A TRUMPET WITH GOSPEL SOUL
James 2:14-25
BY WHOM, TO WHOM & WHY?
•James, the half-brother of Jesus
•Written in and around 50 AD, died in 62 AD
•To the messianic Jews who were dispersed as early persecution broke out against them
•The Jews in their heritage were accustomed to the ‘Law’, under the Gospel they needed to see redeemed conduct that was at the heart of the Law which Christ fulfilled
A CONTENTION FOR FAITH THAT PRACTICES
•Written in and around 50 AD, died in 62 AD
•To the messianic Jews who were dispersed as early persecution broke out against them
•The Jews in their heritage were accustomed to the ‘Law’, under the Gospel they needed to see redeemed conduct that was at the heart of the Law which Christ fulfilled
A CONTENTION FOR FAITH THAT PRACTICES
•Faith without praxis for James puts into question Salvation (Mt 7:21-23)
•In citing an example James draws a conclusion…a metaphorical death
•James supposes a conversation that compartmentalizes faith and action…but they are yoked partners
•Theologically informed- but are we theologically transformed?
A STRONG FORCE OF WORDS
•In citing an example James draws a conclusion…a metaphorical death
•James supposes a conversation that compartmentalizes faith and action…but they are yoked partners
•Theologically informed- but are we theologically transformed?
A STRONG FORCE OF WORDS
•James uses the word ‘fool’, biblically this is condemnation
•He produces evidence for a question that he himself asks
•Abraham (a father figure for every Jew) had a faith that was accompanied in deed…in fact that deed made God say of Abraham- Friend (Is 41:8)
•He uses Rahab a woman of questionable character…if that would work to awaken consciousness
•He produces evidence for a question that he himself asks
•Abraham (a father figure for every Jew) had a faith that was accompanied in deed…in fact that deed made God say of Abraham- Friend (Is 41:8)
•He uses Rahab a woman of questionable character…if that would work to awaken consciousness
TAKE AWAY
LET THE SOUL OF THE GOSPEL BE HEARD-SEEN IN THE PLAYING OF YOUR TRUMPET
To say that Christian faith can be devoid of praxis for James is foolishness, in fact it puts into question- if the person has actually responded to the saving faith expressed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
