’. Faith helps us to ‘be’ spiritually. But after we receive life, it is to find expression in Christian works and deeds…” Finally, Brooks advocates: “According to the teachings of James, any person who attempts to live a life of faith without the appropriate works is worthless!” Beloved, how cheap is your talk? How worthy is your walk? Remember Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”</p><p>II. Faith without Works is Wicked. James 2:18-19 To the total shock of some complacent church folk, demons have faith but no corresponding actions unto salvation. They also practice great emotion without repentance. Paraphrasing Dr. Warren Wiersbe: A. Demons believe in the deity and Sonship of Christ! In Mark 3:11-12, they recognized His Sonship and bowed before Him. B. Demons believe in a literal Hell and that Jesus is the Judge. Luke 8:31 tells us, “And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.” (Begging not to be sent to Hell). (Read Mark 5:1-13). C. Demons believe and even show emotions concerning the Person of Jesus Christ. vs. 19 (That’s more than a lot of church goers.) D. Demands on a man are greater than intellect and emotion. vs. 18 True faith that brings salvation rises above emotional activity and simple intellectual reasoning. It receives the life of Christ by faith and reveals the life of Christ by its words, actions or deeds. Remember Ephesians 2:10.</p><p>III. Faith with Corresponding Works is Wise. James 2:20-26 This is the real faith that brings about actions that demonstrate true salvation and Christian maturity. A. It is centered in the Word of Truth. James 1:18, 21 B. It is seen in our response to the Word of Truth; revealed in Abraham’s actions (Gen. 22:1-14; Heb. 11:17-19). Illustrated in the life of Rahab. vss. 21-25; Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31 C. It is seized in the believer’s whole person and fully acted upon or literally documented by our doing (II Cor. 13:5).</p><p>CLOSING: Beloved we, like Abraham and Rahab, should demonstrate wise faith in order to have blessed assurance of our redemption in Christ. If you have any doubts about your faith, Dr. Wiersbe offers a checklist to examine our hearts. We should be able to answer affirmatively to the following questions: “1. Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and God? 2. Have I a true understanding of the Gospel,that Christ died and rose again for my sins? 3. Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin still and enjoy it? 4. Do I have a desire to share Christ with others or am I ashamed? 5. Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?” Remember: “Our actions more than our words demonstrate our Christian maturity.” So as we reflect beloved, let us remember: “James Teaches that Our Actions and our Words Demonstrate our Christianity.” Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite City, LA Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 Phone: (504) 486-7876 Website: www.thestudyhour.com TV Broadcast: WHNO TV-20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. LOOKING AHEAD: February 11, 2018 James 3:1-12 Please join us each Wednesday noon at Bibleway where Pastor Davis teaches the Sunday School lesson.</p>