CHRISTIANS ARE ORDAINED TO WALK IN GOOD WORKS. IT MEANS SO MANY OF THEM THAT WE WALK ALL OVER THEM WHILE LIVING FOR THE LORD. THEY CANNOT BE IGNORED OR AVOIDED.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1. THE NATURE OF OUR GOOD WORKS HAS TO BE SO EXCEPTIONAL, THAT PEOPLE KNOW IT WAS FROM GOD, NOT JUST YOU BEING NATURALLY KIND.
A. IT SHOULD BRING GLORY TO GOD AND NOT YOU.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
B. THE EXAMPLE OF DORCAS. GOOD DEEDS AND GIVING. THEY LEFT A POWERFUL IMPRESSION UPON ALL.
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.
C. CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT GOOD WORKS.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
D. WE ARE NOT TO BLAST OUR OWN TRUMPET WHEN WE DO GOOD THINGS TO BLESS OURSELVES.
***Many times people do good things so they will be repaid, or benefit…even if just satisfying ourselves. Our goal must be to please God through the Good Work.
–GIVING AN ALMS IS SOMETHING WHICH GOD WILL REWARD.
Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
–PRAYING IS SOMETHING THAT BRINGS BLESSING INTO OUR OWN LIVES.
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
–FASTING IS DONE TO STRENGTHEN US AND BRING US CLOSER TO THE LORD.
Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
E. OUR GOOD WORKS MUST BE CONSISTENT. NOT ON AND OFF DEPENDING UPON OUR MOOD AT THE TIME.
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
F. SOME GOOD WORKS ARE NOT VISIBLE BY ANYONE BY GOD, THE PERSON DOING THEM, AND THE PERSON RECEIVING THEM, BUT OTHER GOOD WORKS ARE OBSERVABLE RIGHT AWAY.
1 Timothy 5:24-25 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
2. GOOD WORKS CAN ACCOMPLISH AMAZING THINGS.
A. WHEN OTHERS LET UP IN DOING GOOD WORKS, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVOKE THEM TO DO THEM AGAIN.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
B. A STRONG TESTIMONY AGAINST THE UNGODLY ARE THE GOOD WORKS OF THE CHRISTIAN.
SINCE THE UNGODLY ALSO DO GOOD WORKS, OURS SHOULD SHOW A GREATER POWER AND DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE.
1 Peter 2:12 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.
C. GOOD WORKS ARE AN EXERCISE IN SUBMITTING TO JESUS. TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT, AND THE CAPABILITY TO DO IT ALL REQUIRES THE LORD.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.