What is Faith that Saves?

In this Resurrection Sunday sermon, Pastor James explores the critical question of what constitutes genuine saving faith. He begins by acknowledging the confusing nature of the word "believe" in our culture, which often simply means mental assent to facts or acknowledging someone's existence. This cultural understanding leads many to claim they "believe" while living lives disconnected from genuine faith.

Pastor James examines Thomas's journey from doubt to belief through John 20:24-29. He points out that Thomas, though a loyal disciple, initially refused to believe in Jesus's resurrection without physical proof. When Jesus appeared to Thomas eight days after the resurrection, offering his wounds as evidence, Thomas moved from being an unbeliever to making the profound confession: "My Lord and my God."

Pastor James emphasizes several key points about saving faith:

1. True faith is not a "smorgasbord" approach where we pick aspects of Christianity we like while leaving others behind
2. Faith must include belief in the resurrection - without it, our faith is futile
3. Saving faith is not merely believing Jesus was a great teacher, being a good person, living a moral life, being an American, being baptized, reciting a childhood prayer, or merely believing God exists

Instead, saving faith means believing Jesus is both the Christ (the promised Messiah) and the Son of God (in essential unity with God). Pastor James illustrates this with the story of the Great Blondin, who invited spectators to believe he could cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope with a wheelbarrow, but when he asked who would get in the wheelbarrow, no one volunteered. Genuine faith means "getting in the wheelbarrow" - fully entrusting ourselves to Jesus, putting him at the center of our thoughts, actions, affections, and decisions.

Pastor James concludes by inviting those who realize their faith has been incomplete to speak with church leaders and embrace the full truth of who Jesus is - our Lord and our God.