“Sunday Sermon”
I. Background
A. Ancient and modern scriptures declare that we are saved by divine grace and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Salvation and redemption come only through the Savior and Redeemer – Jesus Christ. We are saved through the His grace and His merits, not ours. “Works without faith is dead.”
We do not earn salvation or exaltation on our own. Only Christ can save us. “He paid the price for a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay.” Everything we have, and are, we owe to Him.
We will always be in His debt as “unprofitable servants.” (Mosiah 2:20-25) Without Jesus, we are nothing.
Ephesians 2: 8-9 – by grace we are saved, not of works
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Rom. 3:28 (Joseph Smith Translation) – we are justified “alone” by faith
“Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified alone by faith without the deeds of the law.”
2 Nephi 10:24 – only through the grace of God are we saved
“[R]emember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.”
2 Nephi 2:8 – we can dwell with God through the merits and grace of the Messiah
No one can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah …
(See also: Romans 3:22-28; Matthew 7:23; Moroni 10:32-33; Alma 22:14; Alma 24:10; Moroni 6:4; Jacob 4:7; 2 Nephi 25:26; Ether 12:27; Mosiah 2:20-25; D&C 3:20; D&C 76:94; D&C 138:12-14; D&C 20:4, 29-32; D&C 50:40; D&C 18:31; D&C 17:8 )
B. Although we are saved by grace, “faith without works is dead”
A plethora of Bible verses make it clear that “faith without works is dead.” We must be “doers” of the word, not just “hearers” and “believers.” Just as works without faith is dead, faith without works is also dead.
Matthew 7: 21
“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord [believers who confess Christ] shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth [works] the will of my Fathers which is in heaven.
James 2: 17-26 – faith without works is dead
What doeth is profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?….
[F]aith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(See also: Eccl 12:13; Revelation 22:12; James 1:22; James 1:27; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. 26; Galatians 5: 19-21)
C. False Doctrine of Antinomianism (Faith Without Works)
Apostle Paul proclaimed that we are not saved by the Law of Moses – the 613 commandments in the Torah, and the 10,000 rules in the Mishnah. But, he never suggested that we don’t need to keep the commandments and ordinances of Jesus and Heavenly Father. Paul never rejected the Ten Commandments. He continually condemned sins and sinners.
As Peter warned, some Christians have twisted Paul’s words,and taken them to the extreme, teaching that since we are saved by grace “we are not bound by moral, religious, or social norms.” We “are no longer bound to follow the Ten Commandments.” This is the false doctrine of “antinomianism.” (“Against norms.” See: 2 Peter 3:15-16))
“We have a ‘license to sin’ and future sins do not require repentance.” “Faith alone guarantees eternal security in heaven, regardless of one’s actions.” (“Antinomianism,” Wikipedia)
“ Antinomianism is contrary to everything the Bible teaches. God expects us to live a life of morality, integrity, and love. Jesus Christ freed us from the burdensome commands of the Old Testament Law, but that is not a license to sin. Rather, it is a covenant of grace. We are to strive to overcome sin and cultivate righteousness.” (See: “What is Antinomianism and who teaches it?” Ryan Reeves, The Gospel Coalition, Apr 7, 2016; “What is Antinomianism?” God Questions, Your Questions, Bibleical Answers.)
“Talks is cheap.” “Actions speak louder than words“
II. “If we are saved by grace and faith, why keep the commandments?“
A. Our good works are the natural outgrowth and “evidence” of our LOVE for Jesus.
(“Good Works” = keeping His commandments, partaking of His ordinances, entering into His covenants, and doing good.)
Jesus commanded, if you love Me, feed My sheep. If you love Me, show me by keeping My commendmants. Love is not just a passive feeling. Love is the divine motivation to act. “Charity is the pure love of Christ.”
John 14:15 – if ye love me, keep my commandments:
“If ye love me [faith], keep my commandments [works].” [In other words, “If ye love me, show me, don’t just tell me.”]
John 14:21 – if we keep his commandments, we love him
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them [works], he it is that loveth me [faith]; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
John 13:35 – showing our love for others is a badge of our discipleship and faith in Jesus
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 John 4:20 – we show our faith and love for God by how we treat others
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
2 John 1:6 – love means walking after his commandments
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.
1 John 5:3 – we manifest our love for God by keeping his commandments
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.
B. Our good works are the natural outgrowth and “proof” of our FAITH in our Savior.
James 2:18 – our works are the natural outgrowth of true faith
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.
James 2:18 (NLT) we show our faith by our works
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.”
We manifest our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “Faith without works is dead.” As we increase our works, our faith grows. As our faith grows, we increase our works. Our works are the natural, inherent, outgrowth of truth faith.
C. Our good works manifest that we are DOERS of the word, not believers only.
Romans 2:6–13: doers of the law, not just hearers will be justified
God will render to every man according to his deeds ….
Tribulation and anguish come to those who are unrighteous, who do not obey the truth, do evil….
“Glory, honor, peace” come to those who do good…
For not the hearers [believers] of the law are just before God, but the doers [works] of the law shall be justified.
James 1:22: be doers of the work, not just hearers
“But be ye doers of the word [works], and not hearers only [believers], deceiving your own selves.”
Revelation 20:12-13 – we will be judged according to our works
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
[A]nd they were judged every man according to their works.”
Acts 2: 37-38 – after accepting Christ we must be baptized
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart [faith], and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized [works] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
John 7: 17 – “do” his will
“If any man will do his will [works], he shall know of the doctrine [faith], whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
Matthew 7: 24-27: house built upon the rock are those who “do” not just “hear” and believe
“Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, [faith and works] I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock [Jesus is “rock of redemption”]:
“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not [faith without works], shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
In other words, the wise man who built his house upon the rock was the “doer,” the one keeping the commandments and engaging in good works. The foolish man who built his house upon the sand was a “believer” only, the one with faith without works.
D. By our good works we gain hope in eternal life with God.
By doing good, and keeping His commandments and covenants, we increase our hope in eternal life.
Matthew 19:16-22 – we gain eternal life by keeping his commandments
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master [he had faith in the Lord], what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Jesus replied, If thou wilt enter into life [salvation/eternal life], keep the commandments [works].”
Revelation 22:12-14 – commandments lead to tree of life and the city of God
“And behold, I come quickly’ and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be ….
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and my enter in through the gates into the city [of God].”
E. It is by our good works that we demonstrate that we are true disciples of Jesus.
Jesus invited/commanded His disciples to “come follow me.” Christ did not just sit in a temple, like a guru, sharing His doctrine with His followers. Day in and day out, Jesus went “around doing good.” (Acts 10:28 NLT) “And Jesus went about … preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” (Matthew 4:23)
Likewise, God commands that we also “learn to do good.” (Isaiah 1:17) Christ’s true disciples do good. They strive to keep His commandments, partake of His ordinances, and enter into His covenants. “If you continue in my word [good works] then ye are my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31-32)
Christ’s true disciples can by recognized by their good works. “By their fruits shall ye know them.” (Matthew 7:16, 20) “By this shall all many know ye are my disciples, if ye have [show] love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
As we follow His example in doing good works, we become more like Him. “Be ye therefore perfect even [as I and] your father in heaven is perfect [complete]” (Matthew 5:28; 3 Nephi 12:28.)
John 7: 17 – we must “do” his will
If any man will do his will [works, remain faithful], he shall know of the doctrine [faith], whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
James 1:27 – “pure religion” is doing good works
“Pure religion … is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world [good works].”
2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT) – to be approved of God, we must be good workers
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
F. By our good works (ordinances and covenants) we come to know Him and bind ourselves to him.
1 John 2:3 -6 – if we keep his commandments we know and love him
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whose keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him outght himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Colossians 1: 9-10 – good works increase our knowledge of God
[We] desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
When we are baptized in His name, we keep his commendment, take His name upon us, and we become His sons and daughters. We are members of Jesus’ family.
When we partake of the sacrament/eucharist/communion we keep his commandments, remember Him, and again take His name. We renew our family ties with our spiritual father, Christ Jesus.
This sacred familial bond grows stronger as we partake of his ordinances and covenants and keep his commandments. His covenants and commandments bind us to Him. These are everlasting covenants that He will never break. “He will always be our God, and we will be His people.”
As we do good to others, we become “instruments of the Lord.” He works through us in order to bless their lives of His children, despite our personal inadequacies. As He works through us, and as we do His will, He draws us closer to Him.
Conclusion: Works without faith is dead, AND faith without works is dead.
The argument over faith versus works is counter-productive. Faith and works are not “foes.” “Works without faith is dead,” and “faith without works is dead.”
Faith and works are inseparably connected. They are two sides of the same coin.
The more faith we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, the more good we do. The more we do good, the more faith we have in the Lord.
Therefore, let us be doers, as well as hearers, of the Word.
(www.londonedition.net)
The London Edition 