Pastor Dave Martin ~ Cross Creek Community Church ~ Sept 30, 2007

“Faith Aflame”

Faith – Works – Results                      Eph 2:8-10; James 2:14-25               Part 2 of 3

Beetles made a popular song some years ago called “Man on the Run”… Like Jonah we too can be on the run from God.  Neglect, indifference, apathy, sin may set in and detour our walk of faith.  “Faith Aflame”

Ephesians 2:8-10 ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

“Workmanship” – a piece of art, a masterpiece

“God has prepared a path of good works for believers to perform as you walk by faith”

I.  I Must Know…

II.  I Must Understand…

1.  Real Faith is Not Just Something You SAY.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

·         Notice, he claims he’s saved… he has the right phrases… maybe even attends church…

·         There are a lot of people who say they’re Christians yet their lifestyle doesn’t match up

Matthew 7:22-23 ²² Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

·         Talk is cheap… example of Larry Flint the publisher of Hustler Magazine… no change in life.

“Professor but not a possessor”

2.  Real Faith is Not Just Something You FEEL.

James 2:15-16 ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ 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?

·         More than an emotional quiver in your liver… goose bumps running up & down your back.

·         If you smashed your finger in your car door & I say… “I really feel for you” – is that any help?

·         Real faith is more than just sympathy, feelings, or emotions…

·         Real faith will have real results… real believers will care and do something to help… pitch in.

·         James says if you don’t feel like helping other Christians you have not a sick but a dead faith

“Emotional feelings”

3.  Real Faith is Not Just Something You THINK.

James 2:18 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.

·         Some people think faith is an intellectual trip… a matter to be studied, debated, discussed

·         Some guy comes along and says – you’ll into faith, good… I’m actually into deeds, Lets debate.

·         Stimulate me mentally but don’t ask me to make any commitment… I’m too busy… excuses…

“Different strokes for different folks”

·         We have Lady Clairol Christians - Only their hairdresser knows for sure!  Only God Knows…

·         Faith is odorless, weightless, invisible and anyone can claim to have it…. Proof of green earlobe

·         If you claim to be a Christian -  I have a right to ask you to prove it by your lifestyle.

·         “Faith is like calories. You can’t see them but you can sure see the results” same as faith.

·         God tells us here in James – if you have real faith it will show by what you do…

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

·         God tells us flat out – if you aren’t changed since coming to Christ… you may be still lost in sin.

·         If you are arrested for being a Christian – would there be enough evidence to convict you?

·         Real faith is not just something you say, feel or think…

 

4.  Real Faith is Not Just Something You BELIEVE.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.

·         There are a lot of people who believe in God, the Bible, Jesus… even quote scripture, creeds, catechisms or even talk about great doctrines of the church...

·         Just saying “I believe” is not good enough, God tells us here – even the demons believe

·         The Devil believes in God… he knows the Bible better than anyone… good at twisting it

·         The demons believe and shudder… bristle, their hair on their necks stands up…

·         They tremble before an Almighty Glorious Holy God… my friends – they believe.

·         Islamic terrorist believe… deceived and lost spiritually… I believe in Hitler but I’m not a Nazi.

·         Simply believing in God is not enough… many have God in their head but not their hearts (18”).

“Easy Believism”

5.  Real Faith is Something You DO.

God gives two illustrations of two opposite People:

                        ABRAHAM                RAHAB

Man                          Woman

Major Character       Minor Character

Jewish                      Gentile

Patriarch                  Prostitute

Somebody               Nobody

Highest in Society    Lowest in Society

James 2:20-25 ²⁰ You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

²⁴ You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. ²⁵ 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?

·         Our faith is not determined by what we do, but is demonstrated by what we do.

<Balloon Slide> “Real Faith leads to action” (1982/Larry Walters/45 balloons/lawn chair/11,000’)

<Tree Slide>  Illustration of a Tree…

·         Faith is the “Root” of Salvation… Internal & Unseen

·         Works is the “Fruit” of Salvation… External & Seen

Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again—until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.      William Booth

Fan Your FAITH AFLAME!

III.  I Must Apply…   (Circle or mark those that you are applying presently to your life)

1)    Humble Attitude – Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

2)    Continual Worship – Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.

3)    Daily Bible Devotions – Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

4)    Fervent Believing Prayer – Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

5)    Sharing Faith Unashamedly – John 4:35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

6)    Cheerful Tithing – Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

7)    Faithfully Serving – Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

I read of a young man who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. He said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet.

·         There may be some here this morning, who are saved and so gifted and blessed.  Having all God’s resources at your disposal all the while remaining anemic in your faith. 

·         We can become like those sharks… neglecting spiritual discipline and becoming stunted in growth.

·         Be inviting friends, co-workers, neighbors, family to our chili-cookoff/concert and Friend Day…

·         Be getting ready to help in the building process when it begins…

·         As you get involved in ministry, your faith will grow affecting lives for eternity.

God’s Call to His People

Ephesians 4:16 From him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

·         Whatever you exert effort and practice toward, that is where you become more successful

·         Repetition, effort & time doing things over & over till they become second nature to you.

·         Likewise when we come to Christ we must “practice our faith” – serving, do, working…

·         General call to get involved here at Cross Creek in publicity – news articles – writing – researching – webmaster – picture takers – press releases – small group leaders – host homes – prison ministry – nursing home ministries – community outreach – worker crews for new construction

Fan your Faith Aflame

Commit yourself to the Lord – Are you Saved? Know that my sins are forgiven?

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving and dying for me.  Forgive and cleanse me of my sin and come into my heart.  Thank you for your GRACE and by faith, I believe and trust you to save my soul.

Serve Him like you mean it – Lord saved your soul… How’s my Love? Passion? Hunger? Service?

Watch Him work through you! – Next week the fruit/blessings/results of exercising your faith thru ministry

Chili Cook-off & Concert – Oct 12^th

Friend Day – Oct 14^th

Faith Aflame… Be Praying – Be Inviting – Be Serving

Let’s Pray

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