Memory Verse: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)
Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26 / Romans 3:21-26 / Romans 4:1-4, 13-25
Introduction: Often we think that the day of miracles and great faith was primarily in Bible times and that very little of this is seen today. The accounts in the Bible cover many centuries and some generations probably saw very little along this line to encourage them. Gideon was quite discouraged and wished that some of the great events that older folk told of could happen in his day. And they did!
A man from Arkansas related two experiences which we would like to share with you since they remind us of Old Testament miracles. Once during the Depression this gentleman got a call to go to another place and preach, and hold a series of meetings. He got down and prayed, telling the Lord, “Now Lord, You know we haven’t got any flour in the house and I need some new pants,” while on his knees he got a vision of a piece of tin lying in the road. He went down the road expecting to find something under the tin. Sure enough, he found the tin but was greatly disappointed upon lifting it to find nothing there. He turned back toward the house, but instead of going the way he came he turned in by a fence and found a $5.00 dollar bill. He purchased a sack of flour and a pair of pants.
Again, in 1934 the man said their well went dry, he went to the bottom of the well and drilled and blasted; when the dust had settled he went down the well but the bottom was still dry. You can imagine his desperation for he said they had no water for the cattle or for the household. Taking the steel drill in one hand and the hammer in the other he prayed, “Now Lord, aren’t you the same God who gave the children of Israel water in the wilderness? When I hit this steel, you can let the water come.” He said, “I hit the steel and a stream of water shot up about eight inches and about the size of your finger—I had to get out of there.”
A brother from Astoria, Oregon sent in a tract containing the following testimony: He was working in a mine in Montana and a small railroad track used to carry cars of ore extended out of the mine, down an incline and across a trestle. One time when he was walking on the trestle some ore cars broke loose and began to come rapidly toward the trestle. He ran for the opposite side, but the cars kept gaining so that it was obvious that he would be overtaken, all at once he noticed two of the wooden railroad ties were separated on one end allowing space enough to go through. He immediately dropped down through the opening just as the cars roared overhead. After they had passed, he looked about him and found that the ties were evenly spaced and there was no room to go back the way he came down. He then passed down on the under part of the trestle to go on his way.
True faith and righteous works go hand in hand; faith and works are not enemies. They are two parts of God’s work in us. Faith brings a person to salvation and works bring that person to faithfulness. James believed it and so did Paul.
Certainly God is very much alive—answering prayers of faith and doing 20th century exploits, and I have no doubts that they will continue to happen in this 21st century also.
Lesson Questions:
- As pertaining to salvation, which is more profitable—faith or works? James 2:14.
- Will faith clothe the naked or feed the destitute? James 2:15-16.
- Is it possible for faith to live for long, without works? What does faith do if it is alone? James 2:17.
- How are we demonstrating our faith? Are works possible without faith? James 2:18. Is it possible to believe in one God and yet have insufficient faith? James 2:19-20.
- By what was Abraham justified? Hebrews 11:8-10. Would his justification have been possible without a vital faith in God? James 2:21.
- Explain how Abraham’s faith and works were perfected and rewarded. James 2:22.
- Was Abraham righteous because of his works alone? Whom did he believe? James 2:23; Hebrews 11:6. What was Abraham called?
- Does a sinner become justified by works and find peace? Romans 3:22-26; Romans 5:1. Having become justified from sin, is it necessary that a Christian maintain both faith and works, if he continues his justification? James 2:24.