How to Develop Real Faith

1
How to Develop Real Faith

• (James 214-26)

2
A Brief Review

• Todays lesson represents our ninth installment
  in this series of lessons taken from the book of
  James.
• The theme for our series is How To
  Christianity. We are seeking to learn practical
  ways in which we can address various spiritual
  matters.

3
Previous LessonsHow To

• Survive Trying Times (12-4)
• Obtain Wisdom (15-8)
• Survive Temptation (112-18)
• Address Our Anger (119,20)
• Secure Salvation (121)
• Become Doers of the Word (122-25)
• Embrace Pure Religion (126,27)
• Stop Showing Partiality (21-13)

4
How to Develop Real Faith

• Discuss the Importance of Faith
• Examine the Two Kinds of Faith Mentioned in Our
  Text
• Learn How to Develop Real Faith

5
The Importance of Faith

• Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
  (Hebrews 111,6)
• We cannot be saved without faith. (Ephesians 28)
• As Christians we are to walk by faith and not by
  sight. (II Corinthians 57)
• If we do anything apart from faith it is sin.
  (Romans 1423)

6
Two Types of Faith Mentioned in Our Text

• Profitless Faith (214-17)
• This kind of faith believes, feels, and says all
  the right things but has no ACTION!
• It is the kind of faith that leaves needs unmet
  and peoples lives unfulfilled. (214-17)
• It is the kind of faith that is equal to that of
  demons. Yes, they believe in Jesus (Mark
  311,12), but it does not bring about change in
  who they are!
• Our text tells us this kind of faith is dead,
  useless, and vain (217,20,26)!

7
Two Types of Faith Mentioned in Our Text

• Powerful Faith (220-26)
• This is the only type of faith that can save us!
• It is a faith based not only upon believing the
  right things and saying the right things but also
  DOING the right things! (Matthew 721 Luke 646)
• This is illustrated in our text by two powerful
  examples that of Abraham and that of Rahab
  (221-26).
• The key to a powerful, perfect, and righteous
  faith is OBEDIENCE! If God wills it, we should do
  it!

8
How to Develop Powerful Faith

• The first step in developing powerful faith is to
  examine ones own life. (II Corinthians 135)
• The second step in developing powerful faith is
  to pray that God will give us the courage to
  develop a working, obedient faith. (Matthew
  2122)
• And the third step in developing powerful faith
  is to involve ourselves with those who are
  actively seeking to do the will of God in their
  own lives.