This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "A Message To All Believers", 2/25/2018

THE MESSAGE TO ALL BELIEVERS

1 Timothy 6:11 - 2 1

CHARACTER OF A CHRISTIAN

V:11. " But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. "

A. Believers are ambassadors of Christ and representatives of the kingdom of heaven.

    1. The world sees us before they ever see the inside of a church.

    2. As opposed to pride and the love of money, the Apostle Paul gives the

        attitude and character that believers should have as representatives of

        Christ.

    3. Timothy, at the time of Paul's letter to him was in his late 40's and the pastor

        of the Church at Ephesus.   

B. Paul gives us six characteristics of a Christian role model.

    1. Pursue righteousness is conforming to God's standards.

        a. Our aim and goal should be to follow God's commands.

        b. The world's standards don't measure up to God's standards.

   2. Pursue godliness which is well directed reverence.

       a. It means to reverence God with all our outward actions.

       b. Others should see a sermon of righteousness in our actions.

   3. Pursue faith which means to trust God in all our decisions.

   4. The first and second greatest command given by Jesus is to

        Love God with all you heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.

  5. Perseverance (patience) is an attribute we have to learn by doing.

      a. God works on His time.

      b. We have to learn to trust God's timing.

  6. Gentleness is an inward grace of the soul and a calmness toward God

      in all situations.

BE STEADFAST AND UNMOVEABLE

V:12.  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. "

A, Give your best efforts in all your struggles, trusting God with the outcome.

    1. Life as a Christian is not always easy, but God has the solution to all

        our problems.

    2. When faced with opposition, always speak the truth in love which                                         

         is the Word of God.

B. Our testimony to the goodness of God is important to all who will listen

    to us.

    1. We never know who in the crowd is in need of a word of encouragement.

    2. We never know who in the crowd need godly wisdom to make the right

        decision.

    2. We should not be discouraged when people do not want to hear the

         Word of God.

    3. We have a promise from God that His Word will not return void.

    4. God presents us with the opposition of the devil to strengthen our faith

         and those around us.

    5. We are commanded to let our conversation be with grace seasoned

         with salt.

        a. With grace so we can show kindness and tolerance to unbelievers.

        b. With salt so that unbelievers will hear the truth.

PROCLAIM YOUR FAITH IN JESUS

V:13-16 " I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 which He will bring about at the proper time — He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. "

A. It is God who ordains each believer to work He called us to do in Jesus Christ.

    1. We have obtained eternal life though our faith in Jesus Christ.

    2. We were baptized in His death and resurrected in the newness of life.

B. We have the confession of Jesus Himself before Pontius  Pilate that He is                    

     the Son of God and king of kings.

    1. Jesus confessed to Pilate that he had no power over Him.

    2. Jesus had the power to lay down His life and the power to take it up again.

    3. Since Jesus is Lord over our lives we should have no fear in

        keeping His commands.

C. We have the assurance that Jesus Christ will come again and judge the                        

     living and  the dead.

    1. Our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ .

    2. As evidence of our faith we must honor Him with all our being

        regardless of our personal situation.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RICH    

V.17-19. " Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. "

A. God is no respecter of person.

     1. To much is given, much is required.

     2, God has a reason that He allows some to become rich and some to remain poor.

     3. Those who are rich must over come their love for money, power and authority

         to see their purpose in life.

B. The purpose of the rich is to be rich in good works.

    1. With much money, you can provide the finance for works of the Church.

    2. Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name will be given to us.

    3. God uses the rich in the Church to provide for some of the needs of the Church.

    4. One of the spiritual gifts is generosity.

    5. The more we do for others in need, the more treasures we store in heaven.

    6. Life does not exist in things. It exists in the heart that can let go of things.

GUARD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

V:20-21. " O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge" — 

21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you."

A. The mouth can be a finely tuned instrument for Christ.

    1. Every believer has been given hope in Jesus Christ.

    2. We have been given the ability to be enlighten by the Word of God

         through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

    3. We have been made special by the gift of the Spirit.

        a. To the world, the Word of God is foolishness.

        b. The world cannot understand the wisdom of the Lord.

B. The world is focused on unsound doctrine, half truths and  idle gossip.

        1. The believer equipped with the Word of truth can bring light in

             this world of darkness.

         2. We are not isolated from the world around us.

         3. We can speak the truth in conversations that start in ignorance.

         4. We can ensure that Word of God proceeds from, our mouths in

             any conversation that we are involved in.

         5. Our motto should be that from us they shall hear the truth that will

             set them free.

 

THANK GOD FOR THE WORD OF TRUTH

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit my

blogs, revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "I Was Dead In My Sins Until I Met Jesus",2/18/2018

I WAS DEAD IN MY SINS UNTIL I MET JESUS

Acts 9:36-43

A RESUME OF A DISCIPLE

V:36. " Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did."

A. This text gives us the resume of a disciple.

     1. She was a disciple of Jesus Christ.

     2. She served Jesus by serving her neighbors.

         a. She was full of good works.

         b. She was merciful to those in need.

B. The name Tabitha means gazelle or clear sighted.

    1. A gazelle was considered a beautiful animal.

    2. She may have been physically beautiful along with her spiritual

        beauty.

    3. She had a clear sight of God's purpose for her life.

    4. She devoted her life to serving others.

    5. She used what God blessed her with to bless others.

    6. She spent her time and resources helping others.

BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE

V:37. " It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber."

A. Your acts of charity does not prevent tragedy from happening to you.

    1. God allows bad things to happen to good people.

    2. Just because God allows some bad in your life does not mean He is

        displeased with you.

    3. The bad in your life is no indication that God does not honor your prayers.

B. While the text does not say it, I suggest that when Tabitha got sick, the

     prayers of her friends went up to God.

   1. The text says she died.

   2. Her friends served her even in her death.

       a. They cleaned her up.

       b. They placed her in an  upper bed chamber.

  3. Even in their death, we can honor our friends by preparing them for burial.   

GOD HAS THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEMS

V:38. " As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them."

A. What goes around comes around.

    1. Tabitha served others while she was alive.

    2. After her death, other disciples immediately began working

        on her behalf.

B. To exercised their faith in the Apostle Peter as a man of God and his

     power to heal, the disciples sent for him.

   1. A person of faith knows that it is not over until God says its over.

   2. Obviously, the disciples held positions of respect in the community because

       they were able to persuade two men to go to Peter with a request to

       come to Joppa immediately.

  3. Your service never goes unnoticed by the Father.

  4. He will come to you when you need Him.

  5, He will send someone to help.

SUMMIT YOURSELF TO SERVE OTHERS

V:39. " Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them."

A. When called to serve, we must minister to others in need,

    1. Service means spending time with those  in need.

    2. Many times service means responding immediately to the request of

        others.

B. The text says upon receiving the  request, Peter immediately went to Joppa.

    1. Nothing in the text says Peter was told that Tabitha was dead.

    2. Nothing in the text says Peter was told why the disciples requested his presence.

    3. Our reputation of service, honest and truth can open doors of blessing for

        us.

    4. Even when we cannot do anything for ourselves, God has some one in place

        to come to our rescue.

    5. The disciples could not do anything for Tabitha, but they called on the man they   

         knew  had a special relationship with Jesus,

C. The evidence of your faithfulness can sometimes show up in the testimony

      of those you serve.

     1. Tibitha may have supported herself by making and selling clothes in the

         neighborhood.

     2. We do know that she showed her love and compassion for those in need

          by making clothes for them.

     3. The women she helped showed up weeping with the garment she made for

         them.

      4. After you are gone to be with the Lord, people will remember the good you

          have done.

SOME EVENTS REQUIRE SOME ALONE TIME WITH GOD

V:40. " Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up."

A. Those who see death as the end, mourn and cry.

    1. Those who see death as the hope of the resurrection, pray and rejoice.

    2. Peter put the mourners out of the room.

    3. Perhaps, Peter did not want to be distracted by those who were stuck on death.

B. It was not by Peter's power that Tabitha would be raised but by the faith he

    had in Jesus Christ.

   1. Peter was an eye witness to the resurrection of Lazarus and son of a widower

       at Nain by his Lord and Savior Jesus.

   2. Peter was an eye witness to the resurrection of Jesus.

   3. He had no doubt of Jesus words; I am the resurrection and the life.

   4. We must proceed in faith by what we know about God.

C. Peter kneeled and prayed to the Lord Jesus, probably remembering His

    words; whatever you ask the Father in My Name will be done for you.

   1. While Peter was praying, his focus was on the Lord Jesus.

   2, He receive his confidence in his works and perhaps his purpose from  Jesus.

   3. After Peter's prayer, he turn toward the lifeless body of Tabitha, the object

       of his work.

D. With faith, confidence and purpose, Peter commanded Tabitha to get up and

     life returned to her. 

   1. She opened her eyes, having regained consciousness, saw Peter and sat up.

   2. I certainly can testify to this miracle.

      a. Doing the flu season of 2018, I cough and the breath was drawn out of me,

          I lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

     b. By the grace of God, He returned His breath to me, and I regained consciousness.

     c. Because of God's miraculously power we live from moment to moment. 

   3. What God did for Tabitha, He continuously does for us.  

SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

V:41. " He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive."

A. Let us not forget that Tabitha was dead and God raised her from the dead,

   1. We all were dead in our sin until we had an encounter with Jesus.

   2. With the measure of faith He, Jesus gave us, we confessed Him as Lord

        Savior and received eternal life.

B. We too were presented alive to the Church of Jesus Christ.

   1. Notice, Peter did not touch Tabitha, until Christ bought her back to life.

   2. Death is the origination of sin. Life is in the righteousness of God.

   3. I suggest that The Apostle Peter did not want to own any credit for the

       resurrection.

   4. God reversed the effect of sin and put Tabitha in the hand of Peter.

   5. Tabitha had a new testimony; "I was dead, but now I live in Christ."

YOUR TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT

V:42. " And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord."

A. God always has a reason why He allows trouble into your life.

    1. Having heard of Tabitha's death and resurrection, many believed.

    2. Tabitha's good works were not enough to draw a large crowd to Christ.

    3. It was the news of her death and resurrection that many came to believe

        in Christ.

B. Sometimes people need to hear your testimony to come to Christ.

   1. God's miracles are all around us, but many times we are blind to them.

   2. Sometimes it take a tragedy to open our eyes to the power of God.

   3. Large crowds followed Jesus because of the miracles He did.

       a. The miracles were the drawing card to the message of eternal life

           through faith in Christ Jesus,

       b. Believers know the Gospel truth, which we are commanded to proclaim

           to all around us.

   4. It is our duty to proclaim the miracle of life that is in us.

      

GOD IS THE PROVIDER OF LIFE

V:43. " It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner."

 A. A good minister, when he finds fertile ground, plants seeds of eternal life.

    1. The planting had begun with a miracle, and the harvest of discipleship must

        proceed with the teaching of the Word of God.

    2. God creates your situations to draw many to Himself.

    3. Out of our trials and tribulations comes opportunities to bless others

        with our testimonies of the goodness of God.

B. God accommodates us in the work we do for Him.

    1. Once in Joppa, the Lord provided a place for Peter to reside.

    2. Peter was welcomed in the home of Simon, a tanner.

    3. A tanner is a leatherworker.

    4. God placed Peter in the home of a man who could afford

        to provide for him doing his ministry.

THANK GOD FOR HIS MIRACLES

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit

my blogs, revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Danger Of Loose Lips', 2/11/2018

            THE DANGER OF LOOSE LIPS

James 3:1-12

I remember growing up in the 70's, a phrase by a comedian named Flip Wilson,

as he played the role of a preacher; "Loose Lips Sinks Ships".  In the church

today, there is some truth in that phrase. The church ought to be a place of

encouragement, uplifting and a sanctuary of peace and joy. But often times

it is a place of tension and discouragement. Some of us own our elected positions

as if we are the sole authority of right and wrong.  Instead of encouraging people

to serve, we discourage.

BE CAREFUL OF YOUR DESIRES

V:1. " Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."

A. One of the covenant positions in the Church and the Jewish Synagogue was that of

     a teacher.

     1. In the  Synagogue, the Word of God was taught along with the Jewish tradition.

     2. In the Synagogue, the Jewish tradition was  considered the authority over the            

          Word of God.

     3. Those Jewish teachers who believed in Jesus, came with their misinterpretations,    

          misleading the Gentile and Jewish believers creating confusion and dissention.

 B. James reminded- teachers and preachers to be careful that we teach the Word of God

      correctly. ;

    1. 2 Timothy 2:15 states, " Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that 

        needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

    2. The worst thing you and I can do is to give our opinions on the Word without

         studying the Word.

    3. We cannot trust what we have heard or believe without adequate research of the

         Word. 

 C. There is a penalty  for teaching the Word incorrectly.

    1. As teachers we will incur a stricter  judgment.

    2. Matthew 18:6 states, " But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in

        me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck

        and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

    3. We are warned to take the job of teaching very seriously.

    4. It is a honor to be chosen to teach God's people.

SERVICE DOES NOT COME WITHOUT MISTAKES

V:2-3. " For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well."

A. No one is perfect. In the course of serving God we are going to make mistakes.

    1. However, we can be in control of what we say and how we treat one another.

    2. Colossians 4:6 states, " Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned

        with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

   3. From a baby, we grow up looking out for our own interest.

   4. We learned early that crying when we were hungry, wet or sleepy got the attention

        of our parents.

       a. Our mouths controlled the action of our caretakers.

       b. We learned to be selfish.

 B. As adults, we have to reprogram ourselves to be more concerned about the

     welfare of others.

    1. As long as we are trying to promote ourselves, we will not see the needs of others.

    2. One way to start is to overlook the faults of others and concentrate on their good.

    3. Philippians 4:8-9 states, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 

        whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if

        anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

        Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it    

        into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "

    4. We have to practice thinking of others in a positive way.

        a. In this way we can control the tongue.

        b. If we don't think negative thoughts, they want come out of our mouths.

WORDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 V:4-5. " Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! "

A. The mouth is just a small part of the body. Yet it controls the mood and attitude

      of the entire body.

     1. We speak what is in our hearts. And we can begin to believe what we speak,

          weather  it is true or not.

     2. If we think negative thoughts, we will say and do negative things.

     3. The more negative we are the more hurtful we will be to ourselves and

         others.

 B. Out of our mouths come words that can control the mood and attitude of those

      around us.

    1. Hurtful thoughtless words can discourage and drive people away

        from the Church.

    2. Hurtful words from our mouths can cause the whole body to react to defend

        ourselves.

  

WE CAN BE THE REASON FOR DIVISION

V:6. " And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. "

A. Out of the heart flows the issues of life.  Prov 4:23

     1. The only way to control the tongue is to control the heart.

     2. Jesus said " But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and

         these make a man 'unclean."   Matt 15:18

     3. The only way to control the heart is to have an active working relationship

          with Jesus.

 B. When we lose our focus on Jesus, the world become our motivation.

    1. Jesus said, " For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual

        immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what make a man 'unclean'; 

        but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean."   Matt 5:19-20

   2. We bring into our church setting, the outside world.

   3. While trying to hold a Christian conversation, we mix it with worldly opinions,

        and before we know it, the Bible has lost it's authority over us.

UNTAMED WITHOUT THE POWER OF GOD

V:7-8. " For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. "

A. We have become masters of obtaining our goals and objectives.

     1. We work at being the best we can be in our areas of interest.

     2. From the Garden of Eden, God put man in charge of all the animals,

         plants and trees of His creation.

     3. We have found ways of being successful in this charge God gave us,

B. When it comes to the mouth, we have no plans to control its contents.

    1. By ourselves we are not capable of controlling the tongue.

    2. We have to make it our priority to reclaim for ourselves the righteousness

         of Jesus that God has imputed upon us.

    3. A humble heart is the beginning of our journey to Jesus.

    4. We must come to the conclusion that we have sinned and come short of

        the glory of God.

    5. We must center our conversations around the Word of God.

    6. Since God made everything, then everything we face can be related

        to His Word.

    7. We must realize the fact that the knowledge we have gained in the world

         is useless against evil.

    8. I think our primary problem is a lack of fear of the Lord.

        a. Proverbs 1:7 states, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but 

            fools despise wisdom and discipline."

        b. We have become fools chasing after the wisdom of the world.

        c. We have failed to discipline the mouth with the Word of God.

DOUBLE MINDED

V:9-10. " With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. "

 A. An untamed tongue is one that is not backed up with a mind devoted to the Word of

      God.

    1. An untamed tongue is driven by emotions and current circumstances. 

    2. An untamed tongue is driven by selfish motives.

B. A man controlled by his emotion will say anything that please him and

    others around him.

   1. James is talking to a Christian community.

   2. In a Church service, the spiritual emotions are high, so praise and worship is

       pleasing.

   3. Outside of worship, especially during a confrontation, a man control by

       emotions will go into the defense  mode and say anything to support

       his position. 

C. It is easy to forget that we are made in the image of God.

    1. When we look in the mirror all we see is us and not the image of God.

    2. We have to constantly remind ourselves that we belong to God,

         purchased by the blood of Jesus.

    3. An active daily prayer life is key to our consciousness of a  Godly presence.

 

THE CURE FOR AN UNSOUND MIND

V:11-12. " Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?

12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh."

A. A man not constantly controlled by the Word of God is bound to be irrational from

     time to time.

   1. Lets consider again Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be with grace, as though

       seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. "

   2. Our response is off because we under value the grace of God.

   3. Grace is God's favor. We are under His grace, therefore protected by Him in all

       things.

   4. We do not have to fear our position or status under any circumstance.

   5. We do not have to lift ourselves up, because if we humble ourselves before God,

        He will do the lifting.

B. Since our conversation is with grace, we are promoting the well being of others.

    1. Our encouragement and uplifting of another is not empty chatter  because it

        has to be seasoned with the truth.

    2. And if we proceed with grace seasoned by salt, we will always know the

       appropriate thing to say.

   3.  The appropriate thing to say  will not always be popular or

         well received.

   4. The appropriate thing to say will lift up another person and place us

        in a servant position.

   5. A servant position is not a weak position but a position honored by Christ.

C. To be consistent in our Christian approach to others we have be continually                

      mindful that we are children of the King. 

    1. I believe that we are fearful when we are challenged because we don't

        lay hold to the truth of scripture.

    2. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, " For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of                  

        power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

      a. An irrational mind is not focused on the Word of God.

      b. A sound mind believes the Word to be true and applies to it's

          present situation.

LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE WITH GRACE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook or visit my blogs,

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Active Living Faith", 2/4/2018"

ACTIVE LIVING FAITH

James 2:14-26

Faith and Works

V:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

A. At first glance this  verse seem to be in contradiction to Paul's epistle.

    1. Ephesians 2:8-9 states " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and

        this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.

    2. To resolve this, we must understand that our declaration of faith carries with it

         the responsibility to keep God's commands.

   3. Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commands.

   4. The evidence of our faith is keeping God's commands which will show up

        in works toward our neighbors.

B. We have to deal with this question;   can faith save him?

    1. A false claim of faith cannot save.

    2. A true claim of faith, evidenced by works will save.

LOVE AN ACT OF FAITH

V:15-16. " If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?"

A. Verse 15 and 16 clarifies this argument.

      1. Standing on God's second greatest command, "Love your neighbor as yourself"

          we would have to conclude that works is result of true faith.

      2. Jesus said, "the poor will always be with you", giving us the responsibility

          of continuous work.

B. True faith operates with love which prompts us to give to those in need.

    1. True faith does not neglect the responsibility of the welfare of a neighbor

         in need.

   2. A false claim of faith takes the easy way out with just a good sounding

       word.

   3. True faith involves letting go of that which you own to help another person,

       thereby storing up treasures in heaven.

 WORKS THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH

V:17-18. " Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

A. Salvation come by God's grace through our faith.

   1. All believers have saving faith.

   2. I would venture to say, that not all believers have a working faith.

B.  The true issue here is a dead faith versus a living faith.

   1. If I am satisfied with my salvation without any works, then my faith

       is dead.

   2. If I gain my satisfaction by  following God's commands and doing

       His works, then by faith is living.

   3. You know you have an active faith when you find joy is making

        sacrifices to help someone in need.

   4. A person with a living faith is constantly on the giving end, in time and

       resources.

BELIEVING IN GOD IS NOT THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH

V:19-20. " You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? "
A. What James is trying to get us to understand is that  believing in God is a prerequisite            

      to faith but  the not evidence of a living faith. 

   1. All through out Jesus ministry on earth we find demons confronting Jesus with

       knowledge of Him but no faith in Him or His Words.

   2. God put us on this earth to glorify Him with our mouths and works.

   3. To His disciples, Jesus said "Go make disciples, baptizing them in the name of

       the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

   4. This great commission is just one of the commands of Jesus that requires us to

        use   the gifts He has equipped us with to do His will.

B. We were not saved just to get to heaven.

   1. There is work on earth  designed for us

   2. Philippians 1:6 states, " being confident of this, that he who began a good work in 

       you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. "

  3. Colossians 1:10 states, " And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of

      the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing  

      in the knowledge of God, "

ROLE MODELS OF FAITH

V:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;."

A. Abraham is an example of working faith.

    1. God made Him wait until he was 99 years old before he was given a son with

        Sarah.

   2. Isaac was  Abraham's pride and joy.

   3. Isaac  was his long awaited descendant to carry his name to the next generation.

   4. Certainly Abraham would not want to lose his only son.

B. However, Abraham did not hesitate to make plans to sacrifice Isaac on the altar                         

    as requested  by God.

  1. Abraham started his journey with God by leaving his family and home town

      at an  age less than 75 years.

  2. He did not know where He was going when he left Ur, but he followed God's

      commands.

  3. Abraham had a 25 plus relationship with God by the time he was requested to

      make this supreme sacrifice of his son.  

  4. Our faith grows with the work we do for God.

C. God is in the business of growing us up to be His role models for the world.

      1. 2 Corinthians 9:8 states, " And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that   

          in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good 

          work.

     2. The faith of Abraham serves as a role model for us 4000 years later.

     3. We don't serve God so He can serve us. We serve God so we can serve

          others.

ACTIVE WORKING FAITH IS COUNTED

V:23.  "And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God."

A. Alive faith and works go hand in hand. You will not have one without the other.

    1. The definition of faith is to "believe God".

    2. Belief in God is doing His commands as ordered by Him.

B. To be a friend of God we need an active working faith.

    1. We cannot have better friend than Jesus.

    2. He knows our works and will come to our rescue when we need Him.

    3. An Active working faith guides us in a life of service.

LOVE DRIVES ACTS OF FAITH

V:24. " You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone."

 A. Again, verse 24 seems to be a contradiction to Paul's letters.

     1. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

     2. 1 Peter 4:8 states, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a

         multitude of sins. "

B. It is our faith that drives our love.

     1. It is our love that drives our works,

     2. We are constantly in need of forgiveness.

     3.Therefor we are constantly in need of works that covers our sins.

     4. Works cannot save, but works is the evidence of our salvation.

     5. A tree is known by the fruit it bears.

FAITH PRODUCES SALVATION

V:25. " In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? "

A. "Rahab is the second example of a working faith that produced saving

      results.

    1. Personally, I would not compare the level of Rahab's faith to Abraham's.

    2. Abraham was operating on faith when He was promise nothing.

B. Rahab was promised that the life of her and her family would be spared

    when the Israel's army entered her city if she hid  Israel's spies.

    1. Rahab had everything to gain and nothing to lose.

    2. Rahab had a knowledge of Israel's God and His power.

    3. She put her trust in Israel's God.

C. We have a knowledge of the true and living God.

    1. We have a choice to trust God or to trust ourselves.

    2. We have a choice to trust the Word of God or to trust the word of man.

    3. We have a choice to serve God or serve ourselves.

    4. We have a choice to store up treasures in heaven or store them on earth.

ACTIVE FAITH PRODUCES ABUNDANT LIVING

V:26. " For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is    

 dead."

A. God intends for us to have life and to have it abundantly.

    1. Abundant life with God is a life of serve.

    2. Jesus said, "I did not come to be served but to serve".

    3. Jesus also said that greatest among you will be a servant of all.

B. Faith grows through service.

    1. We learn what God will do through us when we reach out and serve.

    2. The gifts that God has provided to each of us are perfected through

        service.

   3. An athlete sitting on the sidelines does not know how good he is until

       he gets in the game.

   4. Believers don't know all the  good they can do until they step out and serve.

   5. Jesus said "It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35     

SHOW YOUR LOVE BY YOUR WORKS

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

 Houston, Texas 77041

For More lessons, follow me on facebook and visit my blogs,

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com