Praying

with

Dirty Hands

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

James 2:18 (NLT)

Saved by faith for works

The gospel should transform our actions and our words. If we are saved, we will help others with prayer and with action. Jesus said this:

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:20

There is a tendency for Christians to fall into to one of two broad categories:

We easily pray and speak the gospel, but rarely do good works.
We easily do good works, but rarely speak the gospel or pray for people.

In this sermon, however, I explain why both are necessary, that the proof that we have been transformed by the gospel is how we act and how we speak.

If we do nothing but preach, no-one wants to hear it. As William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said:

“You cannot warm the hearts of people with God's love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.”

But if we do nothing but good works, no-one hears the life saving good news of Jesus.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

The Sermon

Below is a video of the 'Praying with Dirty Hands' sermon at Gloucester Elim Church in June 2024. Please feel free to visit their website and their church for more great messages about Christ.

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