FAITH THAT WORKS

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

James 2.14-26

James 2.14 (ESV) What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

James is confronting the difference between a PROFESSED faith and a PRACTICED faith.

James 2.15-16 (ESV) If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Having the right theology—the right beliefs—without a life that follows is like having a perfect set of blueprints for a house you never build.

Verse 14: A non-saving faith

Verse 16: A no-good faith

Verse 19: demonic faith

Verse 20: Useless faith

Verse 22: Incomplete faith

Verse 24: Inauthentic faith

Verse 26: Lifeless faith

Genuine belief always affects behavior.

James 2.19 (ESV) You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Biblical faith is more than agreement. Biblical faith is allegiance.

Romans 3.28 (ESV) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

James 2.24 (ESV) You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Paul says: Works are not the root of salvation.

James says: Works are the fruit of your salvation.

1 Corinthians 15.10 (NIV) . . . By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.

James 2.22 (ESV) [Abraham’s] faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works. . .

Romans 5.8 (ESV) God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

James 2.26 (ESV) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

What act of obedience have you postponed while continuing to tell yourself that you believe?

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What does real faith actually look like?

James 2 gives us a challenging answer: living faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. It serves. It obeys. It gets its hands dirty.

In this message by Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., from our IRL: In Real Life series, we explore one of the most debated passages in the New Testament: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Are we saved by faith or by works? And how do James and Paul fit together?

The good news is that our hope doesn’t rest in our work for Jesus, but in Jesus’ work for us. We don’t work to earn grace. But when grace takes hold of a life, it leaves evidence.

Grace comes first. But grace never comes alone.

Living faith becomes visible. It has dirt on its knees, calluses on its hands—and work boots on its feet.

📖 James 2:14–26

🎙️ IRL: In Real Life

📍 Prestoncrest Church of Christ | Dallas, Texas

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NO FAVORITES

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

James 2.1-13

James 2.1 (ESV) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Favoritism sees people according to what they can potentially give us.

Grace sees people according to the value God has already given them.

Galatians 3.27 (NLT) And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

James 2.5 (ESV) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?

The person you barely notice is someone God deeply treasures.

We must never confuse visibility with value.

James 2.8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

James 2.12-13 (ESV) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty . . . Mercy triumphs over judgment.

People who forget how much mercy they have received become stingy with mercy.

The gospel does not merely save us. It retrains our eyes.

Who do I naturally notice . . . and who have I trained myself not to see?

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DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

NO FAVORITES

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

James 2.1-13

James 2.1 (ESV) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Favoritism sees people according to what they can potentially give us.

Grace sees people according to the value God has already given them.

Galatians 3.27 (NLT) And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

James 2.5 (ESV) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?

The person you barely notice is someone God deeply treasures.

We must never confuse visibility with value.

James 2.8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

James 2.12-13 (ESV) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty . . . Mercy triumphs over judgment.

People who forget how much mercy they have received become stingy with mercy.

The gospel does not merely save us. It retrains our eyes.

Who do I naturally notice . . . and who have I trained myself not to see?

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Women of Worship’s Opening Day is a special kickoff event each year for our weekly Women’s Bible Study.

This day features a special GUEST SPEAKER, Childcare, and Luncheon afterwards.

Be sure to RSVP for lunch and/or childcare by clicking HERE!

GUEST SPEAKER this year is Mahsa Elyaar… a wife, a mother of three boys, and a follower of Jesus. She serves as a missionary with Prestoncrest, working with house churches and Christian leaders in Iran through church planting, discipleship, and leadership development. She and her husband Nathan live in Texas with their 3 sons.

“Growing up in Iran and following Jesus in a challenging environment has deeply shaped my faith and my understanding of God’s faithfulness. Through my years of ministry, I have had the privilege of walking alongside believers and seeing God transform lives through the Gospel. I am grateful for every opportunity to share what God has taught me through my journey and to encourage others in their faith and walk with Jesus.”

Originally living in the Middle East, she and Nathan launched an internet ministry together and provided leadership and teachings to their local churches. Nathan served as the leader of churches in five cities. They planted one Arab church and one Persian church in Turkey. In 2017, they moved to the United States where they continued planting house churches in Iran over the internet. They have planted over 80 house churches in Iran and led hundreds of Iranians to be baptized. They also produced Bible video lessons that were published in social media and over the Farsi satellite Christian T.V channel with an average audience of one million. Her inspiring story of her life and mission work is an event you will NOT want to miss!

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DO THE WORD

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

James 1.19-27

James 1.22 (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

God's Word has not completed its work when we hear it, study it, underline it, or agree with it. The Word completes its work as we live it.

James 1.19 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. . .

James 1.21 (ESV) Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Alignment precedes assignment.

Sometimes we ask God for new instructions while ignoring the instructions he's already given.

Alignment precedes assignment.

James 1.22 (ESV) . . . be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1.25 (ESV) . . . the law of liberty. . .

James 1.26 (ESV) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

James 1.27 (NLT) Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

"Visit grandma. Bring shared meals to my elderly neighbors. Walk across the street to meet my neighbors and invite them over for a meal. Call my wife more often from work and tell her how thankful and grateful I am for our life together. Wash the dishes. Go for more walks and bike rides. Remember my grandchildren's birthdays . . . Pay closer attention to my inattentive students. Fast. Pray. Tithe." - Mercer Schuchardt

“Because of what God has shown me, this week I will __________.”

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DO THE WORD

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

James 1.19-27

James 1.22 (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

God's Word has not completed its work when we hear it, study it, underline it, or agree with it. The Word completes its work as we live it.

James 1.19 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. . .

James 1.21 (ESV) Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Alignment precedes assignment.

Sometimes we ask God for new instructions while ignoring the instructions he's already given.

Alignment precedes assignment.

James 1.22 (ESV) . . . be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1.25 (ESV) . . . the law of liberty. . .

James 1.26 (ESV) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

James 1.27 (NLT) Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

"Visit grandma. Bring shared meals to my elderly neighbors. Walk across the street to meet my neighbors and invite them over for a meal. Call my wife more often from work and tell her how thankful and grateful I am for our life together. Wash the dishes. Go for more walks and bike rides. Remember my grandchildren's birthdays . . . Pay closer attention to my inattentive students. Fast. Pray. Tithe." - Mercer Schuchardt

“Because of what God has shown me, this week I will __________.”

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

THE TEMPTATION TRAP

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

James 1.12-18

Trials are the hard things that happen to us.

Temptations are the bad things that look good to us.

James 1.12 (NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

There is no testimony without the test.

We cannot avoid temptation. But we can learn to recognize the trap before we crawl inside.

James 1.13-15 (ESV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Pre-sin is fought with pre-decisions.

Temptation gets stronger in the dark and weaker when we drag it into the light.

A pre-decision is a gift your strong self presents your weak self.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) [Jesus] in every respect has been tempted as we are.

Lust of the flesh.

Lust of the eyes

The pride of life

James 1.16-18 (NLT) So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Remember who God is and remember who you are.

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