Hand-In-Hand
James 2:14-26
Pastor Jerry Koller

Relationships are the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

In these 13 verses, we find the word works mentioned 12 times.

We credit Paul for writing a definitive statement regarding salvation, faith, and works.

Controversary: Faith vs. Works
• Paul and James were writing to a different target audience under different circumstances.
• Paul often squared off against those who made claims that salvation was secured through the keeping of the Law.
• James wrote to individuals who had already entered into faith in Christ by the means of grace.

James 2:14: Faith and works go hand-in-hand. Together, they make a whole. What good is a faith that exhibits no works?
• Can a faith that has no works result in salvation? James asks a rhetorical question, one that doesn’t really need to be answered because the answer is so obvious.

James 2:15-16: Example of Not Helping

James 2:17: A Faith that Doesn’t Show Works is Dead
• Dead faith means it is not living and active.
• Remember the Royal Law/Law of Liberty

James 2:18 – Give Proof
Faith is Visible

James 2:19: The belief of Demons
• Demons know a great deal about God. But they do not act upon the truth that they know.
• If faith is just the accumulation of knowledge, one could make a case that demons have faith.

James 2:20: Reemphasis of the Worth of a Faith that Does Not Result in Works.

2 Examples of Works Producing Faith
• James 2:21-23 - Abraham
• James 2:25 - Rahab

James 2:26: Illustration From Nature – How God Made Humans
Material and Immaterial

Just as the body without the spirit is dead—faith without works is also dead because they go hand-in-hand. Faith and practice are one.

Are you letting your faith shine in such a way that others may see your good works, your faith in action, and glorify your Father in heaven?

Our faith must be lived out. It cannot be static or inactive.

We show how we love God by how we live out our faith.

We show how we love God by loving others as Jesus loves us.

Can your faith be validated?

• Vince Bryant (Miriam Bryant’s son) is recovering from foot surgery.
• Jim (Renee Goff’s Uncle) is receiving hospice care for cancer.
• Sara (Renee Goff’s sister-in-law) is admitted to a mental hospital to get her medications regulated.
• Stephen & Brandi Koller and their new baby, Milo Jack, who arrived on 7/9.
• Doris Sutherland and her family upon the loss of her husband, Jack, on 7/7.
• Roberta Newton is at home recovering from a kidney related issue.
• Pastor Jerry Koller is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
• Susan Seitz is at home recovering from a successful SI Joint fusion (Sacroiliac) surgery.
• Louann Pranger (Tracy Marshall's mom) continues to recover from a c-diff infection. Pray that her insurance will reconsider and provide coverage for the treatment needed to get her fully healed. Her spirit is very discouraged, and she is worried about permanent damage to her colon.
• Beth Bocock continues to recover from ulcerative colitis.
• Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com