DisciplinedLife4

The Power of a Disciplined Life

Part 4

“You Have a Gift—Use It!”

Eph 2:8-10

In the last few weeks we’ve seen that in order to grow spiritually, we must have discipline in our lives.

Discipline enables us to do what we don’t want to do, that we might become what we really want to be.

We’ve also looked at 3 private and 3 public spiritual disciplines:

The private disciplines are:

Routine quiet times with God,

Bible reading, and

Prayer

The public disciplines are:

Regular church attendance—who you consistently gather with, and,

Choosing the right kind of friends—who you consistently run with.

And today I want to look at the 3rd public discipline—GOOD WORKS.

Most Christians understand that we are saved by grace, not our own good works:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

But next, Paul says something else about works:

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”—Eph 2: 10

We were saved for good works.

And stunningly, this plan was hatched in the Divine mind of God far in advance.

How far in advance?

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life…this was his plan from before the beginning of time…”—2 Tim 1:9

You will find this theme over and over again in the NT:

Titus 2:14 “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good works.”

Paul told the Philippian church:

Phil. 1:6 “I pray that you may be active in (the good work of) sharing your faith…”

The Bible says that Christians:

“…Should be rich in good works…”—1 Tim 6:18

Paul told the Corinthian Church:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”—1 Cor. 15:48

Paul also wrote that the Word of God was given to us:

“…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Tim 3:17

The Bible teaches that Jesus:

“…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, eager to do good works.”—Titus 2:14

DEFINE: A good work may be defined as:

An act of compassion done for another in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus talked a lot about good works. In Matthew 25 He said:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”—25:35-36

These are all good works—practical acts of compassion—visiting, feeding, and clothing others in His name.

Why are “good works” an important public discipline?

Good works round out or complete your faith

Speaking of Abraham, James says, “You see that his faith and his works were operating together, and his faith was made complete by his works.”—2:22

Faith and works go hand in hand.

James said again:

“Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

As faith and works operate together, your faith is made complete, mature, becomes fully developed.

A second reason good works must be a public discipline is:

Good works provide an outlet for the gift God gave you.

You say, “But Jeff, I don’t have a gift!” Yes…you do.

Every Christian receives a gift from God at the moment of salvation:

1 Pet 4: 7-12 “Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love will cover a multitude of sins.”

And how do we show love for each other?

“Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.”

Now watch: After describing a couple of good works—giving a meal to the hungry or bed to the homeless, Peter launches into a talk about spiritual gifts. He says:

“God has given EACH OF YOU a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to SERVE ONE ANOTHER:”

Then he talks about two of the spiritual gifts:

“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.”

“Do you have the gift of helping others (like feeding the hungry, or providing a bed for the homeless)?”

Whatever your gift is, Peter says, USE IT!

“Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ!”

SUMMARY: Your gift is an outlet for the good works God has called you to.

You say, “But how do I know what my gift is?”

Your spiritual gift is generally revealed by what you gravitate toward, what pulls on your passion, what you are drawn to, what is a fit for you.

ILLUS: The movie Chariots of Fire is based on the true story of two British athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Englishman Harold Abrahams, who is Jewish, overcomes anti-Semitism and class prejudice in order to compete against the "Flying Scotsman", Eric Liddell, in the 100 meter race.

Eric Liddell had been born in China of Scottish missionary parents.

In the movie, Eric’s devoutly religious sister, Jennie, disapproves of his plans to pursue competitive running.

But Liddell sees running as a way of glorifying God before returning to China to work as a missionary.

When Eric Liddell accidentally misses a church prayer meeting because of his running, his sister Jennie upbraids him and accuses him of no longer caring about God.

He replies to her with the now famous words, "I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

When you operate in God’s gifting, you will feel His pleasure, and it is also fulfilling to you!

ILLUS: When God called me, it was not by an audible voice, or by thunder and lightning…it was by desire. He placed in my heart a strong desire to teach and preach His Word.

Jeremiah experienced the same thing.

He said, “His word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” 20:9

SUMMARY: The gift God gives you also comes with a desire to use it.

A third reason that good works are a necessary public discipline is:

Good works are how we glorify God.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

Jesus is saying, “I want you to be impossible to miss. Be visible! Shine! How is that accomplished?

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5: 14-16

When the church feeds the hungry, visits the prisoner, houses the homeless, tends to the sick, helps the poor, involves itself in visible acts of kindness…the Father in heaven is glorified!

Summary:

Regular church attendance,

Wise friendships, and

Good works

These 3 public disciplines guarantee your spiritual growth.