Do Something | James 2:14-26 | Arik Hayes

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: Do Something | James 2:14-26 | Arik Hayes
Date: February 9, 2026
Host/Speaker: Arik Hayes
Theme:
This sermon explores the deep relationship between genuine biblical faith and action, centering on James 2:14-26. Arik Hayes challenges the congregation to examine whether their faith produces real-world good works and obedience, asserting that true belief in Christ cannot be separated from genuine life change and practical acts of love.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Online and In-Person Communities

• Warm welcome to “Digital Disciples” worldwide, emphasizing that the church is a place to belong before one believes.
• “We absolutely believe this is a place where you can absolutely belong before you actually believe.” (02:08)

2. Introduction: The Call to Action—"Do Something"

• The message uses a personal story and a scene from the movie “John Q” to illustrate desperate, urgent action in the face of suffering.
• Quoting the movie’s mother: “Do something.” (08:31)
• Arik reveals how this resonates as a wake-up call—if we truly care about the Son (Jesus), we must respond with action.

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3. Faith and Works According to James 2:14-26

a. Genuine Faith Must Produce Good Works

• James 2:14-17 is read aloud and discussed.

  “Genuine faith produces good works.” (12:16)

• Using humor and personal anecdotes (such as needing a thermal in London), Arik illustrates how offering well wishes without real help is useless—paralleling dead faith.

  “If I was out there shivering... and you just telling me, ‘Be warmed,’—what help is that going to do?” (15:18)

b. The Difference Between Religious Claims and Real Faith

• Faith and works are not in opposition; good works are evidence of authentic faith, not a substitute or cause.
• “You cannot have true biblical faith and not have works of obedience and fruit of righteousness. It cannot happen.” (22:39)
• Simple confession or mental agreement ("I believe in God") is not sufficient—“even the demons believe and shudder.” (19:04)

c. Biblical Examples: Abraham and Rahab

• Abraham (21:33–28:04): Faith justified through obedience, not by claim alone. The willingness to sacrifice Isaac was a demonstration of true faith.

  “Biblical faith right there—it can’t be hidden.” (28:05)

• Rahab (30:59–34:52): Even a “pagan lying prostitute” was justified by acting in faith. Cleanliness or perfection is not a prerequisite for being used by God.

  “You can have faith and still not be all the way cleaned up... she had faith.” (32:46)

d. Faith Without Works is Dead

• Summing up: “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith, a confession of faith... apart from works of obedience, works of submission to Christ, righteous good deeds is dead.” (35:25)
• Works should not be performative or for man’s approval, but genuinely connected to faith in the Son (36:31).

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4. Practical Application & Obedience

a. Heart Check: Is There a Seed of Obedience?

• “Is there at least a seed of obedience?... Something moving on the inside saying, ‘I gotta live right, I gotta love, I gotta forgive, I gotta be generous, I gotta serve…’” (25:15)

b. Doing Works: Not Just Activity, but Spirit-Led Action

• Activity is not always obedience; works must be connected to intimate faith and God’s timing.
• “You just can’t run out and just start doing stuff. Is it connected to the faith in the Son—not manipulation, not to be seen?” (36:32)
• Timing and Sensitivity: Some delay obedience out of discomfort or endless preparation; others act impulsively without seeking God.

  “How many different tabs or bookmarks you gonna make before you just make a move?” (39:11) “You won’t ever learn everything in a book or research. Never.” (39:38)

c. Distraction and Spiritual Sensitivity

• Recognizing distractions—particularly constant engagement with screens—prevents sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s nudging.

  “Sometimes you’re dealing with something because you just refuse to be bored enough to listen to the Holy Ghost.” (38:12) “Our disobedience is not out loud, but we’re being disobedient.” (37:52)

d. Encouragement to the Weary

• For those who have been faithful but are weary: “Hold on, beloved. Don’t give up. Don’t abort the mission.” (44:44)

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5. Grace and Identity in Christ

The Example of Paul (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)

• Even Paul—who had a troubled past—was used by God because of grace, not past performance.

  “But by the grace of God, I am what I am. Maybe you don’t think I deserve to be on this platform, but by the grace of God, I am what I am.” (45:25)

• Grace is not idle:

  “I worked harder than all…though it was not I, but the grace of God… which was with me—faith connected to works.” (46:44–47:04)

Calling to Action

• Every believer’s works will be unique—whether it’s church service, reconciliation, generosity, or just one act of obedience.

  “It’s not about doing stuff, it’s about doing it because he died on the cross for us. And that faith—real faith—produces good works.” (47:47)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• “Different continent, same Christmas, different country, same God, Different city, same Savior.” (01:28)
• “Do something.” — referencing “John Q” (08:31)
• “Genuine faith produces good works.” (12:16)
• “Just by having a mere confession or a mental ascent or a belief that God is the true and living God, that puts you in the same designation as the demons.” (20:00)
• “You cannot have true biblical faith and not have works of obedience and fruit of righteousness. It cannot happen.” (22:39)
• “Faith is connected with the umbilical cord to obedience and good works. They are not separate.” (18:02)
• “If you have faith, it will result in obedience.” (24:11)
• “Sometimes you’re dealing with something because you just refuse to be bored enough to listen to the Holy Ghost.” (38:12)
• “Hold on, beloved. Don’t give up. Don’t abort the mission.” (44:44)
• “By the grace of God, I am what I am.” (45:25)
• “Faith connected to his works. Grace to be impregnated with the gospel. Grace and favor to do the works.” (47:04)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:46–03:38 — Welcoming Digital Disciples and setting the tone of belonging
• 08:31–09:35 — “Do something” illustration from “John Q”
• 10:56–13:08 — Introduction to James 2:14–26
• 18:02–24:11 — Faith, obedience, and the “pregnancy” metaphor
• 25:15 — Heart check: examining for obedience
• 30:59–34:52 — The example of Rahab and grace for the imperfect
• 36:32–41:11 — Discernment, timing, distraction, and obeying the Spirit
• 44:44–47:04 — Encouragement to the weary and the example of Paul
• 47:47–48:39 — Final call: faith produces good works; prayer closes

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Conclusion

Arik Hayes calls listeners to examine whether their faith is alive—with tangible evidence in transformed living, obedience, and acts of love. It’s not enough to believe in God; real faith always “does something.” Whether you’re just beginning faith or feeling weary in well-doing, the call is the same: trust Christ’s finished work, listen to the Spirit’s prompting, and respond with obedient action—because faith without works is truly dead.

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Transcript

[A]

All right, beloved, please be seated in the presence of the Lord. Welcome to 2819 Church.

[B]

Beloved. We are a church that is.

[A]

We'll continue to say it. We're a house of prayer, presence and proclamation, all three. And this. This actually, you know, I go through this and. But this next part means a little bit more to me. Today. I want to welcome our online community, the Digital Disciples.

[B]

You know, we gonna clap it up.

[A]

We gonna clap it up, right?

[B]

So I know our pastor is gonna address it when he comes back to the pulpit, but I want to. Can I just give you from my heart, right? So I was privileged to be able.

[A]

To see digital Disciples come in from all over the world and trickle in. And from New Zealand, from Asia, from places in America, from Florida, Washington State, Ohio, Texas, everywhere, right? From the Virgin Islands, you know, we've seen that, right? But I had the honor and Privilege to see 7,000 digital disciples convene in.

[B]

One place over two experiences. Seven see 2,000 plus respond to a.

[A]

Call to either salvation or to contend for the gospel on their continent. And it changed me. It changed me. Different continent, same Christmas, different country, same God, Different city, same Savior. So as I look across this camera. Welcome to our online community, Digital Disciples. Those in the UK and beyond, we love you. And also want to welcome the unbeliever today. Yeah, we're gonna clap it up. Clap it up again. We'll continue to say this is a place where you can absolutely belong before you actually believe. Right. I don't want to jump into the message real quick, but there's a difference between hanging around the things of faith and then having faith come in and.

[B]

Change your life and then readdress you to go to heaven. There's a difference. We can sit on the same row, but have different eternal destinations, different fathers, different kingdoms.

[A]

Different things to do. And it's our hope, it is our prayer, it is our intention to do what we can to set the atmosphere so that the Holy Spirit.

[B]

Because nothing happens in the kingdom without the Holy Ghost. You can't manipulate somebody into the kingdom. It has to be something pure from the Holy Ghost.

[A]

That we will be in the same family one day. That you will come aboard the Ark of Safety so that when Jesus comes back, you'll go with them, with us. All right? And as customary, I want to honor the pastor of this house, Philip Anthony Mitchell.

[B]

No pressure. Is an opportunity. Opportunity to give honor where I believe. We believe honor is do.

[A]

As a church, we are continuing to walk through the book of Matthew. Actually, we're about to wrap this thing up here, right? We titled this series that we're currently going through calls to commission. However, I have the honor and privilege of preaching a standalone sermon to you that I've titled Do something, do something by your head. Let me pray for us. Holy Father, how we need you. How we need you in this hour. How we're needy. God, in your presence. Lord God, help us not come into your presence with pride and arrogance, as if we are independent from your grace and your plan of salvation. God, I pray that you would bless this gathering, that we would behold your glory in the scriptures as we've already done in worship and prayer. Help the vessel this morning, which is myself, God, to be able to deliver your word with clarity and with truth and with power from the Holy Ghost. It's in Jesus name I pray. Amen and amen. Frank, you mind hanging out with me? Family. Good to see you. Good to see you again. So, family, it's a movie about. It's over, like, 20 years old, right. And the part that I'm going to talk about has actually stuck with me since I saw it. I want to say, like, the first time there was this movie called John Q. Anybody seen it? Right, Right. So it's actually a sad movie. Those that have not seen it. Right. If you have not seen it. One of my friends, I mentioned the movie, like, a couple months back.

[B]

There was like.

[A]

It was a spoiler alert.

[B]

I was like, the movie's 20 years old. If we can't talk about movies that are 20 years old, like, what are we?

[A]

Love you, by the way, if you're looking. All right, But I'm gonna spoil it for you.

[B]

At least part of it.

[A]

Right. It's about. It's about a family, African American family, mother, father, and it was a son. And he was actually playing a baseball game, and he was just running like nothing was happening. All of a sudden he just, like, passed out. And then like, the plot just really takes off from there. So he goes to the hospital and it's like it's discovered that he has, like, a very serious heart issue. And they're saying that he needs, like, a heart transplant.

[B]

Right.

[A]

The whole point of the movie, they're going through this, just the trial of the family, of the father, of the mother, of the son. It's heart wrenching because now we're talking about insurance and we're talking about money. And honestly, we don't feel like we should have to be dealing with either of those. We're talking about saving a life.

[B]

So, like, Pushing them.

[A]

You know, insurance is pushing him around.

[B]

He needs money. He's middle America.

[A]

He's doing stuff, man.

[B]

And it keeps going. And there comes a point in this.

[A]

Movie where he's trying.

[B]

He's doing stuff, and he. And he's doing it. And then. And then his wife was at the hospital. He was out there handling something, and his wife was at the hospital. And she called him, like, John.

[A]

She was like.

[B]

She started talking like a monotone voice. And they were like, yo, they're going to release him. Talking about the son.

[A]

They're gonna release him.

[B]

He's like, baby, I just gave him money. It's like, everything's gonna be. She's like, no, you don't. You don't understand. They're going to release him. They're sending him to parish and die. He was like, but, baby, it's gonna be okay. She's like, no, it's not gonna be okay. And she comes along, and I don't know why, but it resonated in my soul even to this day. She said, do something.

[A]

And I think that was one of her best, best things on screen because I. I felt like she was really the mother.

[B]

I forgot that this was a movie.

[A]

I don't even think I had children.

[B]

No, I didn't have children then. I.

[A]

But it.

[B]

It resonated. Do something. You see our son is suffering. You. You. You see what's going on. You see the tombs in his nose. I need you to do something.

[A]

When I was arrested and she had conveyed the conviction and the heart of someone who cared about the Son, and.

[B]

She was saying, because something is happening with the Son. If you care about the Son, you need to go and do something.

[A]

Likewise, beloved. We're saying real biblical faith. If you have conviction that the Son lived a sinful, a sinless life for.

[B]

Your sinful self, and he came down from heaven, lived that life, was scourged, we saw a couple weeks back, was beaten.

[A]

Was crucified, Crown of thorns on his head, nails in his hands and his feet died, was placed in a tomb, was risen on the third day. And because of that, your sin debt is paid. You now have access to our Heavenly Father.

[B]

We now, through faith in him, have been adopted.

[A]

We are now a part of the.

[B]

Kingdom, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his dear Son, Christ.

[A]

And now that is our reality.

[B]

And we're saying, if you believe that, if you have conviction in that, if that is real to you, beloved, we have to do something.

[A]

If you really believe it, I'm going to jump into James. He's going to talk about this. We're just going to walk through the Scriptures, beloved, Going to jump into James 2. We're going to jump into verse 14, and we're going to see what the Lord has to say. All right? At verse 14, we're going to look at 14, 14 through 16 together.

[B]

James says, what good is it, my brothers, if someone says, they says. If someone says he has faith but does not have words.

[A]

Can that faith save him?

[B]

Amplified says in that same verse, what is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but. But has no good works as evidence, can that kind of faith save him? It says, no, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient. And it ends that verse by saying.

[A]

Genuine faith produces good works. So we're going to hang out right there, beloved. Genuine faith produces good works.

[B]

Verse 15, it says, now if a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to him, go in peace, be warm and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? Verse 17. So also, faith by itself.

[A]

If it.

[B]

Does not have works.

[A]

Is dead.

[B]

Right? So we actually, everybody knows, right?

[A]

We were over to. Went over to London in the UK last week, had an amazing time.

[B]

Met.

[A]

Again digital disciples, and we essentially just picked up 2819 and took it to the UK. That's what we did, right? So everybody knows. You heard me preach. I'm like a real homebody. That's not like something. I'd just be up here saying, I.

[B]

Can be a homebody in a whole nother country.

[A]

No, I'm not playing.

[B]

I was listening. I'm prepping. I could have just stayed in the room like the whole time, and you'd have called me a weirdo and you would have been correct, okay? But my good elder was just like.

[A]

Hey, man, let's we all the way over here.

[B]

Let's at least go do something. All right? So it's so funny. I was just like, well, how long we gonna be out, Elder? I was like, I'm serious about this homebody stuff. They gonna know us. How long? You might as well just go out for a little bit. You mind coming to drop me off? He was like, sure.

[A]

So I was like, nah, I ain't.

[B]

Gotta be out there seven hours.

[A]

All right, all right, all right.

[B]

So we came down, we were blessed.

[A]

To have a car, be able to shut us around for a day.

[B]

And I came out and. And I'm a bigger guy, right?

[A]

And I'm used to Like, Georgia, like.

[B]

We really don't, for the most part. Till it got crazy two weeks ago. Like, we hang out in the 40s, right? And the 40s is enough for me to change plans.

[A]

Like, nah, I'm not coming outside.

[B]

I don't think. I don't think it's something I really want to do, right? So I was just like, all right. Well, I thought, you know, I looked. It was like, 39, so I just had something like this, and I stepped outside to see if the car was there. And that window from London was eating these jeans up. So I came back inside. I think I was like, you? That's all you're gonna wear? I was like, yeah. Then I went out there one more time, and again, it was eating these jeans up. And I was like, man, we're gonna be walking around. I'm gonna go upstairs and put a thermal on. I haven't put a thermal on since 92. So if I'd have been sitting there, somebody would have walked past me like, hey, man. Hey, God bless you. Warm yourself. Be cool. You're gonna be all right. And thought they really helped me. I would have looked at them like they were crazy. Because I'm famous for saying, hey, man, I don't need a coat. I'm only gonna be outside for five seconds anyway. From the car to the building, I'm fine. But no, if I was out there in the elements, and that wind is different in the UK because it's surrounded by water and I'm out there shivering, you just telling me, be warmed. What help is that going to do? Some of y' all laughing, right? Yeah. Can you imagine a look I would have given you?

[A]

It says in the same way, beloved. So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

[B]

Verse 18, Beloved, it says, but someone will say, you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your.

[A]

Works, and I will show you faith by my works. I'm going to slow down here.

[B]

Amplified version says, someone may say, you.

[A]

Claim to have faith and I have good works.

[B]

Show me your alleged faith without the works if you can, and I will show you my faith by my works, that is, by what I do. And I want to stop here. Right. I'm going to continue to nail this home because we believe saved through faith, by grace. Right? So it can appear like I'm saying something different here, but I am not. Right. It's almost like James is coming to further clarify what Paul talks about in the Pauline epistle. Right? Saved through faith alone. But it's like, so somebody on our staff is actually pregnant, right? And we, like, they told us, they shared it with us. We were like, yeah, she's pregnant.

[A]

With that being said, we're saying it's just a matter of time before she delivers the baby.

[B]

Okay, we're not gonna come. And she has the baby. And like, oh my gosh, what happened? We already were made aware that she was pregn. And the baby is growing and growing and growing. And there are growing pains with that sometimes, right? You gotta change the way you walk sometimes. The pregnant waddle. I've seen it a time or two. Right, right. And there are contractions as you're birthing things in the spirit.

[A]

And then she delivers the baby. What I'm telling you, beloved is genuine biblical, real, true faith is connected with the umbilical cord to obedience and good works. They are not separate. And I'm jumping to 19 and listen.

[B]

Hey, this is one of those shake.

[A]

Up verses, like where it says, you know, you know, lord, Lord, we did.

[B]

All this in your name.

[A]

He says, depart from me.

[B]

I knew you not. This is another shake up verse to me. Okay?

[A]

All right.

[B]

So verse 19 says. And he's writing to Jewish believers at this time.

[A]

He says, you believe that God is one.

[B]

You do. Well, sounds amazing, doesn't it? Right?

[A]

He says, even the demons believe and shudder.

[B]

Let me give it to you. In the amplified verse, he said, you believe that God is one. You do well to believe that.

[A]

Also says the demons also believe that. Shudder and bristle in awe, field terror. They have seen his wrath. Take that down.

[B]

Don't. We also think that's a good thing. You run into somebody, man, who you believe in, you believe Jesus. God?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

God is the one true and living God. Yeah, man. When the church, you know, my family, that's. They give you start talking to people. Yeah, man, we grew up in the church.

[A]

I didn't ask you about none of that.

[B]

I could actually care less.

[A]

But I listen, right?

[B]

I'm looking for, do you have faith? When he comes back, are you going? I just want to make this very plain. Well, verse 19 is saying just by having a mere confession or a mental ascent or a belief that God is the true and living God, that puts you in the same designation as the demons. Jesus, Isn't that what it says?

[A]

You see why? Because we love you. We just can't let you believe that. You can just say you a Christian and just do whatever you want and.

[B]

Think that you in the kingdom. You see how that's love, Beloved.

[A]

Verse 20 ESV. He continues, he says, do you want to be shown, you foolish person that believes that that faith apart from works is useless, amplified?

[B]

But are you willing to recognize, you foolish, spiritually shallow person, that faith without good works is useless?

[A]

They go to some Old Testament examples of faith with works. We're going to jump into verse 21. We're talking about Abraham. The father of our faith 21 says, was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

[B]

Verse 22, you see that faith was active, say active along with his works. And faith was completed by his works. Stop. Right, so, so, so I know it.

[A]

Says justified by his works, right? The further explanation was that justified by.

[B]

His faith inspired works one, because true, genuine faith in the womb and the actual delivering of the baby are connected. So in what I'm really saying, beloved, I'm gonna say it a couple different ways. You cannot have true biblical faith saying.

[A]

And not have works of obedience and fruit of righteousness. It cannot happen. I'll give you 22 and the amplified to further nail that home.

[B]

He said, you see that his face for faith was working together with his works.

[A]

Faith works together.

[B]

And as a result of the works, his faith was completed, reaching its maturity when he expressed his faith through obedience. I gotta tell you something, beloved. I said the word obedience and it didn't sit right with me. If we're honest, that's not even a word we use anymore. My wife in the kitchen the other day, she said, she's like, you're just being disobedient to one of the children. I'm the daddy and the elder. And I was like, oh, it sounded a little judgmental. Don't you feel the same if somebody just walked right over? You was like, hey, you being disobedient? Who you talking to?

[A]

Even as believers, we don't connect faith with obedience to God. You want to label us Bible thumpers, but you're saying you actually have to obey the scriptures.

[B]

If you have faith, it will result in obedience. Let me stop right here, cuz some of y', all, you're a little nervous. You like, I don't know if I'm saying what you want to do is you want to run out and now you just want to start doing stuff. Stop. That's not it. We've been preaching all through Matthew, right? And it's been showing us just because you have religious activity, it does not mean that you are connected to the Savior. It does not mean that. Right, Right. So if you see yourself and you actually have a true confession of faith.

[A]

You believe it's true, right? Right. I want you to do one thing.

[B]

Is there at least a seed of obedience?

[A]

It's heart check time, cuz I don't.

[B]

Know where you sit. We got the wheat and the tear in the same room. Only the Holy Ghost knows. Do you at least have a seed of obedience? Something working in your soul to saying.

[A]

I got to live right?

[B]

I gotta love, I gotta forgive, I gotta be generous, I gotta serve, I gotta, I gotta. I just can't be wallowing in the ways of darkness. Is there something moving on the inside something? Don't you be comparing yourself to nobody else either. I'm talking about your life.

[A]

Is there something that is tied with.

[B]

The umbilical cord is tied to true.

[A]

Biblical faith on all that Christ did on the cross? The finished work?

[B]

If so beloved, if it is tied directly to that and you are fighting your sin nature which is also present, but you're connected to that, you've been pregnant with the Holy Ghost.

[A]

Then you are saved.

[B]

That is called real true biblical faith.

[A]

Verse 23. And it says, and the scripture was fulfilled that says Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

[B]

Again, look at that word right there.

[A]

Right?

[B]

The faith and the works are together. And because we see his works, it is evidence that faith in God was.

[A]

On the inside of him.

[B]

For those that know the story, he.

[A]

Was promised a son, Isaac. And God told him to go and sacrifice Isaac, his only son. And back then it was a very serious thing. Your son was. Your lineage was really your everything. It was a big deal.

[B]

He had been waiting for Isaac.

[A]

And here is God telling him to go and sacrifice the very promised son that God promised him. And he delivered. And he told him to take him up on that mountain and sacrifice him. And because he had faith that he believed in God, he started up the mountain.

[B]

You see how biblical faith right there.

[A]

It can't be hidden. And there are those that believe that.

[B]

Isaac was a type of Christ, like a foreshadow of Christ because he was the Son. And he actually had to say the wood that they were going to use for the offering on his back up the hill.

[A]

If I'm not mistaken, it was the heart wrenching part I was reading. He said Isaac spoke up because it's three days. Something along the lines of I see.

[B]

The wood, but dad, where's the sacrifice? He's Old enough to carry wood and know what's going on.

[A]

And what is stopping some of us in our maturity in God is we will not walk up the mountain with our Isaac. I know I can preach this and make some real big moment. I don't want none of that. I want you to listen to what I'm saying. Do you have an Isaac that is dear to you that God is telling you to sacrifice and you're telling him.

[B]

No and you're being disobedient.

[A]

Is it the marriage in this season? Is it the business that you want? Do we even consider his plan for.

[B]

Our life when we try to go get the masters?

[A]

Or is the ministry that you want.

[B]

For your own name? What is it? What is it? I don't know.

[A]

You know, and the Holy Ghost knows.

[B]

He demonstrated his faith by his willingness to sacrifice.

[A]

So those that don't know the story, right? Have you ever heard the term ram in the bush? That's where it comes from, right? So they get up on the mountain. God says, hey, don't do it. He was actually about to do it. He had the knife in the air. He called out to him, don't do it. And he looked up and saw a ram. So they actually did the sacrifice there. But that's biblical faith, y'.

[B]

All. He didn't say, yeah, God, I believe you.

[A]

He got up and went up the mountain. He heard the word of the Lord.

[B]

And if you hear the gospel, it's going to lead to you doing something.

[A]

If you really believe it. Verse 25, another Old Testament example, it.

[B]

Says, and in the same way was.

[A]

Not also Rahab, the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way. Right? So. So Rahab. And I love this because the Bible.

[B]

Don'T clean things up before they present stuff to you. What was her profession, the prostitute? And don't clean up with. We know what prostitutes do. Don't.

[A]

She was in the promised land. And two spies were sent in to spy on the promised land. And she hid them. And when she hid them, she lied. So now we have a pagan lying prostitute.

[B]

I know. We only want to talk about her sin. That's cool. That's cool.

[A]

That's cool.

[B]

Right? Right.

[A]

A.

[B]

A pagan line prostitute is being used as an example of having faith. Now, if you're super religious, you, you, you, you, you, you, you just. Ah, you may have missed that. That's my past. How you doing? Is that what you do? Is that how you do? Right, right. But for somebody like me, I'm Happy because. And especially if you're a new believer, that should make you happy too, because listen, you can have faith and still not be all the way cleaned up. Of course, we don't promote lying, promote prostitution. But she had faith.

[A]

Come on. She hid them. She was like, I know you guys serve the true and living God.

[B]

And the pagan line prostitutes. She said, hey, swear by me, I'm going to house you here. But when y' all come and take this land, cuz I got we over here scared. They said they heard of your God. It said their heart melted. I know y' all about to take over. So when y' all come save me.

[A]

In my household.

[B]

And I'll give it to you again. So what they did was they say, listen, I swear it to you now, if anybody is not in your house and stay on your house, we come. Our blood is not. Their blood is not on our hands. But if they stay in your actual house, they will be saved. Now that reminds me of in the Old Testament when, when the plague went out, they were going to kill. And all you had to do was smear the blood on the doorpost. We were not expecting. Everybody in and make sure they're righteous. They're righteous, they're clean, they're holy. No, the blood made them holy. And everybody that did that, smeared by the blood was saved. I'm so glad I'm smeared by the blood of Jesus. So glad. They said Rahab, her domicile was actually like, like built into the wall of the city, right? So on the outside they say she actually held. She like hung like a scarlet rope on the outside. And that's how they identified. And it's the same imagery, right? It's the blood that saved. Yes, she was a line pagan prostitute, but she believes in the true and living God.

[A]

And she demonstrated her faith.

[B]

Was she all the way cleaned up?

[A]

Absolutely not. But she was used.

[B]

And I'm looking at people. If you just have real faith, you can be used. Use for his glory, Use for his kingdom. Use.

[A]

Verse 26. And it ends this section of the scripture after these two Old Testament examples that they gave. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith, a confession of faith. Just saying you believe apart from works of obedience, works of submission to Christ, righteous good deeds is dead. And just to nail that word one more time, verse 26 and amplified. For just as the human body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works of obedience is also dead. I know we talking about works, man, but it just can't Be about being seen. Christ continually rebukes the Sadducees and Pharisees and the Gospels about doing stuff to be seen.

[B]

That's not it.

[A]

You just can't run out.

[B]

Just start doing stuff. Well, now I'm going to squad. Is it connected to the faith in the Son? Not manipulation. Not to be seen. Is it biblical faith.

[A]

That the blood of the Savior has been smeared by the Holy Ghost across your soul? I just want to talk to a couple of y'. All. Some of y' all are saved, but some need to stop quenching the spirit and do something. So I don't know where this lands the Holy Ghost. And you know. Right? Right. Some of y' all are saved, but the Spirit. You have been pregnant, right? Right.

[B]

You have been pregnant.

[A]

But the Holy Spirit. Holy Ghost will tell you to do something and you'll just dampen it.

[B]

No, no, you stayed. You're right.

[A]

He was like, all right, forgive. I'm good on that. Send the text to that person to show up. You ain't seen them in three Sundays. Too busy. This is the thing. You don't say this out loud. You say this in your heart a lot of times.

[B]

Our disobedient is not out loud, but we're being disobedient.

[A]

I read the doom scroll.

[B]

Can I tell you something, beloved? Sometimes. Sometimes you're dealing with something because you.

[A]

Just refuse to be bored enough to listen to the Holy Ghost.

[B]

Every time you get a free second, you got a screen in front of your face. Down here, over there, up here. You looking just trying to be under entertained. But you are pregnant and the Holy Ghost is speaking to you and you are not inclining your ear. And we are being disobedient.

[A]

I said we. We in this thing.

[B]

Some of y' all are thinking, I'll obey.

[A]

But you're dealing with timing. Now, I like to say it's a.

[B]

Ditch on both sides of the road. Right. When it comes to timing, some of you guys are using timing as an excuse because you're uncomfortable. Like Lynell said, like about a month ago.

[A]

Right.

[B]

We're just using planning as an excuse. Like how many different tabs or bookmarks you gonna make before you just make a move? How many influence you gonna follow on the thing before you just make a move and actually do something. Well, I don't know everything. You won't. You'll never learn everything in a book or been research. Never. And then some of you won't consult the Lord at all. You just gonna go out and do stu I'm just out here doing it. Yeah, I'm doing it. Hey, man, did you consult the Lord on timing?

[A]

They could be doing it, and they could be being obedient, but because you could be doing the same things. And they're good, but because it's not your time, you're being disobedient. You see why intimacy with the Holy Ghost is so important?

[B]

Because on the surface, I can't tell y' all doing the same thing and you're doing a righteous thing. But the Holy Ghost said, yeah, it's your time. You wait.

[A]

I'm still seasoning things for you.

[B]

I'm still lining things up for you. It's not ready yet. I have not forgotten you. Just hold. Just holding the air right.

[A]

Need you to hold and pedal right now. Can I tell you something? I was in a Coming out of the worst season of my life, and my pastor hit me up. He said something. He said, sometimes he will make you lie down in green pastures.

[B]

I have been saved for most of my life. I never looked at it like that. It says, make you lie down in green pastures. Don't even sound right. If I see a green pasture, why would I fight you? Why would I fight you on laying down?

[A]

We're distracted, beloved.

[B]

Sometimes we won't see the green pasture that the Lord has prepared just for you. Look, look, look. This is just for you. We're busy.

[A]

Sometimes we're just being disobedient. Sometimes we're chasing stuff that is used.

[B]

To distract us from the will of God. Ain't that a sad thing? Like. No, no, no. I made this just for you. Come back. Come. But this is. This is made just for you. Come back. Where you going?

[A]

My sister here said, tap me on the shoulder. That's what the Holy Ghost does. But I'm gonna tell you, family, it's not. Not always like this. Most of the time, he ain't forceful like that. Usually something like this.

[B]

And because it's light and we're disobedient and distracted, we say, God didn't speak. Can I nail that home for you? How much more sensitive to the Holy Ghost on you in the middle of.

[A]

A fast.

[B]

When you've dampened your. Your. Your flesh, you're weakened. All of a sudden, you're hearing just. Y' all been on a flight. It just popped open.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

We think Lee started speaking a lot of times.

[A]

He's been speaking the whole time. Last but not least, I'm about to close. I want to speak to the weary Satan here. You have Biblical faith. You've given birth to many babies. You have good works, but you're weary life been kicking your tail. You getting kicked in the chest and you gasping for air. Beloved, I came to encourage you this morning and say don't give up. Hold on, beloved. Hold on. Hold on, beloved. Nobody sees me. God sees you. Maybe this is him using me this morning. Hold on, beloved. Maybe you across the screen in the chat. Hold on, beloved. I don't know what role you are, just listen.

[B]

Is this the Holy Ghost? Hold on, beloved. Don't you give up. Don't you abort the mission. Don't you give up.

[A]

Last verse. Give me First Corinthians 15, 9 and 10. This is Paul speaking. He says, for I am the least of the apostles. It's Paul speaking. The Apostle Paul written writing 2/3 of the New Testament, a lot of it from jail cells.

[B]

Unworthy to be called an apostle.

[A]

This is where Paul quotes his past. I'm unworthy because I persecuted the church of God. Amplified says, because at one time I fiercely oppressed and violently persecuted the church of God. Can we all land in verse 10?

[B]

Beloved.

[A]

He says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. Maybe you don't think I deserve to be on this platform, but by the grace of God, I am what I am.

[B]

Ragtag B paper people on different continents for the glory of God. By the grace of God, I am what I am.

[A]

I didn't qualify according to you, it might be true, man.

[B]

And maybe you don't qualify for other people.

[A]

By the grace of God, we are who we are. First ten and Amplified. I'll end here. He says, but by the remarkable grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace toward me was not without effect. Now look at what is tied to the grace of God in Paul's life. Speaking of the rest of the apostles, he said, in fact I worked harder than all all of the apostles. This is what he says. He says, though it was not I, but the grace of God, his unmerited favor and blessing which was with me faith connected to his works.

[B]

Grace to be impregnated with the gospel.

[A]

Grace and favor to do the works. I don't know what that's going to look like for you, man. What works has the Lord planned for you that you're not doing or if you are doing it. Let's put some more into it. That may look like going to growth track after the third experience. I don't know. That may look like going out to our our month of serving who serve M25 I don't know Open the daycare I don't know Reconcile the marriage Honor your parents. I don't know God and the Holy Ghost does. It's not about doing stuff, it's about doing it because he died on the cross for us.

[B]

And that faith, real.

[A]

Faith produces good works by your head let me pray for us. Holy Father, I just thank you for just your grace and your goodness God real biblical teaching God where James gets us together here lets us know what real biblical faith is help us listen to the nudge of the Holy Ghost Some of us may even need to examine whether we are actually in the faith and that's a good thing. Now before eternal judgment hits.

[B]

God we.

[A]

Ask you to do what only you can do Search the hearts of men and continue to draw into yourself. It's in Jesus name I pray. Amen and amen. Love you beloved. God bless.