1. Faith, Works and aFishermanfrom: D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, 3rd edition, p. 101

2. An old fisherman painted The oar marked worksthe word faith on onewas put in its place andoar of his boat andthe fisherman beganworks on the other.rowing with the one oarHe was asked his reason formarked works.this. In answer, heAgain the boat made a tightslipped the oar with the circle in the oppositeword faith written on it direction.into the water and rowed.When the fisherman againThe boat, of course, made areturned to the dock, hevery tight circle. explained his experimentReturning to the dock, the in these strong andfisherman then said, convincing words,Now, lets row with the You see, to make aoar marked works and passage across the lake,not use the oar marked one needs both oarsfaith and see what working simultaneously inhappens. order to keep the boat on 3. a straight and narrow path. 17 So faith by itself, if it hasIf one does not have the useno works, is dead.of both oars, he makes(James 2:17)no progress either across As Jesus said to thethe lake or as a Christian.disciples, Follow me andIn todays Gospel (Mk.I will make you become16:15-20) we hear thatthe Apostles arefishers of men. (Mk.commissioned to use 1:17)their faith to work towardbringing the Gospel to allcreatures.The faith of a hundred andtwenty combined withtheir works brought thechurch into being.