Christian Universe ™
Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
Zealous Of Good Works
February 12, 2012
Once purified by the blood of Jesus, we become a new creature, an empty vessel to hold the knowledge of God and His righteousness. We are His handiwork, appointed to be fruitful in good works, filled with them. We do good toward others, and thereby let the light of God shine. Not only do we shine, but we have a zeal to do good, seeking those who need our help.
Bernie Parsons
Zealous Of Good Works
by
Bernie Parsons
Presented to Load church of Christ on 02-12-2012
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 02-19-2012
We
recently studied how that, when we are born again of the water and of the
spirit, we become empty vessels, purged for the master’s use. We are vessels
of honor. We talked about the fact that, as empty vessels, we need to be
filled with knowledge of God and good works.
Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to
all men,
12
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;
14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Children of God and believers in Christ stand out for their good works, as
we saw previously.
Titus 3:8 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou
affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings
about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:14 “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary
uses, that they be not unfruitful."
As
apostle Paul wrote to Titus, he indicated that indicated that good works
include accepting the teachings of Jesus, as opposed to the rationale and
the musings of men But notice in verse 14 that he also said that good works
include earning a living to meet their own needs, and the needs of others
who might be in need – see verse 13.
Furthermore, Peter says that abstaining from fleshly lusts is indicative of
good works.
1
Peter 2:11 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain
from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall
behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
Good works indicate the whole package of being a believer in Christ and a
child of God. Our entire life in Christ is one of good works.
James 3:13 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him
shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie
not against the truth.
15
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy.
18
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
Spiritual wisdom guides us into our daily good works. Good works are not
something that you do, they are the way that you live your life. Spiritual
wisdom guides you to mercy, wherein you do that which is merciful; to peace,
where you do the things are peaceable; to gentleness, where you treat people
gently; to impartiality, to where you treat all fairly; to honesty, where
you deal with people openly and genuinely, without deceit.
John 3:21 "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may
be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
There is no “list” of good works. Instead, the right heart leads to the
right actions.
Humble women who subject their hearts to God produce good works.
Acts 9:36 "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and
almsdeeds which she did."
Acts 9:39 "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they
brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping,
and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with
them."
1
Timothy 2:9 "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold,
or pearls, or costly array;
10
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but
to be in silence."
1
Timothy 5:9 "Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years
old, having been the wife of one man,
10
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she
have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have
relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."
Godly rich men use their resources to do the work of God.
1
Timothy 6:17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not
highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth
us richly all things to enjoy;
18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate;
19
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to
come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
Romans 8:13 "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through
the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God:"
Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven."
If
we are the children of God, people will see that in our lives and in our
deeds.
1
Timothy 5:25 "Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand;
and they that are otherwise cannot be hid."
We
may not think that people are watching us, but they are.
John 9:4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the
night cometh, when no man can work.
5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Jesus went about His father’s business, working the works of His father. We,
as the children of God, must also be about our father’s business, doing His
works.
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
God, in His grace and mercy, saved us through faith in His son, Jesus, born
again to show the handiwork of God. We are His workmanship, and He has
charged us to do His good works.
