There was no service Sunday January 25, 2026 due to the weather so there was no sermon post last week.

Today’s sermon audio can be found on Castbox at 150 “Can That Faith Save Him?”, James 2:14-26.

Our primary text for February 1 is James 2:14-26. For our first reading we read Galatians 5:16-26 to show that Paul also has a concept like dead faith. We read Romans 4:1-5 to show that Paul is very clear about justification by faith alone. We also read Ephesians 2:1-10 to show that Paul also assuredly has a concept of living faith. We need to take James seriously without pitting him against Paul. Both authors warn us of pseudo-faith and commend to us saving faith. James wants us to show evidence of our faith to vindicate our claims to being true believers. But James is not suggesting that demons can add works to their faith and thereby be saved. He is saying the faith that doesn’t exhibit commensurate works is suspect. Take it as a first use of the law or as a third use of the law as appropriate.

  1. Introduction: Two Kinds of Faith
  2. Dead Faith (2:14-20)
  3. Living Faith (2:21-26)
  4. Conclusion: Paul Agrees with James

Scripture References: Galatians 5:16-26; James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:1-10;

the premise: faith without works is dead

Analysis of vv14-26

  • 1st assertion of the premise (v14)
  • 1st example of dead faith (vv15-16)
  • 2nd assertion of the premise (v17)
  • 2nd example of dead faith (vv18-19)
  • 3rd assertion of the premise (v20)
  • 1st example of living faith (vv21-23)
  • 4th assertion of the premise (v24)
  • 2nd example of living faith (v25)
  • 5th assertion of the premise (v26)