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Faith Without Works Is Dead
Sermon by Daniel Shafer
SummaryThe eastern border of Israel was a constant reminder of this principle. 
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Faith Without Works
The Eastern Border of Israel: A Constant Reminder
Good afternoon brethren! Greetings to any visitors, those on the telephone hook-up and those that might be listening from the web.
We are going to talk about a subject that is very familiar to all of you. But we will cover it in a way that you might not have thought about before. If I were to tell you that your nation’s capitol represents the head of your nation, you would most likely agree. Or that monuments to wars past are meant to bring those wars and their causes to memory, you would most likely agree to that too. But what if I were to tell you that a country’s border was meant as a constant reminder of a spiritual principal? What would you think then?
Spiritual principal ?!?
Here’s the spiritual principle, which is also the title of this split sermon: Faith Without Works is Dead
You must do something with what you have learned from God’s Word because faith without works is dead. Let’s hammer in this principle using a few familiar verses from the book of James, chapter 2. Turn with me to the second half of chapter 2 in the book of James.
Jam:2:14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
Jam:2:17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Jam:2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Jam:2:26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Again, you must do something with what you have learned from God’s Word because faith without works is dead. This principle is as solid today as it was when this was penned.
With that established, we will turn our attention to what we mentioned earlier. That is, that a country’s border was meant to be a constant reminder of this spiritual principle of, “faith without works is dead”. Of course, not just any country; we have the principal, now let’s find the country. In the beginning of the book of Joshua we find the children of Israel on the brink of its inheritance promised centuries before.
They had been slaves in the land of Egypt but had been released from that bondage. On the way to their promised inheritance they demonstrated practically no faith; and it seemed that all their works were without faith. God caused them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until that generation was dead as their faith. That is, except for 2 men whose faith was alive with their works. With that generation gone, Israel had moved north out of the Sinai Peninsula on the east side of the Jordan River and, with the Ark of the Covenant, they wait.
Where they sat was not the Promised Land. That was supposed to be on the west side of the Jordan. In the first chapter of Joshua, we find Moses is now dead and it is time for Joshua to be strong and courageous – to have faith and works – and lead Israel into the land the Lord had promised. Joshua speaking to the leaders of the tribes of Israel…
Josh:1:11Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it. “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”
From verse 12 to the end of the chapter we have the account of the leaders of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh reminding Joshua of a promise made to them by Moses for land on the east side of the Jordan. What they tell Joshua comes from the book of Numbers. It involves the whole of chapter 32. Moses in fact was against the idea. He had just spent 40 years wandering the wilderness because Israel was not demonstrating faith and he did not want to do it again. But Reuben and Gad promised they would have faith and works and stay with Israel until the whole land was inherited, then they would go back across the Jordan and posses that land.
In Joshua chapter 3, Israel begins to move. As they do, they see something they will remember and pass along. As the priests who bear the Ark step into the Jordan the waters to the north begin to “pile up” while the water to the south goes downstream. Just like the previous generation did, they also cross on dry ground. Once all Israel is across, the priests bearing the Ark come up from the river bed and the waters flow again. The manna also ceased, once they had crossed the Jordan (Josh:5:8-12[8]And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.[9]And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.[10]And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.[11]And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.[12]And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.).
The Jordan River was the border of the country and there was something special about that eastern border. They could look to the east and see it. That border would be a constant reminder that faith without works is dead.
Let’s turn to the book of Romans now. Since our principle is, “Faith without works is dead”, let’s look at how faith comes.
Rom:10:17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Now let’s put that together with what James says. James continues this thought beginning in chapter 1 verse 22.
Jam:1:22-25[22]But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.[23]For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:[24]For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.[25]But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror: for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
God’s word, that perfect law of liberty, comes in by hearing. This produces faith. If you do nothing, if you do no works, if you do not change the kind of man you are because of this faith, death.
The land promised to Israel is only about 40 miles east-to-west and 150 miles north-to-south. On the west is the Mediterranean Sea or the Great Sea, and on the east, the Jordan River.
The Jordan River flows southward into the Sea of Galilee. Now the Sea of Galilee is alive with fish. From the Gospel accounts (Mark:1:19And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.) we know that men in boats have continued to catch fish from this sea. James and John were called while they were doing so. Some fishermen catch fish from the shore by throwing their nets into its waters. Simon and Andrew were called while fishing this way (Mark:1:16Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.). The area surrounding the sea is full of farms, towns and cities. They depend on the life from the sea.
The Jordan River continues out of the Sea of Galilee southward. Along the banks of the river are still more farms. Further south the river flows into a sea many times larger than the Sea of Galilee. But this sea has no fish, no fisherman, no cities, no towns, and no farms. This sea is aptly named, the Dead Sea.
So let’s draw an analogy at this point. Hearing the word is like the Jordan River flowing into the seas. And so faith comes. But doing the word is like the Jordan River flowing back out again. The Sea of Galilee is like the Christian that is hearing, having faith, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer, having works. The result is life; abundant life. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, has a problem. It is like a Christian that hears the word, has that faith, but does nothing. The Jordan River flows into it. But nothing comes out; it just sits there. The result is not life. It is dead. So this is the eastern border of Israel. In plain open sight, representing a spiritual principle – faith without works is dead.
So what about you, the Christian? What should you do? Well, if you haven’t already begun, you should start working; many of you already have, of course. But how can you start? You should begin with small things and build onto those. This is a process. You have heard the word, you have faith, so begin small. If you think we’re going to make a list of steps you must take, I’ll have to disappoint you. You will have to make your own list. But you should start with a small work. Don’t shoot for the moon on the first work.
Why not? Well, let’s say you’ve heard the word, you have faith, and you need to work on fixing the sin of hating your brother. You see that brother has the same issue. Will you go to that brother and set him back on the right track? I would suggest not beginning there.
But let’s start with something smaller, an attitude. When someone says to you, “Good morning”, do you say, “What’s so good about it”? I used to work with a man that did precisely that. People would basically stop talking to him because of his attitude. If this is you, you cannot remain like this! What is a good starting point if this is you? How about to say nothing, but smile instead?
So you can build from there after you have gotten good at smiling. Work up to speaking a kind word. And then so on. You never know where it could lead.
· smile
· speak a kind word
· say “I’m sorry”
· encourage the young
· ease a burden
· be hospitable
· visit the sick
· stand up for someone
· keep the Sabbath under threat
· hold your peace when falsely accused
Brethren, you can’t stop with hearing and having faith, you must also do. Have faith and works. And don’t think this is just on a personal level. Oh no. Can an entire church area be dead? Please turn to Revelation chapter 3.
Rev:3:1-3[1]And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.[2]Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.[3]Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
What was the problem? They had heard and accepted the name, there was faith. But they were not doers. They were dead.
Are you a hermit? When services begin, you walk in; and when services are over, you’re out the door? You can’t remain that way. Now is the time to practice!
· smile
· greet a visitor
· stay and fellowship
· share a blessing
· set a brother back on the path
· reconcile yourself with your brother
Rev:3:4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
Apparently, you can defile your garments by doing nothing with what you have heard!
I want to spend just a little time on a place called Engedi.
The Dead Sea is the lowest exposed place on the planet at 1360 feet below sea level. The water is so high in salt, no life exists in it. Jerusalem is only 12 miles away, but those 12 miles are extremely inhospitable. Around the Dead Sea, the only sign of life is Engedi on the banks of the west side. Engedi is the place where David fled from Saul. But to say that Engedi is on the banks of the Dead Sea is not quite the truth. There is a 400 foot drop off from Engedi down to the Dead Sea. Engedi does not get its life from the Dead Sea, but from a spring that comes out of the side of a cliff in a canyon.
Let’s turn now to Ezekiel chapter 47. Here Ezekiel is in a vision at the temple in Jerusalem with another man who has a measuring instrument. The man will take Ezekiel away from the temple toward the east in stages. Remember, the Dead Sea is 12 miles east of Jerusalem. We will see here that God has big plans for the Dead Sea.
Eze:47:1-3[1]Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.[2]Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.[3]And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles.
Today, just to the east of Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives. But what happened to it? Where did it go? The mount had previously been cleaved in two when Christ had returned to it. Half of the mountain moved north, half south, leaving a valley running east and west. We sing a hymn about that called “Behold the Day Will Come”.
Eze:47:4Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist.
This man and Ezekiel move eastward from Jerusalem a thousand cubits at a time through that inhospitable area. They are going in the direction of the drop off to the Dead Sea.
Eze:47:5-12[5]Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.[6]And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.[7]Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.[8]Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.[9]And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.[10]And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.[11]But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.[12]And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”
The Dead Sea can bring forth life. For fishermen to stand by this healed sea in places where they can spread their nets, it must rise 400 feet. That will take a very large amount of water. And that water will begin to flow out of the Dead Sea southward and create marshes. We’re going to have to come up with a new name for the Dead Sea! Yes, there is hope! If there is hope for the Dead Sea there is certainly hope for all.
Isa:11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. and Hab:2:14For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
We saw water coming from Jerusalem, the holy mountain, going east and covering the Dead Sea.
Brethren, soon you will be leaving to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the time pictured by what Ezekiel witnessed. Humanity will have come through very bad circumstances, like we heard last week on the Feast of Trumpets. The survivors will need you. They will not be able to just jump right in. A healing process will have to take place. You will have a part in their healing. This healing process will have to start small; perhaps with just a smile. They will need to hear God’s word so that faith will come. Then they too will have to begin works. They must, in order to have life. You must be able to help them live. If you need to work on an area your life, start small and build on that. Let the Jordan in and let it out again, just like the Sea of Galilee.
Now is the time for us to understand what was in plain open sight to Israel. They only had to look east to their border. We must understand that faith without works is dead.