Good Works

Good Works

April 9, 2006

Introduction

A couple of weeks ago, I think I told you of a young lady that began to correspond with Carolyn because of Carolyn’s poetry on our web page. As we got better acquainted with this young lady named Becky, it turns out that she has a web page, or blog, where she has posted thirteen lessons. I selected four of these and put them on my website. Mario was impressed with them, and translated them into Spanish. Becky was impressed with Mario’s translations and wrote him a note. Then Mario went to site, translated one of the articles I hadn’t posted, and sent it to me to post. That has to mean that at least two people were impressed with the thoughts in Becky’s lesson entitled, “Good Works.” Becky’s lessons are prepared for young teenage girls, so we will expand a bit on her thoughts, but we will share her thoughts with you this morning.

Becky introduced her lesson with Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Body

I. What is the real role of good works in our lives?

A. We are not saved by good works.

(Eph 2:8-9 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.

However, good works are very important.

(Eph 2:10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

1. We were “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” That’s our reason for being here.

2. “That we should walk in them” It’s to be a way of life: Our Christian walk.

Good works should be done in appreciation for what Christ has done for us.

(Eph 2:11) Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh; who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands; {12} that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

1. Do we really think about what God has done for us? “having no hope and without God in the world.”

2. Have we shared the good news with others?

II. How important are good works in our lives?

A. Paul told Timothy to tell people that they must be rich in good works.

(1 Tim 6:17-19 NKJV) "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. {18} Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, {19} storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

1. Being rich involves stewardship: “ready to give, willing to share”

2. Jesus seemed to talking about the same thing as He spoke of laying up treasures in heaven.

(Mat 6:19-21 NKJV) ""Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; {20} "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. {21} "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

a. Good works can cost money.

b. But Jesus says it goes in our heavenly bank account.

B.Good works are important because they are one way of giving glory to God.

(Mat 5:14-16 NKJV) ""You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} "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. {16} "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

C. I think all Christians should have a reputation for doing good works - 1 Timothy 5:10.

(1 Tim 5:9-10 NKJV) "Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, {10} well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work."

1. The widows “taken into the number” had to be known for good works.

2. If it’s true for the worthy widows, then surely it is important for all of us.

III.So what are the good works that we are to do?

A. Peter testified before Cornelius, that Jesus went about doing good.

(Acts 10:38 NKJV) ""how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

1. Obviously, God gave Jesus special powers which we do not have.

2. God has given to us certain

B. There many good works we can do.

1. Tabitha, or Dorcas, made clothing and was remembered for her good works.

(Acts 9:36-39 NKJV) "At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. {37} But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. {38} And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. {39} Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them."

2. We can give food and drink to people that are hungry and thirsty

(James 2:15-16 NKJV) "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?"

3. The important thing: do what you can do.

(Mark 14:5-8 NKJV) ""For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply. {6} But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. {7} "For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. {8} "She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial."

a. Becky, who gave me the basic outline for our thought today, helps an old lady, who is very old: She is 55. She has trouble walking, and they help clean her house shop for her.

Conclusion

I. Are you taking advantage of the opportunities that come your way to do good to others?

II. Is your life a glory to God?

III. Are you part of the body of Christ? Have you been baptized into Him?

IV. Is there something that you need to make right in a public way?

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