X Close Menu

HOPE Covenant Sermons

Serves Others

February 27, 2011 Series: Character References

Topic: Personal Growth and Recovery Verse: James 2:14–2:20

CHARACTER REFERENCES

“Serves Others”

Pastor Duane Cross | 02.27.2011


“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” (James 2:14-20)

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe: help me overcome my unbelief.’” (Mark 9:24)

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)

3 Characteristics of a Spiritual Zombie

I. EMPTY CONFESSION

“However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”

(Romans 3:28)

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” (Romans 3:20)

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16)

“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. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

(Ephesians 2:8-10)

II. FALSE COMPASSION

III. SHALLOW CONVICTION

“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

(John 17:4)

More in Character References

April 17, 2011

Prays Believing

April 10, 2011

Shows Patience & Perseverance

April 3, 2011

Isn't Consumeristic