"The Believer And Behavior"
James 2:14-26

Introduction: Faith and works are mentioned together ten times in the thirteen verses of this paragraph with the emphasis being on their interrelationship. James insists that a living faith is a working faith. Our behavior indicates what kind of faith we have. James describes …

I. A Profitless Faith, vs. 14-20

A. The Assertion: An inoperative faith is useless, vs. 14-16.

B. The Amplification: Faith without works is barren, vs. 17-19.

C. The Appeal: We must understand the importance of a faith that works. Failure to hear and heed is the ultimate vanity, v. 20.

II. A Provable Faith, vs. 21-25

James illustrates the essential nature of a working faith by using two extreme examples. There was…

A. The Patriarch: Abraham, vs. 21-24

1. James describes the expression of Abraham’s faith, v. 21.

2. James describes the essence of Abraham’s faith, vs. 22-24.

B. The Prostitute: Rahab, vs. 25

1. She received the messengers.

2. She responded to the message.

III. A Productive Faith, v.26

A. The Analogy of Life, "...the body without the spirit is dead…"

B. The Application for Life, "...so faith without works is dead."

Conclusion: Faith Works! Saving faith is...

1. Profitable; It will bring you good and God glory.

2. Provable; The condition of the heart will be manifest in the life.

3. Productive; You will be a blessing.