Good Works

TEXTTitus 2:14

INTRODUCTION:

A.      ONE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP IS TO STIR UP TO GOOD 

          WORKS( Heb. 10:24-25 ).

C.      GOOD WORKS THEN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SERVING GOD.

D.      WHAT GOOD WORKS AND WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE.

I.      CHRISTIANS ARE TO DO "GOOD WORKS."

A.      FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE SAVED US( Matt. 7:21;  Gal. 5:6 ).

B.      HOW DOES FAITH WORK?( James 2:14, 21-24 ).

C.      DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND THE "PURPOSE" OF GOOD WORKS.

          1.       They are not done to "buy" or "earn" our way into heaven.

          2.       Though works are necessary, God saves by grace, not by works

                   ( Eph. 2:8-9;  Titus 3:4-7 ).

          3.       We are created in Jesus for good works!( Eph. 2:10; Ti 2:11-14; 3:1, 8, 14 ).

D.      WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOOD WORKS?

          1.       They bring glory to God!( Matt. 5:16;  1 Pet. 2:11-12 ).

          2.       They prepare unbelievers to be receptive to the gospel( 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2 ).

          3.       They demonstrate the living nature of our faith( James 2:14-17 ).

          4.       They are necessary if we are to be like Jesus( Acts 10:38 ).

II.     WHAT "GOOD WORKS" CAN WE DO?

A.      SOME GOOD WORKS ARE "SPIRITUAL" IN NATURE.

          1.       Telling others of God's grace( 1 Pet. 2:9 ).

                   a.       We may not all be "teachers" in a formal sense( 1 Cor. 12:27-31 ).

                   b.       But all of us can do something!

          2.       Encouraging other Christians( Heb. 3:12-13;  Phile 7;  1 Cor. 16:15-18).

          3.       Restoring weak brethren( Gal. 6:1-2 ).

B.      OTHER GOOD WORKS ARE MORE "PHYSICAL" IN NATURE.

          1.       Jesus did not limit His good works to things spiritual( Luke 7:22 ).

          2.       Nor did He expect His disciples to limit themselves( Mat. 10:7-8: 25:34-40 ).

          3.       Different ones have different talents( Rom. 12:3-8 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      GOOD WORKS ARE A PART OF PURE RELIGION( James 1:27 ).

B.      A KEY TO SPIRITUAL BLESSEDNESS ( James 1:25;  Acts 20:35 )

C.      "BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS"( Titus 3:8 ).