A Christians Good Works
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Closer walk = Maturing in Christ
Closer walk = Maturing in Christ
Together we open, read, study God’s word together, what is the result of it? Maturing in Christ, together! In our series we have looked at many elements to help us to mature in Christ together, today we will be looking at the element of a Christian’s good works.
Maturing in Christ through
Being a disciple
Knowing the blessings and responsibilities
Through our assembly
Through our prayers (principled / practiced)
Through knowing, studying God’s Word
Through true knowledge
Through victory over sin, overcoming sin
Through discerning, good/evil; right/wrong
We have looked at matters of devotion/dedication and heart matters of worship alone and in the assembly. Now, hopefully, prayerfully all these things work together to stir up good works (Heb10:24-25; Rom15:4)
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
(stop, be sure to explain in context) still for our learning and hope (ref. Rom15:4 from the NLT interpretive version)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
In this important lesson I want us to look at together, so we can mature together the matter of good works which we are to do, and what good works should we do.
Understanding good works
Understanding good works
There is understanding the purpose and the application of good works, may we see that what they are not and what they are so to gain a good understanding.
They are not to earn, buy our way into heaven (Eph2:8-9; Tit3:4-7)
For if it were by works then Christ died needlessly
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.
and another passage you maybe familiar with as we have looked at it and studied it before, if not familiar, note it down for it is worthy for knowledge so to grow.
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,
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.
Notice back in (v.5) it says not on a basis of deeds (which means works) which we have done. God saves us by His grace through our faith in washing and regeneration, renewing by the Holy Spirit that breathes life into our sinfully dead bodies and raises us up!
Saved for a purpose, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph2:10, Tit2:11-14, 3:1, 8, 14)
Created and prepared for good works to be done (Eph2:10)
How about some encouragement and application early in the lesson today? Ready for it? Here you go.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
So the good works that we are to be zealous for having been freed from ungodliness and worldly desires so that we can live sensibly and righteously in this present age. We have been redeemed now if that is not a reason to praise God through good works, what is?
So be ready to do good works (Tit3:1)
Be devoted to what is good, works that is (Tit3:8)
Learn about good works to be devoted to (Tit3:14)
Purposeful, zealous good works results (Mt5:16; 1Pt2:11-12; Jm2:14-17)
Good works bring glory to God (Mt5:16)
Good works and prepare the way for others to come to God (1Pt2:11-12)
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.
Good works demonstrate the nature of your faith (Jm2:14-17)
(Transition) We are to be Christians, to be Christ like, so we need to know what He says and do what He says. You may consider (Lk6:46)- don’t call Him Lord and not do what He says! So, we have the purpose, to glorify God, to prepare the way for others, but now, may we look at what good works we are to do.
A Christians good works to be done.
A Christians good works to be done.
Did you know not all works are physical works? There are some that are spiritual in nature, others are physical in nature, so may we look at both.
(Good work together picture inserted here)
Spiritual good works
Telling, sharing God’s grace with others (1Pt2:9-10)
Know who you are in Christ, chosen, royal, holy, special.
Know why, so you can proclaim the praises
What praises, praise of Him who called you out of darkness and into the marvelous light
Spiritual good works we have been called and equipped to do them, so bring them to the body (1Cor12:27-31)
The theme as you all know, or if you are tuning in for the first time today for 2020 is “together we can” it resonates through all the messages and lessons and together we are all needed for the body to do good works
27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.
29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Let your works, your good works that you do together boast of our Lord who saved us, redeemed us, transferred us and empowered us. - part of your empowering is the knowing and growing in the wonderful grace of God that comes through faith! Faith that you can share, hope that you can share with others.
Good works, not being deceived but being encouraging to one another (Heb3:12-13; Phm1:7; 1Ccr16:15-18)
Don’t allow yourself to be hardened today by sin’s deceitfulness as long as it it called today.
Be encouraging like Philemon
7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Or another nugget bible character Stephanus
15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
good works that supplied spiritual refreshing to weary saints, in this case Paul.
We can do good works through bible studies, calls cards, texts to one another so together we stay, together we grow, together we mature.
Good works in restoring a fallen, or wayward soul (Gal6:1-2; Jm5:19-20)
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
(stop, expand on this for 1-2 minutes)
And you take that and couple it, link it with what James says
19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Someone’s spiritual body, soul could be at risk and you can have the words or actions to bring, lead them back through spiritual good works!
(Transistion) from the spiritual to the physical most think of works as physical in nature, i think you can agree the spiritual is just as important as the physical. The physical can lead to the spiritual that can save or restore a soul, so we need to look at that too.
Good works that are physical in nature
As exampled in Christ and Apostles (Lk7:22; Mt10:7-8)
Christ did many good works and often times did the physical to lead to the spiritual.
22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
And He commissioned by words and giving authority for the apostles to do good works to lead to the spiritual too.
7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Called and gifted to serve with and through good works (Rom12:3-8)
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
Be humble for you have been gifted according to your faith. gifted to give through good works
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Humbled, gifted to give personally so we can together be one body that works together
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
Humbled, gifted, giving using our differing gifts for the betterment of the body
8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Humbled, gifted, giving, using, for the betterment and done in love!
(Transition) All our works, be them spiritual or physical need to be done in love for God is love and God is in us and we are in him and we are an expression of His love to others!
The real challenge today is a spiritual challenge that plays out physically
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.
Engage in good deeds for they are good and profitable for men. Just a couple of thinking points before we close.
(questions to consider slide inserted here)
Am I engaging in spiritual good deeds? If not, am I willing to put God’s equipping to use now/
Am I engaging in physical good deeds in accordance to my gifting and physical and financial limitations? If not, am I willing to trust God and put to use every good gift that He has given me for His glory
(Invitation slide - Got freedom in Christ) invitation (invitation slide 2 - no condemnation found) song, prayer (exit slide)