Bro Gary Sunday AM 2/27/11

Bro Gary Sunday AM 2/27/11

2 Chronicles 22:9 KJVR

(9)  And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

He sought the Lord with all his heart.

2 Chronicles 20:1-4 KJVR

(1)  It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

(2)  Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

(3)  And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

(4)  And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

We are so thankful to have the Word of God this morning.  I was reading about King James and those he gathered together to write this Word in the English language so that we could have this Word of God.  I read that 8 men died during this endeavor.  

Jehoshaphat feared God and God spoke His Word.  There has always been, since the beginning of time, an individual and a generation that would choose to seek God.  It encourages me to know that when history fails to record that God had a people at whatever time, God still had a people.  There is something in the majesty of God that there have always been those that sought after the true God.

Right amid those that were not worshipping the true God, Jehoshaphat chose to seek and worship the true God.  He had one desire and that was to seek the true God of Heaven.

2 Chronicles 20:5-6 KJVR

(5)  And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

(6)  And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

You and I may not understand what is going on in the world, in our children’s hearts, in the heart of the soul that we are burdened for, on our job, or in our community or nation, but we know that God is still in control. 

One reason that God has placed you and me where we are is to give us the wonderful opportunity to seek God.  I’m not talking about just praying a little bit or gathering with whomever to chitchat.  I’m talking about doing as Jehoshaphat did and seeking God with all our heart.

2 Chronicles 20:7-9 KJVR

(7)  Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

(8)  And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

(9)  If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

He said, “Oh God when trouble comes and we humble ourselves and seek your face, wilt Thou not see and help?”

2 Chronicles 20:10-13 KJVR

(10)  And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

(11)  Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

(12)  O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

(13)  And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

We see where Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation and let all the congregation know that “We really need help from God.”  It’s a wonderful thing when troubles surround us and we don’t look at the troubles.  It is good to realize that our savior will not come from human instrumentality.  

They found themselves in a situation where the numbers of the enemy way outweighed the numbers of the people.  The king and all the people stood before the Lord.  The husbands and wives, their little ones stood before God.  We are so blessed to be able to teach the little ones to stand before God and seek God.

2 Chronicles 20:14-15 KJVR

(14)  Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

(15)  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

It is wonderful when God gives His servant the Word of God.  

The emphasis of this message is to not lessen or down play your battle or to act like there is no enemy out there.  The emphasis of this message is that the king began to seek God, the husbands, the wives, the little ones; all Judah began to seek God.

Beyond the shadow of any doubt when we allow the dismay of the situation that we are in to cause us to seek God, by seek God, I don’t mean to pray just a little bit or get together and have a chitchat, nor do I mean gathering all the great minds together and saying, “This is happening what can we do.”  I’m talking about realizing that God is our only help and seeking Him with all our heart.

He told the king to not be afraid or dismayed, ‘the battle is not yours, but Gods.’

2 Chronicles 20:16-18 KJVR

(16)  To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

(17)  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

(18)  And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

This king positioned himself in the most humble position he could position himself.  The king!  He got on His knees and put his face clear down to the ground.  All the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell also before the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:19 KJVR

(19)  And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

The only thing that had changed about the situation was that these people had sought God.  The king had sought God, the people had sought God.  The king was so moved that he got on his hands and knees and put his face to the ground.  The inhabitants of the land saw the king worshipping and they fell on their knees as well.  I believe the priests were on their knees worshipping as well.  Pretty soon, they stood up and began to praise and worship God, that God had sent His word. The armies were still gathered in force against them, but they were praising God for answering prayer.

If we seek God with our whole heart, (with the whole heart is the only way to worship God), It is ok to start praising God when he sends the promise even if the answer has not come yet.  When you have sought God and God sends his word, you may not know how God will work; His works always surprise us.  

You are not seeking God when you tell Him how you want Him to work.  When we seek God with all our heart, we must realize we don’t have all the answers or we will not be seeking God.  Realize also that you will not be able to manipulate the circumstances so that you will have the answers.  Realize that, “God, you know it all.  I’m just seeking your face.”

Those priests couldn’t stay on their knees, God had met with them.  There was something in their hearts that made them say, “I’ve got to praise God.”  They didn’t praised God in just a little whisper.

2 Chronicles 20:20-21 KJVR

(20)  And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

(21)  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Whatever your battle is, whatever the enemy is using to war upon your mind, if you can follow the instructions and the pattern that Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel followed, where they worshipped and then arose and gave praise to God before the answer came, that is an act of faith.  

The king began to talk to the people and told them to begin to sing.  They had no way of knowing the effect their rejoicing was going to have on the enemy.  

If the enemy can get you to muddling around in the difficulties and trials, (we’re always going to have trials), then you will not be led to the victory.  When you get to the place where you take your hands off and you seek His face and when God sends His word, (His word cannot lie), then the victory will come.  Begin to sing and to praise the lord.

When they began to praise, the Lord sent ambushments and the enemy destroyed itself by fighting with itself.

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 KJVR

(22)  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

(23)  For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

The king was a wise man; he took warning.  Wise men take warning.  The king sought God and God sent encouragement before victory.  The king and all the people began to worship God.  It wasn’t long and the priests were not able to stay on their knees.  God lifted their spirits and they began to praise God.

Psalms 24:6 KJVR

(6)  This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

Selah – stop and consider for this is confirmed.

Since the days of Adam there have always been a people that would consecrate themselves to seek God.

Psalms 24:1-3 KJVR

(1)  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

(2)  For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

(3)  Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

Who will be there to seek God with all of their heart?

Psalms 24:4 KJVR

(4)  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Those that are unsaved may not always tell you the truth.  Take warning!  If some disgruntle has something to say to you, don’t be unwise.  You’ll not be able to seek God if you don’t have clean hands.  No one that has bitterness or a bad attitude will ever get past just being religious.  If their heart is not right with God, they will only be religious.

All those things without the city of God are dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers as is stated in the book of Revelations.

Not lifted up soul unto vanity:  When you are visited with a spirit that impregnates your thinking that you have an edge on anyone.  We face this all the time, people think that they are above someone else.  People think that “I know something that poor whomever will never know.”  

Not sworn deceitfully:  People say, “oh yes”.  They say anything for advantage.  There is a generation that seeks His face.  These are individuals that refuse to lift themselves up.  Everyone has run into that spirit and if you have discernment then you recognize when it presents itself to you.

Psalms 24:5 KJVR

(5)  He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

God has many blessings for his people.  That individual that seeks God with all their heart will receive the double blessing that not only would they seek Him but they will find Him.  He further said that not only would they seek and find Him but He would also seek and fine them. 

Lamentations 3:25 KJVR

(25)  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

God wants us to seek Him so that we have His favor and His grace for whatever situation we are in.

You don’t have to fail of the grace of God.  There is grace for you when you are among people that make you uncomfortable.  There is grace for you when you are disappointed in your children.  There is grace for you in every situation.

Those that seek God will enjoy His favor.  Have the grace of God; seek Him daily.

Psalms 24:6-10 KJVR

(6)  This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

(7)  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

(8)  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

(9)  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

(10)  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

We can be among the generation of the righteous if we will chose to seek God.

Selah means this is true; this is confirmed.

Matthew 7:7 KJVR

(7)  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:13-14 KJVR

(13)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

(14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The soul that wants to seek God must unload before they can go through the gate of seeking Him.  They may be loaded down with rebellion, with selfishness, with attitudes, with their own way; they want to seek God and tell Him all about themselves and their struggles.  God wants to tell them all about themselves.  

You cannot get through the gate all loaded down with a lot of things.  He wants us to seek Him and He wants us to seek Him in one way and that is with all of our heart.  

You might be in pain, in a financial straight, there may be someone watching you with a gun on you, you will never get through the gate if that is the first thing on your mind.  

You may have the attitude, “I don’t like how they worship around here.”  If God sent you here then you He has grace for you.  It doesn’t matter where you came from if God moves you here, He can feed you.    

Everyone needs to seek God.  If you are not in a position to seek God, if God in his mercy will deal with your soul, you say, “I’m going to get rid of this load.”  Then you can seek God.

There is just one thing that I’m going to do and that is to seek God and teach others to seek God.  There is a generation of those that will seek God and that is my Family.  One day I will go to meet my Family and I want to fit right in.  I want to be one of those that sought God, one that sought God in such a way that He came looking for me.  Those that sought God received His favor, His grace, the inspiration of the almighty upon the soul. 

Sis Teri Sunday School 2/27/11

Sis Teri Sunday School 2/27/11

God has begun to stir us toward outreach for souls and we need His wisdom, His grace, and His help.  It will involve moving us out of our comfort zone.  I don’t want to bring just my own thoughts and my own burden, but if this is really, truly a burden from God, I want to bring it out.

John 1:1-18 KJVR

(1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(2)  The same was in the beginning with God.

(3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

(4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

(5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

(7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

(8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

(9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

(10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

(11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

(12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

(13)  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

(15)  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

(16)  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

(17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

(18)  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Verse 8:  We are not that Light, we are here to bear witness of that Light.  We need the Light dwelling in us and we need show forth that Light, but we are not that Light. 

Verse 10,11:  Many times Jesus is right there talking to souls and they don’t recognize Him.  We need to be careful that we don’t miss what God has for us. 

No one has seen God face to face but Jesus came telling of Him, this Word is what declares Him. 

Isaiah 40:3-11 KJVR

(3)  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

(4)  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

(5)  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

(6)  The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

(7)  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

(8)  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

(9)  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

(10)  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

(11)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

The above reading shows both parts, the part that God has in being a witness to souls and the part that we have.  Verse 3:  This is our part.  Verse 4,5: This is God’s part.  Verse 6,7:  Shows our part.  

Our part is to help people to see that the things of the world will not satisfy and to help them to recognize that the Spirit of God is drawing on their heart.

Verse 9, our job: “Lift up your voice with strength.”  We have a testimony; God has done great things for us.  It will help people to see God when we declare God.

Verse 10-11, is God’s job.  We have a part as an under-shepherd to help gather the lambs.  There will be some nurturing to do, but our goal is to bring them to the Great Shepherd.  We cannot have their experience tied up in us.  WE need God’s help to know how to hand them over so that they are not dependent upon us. 

 We need to get them connected with God Himself.  When the Spirit of God shows them something then they will have something to stand upon.  If it is just us telling them this is how the church stands, they will have difficulty knowing that it is true.  

I remember when God saved me, when the spirit of God would reveal something to me then I would measure.  We need to give others that get saved time for God to show them things.  We don’t have to work hard and struggle hard to convince people.  If they have a heart to know God then God will reveal it to their heart.  

So many children today are not taught to submit to authority and have no discipline in their own lives.  If they cannot learn to submit to another authority then how can they have discipline in their own life?  If they have never learned to rule their own spirit then how can they learn to submit to God?  The Spirit of God doesn’t physically restrain someone.  It is a hard thing for them to learn to submit if they have never learned as a child. 

People don’t come in and already have hearts that are good ground.  The ground needs to be worked.  It is the Word of God that does that work.  Our job is to get them in so that the Word and the Spirit can do the work.  

This is our mission if we choose to accept it.  There is a job for each of us, and it will be work, it is up to us to accept it or not.

2 Timothy 1:6-14 KJVR

(6)  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

(7)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

(8)  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

(9)  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

(10)  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

(11)  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

(12)  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

(13)  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

(14)  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

He has given us the Word and the gospel and it is our job to take it out and to share it and to be partakers of that work.  The Word of God causes faith.  Unbelief is everywhere out there; the Word is designed to water and nurture and help the faith that has been given to every individual to grow (Romans 12:3).

John 20:30-31 KJVR

(30)  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

(31)  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The Word is full of testimonies that make it possible to believe that He will do what He says.

Hebrews 11:6 KJVR

(6)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God will do what He said that He will do if we will do our part.

Hebrews 11:7 KJVR

(7)  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Faith is hearing what God says, believing it, and acting upon it.  If Noah didn’t act on what God said, where was his belief that God would send the flood?

Hebrews 11:8 KJVR

(8)  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

If there is belief then there will be an acting upon it.

Hebrews 11:11 KJVR

(11)  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:24-29 KJVR

(24)  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

(25)  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

(26)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

(27)  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

(28)  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

(29)  By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

It was not just leaving Egypt, there were other things that they needed to do.  There was faith, belief in God, obedience, and then God gave the reward.

Hebrews 11:30-31 KJVR

(30)  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

(31)  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rehab not only saved herself and her family but she also became a mother that was in the lineage of Jesus.

Hebrews 11:32-40 KJVR

(32)  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

(33)  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

(34)  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

(35)  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

(36)  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

(37)  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

(38)  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

(39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

(40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

They obtained before God a good report.  They received a reward that we’re still looking for.  We’ve received the promise of salvation that Jesus brought, but there are things that we are still looking for.  We’re looking for souls to be saved; we’re looking for a revival.  In heaven we will be rejoicing.  Those in heaven will also be rejoicing when revival comes.  Those that have gone ahead of us will be partakers looking behind.  

This Word is what will help us to do it.  We will get discouraged if we don’t continually renew.

Romans 10:17 KJVR

(17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:10-18 KJVR

(10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

(13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

(14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

(15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

(16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

(17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(18)  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

The Spirit of God has already talked to people, when we take the Word out and speak it to people, then The Spirit of God is able to witness to them.  

James 2:17-26 KJVR

(17)  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

(18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

(19)  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

(20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

(21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

(22)  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

(23)  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

(24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

(25)  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

(26)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

True faith will produce obedience.  If it is true faith, not just believing as the devils do, then it will produce obedience and holiness.