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[0:00] Genesis 22, verses 1-19, this is God's Word. Sometime later, God tested Abraham.

[0:10] ! He said to him, Abraham, here I am, he replied.! Then God said, take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.

[0:24] Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. Early the next morning, Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.

[0:37] When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.

[0:51] We will worship and then we will come back to you. Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. And he himself carried the fire and the knife.

[1:03] As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, Father? Yes, my son, Abraham replied. The fire and wood are here, Isaac said.

[1:14] But where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son. And the two of them went on together.

[1:26] When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

[1:40] But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, Abraham, Abraham, here I am, he replied. Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said.

[1:51] Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns.

[2:03] He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place the Lord will provide. And to this day it is said on the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.

[2:16] The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, I swear by myself declares the Lord that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.

[2:35] Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me. Then Abraham returned to his servants and they set off together for Beersheba.

[2:49] And Abraham stayed in Beersheba. James 2 beginning in verse 14. What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?

[3:04] Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

[3:20] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, you have faith, I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.

[3:33] You believe that there is one God. Good. Even the demons believe that and shudder. You foolish man. Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

[3:49] You see that his faith and his actions were working together and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.

[4:03] And he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction.

[4:20] As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James, the brother of our Lord, is convinced that not all faith is the kind that saves.

[4:38] Think if James could come back and visit all the churches in America today. And he would hear them, some of them reciting the Apostles' Creed, I believe.

[4:54] God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit. He would hear them praying some of these churches. The Lord's Prayer, calling upon God as our Father in Heaven.

[5:08] He would hear them singing the hymns of faith that profess Christ as their Savior. Listening to sermons from God's Word. And then he would follow each one home for a month.

[5:21] And just watch how they live and see how things go at the home. How children speak to each other. How they speak to their parents. How they speak about their parents when they're at school.

[5:32] What happens in private. What happens at work. What happens in recreation. And he follows each one throughout the day, throughout the month.

[5:48] Watches how you spend your money. How you spend your time. What you do with the Bible. What you do with prayer. With the commands of God.

[5:59] With your sins. I think he would be amazed at the numbers of people. Who claim to have faith in Jesus Christ. But do not have a life that in any way.

[6:10] Backs up that claim. Claims to be a disciple of Jesus. A follower of Jesus. But do not have a life that Monday through Sunday. Is obeying the words of Christ.

[6:25] Believing the teachings. And obeying the teachings of Christ. I think he would return to those churches. And ask. Has everyone stopped?

[6:38] Or have you stopped reading the Bible? Is anyone reading my letter? Because his letter speaks specifically to this very thing.

[6:48] About people who claim to have faith in Christ. But whose lives deny it. They don't have the deeds to show it. Well, James believes as much as the Apostle Paul.

[7:04] That salvation is by faith alone. More on that perhaps next week. But James is concerned to show. That the only kind of faith that does save us.

[7:15] Is the kind that works. It's a faith that does not remain. All by itself. But it goes on. To produce. The good deeds.

[7:26] Of a holy life. James would stand in every pulpit in America. And say, don't be deceived, my friends. Don't be tricked.

[7:37] No one has ever been saved. By a faith that does not produce. A holy life. Now that's his thesis. And he starts off.

[7:47] And introduces this whole discussion. From verse 14 of chapter 2. To the end of the chapter. With a question. That's both very practical. And very important. What good is it?

[7:59] My brothers. If a man claims to have faith. But has no deeds. Can such faith. Save him. And he's answered his own question already.

[8:09] As in what we saw last week. With a resounding no. Such faith is dead. In fact. It's like the demons. And it's useless. It's good for nothing.

[8:21] It will not. And cannot save you. So the question. That James is making us. Ask ourselves. Is not. Do I have faith? Do I claim to have faith?

[8:32] But rather. Do I have the kind of faith. That saves? We must be sure. That we've got the right kind. Now. How can I know that? Since after all.

[8:43] Faith is invisible. And we gave the illustration last week. Well. The wind is invisible too. You can't see the wind. But you can surely see the effects. Our team went down to.

[8:55] To Lake Shore Mississippi. Yesterday. And as they're waking up this morning. To the light. They are still able to see. What the wind did.

[9:06] They'll see trees that have been topped. And they'll see the wreckages. That's even yet left. From what the wind did. Though no one ever saw the wind. That we call Katrina.

[9:18] So it is with faith. Faith. You don't see. Saving faith. But you always see. What it produces. It always produces holiness.

[9:29] Deeds of love. And obedience. To God's law. So. James gave us. Two examples. Of dead faith. We looked at them last week. We'll look at two examples. Of living faith.

[9:40] The two examples. Of dead faith. Were that armchair. Philanthropist. Who just. Talks about. How much he loves you. And how much he wishes you well. But though you have no food. And no clothes.

[9:51] He does nothing. About your physical need. And James questions. What good is it? Is that saving faith? Absolutely not. But. There are other people. Who might say. Well I.

[10:01] I have a very orthodox faith. I believe all the right doctrines. And James says. Gives us the example. Secondly. Of. The demons faith. They too. Are monotheists.

[10:12] They too. Believe. That there's one God. They too. Believe. That Jesus is God's son. And that. A day of judgment. Is coming. And only those. Who are found in Christ. Will be saved. They believe Jesus. Died on the cross.

[10:22] All these things. But. Is it saving faith? No. So those were the two. Examples. Of dead faith. And he's still. Talking to the man.

[10:34] Claiming to have faith. But who has no deeds. To back it up. And he says. In verse 20. You foolish man. The word there is for empty. Your claim is more full of air.

[10:47] Than it is of any substance. You foolish man. Do you want evidence. That faith without deeds. Is useless.

[10:58] Do you really want to know. You see. Here's the difference in here. Some people. Just ask questions. Just to. To argue. And then there's other people. Who ask questions. Because they want to know.

[11:08] And James is putting it to him. Do you really want. To know. Because if you do. There's plenty of evidence. No shortage on evidence. And proof.

[11:20] And he. Now brings. As is evidence. Two examples. Of living faith. Abraham. And Rahab. And in both. He's going to show us. That saving faith.

[11:31] Always goes on. To produce good deeds. Of holiness. Now. It's only fitting. If James is going to talk. About faith.

[11:42] That he should talk about. The father. Of the faithful. That would be Abraham. And that's really the translation. Or that the word used here. Is. Was not our. Verse 21.

[11:53] Was not our ancestor. Abraham. Or our father. Abraham. And you see. Abraham is not only. The father of ethnic Israel. It's not only. That all Jews. Trace their physical lineage.

[12:04] Back to their. Father. Their ancestor. Abraham. But it's also true. That Abraham. Is the father. Of all who believe. Jew. Or Gentile. Galatians 3.

[12:15] And verse 7. Those who believe. Are children of Abraham. So if. He's going to talk. About faith. He's going to talk. About the father. Of believers. Abraham.

[12:28] And notice. What he says. About him. In verse 21. Through 23. Was not our ancestor. Abraham. Considered righteous.

[12:38] For what he did. When he offered. His son Isaac. On the altar. You see then. You see that his faith. And his actions. Were working together. And his faith.

[12:48] Was made complete. By what he did. And the scripture. Was fulfilled. That says. Abraham believed God. And it was credited. To him. As righteousness.

[12:59] Abraham lived. A long life. Full of all sorts. Of events. And James. Just selects. Two. Two events. In the life.

[13:09] Of Abraham. That will demonstrate. To us. His faith. The first. Is Genesis 15. You might want. To hold your place. Here. And turn back. To Genesis 15. He's going to quote.

[13:21] From this very chapter. Later. Where James. James does quote. There in verse 23. That we just. Read. He's going to quote. He quotes.

[13:32] Genesis 15. And verse 6. So. Let's look at this. This event. Genesis 15. Abraham's about. 75 years old. Remember how God.

[13:43] Had called him. To leave his country. And to go to a land. That he would show him. God would show him. Abraham obeyed. And went. Not knowing. Where he was going. Just that God says.

[13:54] He'll lead me to a land. That he would give. To me. And my descendants. And God also promised. That he would make him. The father of a great nation. That he would have. Many descendants. So that's the promise.

[14:07] Now the name. Abram means. Exalted father. But there was a problem though. He was no father. Because he had no children.

[14:19] And. He and Sarah. His wife. Were not. Getting any younger. She was barren. And so get the picture. Here's. Abraham.

[14:29] And Sarah. Perhaps his servants. His flocks. And they're traveling. And along the path. They meet up with. Many other. Strangers.

[14:41] Who stop in. Say hello. I'm. So and so. Mephibosheth. Who are you? Well I'm Abraham. Oh. Exalted father. How many children do you have?

[14:53] Oh I don't have any yet. Oh you don't. Where are you going? Well I don't know. But God is leading me. Here's a man who's living by faith.

[15:03] You see. Abraham. And he doesn't have. One child. Much less. Many descendants. Later on.

[15:15] His name will be changed. To Abraham. Which means father of many. And. That would only make introductions. Even more embarrassing. Okay.

[15:25] So the father of many. Is really. The father of none. So his faith. Was on trial. All the time. He is a man of faith. That's held out.

[15:37] As the example. For us. Now here in. In Genesis 15. God says to Abraham. Do not be afraid. Abram. I am your shield.

[15:48] Your very great reward. But Abram said. Okay God. You're going to reward me. Oh sovereign Lord. What can you give me. Since I remain childless. And the one.

[15:58] Who will inherit my state. Is Eliezer of Damascus. Whatever you give to me. Lord. As an inheritance. I'm going to have to pass on. To someone. That's not really my son. I'll just claim.

[16:09] My servant. For. My heir. You have given me. No children. He says. So a servant in my household. Will be my heir. The Lord responded. This man.

[16:20] Will not be your heir. But a son. Coming from your own body. Will be your heir. And it was night time. And so the Lord. Took him out. Under.

[16:31] The stars. And he says. Look up at the heavens. And count the stars. If you can. Count them. So shall. Your offspring.

[16:42] Be. Think of that verse. The next time. You're out at night. And it's a clear night. And you're looking up. At the stars. Remember Abraham. With the Lord saying. So shall.

[16:53] Your offspring be. Now. That shows us. That though Abraham. Is getting older. And Sarah. Is getting older. And is still bearing. Still barren. God is not backing down. From his promise.

[17:05] Your offspring. Will be as countless. As the stars. And his response. Is found in verse six. Abraham. Believed the Lord. And he. God. Credited it to him.

[17:17] As righteousness. Now we're going to see. How James makes use of this verse. Quoting it in his letter. But notice here. How this verse speaks of. Abram's faith.

[17:29] He believed. The Lord. You say. What about his deeds? Because James is talking. All about Abram's deeds. Well. There are no deeds. Here. Under the stars.

[17:40] That night. There was nothing to do. But to believe. There was no command. Given here. Just to promise. You will have.

[17:52] Descendants. As many as the stars. In heaven. Would he. Or wouldn't he take God. At his word. That's the issue. Nothing more. And the response. Was.

[18:03] Abram. Believe the Lord. He. He believed. God is no liar. That he would keep. His promise. And the Lord. Was so pleased. That he counted it. To him. He credited it. To him. As righteousness.

[18:15] Paul says. About. Abram. That he did not. Waver. Through unbelief. Romans 4. But. He did not. Waver. Through unbelief. Regarding the promise.

[18:25] Of God. Being fully. Persuaded. That God. Had power. To do. What he had. Promised. That is why. It was credited. To him. As righteousness.

[18:38] You know. Saving faith. At its inception. Is like. This scene. With Abram. Underneath. The starry vault. Sinner friend. You stand.

[18:48] Under the. The. The vault. Of God's promises. And they're all. Shining down. Upon you. And God's. Promising you. Not. Children.

[18:58] But salvation. That's the picture. Christ. Has lived. Christ. Has. Lived. The perfect life. We couldn't. He's died. The atoning death. In our place. He.

[19:09] Has been. Raised from the dead. He's exalted. At the right hand. And he. Will save. Anyone. Who comes. To him. Believe. On the Lord. Jesus Christ. Listen.

[19:20] To each. Star. Of promise. As it speaks. To you. Come. To me. And I will. Give you rest. Whoever. Comes. To me. I will.

[19:30] Never. Drive. Away. Whoever. Believes. In me. Will not. Perish. But will. Have. Eternal. Life. You see.

[19:42] The promises. Are saying. Jesus. Is willing. To save you. He is. Willing. To save you. He is. Willing. Doubt. No more. Are you. Willing. To have him.

[19:54] Will you. Believe. That he's. Willing. To have you. There's nothing. To do. At this moment. But to believe. The promise. That he's making. You don't have to walk an aisle.

[20:04] You don't have to raise your hand. You don't have to clean yourself up. You don't have to change your ways. That will come later. But here and now. Standing under the promise. Of the gospel.

[20:15] There is nothing for you to do. But to believe him. To entrust the entirety. Of yourself. Into his hands. To say. Here I am. Lord. Save me. To fall into his hands.

[20:28] God. Be merciful. To me. A sinner. For Jesus sake. You promised. You'd save all. Who come to you. Through him. I come. I believe. That's saving faith.

[20:40] And wherever God sees it. He credits the righteousness. Of his own perfect son. To their account. But now. This same faith. If it's the real thing. Will not remain alone. It was alone that night.

[20:51] Under the stars. And I'm not suggesting. That Abram. Never believed before then. I'm simply saying. That that night. There was nothing to do. But to believe. But if it's real faith.

[21:02] That believes. When there's nothing. But the naked promise. That faith. Will go on. To produce. A holy life. Of obedience. And that's what we see.

[21:13] In the life of Abram. And that's what. James is so encouraged. About his example. It's undeniable. There were many. Deeds of faith. That Abram did.

[21:24] He could have selected. So many of them. Instead. He goes to. Perhaps the greatest. Demonstration. Of his faith. In deeds. And that's Genesis 22. The passage. That was read.

[21:34] For us. We fast forward. 30 to 40 years. After. Believing. God. Under that. Starry night.

[21:45] Isaac. The son of. Promise. Has been born. He's grown up. And Abraham. Is looking. To see. The promises. Fulfilled. In his son. Isaac.

[21:56] As God has said. It's through him. That he will. Truly become. Abraham. The father. Of many. And verse. One says. Sometime later. God tested.

[22:07] Abraham. In other words. He's going to. Test his faith. You stood. Underneath. The stars. And said. You believe. I believe. Now. He's going to. Test that faith.

[22:17] He's going to. Prove it. To see. What kind. It is. So. He says. Abraham. Father. Of many. Take your son. Your only son.

[22:29] Isaac. Whom you love. And go to the region. Of Moriah. Sacrifice him. There is a burnt offering. On one of the mountains. That I will tell you about. Now.

[22:39] We're in a different setting. There is now. Something. For faith. To do. There's a command. To obey. Isn't there? And what a command. It is. Sacrifice.

[22:50] Your one. And only. Son. That you love. So. Faith. Is no longer. Just believing. The promises. Faith. Is now. In the presence.

[23:00] Of a commandment. Also. Obeying. And so. Early. The next morning. Abram's up. And he's off. And he. Goes to the place.

[23:12] He was told to go. And led to go. By God. And he puts the wood. On the altar. That he makes. And ties his son. To the altar. And raises the knife. To bring it down.

[23:23] And God stops. His hand. The angel saying. That's it. Abram. Abrams. Stop. Don't do any harm. To the boy. Now I know.

[23:34] That you fear. Me. And so. The ram. Was sacrificed. In his place. And Abraham. Was told. Because you've done this. Not withheld your son.

[23:44] Your only son. I will surely bless you. And make your descendants. As numerous. As the stars. In the sky. And the sand. On the seashore. Because. You. Have. Obeyed me.

[23:55] Now this is quite. An amazing feat. Of obedience. This is a. James is talking about. Deeds. Good deeds. Deeds. Of obedience. What a deed. This was. A deed.

[24:06] Of all deeds. And he says. Was not our. Ancestor. Abraham. Considered. Righteous. For what he did. When he offered. His son.

[24:16] Isaac. On the altar. You see. That his faith. And his actions. Were working together. And his faith. Was made complete. By what he did. Last week. We saw. In verse 17.

[24:26] Of James. 2. That faith. By itself. If it's not. Accompanied. By deeds. And actions. Is useless. Abraham's faith. Was alone.

[24:37] Under the starry night. But. It went on. And. Worked together. With his deeds. And his actions. As God gave commandments. He.

[24:47] By faith. Obeyed them. And faith. Was made complete. By what it did. By what he did. In other words. Faith is incomplete. Until it leads you.

[24:58] To obey God. Until it leads you. To that end. Goal. That faith. Leads to. The deeds. Of obedience. So James.

[25:09] Is telling us. As we turn back. To. James. Words. To us. He's telling us. That what you just read. In Genesis. 22. Is simply.

[25:20] Abraham's. Faith. In action. Faith. In actions. Working together. This amazing. Deed of obedience. Is the product.

[25:30] Of faith. Just turn a page. Or two. Forward in your Bible. To Hebrews 11. And notice. Again. The. The commentary. On this. The New Testament.

[25:42] Commentary. On this. Deed. That Abraham. Did. Hebrews 11. Verses 7. Through 19. By faith. Those first two words.

[25:52] Are all important. And you find them. Twenty some times. In this chapter. By faith. Abraham. When God tested him. Offered Isaac. As a sacrifice. And he who had received.

[26:04] The promises. Was about. To sacrifice. His one. And only son. Even though. God had said to him. It is through. Isaac. That your offspring. Your descendants.

[26:14] Will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned. That God. Could raise the dead. And figuratively. Speaking. He did receive. Isaac. Back. From the dead.

[26:27] This. Passage. Again. Tells us. That faith. Was the driving. Force. Behind. What he did. Take away. Faith. And he never.

[26:38] Would have done this. In a million years. But. Add faith. And it. Produced. The power. To enable. Abraham. To sacrifice.

[26:48] His son. Even though. He knew. That this was. The son of promise. Through whom. He would have. Many descendants. So. Abraham. Stands. Before the promise. And before. The command.

[26:59] Of God. And what. Does faith. Do? Faith. Believes. And obeys. Faith. Says. The God. Who promised. To give me. An offspring. Through this. Son. Isaac.

[27:09] Has the power. If I. If he tells me. To kill him. He has the power. Then to raise him. From the dead. And by the way. He was going to burn him. To ashes.

[27:21] That's what he was told to do. To offer him. As a burnt offering. Hence the wood. After he killed him. He would burn him. To absolutely ashes. But he believed. That God was able.

[27:32] To raise him. From ashes. Back to life. Human health. And that from his. Loins. Would come. A son. And sons. And many sons.

[27:43] And descendants. That would. One day. Be like the stars. Of heaven. Do you see his faith? You must.

[27:53] That's the. That's the thing. That Hebrews 11. Is highlighting. In this whole story. It was by faith. That Abraham. Offered his son. And so we ask.

[28:09] I think this is probably. One of the hardest commandments. I. That have ever been given. To a man. To obey. And we would say. What's strong enough. To enable Abraham.

[28:21] To sacrifice his son. What is strong enough. To overcome. His own affection. For his. One and only son. The answer is faith. By faith.

[28:32] He offered him. To God. And. Brothers and sisters. Faith is strong enough. To enable you. To obey. Any command. That God gives you. Faith is powerful.

[28:43] Stuff. Faith. Moves mountains. Faith. Walks on water. Faith. Overcomes. The world. Faith.

[28:54] Kills. Sin. Faith. Sacrifices. Sons. Faith. Enables. Us. To obey. And it. Causes. Us. To do. Things.

[29:04] That we. Otherwise. Never. Could do. Or ever. Would do. Do you. Realize. Faith. Will. Enable. You. To consider. It. All. Joy.

[29:15] When you. Face. Trials. Of many. Kinds. You. Never. Would. Do that. But. Because. Of faith. You. Do. Faith. Enables.

[29:25] You. To. Persevere. Under trial. And to. Keep. Going. Faith. Enables. You. To. Say. No. To. Temptation. It's. Faith.

[29:35] That. Gives. The. Power. To. Keep. A. Tight. Rain. On. Your. Tongue. James. Says. To. Love. Others. As. Ourselves. To. Feed. And. Clothe. The. Hungry. And. The. Poor. It's. Faith. That.

[29:45] Enables. Us. To. Keep. Ourselves. From. Being. Polluted. By. The. World. It's. Faith. That. Will. Move. Us. To. Obey. All. The. Commandments. Of. God. No. Matter. How. Costly. They. Are. To. Us.

[29:56] The. Power. Of. Faith. Do you. Remember. When. We. Came. To. Chapter. Two. Of. James. That. We. Noted. Holy.

[30:14] Life. Looks. Like. Will. Be. Found. In. The. The. Law. Of. God. The. Law. Of. God. Defines. The. Holy. Life. Whether. It's. Summarized. In. The. Ten. Commandments. Or. Summarized. Even.

[30:24] Further. In. The. Royal. Law. To. Love. Your. Neighbor. As. Yourself. This. Is. The. Holiness. That. James. Is. Urging. Us. To. And. The.

[30:44] The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. The. Leads.

[30:54] Us. To. Holy. Living. So. Faith. Is. Not. Something. Dead. That's. What. James. Is. Saying. It's. A. Living. Dynamic. Principle. That. Actually. Moves. Us. To. Live. Holy. Lives.

[31:05] It's. So. Powerful. That. We'll. Do. Things. That. We. Otherwise. Never. Would. Do. So. I. Must. Ask. You. What. Is. There. About. Your. Life. That. Can. Only. Be. Explained. By. A.

[31:15] Living. Faith. You. Would. Never. Do. That. If. You. Did. Not. Have. Faith. I. Believe. That.

[31:27] Many. Of. You. Have. Already. Done. Something. This. Morning. That. You. Never. Would. Do. That. When. You. Walk. By. The. Offering. Box. Some. Of. You. Put. Your. Hard. Earned. Money. In.

[31:38] Economic. Tough. Times. Into. That. Box. And. You. Didn't. Do. It. Grudgingly. You. Didn't. Do. It. Of. Necessity. You. Did. It. Cheerfully. And. Even.

[31:49] Sacrificially. Giving. Up. Some. Things. That. You. Could. Have. Bought. For. Yourselves. Now. What. Caused. You. To. Do. Such. A. Deed. Is. That. Well.

[32:00] You. Have. Faith. You. Believe. That. There. Is. A. God. And. You. Count. Money. Given. To. Him. And. His. Cause. And. His. Kingdom. Not.

[32:10] As. Money. Down. The. Tubes. But. As. The. Best. Spent. Money. Of. You.

[32:22] To. See. A. Whole. Nother. World. That. You. Lay. Up. Treasures. For. That. World. It's. All. Done. Because.

[32:32] Of. Faith. That. That. Sees. God. For. Who. He. Is. And. What. He. Said. And. What. He's. Done. So. You. Live. Differently. Faith. Sees.

[32:43] Something. That. Powerfully. Compels. Us. To. No. Longer. Live. For. Ourselves. But. For. Him. Who. Died. And. Rose. Again. What. Else. Does. Faith. Move. Us. To. Do. That.

[32:53] We. Otherwise. Wouldn't. Do. Well. Some. Of. You. Faith. Is. Enabling. You. To. Endure. Such. Affliction. That. Many. Here. Know. Nothing. About. And. You're. Doing. It. Not. Complaining. But.

[33:04] Joyfully. Embracing. Your. Situation. As. God's. Assignment. For. You. In. This. Life. To. Bring. Glory. To. Him. To. Draw. Attention. To. Him. How. Does. That. Woman.

[33:14] How. Does. That. Man. Go. On. With. Joy. And. Peace. And. Love. In. Their. Hearts. With. A. Good. Word. For. Their. God. When. Their. Life. Is. So. Hard. Oh. What.

[33:25] A. God. She. What.

[33:37] Causes. You. To. To. To. Persevere. In. Your. Child. It's. Faith. This. Is. The. Central. Peace. In. James. Letter. He's. Showing. Us. The. Power. Of. Faith. With.

[33:49] You. It's. Not. A. Son. That. You're. To. Take. The. Knife. To. But. Some. Cherished. Sin. You. To. Put. It. To. Death. You're. To. Kill. It.

[34:00] You're. To. Drain. The. Life. Blood. Out. Of. It. You're. Not. To. Make. Any. Provision. For. It. And. Faith. Is. Enabling. Some. Of. You. To. Cut. Off. Right. Hands. Things.

[34:10] As. Precious. As. Your. Right. Hand. Things. As. Precious. As. Your. Right. Foot. Plucking. Out. Things. As. Precious. As. Your. Right. I. Faith. The. Power. Of. Faith.

[34:21] Bringing. The. Knife. To. Discrimination. Favoritism. Such. As. He. Speaks. Of. Here. In. Chapter. Two. Selfishness. Pride. Lust.

[34:31] Revenge. Anger. Lack. Of. Self. Control. Yes. James. Is. Laying. Before. Us. The. Power. Of. Faith. And. He. Would. Tell. Us. It. Is. Powerful.

[34:42] Because. It. Lays. Hold. Of. The. God. Of. Omnipotence. Who. Acts. On. Behalf. Of. Those. Who. Wait. For. Him. So. This. Command. Was. A. Test. Of.

[34:52] Abraham's. Faith. Wasn't. It. Have. You. Thought. About. That. In. Terms. Of. God's. Commandments. For. You. That. Every. Command. Is. A. Test. Of. Your. Faith. It.

[35:02] Is. Going. To. Show. Us. What. Kind. Of. Faith. Does. He. Have. He. Claims. To. Have. Faith. But. The. Commands. Will. Test. That. Faith. And. Will. Give. You. Opportunity.

[35:13] To. Prove. Its. Genuineness. Do. You. Have. The. Kind. Of. Faith. That. Produces. Good. Deeds. That. Obeys. Because. Of. What. Your. Faith. Sees.

[35:23] In. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. And. What. He's. Done. For. You. Or. Do. You. Have. A. Faith. That. Picks. And. Chooses. What. You. Will. Obey. And. What. You. Won't. And. So. Ends. Up. Being.

[35:33] A. Breaker. Of. The. Whole. Law. James. 2. 10. No. Saving. Faith. Enables. You. To. Obey. All. God's. Commandments. Even. The. Hardest. Ones. Was.

[35:43] Not. Abraham. Our. Father. The. Example. Of. That. James. Would. Tell. Us. That. Faith. Not. Only. Receives. Christ. Righteousness. To. Our.

[35:54] Account. In. Heaven. And. That. Is. True. Paul. Emphasizes. That. In. His. Letter. To. The. Romans. That. That. Faith. Brings. The. Righteousness. Of. Jesus. To. My. Account. In. Heaven. How.

[36:04] Am. I. Saved. It's. Not. By. My. Deeds. It's. By. The. Deeds. Of. Jesus. Received. By. Faith. Such. That. His. Righteousness. Is. Put. To. My. Account. But. Faith. Not. Only. Receives. Christ. Righteousness.

[36:15] To. Our. Account. Faith. Also. Receives. Christ. Sanctifying. Power. To. My. Heart. And. Life. It's. Faith. That. Looks. Away. To. Jesus. And. Finds.

[36:25] Grace. And. Strength. In. Him. To. Live. A. Holy. Life. Or. The. Power. Of. Faith. But. Should. We. Expect. Anything. Different. Living. Faith. Unites.

[36:35] Us. To. Who? To. A. Living. Christ. Like. A. Branch. Is. United. To. A. Vine. Well. Friends. The. Vine. We're. United. To. The.

[36:45] Vine. That. We. Are. Grafted. Into. Is. None. Other. Than. The. The. Living. Almighty. Lord. Jesus. Christ. Would. You. Not. Expect. A. Branch. That's. Plugged. Into. Him. To.

[36:56] Be. Bearing. Good. Fruit. Of. Course. And. That's. Why. James. Can. Say. Wherever. There's. True. Faith. In. Jesus. Christ. There. Will. Be. Good. Fruit. Good. Deeds. Why? Because. Faith. Unites.

[37:06] Us. To. Christ. And. Draws. From. Him. All. The. Sap. Of. Grace. And. Power. To. Live. A. Holy. Life. By. Looking. To. Him. By. Leaning. Upon.

[37:17] Him. That's. Faith. We. Then. Produce. The. Deeds. Of. Faith. So. Don't. Think. Of. Salvation. Here.

[37:27] Salvation. What. Does. It. Take. Faith. Is. Not. Enough. So. You. Got. To. Add. To. Faith. Your.

[37:37] Works. Your. Deeds. And. That. Equals. Salvation. Faith. Plus. My. Deeds. Equals. Salvation. No. That's. Not. What. James. Is. Saying. James.

[37:48] Is. Saying. Faith. In. Christ. Equals. Salvation. But. It's. Got. To. Be. The. Kind. Of. Faith. Okay. It. Can't. Be. Phony. Faith. Can't. Be. Dead. Faith. Can't.

[37:59] Be. Just. Professed. Faith. It's. Got. To. Be. The. Real. Thing. And. The. Way. You. Know. It's. The. Real. Thing. Is. That. It's. A. Life. Holy. Life. Producing.

[38:09] Faith. So. Those. Jews. That. Didn't. Believe. In. Jesus. And. They. Came. Claiming. That. Abraham. Was. Their. Father. Remember.

[38:19] John. Eight. Abraham. Is. Our. Father. Jesus. Was. Inferring. That. Satan. And. He. Will. Tell. Them. No. The. Devil. Is. Your. Father. But. They. Said. No. Abraham. Is. Our.

[38:30] Father. And. Jesus. Said. If. You. Were. Abraham's. Children. Then. You. Would. Do. The. Deeds. Abraham. Did. You're. Trying. To. Kill.

[38:40] Me. Abraham. Wouldn't. Have. Done. That. Abraham. Held. Nothing. Back. From. God. He. Obeyed. No. Matter. The. Cost. You.

[38:50] Can't. Claim. Abraham. As. Your. Father. Unless. You. Walk. In. The. Steps. Of. Your. Father. Abraham. And. So. James. Tells. Us. In. Verse. Twenty.

[39:00] Three. And. So. The. Scripture. Was. Fulfilled. It. Says. Abraham. God's. Friend. You.

[39:11] See. What. Faith. Does. Faith. Credits. To. Our. Account. Righteousness. The. New. Testament. Reveals. That. Righteousness. Is. None. Other. Than. The. Perfect. Life. Of. Jesus. His.

[39:22] Straight. A. Report. Card. He. Always. Obeyed. And. That. Report. Card. Is. Put. On. My. Account. His. Grades. On. My. Report. Card. Credited.

[39:32] To. Me. Yes. Abram. Believed. God. And. It. Was. Credited. To. Him. As. Righteousness. And. He.

[39:42] Was. Called. God's. Friend. Faith. Also. Brings. Me. Into. A. Restored. Relationship. With. God. By. Sin. I. Became. God's. Enemy. By.

[39:54] Faith. In. Jesus. I. Am. Restored. To. Becoming. God's. Friend. God's. Friend. Say. Wonderful.

[40:05] Thing. To. Have. Good. Friends. Wonderful. Thing. To. Have. God. As. A. Friend. But. That's. Not. What. James. Is. Saying. James. Is. Saying.

[40:16] God. Considers. You. His. Friend. It's. Not. Saying. That. You. Consider. God. Your. Friend. This. Is. Something. Even. Better. Wonderful. To. Have. God. Call.

[40:26] Me. Friend. Faith. In. Jesus. Brings. You. Right. Into. That. Relationship. Where. God. Considers. You. As. His. Friend. So.

[40:37] When. You. Read. Your. Bibles. You're. Reading. The. Love. Letters. Of. Your. Friend. Reading. The. Promises. Of. Your. Friend. The. One. Who. Counts. You. As. His. Friend. And. He's. Revealing.

[40:48] His. Heart. To. His. Friend. That. Was. Abraham. And. That's. Anyone. Who. Has. Faith. In. Jesus. Now. This. Verse. 23. The. Scripture. That.

[40:58] Was. Fulfilled. Is. Not. A. Verse. That's. Found. In. Genesis. 22. When. Abram. Offered. His. Son. Isaac. On. The. Altar. No. It's. A. Verse. That's. Found. Back. In. Chapter. 15. When.

[41:09] There. Was. Nothing. To. Do. But. To. Believe. That. He. Would. Have. An. Offspring. Like. The. Stars. Do. You. See. What. James. Is. Saying. James. Is. Saying. The. Faith. That. You. See. In. His.

[41:20] Deeds. Of. Offering. His. Son. Isaac. Is. The. Faith. That. He. Had. Before. It's. The. Same. Faith. That. He. Had. When. He. Stood. Under. The. Stars. And. Believed. And. It. Was. Credited.

[41:30] To. Him. Then. As. Righteousness. And. Now. This. Event. Of. Offering. His. Son. Is. Just. Another. Sign. Of. The. Faith. That. He's.

[41:40] Had. For. These. Many. Years. Same. Faith. In. The. One. Situation. When. There. Was. Nothing. But. A. Promise. Faith. Believing. Now. In. This.

[41:51] Situation. In. The. Face. Of. A. Command. It's. Faith. Obeying. But. The. Same. Faith. Because. It's. Not. A. Faith. That's. Alone. It.

[42:01] Comes. To. Verse. 24. And. Says. What's. True. Of. Abraham. Is. True. Universally. He. Makes. A. General. Principle. It. Works. The. Same. Way. For. Everyone. Verse. 24. You. See.

[42:12] That. That. A. Person. Is. Justified. By. What. He. Does. And. Not. By. Faith. Alone. Don't. Think. This. Was. A. Special. Option. For. Abram. No.

[42:22] This. This. Is. The. Way. It. Is. For. Anyone. Who. Becomes. A. God's. Friend. Who. Becomes. Justified. Right. With. God. Who. Gets. Righteousness. A. Righteous. Standing. Before.

[42:32] God. You. See. That. A. Person. Is. Justified. By. What. He. Does. And. Not. By. Faith. Alone. Not. By. A. Faith. That. Remains. Alone. Because. That. Faith. Cannot.

[42:43] Justify. Anyone. John. Calvin. Put. It. This. Way. Faith. Alone. Justifies. But. The. Faith. That. Justifies. Is.

[42:53] Never. Alone. And. That's. The. Point. James. Is. Making. Here. Justifying. Faith. Is. Always. Accompanied. By. Deeds.

[43:05] A. Person. Is. Justified. By. A. Doing. Faith. Not. An. Alone. Faith. By. A. Living. Faith. Not. A. Dead. One. By. A. Productive. Faith. Not. A. Useless. One. And.

[43:16] So. Though. Deeds. Are. Not. The. Ground. Of. Our. Justification. It's. Not. The. Reason. We. Are. Justified. It. Is. Nevertheless. The. Absolute. Proof. That. We. Are. Justified.

[43:27] I. Think. Rather. Than. Taking. The. Second. Example. We'll. Leave. It. For. Next. Week. It. Goes. From. Abram. To. Rahab. The. Prostitute. Wonderful. Lessons. For.

[43:38] Drawing. Upon. That. Example. To. Prove. The. Same. Point. Rather. Than. To. Get. In. The. Way. That. She. Demonstrated. Her. Her. Faith.

[43:50] Let. Me. Just. Conclude. And. Draw. Together. What. We've. Seen. This. Morning. What. Is. It. That. James. Is. Very. Much. In. Earnest. About. To. Say. To.

[44:00] Us. He's. Saying. Don't. Ever. Think. That. You'll. Be. Saved. By. A. Faith. That. Doesn't. Lead. To. A. Holy. Life. Abraham. Our. Father. Faith.

[44:17] So. Maybe. You've. Got. That. Kind. Of. Faith. That. Comes. To. Church. And. Professors. I. Belong. To. Jesus. Jesus. Belongs. To. Me.

[44:28] What. A. Friend. We. Have. In. Jesus. But. If. James. Or. Anyone. Else. Followed. You. Around. For. A. Month. They. Would. Say. I. Don't. See. Anything. Of. This. Jesus. Ruling. In. Their. Life.

[44:38] And. Directing. The. Way. They. Live. And. Their. Heart. Affections. And. I. Don't. See. It. Changing. The. Way. They. Deal.

[44:48] With. Their. Sins. They're. Not. Killing. Them. And. They're. Not. Confessing. Them. They're. Not. Forsaking. Them. They're. Just. Excusing. Them. They're. Just. Going. On. About. Them. James.

[44:59] Would. Let. Us. Know. There. Is. No. Salvation. Except. By. Faith. In. Jesus. Christ. And. It's. A. Faith. That. Always. Works. But. There's. Something.

[45:09] More. Here. And. It's. The. Kernel. Right. In. The. Center. Of. That. James. Is. Telling. Us. Something. About. Saving. Faith. That. We. Need. To. A. Hold. Of. He's. Telling.

[45:19] Is. How. Powerful. It. Is. It's. It's. Such. A. Powerful. Thing. That. It'll. It'll. It'll. Not. Let. You. Live. The. Same. Way. If. You. Really. See. This.

[45:30] God. Who. Speaks. In. His. Word. For. Who. He. Is. You. Won't. Be. The. Same. You. Can't. Live. The. Way. And. The. Hardest. Commands. That. God.

[45:40] Gives. You. In. His. Word. You. Obey. Because. This. Faith. Is. The. Driving. Force. To. Move. You. Do. See. Again. It's.

[45:50] Not. Like. James. Is. Saying. Well. Jesus. Must. Do. Some. And. You. Must. Do. Another. Part. If. You. Would. Be. Be. Saved. No. He. Even. The. Faith. That. We're. Talking. About. Even. These. Good. Deeds.

[46:00] That. James. Is. Talking. About. Are. Are. Produced. By. Faith. In. Christ. Faith. Is. Such. A. Powerful. Thing. That. It. Lays. Hold. Of. This. Omnipotent. Savior. Who. Pours.

[46:10] Out. His. Grace. In. Our. Lives. It's. His. Grace. Flowing. In. Us. Producing. These. Good. Deeds. So. Dear. Believers. Do you see it? Our sins.

[46:22] Our failures. Of. Faith. When we sin. It's a failure. Of. Faith. It's unbelief. At the bottom. All of our victories. Our triumphs.

[46:32] Of. Faith. It was faith. That moved Abraham. To offer his son. If you like a good read. Turn to. To Hebrews 11. And see what else.

[46:43] Faith moved people to do. You'll see a man. Building a boat. With no water in sight. You'll say. Wow. What is the power of faith? And you'll see a prostitute.

[46:55] In Jericho. Welcoming spies. From the enemy. Wow. Risking her life. What is the power of faith? And you must know.

[47:06] That that is the same power. That is enabling you. To persevere. In suffering. So we need our faith strengthened. Where do we go to get faith strengthened? Well we look at Christ. He's the object of faith.

[47:18] And it's from him. That faith grows. We look at his word. What he said to us. What he's promised us. What he said about himself. And faith grows. This powerful principle.

[47:30] Will enable you. To these deeds of faith. So whatever the trial. Look away to Christ. By faith. And you'll find all the power you need.

[47:43] To persevere under it. Whatever the command. Faith. In Christ. In Christ. Is such a powerful thing. That it will enable you.

[47:53] To be faithful. Even unto death. So. God has spoken to us. This morning. About faith. A faith that works. Now he's.

[48:04] He's waiting for our response. And so. Let's go to him. In prayer. Each one of you silently. Respond. He's. He said something to you. This morning. In his word. You respond to him.

[48:16] As we pray. And then I'll. Conclude. As. We've had an opportunity. To express our hearts. To God. Let's all pray silently. Oh Lord.

[48:27] We thank you. For your word. It exposes us. It shows us. What we are. It doesn't let us. Play games with you. And if some here. This morning.

[48:38] Have seen. That they have a dead faith. Keep them Lord. From thinking. That they need to add. To their dead faith. Some works. Rather show them. And lead them. To Christ.

[48:49] For a living faith. That will itself. Produce. These works. Works. That show. That indeed. We have. The real thing. And our father.

[49:01] We thank you. For showing us. The power of faith. We thank you. That there is. Such an object. Of faith. To move us. When we see him. When we lean upon him.

[49:12] That we become. Different people. Oh. Help us then. To fix our eyes. On Jesus. And to become people. Who. Whose lives are. Are littered.

[49:24] And cluttered. With all kinds of. Of fruits. The very likeness. Of our Lord Jesus. We ask it. For his praise. Amen.

[49:34]  Amen. Amen. Amen.