LW 2916



INTRODUCTION – 7 MinutesGreeting & Welcome:Good Morning! As the children are being dismissed to Transformation Station, I encourage you to turn to our Scripture passage this morning found in James, chapter 2 as we continue our consideration of the Apostle James’ writings about the testing of our living faith, one that grows and matures – “All Day. Every Day.” – right where we live, where we work, where we study, and where we play.In our journey so far, the Apostle James has been giving us a picture of what the character and conduct of a mature follower of Jesus Christ looks like. And this morning, we’ll continue that journey.My name is John Reddy. I’m privileged to be one of the Pastors here at Redemption Hill Church. I am married to my bride, Teresa Reddy. We have three children – Karen, Alex, and Joe – all young adults now - which means that, as parents, we get all of the worries without any of the control that younger parents think that they have. Context of the Scripture:A number of years ago, Teresa and I went through a summer ritual that perhaps some of you may be familiar with. With excitement and some trepidation, we dropped our son Alex off at White Mountain Ranch. He was 8 or 9 years old that year. And this, Christian week-long overnight summer camp was a real highlight for him. In fact, he continued to go there for many years – eventually serving on staff for many summers.One of his favorite aspects of camp life was the “Canteen”. It was a place where we would put some money into his account and he could go and “shop” for some essentials. In Alex’s case, his essentials was as much ginger ale as he could possible buy and carry.You see, Alex was a bit “hyperactive” as a kid. Sugar, especially drinks with sugar, would kick his energy into overdrive. And so, our habit at home was to limit Alex to just one can of soda per week – given on Saturday mornings after he had finished his chores. And Alex’s choice of soda, then as well as now, was Canada Dry Ginger Ale. So summer camp, for Alex, was the Utopia of Unlimited Ginger Ale.After we had picked him up from camp, we naturally asked Alex about his week and without hesitation he shared this story – a story that he has given me permission to repeat to you.He told us that as soon as we got him settled into his cabin and left to return home, Alex hurried to the “Canteen” and purchased a full case of Canada Dry Ginger Ale. He hoisted it upon his small little shoulders and carried it with great effort back through the trail in the woods that lead to his cabin – envisioning with every step how good so many cans of Ginger Ale would taste that day – his first day of a promising week of camp.Well, Alex told us…. As he was lugging his case of Ginger Ale, he heard a sound. It sounded like a boy… in distress, actually. And as he looked around, he spotted another young boy, about his age, caught on the section of barbed wire fencing just off the path of the trail. He had probably been trying to take a short-cut but had instead gotten hung up. And he now needed someone to help him get off the fence.“What did you do?”, we asked Alex.“I told the boy that he would have to wait… that I had to get my Ginger Ale safely back to the cabin”.And then he continued up the hilly pathway to his cabin where he secured his precious cargo.Somewhat to his credit, he did return to the place of the “Boy-Hanging-on-a-Wire” in order to help but Alex discovered that either someone else had lent him a hand or he had managed to wriggle himself out of his mess.Teresa and I looked at each other - for we knew that Alex, even at the age of 8, had confessed his sinfulness and had placed his faith in Jesus. And we knew, like you probably recognize right now, that belief and values and faith that is not accompanied by action is useless. Put another way, what we do can be an evidence of what we really hold dear in our hearts. And so, we took some time with our young son to explain this truth. We brought him back to the familiar story of the “Good Samaritan”. And we encouraged him to see the very real and necessary connection between faith and action.And, in this morning’s Scripture that is what the Apostle James is reminding his readers and teaching us here today. Main Point: You see, James’ encouragement to us today is that we might.. “Live a life that reveals saving faith in Christ through actions of obedience to God as well as actions of compassion towards others in need”.Transition & Prayer:So, before we begin our exploration, would you bow your heads + simply repeat after me while I pray?“Father… Speak to my heart… and change my life”. Amen.”MAIN BODY – Part 1: What did James Teach?: (20 Minutes):Let’s turn to Chapter 2 in the Letter of James. (Pew Bible, p__).Beginning in verse 14, James immediately challenges us with a question?What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? What good is it? OR What profit can it bring? OR What gain is to be had? In the ancient world, this was a common way for writers of the time to introduce rhetorical dialogue – to present an argument with which the author disagreed. He’s asking whether or not faith without works is any good. And who is he asking this loaded question to? “My brothers” – the church – those within his shepherd care.And why is he asking this question? Because it does seem that for some in the church, this was a question that they had been wrestling with. In fact, some in the church had been claiming that you could “have faith without any works” to be true and possible. . I wonder. Have you ever heard someone else wonder out loud about the proper relationship between faith and works?Do you ever wrestle with this question? We know that James’ writing is one of the earliest writings of the New Testament – probably written before 50AD. So from the beginning of the birth of the church, this was a concern.And even today, some of us have come from faith traditions that put great emphasis on what we do as activities that may or may not ingratiate us with God – that earn pleasure. While some of us come from faith traditions that put great emphasis on the mercy of God – almost to the point of releasing ourselves from any changes in behavior and actions.Historically, Luther and the Reformers pointing to the writings of the Apostle Paul and cried, “Sola Fide” – “Faith Alone”, as a necessary hallmark of the Reformation. In Romans 3:8, Paul writes, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law”And in Galatians 2:16, he pens, “[We] know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ”.It certainly seems that Paul is convinced that the works associated with following the law have no place in the salvation of any person.But yet, as we’ll see later this morning in verse 24, James asserts that “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”.“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” [James 2:24]How can that be? Aren’t these in fundamental conflict? And shouldn’t this make us question the authenticity of the Scriptures – when two writers appear to be in direct conflict with each other? Who is right? Is it faith instead of works?Or is it works instead of faith?Or is it faith and work combined?What should we think? (PAUSE)This morning, I think that it would be helpful to us if we would recognize that the teachings that Paul and James offer to us are “different by design” because they are attempting to teach us “different aspects of justification” – that is, the questions that they are attempting to answer and the issues that they are trying to address are not the same.In Paul’s writings, he is attempting to teach us about our right standing before God. What does it mean to be justified before God? And how is one justified before God? By faith. By placing one’s trust in the sufficiency of the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross as a substitute for the penalty of death that we rightly deserve.And as Joel Smith so skillfully reminded us two weeks ago, once justified (or declared right with God), we begin a life of sanctification (being transformed increasingly and incrementally) that ultimately leads to final glorification (being made fully mature and like Christ) in eternity with God.JUSTIFICATION SANCTIFICATION GLORIFICATIONThis justification that Paul teaches us about is “an eternal position” based upon “believing in Christ”.This is what the Apostle Paul means by faith. In earlier passages, the Apostle James has made it clear that he also urges us to embrace a complete trust in Christ – one that not only depends upon the saving power of Jesus but also the submits to the authority of Jesus as Lord in every aspect of one’s life.In James’ epistle, he too is concerned about justification – being declared right. But the aspect of justification that he is concerned about and teaching about is this… What does justification look like before men? And, he holds that the means by which men perceive the grace of God in the lives of others is through works (erga) that reveal that saving faith.For the Apostle Paul, most often his use of the term “works” referred to “works of the law” – those activities of religious behavior that were done in obedience to the Torah as a necessary response to God’s election of the people of Israel. Think of it as a religiously technical term.In contrast, James’ use of the term “works” is used in a more general sense to refer to actions or deeds done in obedience to God – most often in mercy or compassion towards someone else.Subsequently, for James, justification was a daily proof of being right with God. It was not just believing in Christ but also behaving like Christ. So, “If someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”…. By the very way that James asks the question, he implies that the answer is definitely “NO”. For faith without works is like a tree that bears no fruit.Jesus himself, in Matthew’s gospel reminded us that spiritual principle. “…Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.” [Matthew 7:17]Continuing in verse 15, James provides an important illustration that answers the question, “What good is it?” 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. If you remember from last week, Tanner taught from the beginning of this chapter. We were reminded that as followers of Jesus Christ we are to love our neighbor by destroying partiality and displaying the glory of Christ. In our acceptance of others, we are not to focus on the differences that exist between us. And, the classic example that James provided was the very real temptation to elevate the relative importance of someone who is wealthy while we ignore someone who is poor. For the Christian, the glory of Christ should destroy any sense of preference or barrier in brotherhood between those differences. The Bride of Christ, the church, should be untainted by partiality.And yet, James now goes on to say that while we are not to show partiality, we are to recognize the reality of need and then be moved to respond in acts of compassion to those that have need.James identifies those amongst us who are poorly clothed, perhaps they only have an undergarment or one set of threadbare clothes – useless against the cold and bad elements. His use of the term “lacking” indicates an ongoing and consist need. And what else do they lack? Daily food. For they are habitually underfed, constantly falling short of the “daily supply” of food required to sustain life and health.This situation reminds us of Jesus’ instructions on how all of are to pray – “give us this day our daily bread” (Matt 6:11). And James reminds us, that often God’s way of fulfilling this prayer request is through his people as they share with those in need.If we fail to participate in one of God’s ways for providing for those who are in desperate conditions, then this is scandalous and requires immediate corrective action. It brings judgment upon the condition of our hearts and calls into question our obedience to our heavenly Father’s heartbeat.The Apostle John put it this way, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” [1 John 3:17-18] “Let us not love with words or tongue…”We should read carefully and then be very alarmed as we begin to understand the callousness of the response of some within James’ community of faith. For James repeats a phrase that he has apparently heard himself. “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the words of the speaker, they fall woefully short. Piety without giving any concrete aid just allows this greeting to provide religious cover for the failure to act. I like what Spurgeon was supposed to have said, “If you want to give a hungry man a tract, wrap it up in a sandwich”.To see a desperate need and to do nothing but express good wishes is useless.That kind of “faith”, the Apostle James say is just as useless too.In fact, he says that it is dead. A useless faith. A dead faith. Perhaps a faith that never actually had any life at all. These are harsh words for those in the community of faith. For failure to provide for an obvious need not only harms those who are in need, but also raises question about the spiritual state of the one who fails to act to relieve the need.It echoes the graphic picture of Jesus’ teaching about the “Sheep and the Goats” in Matthew 25. There will be a day of judgment when some surprising individuals – the Sheep of the Shepherd - will enter the kingdom and some highly religious – the Goats - will not. Those who are denied Jesus’ kingdom will be surprised and point to types of reasons why they should enter. But the Shepherd knows the condition of the hearts of his flock and he will tell them: “For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'” (Mat 25:42-43 ESV)For it was as these “Goats” looked past the desperate need of those around them while voicing empty, dead words of piety that the true condition of their hearts were revealed. There is no Jesus there. There is no compassion. There is no action. There is no life.These words by James probably offended some people. It’s likely that some of us are offended as we here them today. It’s possible that objections are raised in your minds; just as they were raised in the minds of James’ hearers back in the first century. As so James anticipates the objections and spends the rest of this passage bringing further clarity to his exhortation.First, James utilizes a device that was very popular as an ancient literature (argument/diatribe). He introduces an imaginary adversary with who he can carry on a “conversation” as a means of instructing us – his listeners. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. In this example, the adversary of James is arguing that there is no real relationship between faith and works. They operate in entirely different spheres of reality. James challenges this notion. James insists that there must be a demonstration evident to all. I like how the “New Living Translation” expresses this verse, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds” (James 2:18 NLT).James insists that for the true follower of Christ not only will faith be revealed by actions but actions can serve as a type of proof for faith that is claimed. And he, James the Apostle, is fully prepared to submit to that test.So let me ask you this question. What about you?Have you experienced the type of saving faith in Christ that the Apostle Paul pointed to in Romans and Galatians? A trust in Jesus that acknowledges the sinful condition of your heart… that recognizes the correctness of judgment… that cries out to God for mercy… and finds it in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross… a punishment accepted by Him in place of you? If not, why not? (Pause). If not yet, why not today? (Pause)James, the half-brother of Jesus certainly discovered this spiritual truth. A devout and religious Jew, he had discovered this freedom of saving faith. And as a result of being declared right with God, he discovered an increasing flow of obedience to God and mercy towards others as his heart was increasingly changed to more like Christ.So I ask you again, what about you?If you claim to have saving faith in Christ, can anyone tell? If you were accused of being a Christian in a hostile court of law, would there be any evidence presented to convict you based on works of obedience and actions of mercy? If not, why not? (Pause). If not yet, why not today? (Pause)If you soberly consider your Christian life and you have difficulty seeing deeds of compassion to those in desperate need, then perhaps you’ve never really understood the gospel and its true power to save. Today, I encourage you to consider the saving faith that Paul and James teach about. OR perhaps you have truly confessed Jesus as Savior but have been ignorant about our call to compassion, then today might mark your opportunity to grow in knowledge and action. OR perhaps you’ve been just a little too complacent, a little too self-centered, a little too callous, then today might mark a day of repentance and the beginning of a transformation in the area of your Christian walk.If you are still sorting through any of these situations, then pay attention because James continues with three clarifying examples. Continuing in verse 19, James gives us his first example; an ironic example: 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-- and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Demons, James states, certainly have a intellectual and even verbal profession. However, it is a limited profession for it never goes beyond the verbal to touch the heart and the life. It is disconnected. And recognizing the true nature of God, they shudder. This reaction seems appropriate give the dread that must be experienced by someone who knows that they are deserving of judgment at some future time.Mitton says, “It is a good thing to possess an accurate theology, but it is unsatisfactory unless that good theology also possesses us”.James implies that those who give a verbal profession that is not followed up with actions should likewise shudder. And he concludes that his opponent is like that – the very definition of a “foolish person”. For they are, as the Greek adjective states, “an empty person”.So if James’ adversarial philosopher and demons are not good examples of the relationship between faith and works (for they virtually deny or demonstrate any true connection), then are there any positive examples that we can learn from?Continuing in verse 21, James gives us one such positive example: 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"-- and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.The credentials of this example of Abraham cannot be denied. He was rightly recognized as the spiritual patriarch as well as a “friend of God”. And in this example, James identifies three ways that faith and actions are inseparable.They work together as part of one reality. If we could tear apart the original language, a translation might be “faith was working with his works” (synergei tois ergois).Faith is said to be “made complete” or “perfected” by what Abraham did. This is picture of growth and maturity. As a Christian is increasingly transformed into the image of Christ, faith in Christ and obedience to do what He desires us to do provides a strong motivation for doing the works.And, once saving faith is placed upon the promises of God, that reality is proved to be real as deeds of obedience point back to the declaration of being right with God.You see, faith and actions operate together in the life of the Christian in a dynamic manner. Faith is not a static condition. We do not stand stiff at attention like the royal guards at the Tower of London. Rather, faith is on the move. It is active. It seeks actions of obedience and mercy.Continuing in verse 25, James gives us another positive example that we can learn from: 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.[James 2:14-26 ESV]]I LOVE that James was lead to include this example. While Abraham was a spiritual giant in the history of Israel, Rahab was the extreme opposite. She was an unexpected hero of the faith - a prostitute and a relatively minor character in Old Testament history.We don’t have time to completely cover her story but, in short, remember this:A pagan by birth and practice, Rahab had heard about the God of Israel and recognized him as the true God, the One worth risking your life for. And she did risk her life for him.When the Jews finally entered the Promised Land of Canaan after wandering 40 years in the desert. Joshua secretly sent two spies to scout out the fortified city of Jericho. (We studied part of this story in the Spring – True & Better Series).Rahab ran an inn built on the Jericho city wall where she hid the spies on her roof top. And through her belief and trust in the God of Israel, she actively participated in the safety and rescue of those spies in the face of overwhelming odds and danger.Rahab had to carry out her heart felt faith in the true God by actions of obedience. While she may have been tempted to assist their desperate need with a pious, “I’ll pray that you won’t get caught” – that would have been comparable to the pious but useless words that we read in verse 16 today.Rahab’s example should demonstrate for us the universality of the principal that we are talking about today.It’s a principle that is not just reserved for the spiritual giants of our times but for all of us.We are to “Live a life that reveals saving faith in Christ through actions of obedience to God as well as actions of compassion towards others in need”.To fail to do that, James insists is to demonstrate that our “faith” is “dead”.MAIN BODY - Part 2: Theology in Practice at RHC (application in Benevolence) (10 Minutes):Whew! You should know that this section of James is considered one of the trickiest passages of the New Testament to navigate. Thanks for hanging in with me. You’ve been active listeners.Before we conclude today, I’d like to do a little “Theology in Practice”. It’s a good practice that we should have any time that we engage the Scripture – as individuals or small groups or the gathered church. So let’s talk about one way that we can apply James 2:14-26 as a church. Let’s talk about how we, Redemption Hill Church, think about responding to those in desperate need within our community of faith. As we continue to grow and increasingly reflect the diverse thumbprint of Greater Medford, we will certainly be presented with great opportunities to respond biblically within our gathering.This is not to say that we won’t respond to needs outside of our church Body. Even in our Member Covenant we are reminded that – “We will pray for the city of Medford, Greater Boston, and the world, and seek their good by engaging in deeds of mercy and kindness.”But for the sake of time this morning. We’ll focus on what the Elders have organized conceptually as “Benevolence”. How do we, as a community of faith, extend actions of obedience and mercy to those in need within Redemption Hill Church?The goal, or trajectory, of benevolence should always be aimed towards full restoration for any individual and family assisted.Sometimes that will mean providing “Relief” – urgent and temporary emergency aid in order to reduce immediate, overwhelming, and desperate suffering. Benevolence may mean providing food for a family when a job is lost.Sometimes that will mean providing “Rehabilitation” – seeking to quickly strengthen any positive strengths of an individual or family while they actively participate in their own recovery. Benevolence may mean providing job counseling for a parent so they can focus their job search more effectively.And always, we will move towards “Restoration” – doing what we can to promote ongoing change for all people - both the helper and the helped – that moves them closer to being in right relationship with God, themselves, others, and the rest of creation thereby fulfilling each person’s calling to glorify God. Benevolence, in this case, may be prayerfully walking with that unemployed parent as they discover their God-given S.H.A.P.E. in life and then prayerfully supporting that person as they fulfill God’s vocational call on his life. In the life of Redemption Hill Church, who will provide benevolence? And what should the order of responsibility be?Well. As Elders, we affirm that all believers have a primary responsibility to love our neighbor in both word and deed. From commands through the Old Testament to expectations established by Christ in the New Testament, as individuals, we respond to Christ and His work in us by caring for the needs of those we live amongst. Personal encounters and compassionate responses are our front-line opportunities to display the gospel, as a church, and to meet those needs. So, you… and I… and ____... and ____ - we’ll provide benevolence when we see desperate need. It may mean that you’ll have to prayerfull wrestle before God and ask that He shows you people in real need. Maybe you’ll prayerfully begin to ask the question, “How much is enough”? Is every dollar you earn for you or is it possible that you can begin to save and budget in order to be in a position to assist someone else when the need becomes apparent?Secondly. As Elders, we affirm that living life together through our Community Groups, or other small gatherings, is another way we maintain our commitments to each other. As we live in biblical community, we expect needs will be discovered and appropriately responded to as a tangible outworking of mutual care. Increasing transparency, growing trust, and loving response within our family context is an understood responsibility of participation in each other’s lives. It’s one of the reasons that we consistently exhort each you to investigate and participate in “Community Groups”.Elizabeth – Case Study – automobile.Thirdly. As Elders, we affirm that sometimes a identified and desperate need will exceeds the capacity of you or your small group. During these times, we’ve established a process that allows the RHC Benevolence Team to act on behalf of the Congregation-at-Large in order to respond to requests for assistance. We are committed to being intolerant of daily needs going unmet.How do we do this you many ask?Communicate the needSpeak with a PastorSubmit a Connect CardBenevolence Team assessment – plan to helpFinances:Operating Budget – modest amount “Gratitude Gifts”Special AppealsAs Elders, that is the progression that we believe is biblically valid and experientially workable. Each of us, those with saving faith, are called to reveal our changed hearts in acts of compassion within our relational networks. When we come together every week in our homes, we are given the awareness, resources, and power of our “Community Groups” to meet increasing need. And, as the gathered Body of Christ in Medford – Redemption Hill Church, there will be times that we will collectively ensure that desperate need gets a better response than an empty “Go in Peace; be warmed and filled”.CONCLUDING THOUGHTS (5 minutes):As the Worship Team rejoins me on the platform, Let us be reminded that in James 1:22, James warned against merely listening to the Word of God and not doing it – We are to be “doers of the Word” not just “hearers of the Word”.James, in this morning’s passage, now applies this truth to the concrete situation of a living faith. The faith by which one claims to be saved (vs 14) is a living faith that produces action (v17). Thus works of love serve as evidence of saving faith. Abraham’s offering of Isaac, which he did in Ge 22, is an example of the faith by which he was declared righteous in Ge 15:6. God called him to a specific action (Ge 22:1-2), and when he obeyed (22:3-10), Abraham showed evidence of his faith – “his faith was made complete by what he did” (Jas 2:22)You see, “the life of faith is more than a private (long past) transaction of the heart with God. It is the life of active consecration seen in the obedience which holds nothing back from God,.. and the concern which holds nothing back from human need” (Motyer, p116)Let us Pray:The Lord’s Supper ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download