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A FAITH THAT WORKS. Titus 3:8. 3/12/2023. #10.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
1. Hand and glove
a. 19th century German higher criticism swept the seminaries in Europe and America
a1. Liberal pastors made liberal denominations (Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Brethren…)
a2. Churches turned to social work instead of spreading the Gospel
a3. Most no longer believed in the inerrancy of the Word of God
b. Faithful believers turned away from their denominations to either form new denom. or join sounder churches (Baptists, Evan. Free, etc.)
c. When liberal churches started up new social works, many churches abandoned such works as being part of the Social Gospel movement
d. By no longer feeding the poor, housing the homeless, helping the drunk, etc., evangelical believers abandoned the city to the liberals
e. Paul states that good works are a natural result of being saved (one follows the other)
f. Martin Luther thought that James was teaching a works salvation, not than salvation that works
g. Paul emphasizes doing good works twice in his closing letter to Titus
h. Salvation by faith and good works = not opposed
2. Believers in God do good to people
a. Jesus did much good (healing, casting out demons, restoring sight and life, comforting…)
b. 4 evidences of salvation:
a1. An evangelical witness for Christ
a2. A moral life (Galatians 5:19-23)
a3. Worship and prayer
a4. Service to others in the name of Lord
c. The absence of evidence may mean the absence of salvation
a1. I Corinthians 6:9-11 the immoral will not inherit the Kingdom of God (I John 5)
a2. Matthew 10:33 any who deny Christ before men, Christ will deny before the Father
a3. James 2:14-26 if one’s faith is not working through one’s life (as it did with Abraham, Rahab, Noah…) then faith is probably not there, for they are 2 parts of the same whole as body and spirit
d. Works is an extension of our faith
3. That which is profitable
a. A sanctified believer is a benefit to those around him (testimony, comfort, and care)
b. In the name of the Lord, we should feed and clothe the needy, be hospitable, support the weak, help the widow and orphan (James 1:27), and be kind to the stranger
c. Not only do we support rescue work, orphan homes, and missions, but we do what we can to help those in need that God sends our way
d. We do not work to be saved, but we work because we are saved
a1. The Gospel must travel with our works
a2. Witnessing and working = 2 sides of a coin
e. It is not unbiblical to help people
f. Unbiblical to replace the Gospel with works
a1. Salvation leads to service
a2. Salvation without service benefits no one (1 Timothy 3:17 saved to serve)
Key verse: James 2:14-2614 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.