THAT

Cultivating a zeal for good works.

God’s Grace Through Faith = Salvation

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of

God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast.

All good works are done because we are saved and never to get saved.

Biblical Teaching

False Teaching

Faith and Works = Salvation

Rom 11:6 But if by grace, then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it is of works, then it

is no more of grace; otherwise work is no more work.

Last Week’s Message on Good Works• Purpose of the message - To share the importance of

“Good Works”.

• The Goal of the message – To incite believers to good works

Heb 10:24-25 and let us consider one another to provoke/incite to love and to good works,

• The definition of a “Good Work”.

1Co 10:31 Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

* Good works are pleasing in God’s sight - 1Jn 3:22-23 * Good works are an evidence of salvation – James 2:14-18

• A life of Good Works imitates the life of Jesus

Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God

was with Him.Eph 5:1 Therefore be followers of God, as dear children.

• God desires our lives to be filled with “Good Works”.

Tit 2:7 In all things having shown yourself a pattern of good works: ...

1Ti 6:... (18) that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to share, to be generous,

• We should have a burning zeal to do Good Works

Tit 2:12-14 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this

present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus

Christ...zealous of good works.

• Only Christians can do good works

Why? Because only a Christian is rightly related to God. Any work done by unsaved people or by Christians who are wrongly motivated are dead works.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, ...purge your conscience from dead works to serve the

living God?Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, ...

• Good works in believers have been foreordained by God to bring glory to Jesus

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we

should walk in them.

Heb 13:21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Amen

• Good works are a way to be a witness for God so others may give Him glory.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles [that is, among the unsaved], that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by

your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:11-12).

• We will be rewarded for good works

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will

become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it

endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as

through fire (vv 12-15).

* To be rewarded, our works don't have to be big, impressive, or expensive.

"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he

shall by no means lose his reward" (Matt 10:42).

• Good works are to be done by Individuals and by church community

2Co 8:1-2 And, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given among the churches of Macedonia;

(2) that in much testing of trouble, the overflowing of their joy, and the depth of their poverty, abounded to the riches of

their generosity.

• Good works are wonderful ways to minister and express love to Jesus

"…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was

naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?" And the

King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My

brethren, you did it to Me."(Matt 26:35-40)

The Danger of Distraction Concerning Works

• They can potentially take the place of worship

• They can falsely be seen as earning favor with God

• They have the potential to promote self-righteousness

Luk 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she came to Him and said, Lord, do You not care that my

sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. (41) And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha,

Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. (42) But one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that

good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER: Father God, thank you for Your free

gift of salvation. As your child I want my light to shine before men so by my good works I can glorify you in my life and minister to Jesus. I want them to be a pattern in my life. May my worship toward you always be my first work.

For it is in Jesus’ name I ask with thanksgiving. AMEN