04.27.2025 AM | James 2:14-26

MESSAGE | Dr. Brian Payne (Pastor)

"James' Equation: Saving Faith=Justification + Works"

James 2:14-26

Opening Statement (2:14)

1 |  CASE Study 1: Fruitless Faith Is Useless With People (v. 15-17)

2 | Case Study 2: Fruitless Faith Is Useless With God (v. 18-19)

3 | CASE Study 3 Fruitful Faith Is Useful With God (v. 20-24)

4 | CASE Study 4: Fruitful Faith is Useful With People (v. 25-26)

Harmonizing Paul and James:

(1)  Depending entirely on Christ is how we are justified and bear fruit.

(2) Both Paul and James both teach that new creation comes from God’s sovereign, gracious initiative (James 1:18…Ephesians 2:4-7)

(3) Paul and James both teach that salvation is linked to the effective power of the gospel (James 1:18; Eph 1:13; Rom 10:17…)

(4) Fruitful Faith is necessary (James, this text) (Paul Ephesian 2:8)

(5) Paul and James are addressing different concerns. 

(6) Paul and James use "works" in different ways. 

(7) Paul and James use the word “justify” in different ways. 

(8) Paul actually teaches the same point James teaches (Gal 5:6…Ephesians 2:10…Romans 6:1-4)