Faith and it's works. !!!

Do they go together? Can faith without works save you? What's the Biblical answer? Pastor Bob Grenier shares from James 2.

Can you have faith without works?

That' seems to be a question or statement being made among James readers. In other words, in an attempt to justify what James calls dead faith, ( a mere expression of faith, without works ) some were indeed trying to separate the two. Making up their own ideas about faith and works.

Here's an example of it....

James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

According to the Word of God, faith and works cannot be separated. James was reinforcing this fact in his letter, in the chapter 2:12-26

Does just saying you believe save you? That's what James was trying to address. There were among his readers, people who were declaring, "I have faith, and therefore I'm saved" But, in reality, that's all they had, they had a verbal profession of faith, without any practical works in their lives to show their faith.

James called this "dead faith" He gave an example and asked the question, "if you were to say to a poor, hungry and naked man, be warmed, be filled, be blessed etc, but, you did not give him, food, or clothing" would your just saying those things to this man, really make a difference in his life? Of course not, and thus James says, faith by itself, talk without walk if you will is dead also.

He also says that just like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

James then goes on to give two examples of faith that is not dead, the kind of faith that is profitable, and has works associated with it. Using Abraham and Rahab as examples. In Abraham's case, he demonstrated his faith, in the face of great personal sacrifice, he was giving up his son at God's direction.

Rahab, demonstrated her faith by showing great personal courage as she hid God's spies from God's enemies. She took action, and then made a verbal statement to those enemies, to throw them off of their search for the spies. Her involvement here, helped save the lives of God's spies. ( She took her life into her hands, she put herself in great danger )

In each of these examples, both Abraham, and Rahab did more then just say they believed. They acted upon their belief.

That is real genuine faith. It's accompanied by works. It's not dead faith. But, Biblical faith.

Can we pray together? Lord Jesus, thank You for demonstrating Your love to us by dying for us when we were yet sinners. You have shown by example what it's truly like to be Godly, and we are to follow Your example. Bless us with wisdom, and give us the power of Your Spirit to follow You right on into heaven itself.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. You have a measure of faith from God.

2. You can see your faith grow.

3. Faith grows by and from the Word of God.

4. Faith is not perfect in it's day to day expression.

5. Faith while not perfect is evident in our lives.

6. Good works are part of God's will for your life.

7. It's another way of saying, I follow Jesus.

8. Our lives and actions tell if we have faith.

What comes down from heaven?

James tells us of two. And gives us a principle related to Gods will for our lives.

What comes from above, from Heaven, from God?

James mentions two of them in his brief five chapter letter. And, there actually is mention of a third.

First of all, we are told in James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. The Lord gives from above, His good and perfect gifts. The word good, means that which is of benefit, and or simply good things. So, that's the first thing. Rather then God tempting us to sin ( as some were apparently thinking and saying ......see James 1:13 ) James declares that God gives us good gifts. These gifts come from above.

By the way, the spiritual gifts of God are listed all through the New Testament. You can find a detailed list of them in 1st Cor 12, Eph 4, and 1st Peter 4.

These gifts are given to us to benefit the body of Christ, to build up the body of Christ, and we are to use them to serve the Lord. Incidentally, these gifts are not natural abilities, but rather supernatural abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit. Again, see 1st Cor 12.

Secondly, and seen in James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

God gives wisdom from above. He tells us how to live and, shows us how to approach the practical day to day issues and circumstances and challenges of life. God helps us by giving us His wisdom. The wisdom that is from above is explained to us, and defined in great detail in James 3:13-18.

There are eight specifics given to us about this wisdom.

1. God's wisdom is pure.

2. God's wisdom is peaceable.

3. God's wisdom is gentle.

4. God's wisdom is willing to yield.

5. God's wisdom is full of mercy.

6. God's wisdom is full of good fruits.

7. God's wisdom is without partiality.

8. God's wisdom is without hypocrisy.

Finally, in closing off this section about God's wisdom, James tells us that "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" See James 3:18.

And, that last and third thing that comes down from above.....it is a specific that the Lord gave to Elijah the prophet when he prayed. We are told "the heaven gave rain" , and as a result, the earth produced it's fruit. James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

But, I think there is a lesson for us here. God is able to give good gifts into your life, good and perfect gifts, and, He is able to give you wisdom. And, when the Lord gives these things into your life, your life produces fruit. Just like the earth produced fruit in Elijah's day.

When we look up so to speak, we are looking through Christ, into the heart and face of God. He has a good intention for you. He gives good things to you. He has good thoughts towards you, not evil thoughts. He has plans for your life that He wants to bring about. He wants you to be fruitful. He will make you that way.

Would you pray with me right now? Father, You are good, and You give good gifts, You give perfect gifts, and You give heavenly, Divine wisdom. Thank You for what You give to us. You want to bring fruit in our lives. Thank You for Your plan for us. May You find us receptive and cooperative with you. We love You, in Jesus name. Amen.....

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. Keep looking to God.

2. He is looking at you.

3. Remember, He loves you.

4. Don't be mistaken, He has a good intention for you.

5. The Bible teaches us all of the above.

6. We have examples of how God works in the Bible.

7. God does not change.

8. God is with you in Christ.

9. May God bless you abundantly.

Are you satisfied, or empty?

Ec 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Some people would answer yes, I'm very satisfied, and some would say, no, I'm very much unsatisfied and feel empty.

The Bible explains here in Ecclesiastes, that for those who love silver, or love money, that they will not be satisfied once they get what they wanted, which is more and more money. It does not satisfy, although so often people think more will make them satisfied.

The word satisfied here, means, fill, full, plenty, enough, satiate, and it was used to speak of having one's fill, or having their desire satisfied.

Ecclesiastes, also tells us that for the person who wants to accumulate more and more material goods, that they also will not find the satisfaction that they hoped would come with more goods.

But, here's what Jesus said about being satisfied.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,

Joh 4:14 John 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

There are several things Jesus said here about satisfaction. Including, the fact that trying to find satisfaction from the things of this world do not bring what one hopes for, it just won't happen.

Jesus also explained that for the person who will drink of the He gives, that they would indeed not be thirsty, ( unsatisfied ) but would actually find that fulfillment they were hoping for.

The Lord's work in a person's life is the most fulfilling, most rewarding, most peace giving, most blessed, most joyful, that one could ever find.

May God fill you today. If you hunger for righteousness, He promises to quench that thirst. In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. Life without God is empty.

2. Life with God is not.

3. Life with God is possible.

4. Life from God is His gift to you.

5. Life can be your's by faith.

6. Life is a blessing in Christ.

7. Life's thirst can be quenched.

8. Life comes from Jesus the thirst quencher.

Satisfied or Empty?

Pastor Bob Grenier explains from Scripture how God will satisfy an empty soul.

Does faith save you, or is it works?

Pastor Bob Grenier explains the truth about what saves a person. It's not dead faith, and it's not demon faith.

Does the Bible say works are important

Yes, it certainly does. But, perhaps not in the way that many people think. Many people think that they are saved by what they do. The Bible is very clear that salvation is not by our works, but rather by and through God's grace, and our faith in Jesus Christ.

But, what part, and what place do works have in our life, and in connection to our faith?

James chapter 2:14-26 really digs into this deeply, and clearly, and explains what God says about works, and their importance.

For example......James asks, "what does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? That's the question. What does that that profit the person saying that they have faith, but they have no works. And, then, James asks, can "faith save him?" Meaning, will a person who says they have faith, but they have no works, are they saved?

So, one thing we know for sure, that a profession of faith without any works attached to that profession, is not profitable. That's the point that James makes as he goes on in chapter 2.

Another way of saying it, or understanding the place of works according to the Bibles's teaching, is that saving faith is a working faith. Or to put it another way, "the faith that saves a man, is not alone. It has works with it".

It might sound like it's all semantic's, but it's not. For James says that even the demons believe, and they tremble. We know that they remain demons, that they are not saved as it were. So, there is a faith, as James is describing that is not going to be of any profit to a person.

And, there is a faith which of course does profit. And, that is the faith that is demonstrated by works.

To sum it all up. Many people falsely believe that their works can save them. And, people can also falsely believe that they can say they are saved, but have no works, but are not profited by that workless profession.

The true understanding, the true balance, the real salvation is one that's faith is shown by it's works.

Lord, You are the greatest worker for our salvation. You actually have worked to save us by sending Jesus. He said, "it is finished" He completed the work of dying on the cross for our sins. Thank You for the faith You have given to us. We love You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises.

1. God gives every man a measure a faith.

2. He has given you a measure of faith.

3. God is so generous.

4. Faith can be seen in action.

5. Profession without works is dead.

6. Faith with works, now that is saving faith.

7. Not works saving us, but faith shown by it's works.

8. It may sound like a trick, but it's not.

9. Abraham and Rahab are examples of faith shown by works.

The Mercy of God

A little more about mercy, and judgement:

James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

These verses have to do with both mercy, and with judgement. We are encouraged to so do and speak as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

What does this mean? Well, it's clear that overall it means, that while we are here on the earth, that both our actions and words will one day be judged by what is called the law of liberty.

James is saying that one day, we will be judged for the things we have said, and the things we have done. So, we ought to live with that judgement in mind. Or to be personally accountable with regards to our words and actions.

Jesus spoke about this accountability also. Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

The other very interesting thing that is said here, is that we don't have to live in fear of the judgment to come if we are living now in a merciful way towards others. On the other hand, there is a warning. That, the person who lives now without mercy towards others, will not be shown any mercy in the future judgment.

But, a person can smile in the face of judgment to come, if now they are living in, and walking in, and showing mercy towards others. It's very interesting, that we never ask God to give us justice for ourselves, but we ask for mercy. But, we may think He should give others justice. Interesting.

At any rate, God is so merciful. He has new mercies every morning. His mercies are eternal. He bestows His mercies on us. Mercy is something we can pray for daily. It's something we need daily.

Oh Merciful God. Have mercy upon us now, and may we walk in mercy now towards people we know, and come in contact with day by day. You have shown us mercy, You have not given us justice, You gave that to Your Son, but to us You have been merciful. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Application/Promises

1. It's by His mercies we are saved.

2. God's appeal to us now, is based on His mercies ( Rom 12: 1 )

3. Why not be merciful towards others?

4. Does God ever run out of mercy?

5. Would He give You mercy today?

6. Shall we not rather be merciful now?

7. I want mercy later from God also.

8. Blessed be the Lord of mercy.

A promise for you from God through Jesus

Jesus spoke frequently about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God wants to give you His power for daily living.

Promises are given, to be both received and believed in. Here's one of them.

A promise Jesus brought up.......For You.

Luke 24:49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Normally, when Jesus says, "behold", it means, here's something I want you to know about, and pay attention to, it's important. Jesus uses that word, "behold" here. So, let's listen, and learn about this promise today.

This promise included a number of elements.

1. It's something Jesus was personally involved in.

2. Jesus was going to send this promise to the church.

3. This promise was from God the Father.

4 This promise was connected to power for the disciples

5. This power ( ability ) was from on high, or heaven.

This promise was given much earlier by God the Father through the prophet Joel 2:28-31. We know this is the promise Jesus was talking about, because the apostle Peter says the same thing in Acts 2.

The promise essentially, has to do with the Lord pouring out His Spirit upon believers in the last days. ( those days started when Jesus ascended to heaven, and will go on until He comes back to the earth ) So, we are in that time period.

The word power comes from a word meaning "to be able, have power, to be capable, strong and powerful" And, the word power itself means, mighty work, virtue. The greek words is dunamis, from which we get our english word dynamite. So, you can get the idea here of what was being communicated. It's speaking of God giving us strength, power and ability.

Luke 24 story line, is picked up in Acts 1-2, and there you see that indeed Jesus gave this promise to the early church, and then the rest of Acts, shows later members of the church receiving this power also. And then, the letters in the NT speak of this power also. See Colossians 1, and Ephesians 1

The point being, this promise that Jesus brought up is for us today. It's the Lord pouring out His Spirit into our lives, and causing us to be endued with supernatural power from God, to have His strength and ability. So, that we can live for Him, and serve Him, and see His kingdom expanded and built up. It's so the Word of God can grow and spread, and that many disciples would be added to the body of Christ. It's for the purposes of God in our lives.

How do we receive this power? Here's what Jesus said....

Luke 11:9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luke 11:10 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 11:11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

Luke 11:12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Luke 11:13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Would you join me in asking God right now? Lord, we are simply asking for this promise in our lives this day. We know Lord that in one sense, a very real sense, the Holy Spirit is already dwelling in us, He came in at salvation, ( 1st Cor 2:12 ) But, this promise is for that further work of Your Spirit, in giving us power. Lord, I do not know anyone, any christian, who does not need Your power in their lives. Thus we ask for Him to come and fill, and to overflow our lives this very hour, in answer to this prayer. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier.

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. God gives promises.

2. God never fails to fulfill His promises.

3. God hears and answers prayer.

4. God delights in those who seek Him.

5. God said He would pour out of His Spirit.

6. God is ready to do it today.

7. God, thank You, for Your promise.

8. God I open my heart and life to You now.

9. God, may Your power help me to do Your will.

God looks at the heart......

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the new king of Israel, Samuel did and thought like we might normally think and do. That is, he was looking at Jesse's sons, and was sure that from what he could see by outward appearance, was convinced he knew who would be the next king.

But, the Lord spoke to him, and explained some important truths. There is a great lesson here for us. And from this scripture we see a number of things about man and God.

1. We are not to look at the outward appearance of man as it were.

2. God had refused the one Samuel was going to choose.

3. The Lord does not see as man sees.

4. God is so different then we are.

5. Man looks at the outward appearance.

6. God looks at the heart, on the inside.

This is all very helpful for us, when we consider that we have the propensity to show favoritism to those that may look a certain way to us. We see them, and are impressed with their outward appearance, and might want to show partiality, and mistreat others.

James's epistle in chapter 2:1-13 explains that we are not to walk with the Lord and show partiality. We are to treat all persons the same, because that's what the Lord does.

But, as we consider this verse from 1st Samuel, we do realize that the Lord can see what we cannot. We cannot see into someone's heart, and see what's really going on inside.

We might think about someone a certain way because of their appearance or height as did Samuel, but we cannot see deeper then the outward. We cannot look inside of their hearts. Only God can do that.

So, there are a couple of things here. Not to be partial, and to realize that our knowledge of someone is very limited. God has neither of these limitations.

God is not like man. He is above man, and He does not lack any knowledge of anything. He knows everything.

A man can make himself look good, while all the time, what's going in his heart may not match his outward appearance. We are unable to see both. But, God can see them both perfectly.

One thing we can do, is to try and trust the Lord to guide us in our decision making, and understand, that the Lord may have something very different then what we would choose and think.

Lord, we are constantly made to realize How awesome You are, and how much You want to help us, and how much we need You. Please help us to let You show us Your ways, Your love, and Your wisdom. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We are not left to our own ways.

2. God will help us if we let Him.

3. The Lord promises to give us wisdom.

4. We are prone to many ways that won't help us.

5. God is not able to be incorrect.

6. The Lord is perfect in all His ways.