God's Will: Good Works

God’s living example

You are God’s living example today. What you say, what you do matters for it may be the only Jesus that people see is the Jesus people see in you. May remember God makes His will known to us (1The5:16-18) is part of what we can know is God’s will. Tonight we will continue our series on what more we can know about God’s will for us.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We know we are to rejoice always

We know we are to pray without ceasing

We now we are to give thanks for everything and in everything

God’s will includes doing good (1Pt2:11-15) for we were created for good works (Eph2:10)

1 Peter 2:11–12 NASB95

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1pt2:13-14

1 Peter 2:13–14 NASB95

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

1 Peter 2:15 NASB95

15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Doing good works for a purpose, look at (v.15) what is the purpose? - IF you were Mr. T you would say, pity the fool, but God says to silence the fool, how? By your good works, by doing right!

Now, look back at (v.12) what is the other reason, purpose? - That some may glorify God in the day of visitation

Tonight, just another 2 point sermon, well, more in a class setting for I want you involved.

The purpose of doing good

Some biblical examples of doing good.

And concluding, DO GOOD

Purpose of doing good

God has a purpose, and we have a God given purpose. Are we doing God’s intended purpose? Let’s look at some scripture about what not and what to do when it comes to the purpose of doing good.

Good works is not for salvation (Eph2:8-9; Tit3:4-7)

I think this important that we understand that we are not saved from Good works.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Good works cannot buy our way into heaven, good works cannot earn our way into heaven either.

Titus 3:4–5 NASB95

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

What did God do?

Why did God do it?

How did God do it?

Titus 3:6–7 NASB95

6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

What is the results?

So, from the not the purpose to the purpose.

Good works is a purpose of our salvation (Eph2:10; Tit2:11-14)

Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Why were you created?

When did this happen?

What are the results to be according to this verse?

Now to go on to prepared for the purpose

Good works, be prepared for the purpose (Tit3:1, 8, 14)

Titus 3:1 NASB95

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

We need to be ready, prepared for every good work, good deed.

How are we to be prepared? - by being subject to rulers, authorities, by being obedient, obedient to what? (this is a subjective question here)

Titus 3:8 NASB95

8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

So, now not only are we to be ready for good works:

According to (v.8) what are we to do? - engage in good works

Why are we to do it? - because they are good and profitable for men.

Titus 3:14 NASB95

14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

When are we to do it? when there is pressing needs

And again, the why question, why?

We are to do good works

They bring glory to God (Mt5:14-16; 1Pt2:12)

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB95

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14–15

we have already looked at 1Pt2:12

Demonstrate nature of our faith (Jm2:14-17, 20, 26)

While these verses maybe common, they are appropriate and should be used

James 2:14–15 NASB95

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

James 2:16–17 NASB95

16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Why do you think faith without works is dead when you look at (vv.14-17)?

then

James 2:20 NASB95

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

What is faith without works?

Jm2:16

And

James 2:26 NASB95

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

and even more drastic what is faith without works here?

Help to prepare unbelievers to be receptive (1Pt2:12; 1Pt3:1-2)

1 Peter 3:1–2 NASB95

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

Behavior, works, matters, here the wife is the illustration, but can fit for other situations, can’t it?

Help silence the critics (1Pt2:15)

silence the fool, the ignorant!

Help meet urgent needs (Tit3:14)

Saved for good works to meet the needs of others