Faith & Works 

I.        The narrow gospel road

A.     Matt. 7:14 – gospel road is a narrow road

B.     Any road has two ditches – Devil doesn’t care which one

II.     Two ditches on the gospel road

A.     Ancient Israel fell into the ditch of libertarianism

1.      Fell into idolatry – 2 Chron. 36:14-16

2.      Broke Sabbath – Jer. 17:27

3.      “God loves us; He knows that we love Him.”

4.      “God will understand”

5.      But, city destroyed & went into captivity

B.     Pharisaical Israel fell into the ditch of legalism

1.      Made heavy, exacting restrictions – Matt. 23:4

2.      Made man-made requirements – Matt. 15:8, 9

3.      Sabbath regulations

a.       Glass of water may be carried out, but not in

b.      Cannot light a candle after the Sabbath, before okay

c.       Cannot catch wax after Sabbath, before okay

4.      Idolatrous regulations

a.       Wash hands to cleanse from heathen

b.      No contact w/sinners

5.      Resulted in waning of true religion – Matt. 23:23

C.     Two ditches, but both result in disaster

D.     Controversy carried into early Christianity

1.      Galatians fell into error of legalism

a.       Began in Spirit, fell into flesh – Gal. 3:2, 3

b.      Justified by law, fallen from grace – Gal. 5:4

1)      Hope & trust in Law – faith is in vain

2)      Seek to be saved by keeping Law – lost

2.      Nicolaitans fell into the error of libertarianism

a.       History – “liberty gospel”

1)      Believed in Jesus no need to keep God’s Law

2)      Immorality & wickedness result

b.      Jesus hates – Rev. 2:15

c.       Turning grace of God into lasciviousness – Jude 1:4

E.      Legalism reigned through dark ages

1.      Penances, indulgences, meritorious works

2.      Revival true gospel w/Luther – “just shall live by faith” – Rom. 1:17

F.      Battle still wages today

1.      During Jesus time, people trying to be saved by keeping Law

a.       Jesus repeatedly warned against

b.      Righteousness must exceed scribes & Pharisees – Matt. 5:20

c.       God desires mercy & not sacrifice – Matt. 9:13

d.      They said must be saved by keeping Law

2.      Last time, Bible predicted “liberty gospel” prevalent

a.       Last days – form of godliness, denying power – 2 Tim. 3:5

b.      Revelation repeatedly reveals need for obedience – Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14

c.       Today said no need to keep Law

3.      Both ditches are destruction

a.       Legalism – fallen from grace

b.      “Liberty gospel” – Jesus hates, turn grace of God into lasciviousness

c.       Must not fall into either of the ditches on gospel road

III.   Faith and works must go hand in hand

A.     Saved by grace through faith – Eph. 2:8

1.      Faith works by love – Gal. 5:6

a.       Faith that does not work is not faith at all

b.      Love keeps commandments – John 14:15, 21

2.      Keeping commandments what matters – 1 Cor. 7:19

B.     Faith w/o works is dead

1.      Faith being alone is dead – James 2:14-17

2.      Faith is shown by works – James 2:18

3.      Even devils have faith, but do not work – James 2:19

4.      Abraham’s works revealed his faith – James 2:21-24

5.      Rahab’s works revealed her faith – James 2:25, 26

C.     The gospel works

1.      Must stay on the gospel road & not be diverted into either ditch

2.      Gospel works to save to the uttermost

3.      Gospel produces works in the life a true believer

4.      Will you allow the gospel to work in your life?