OceanSide church of Christ

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SEEKING HIGHER GROUND

…in Good Works

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    There is a verse that Paul wrote to Titus that has always intrigued me (Tit. 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.

 

1.      Outline:

 

ii.                  The present:  “Who gave himself for us…”

ii.         The purposes:

                  a.         The purchase:  “…redeem us from all iniquity…”

b.         The purification:  “…purify unto himself a peculiar people…”

c.         The performance:  “…zealous of good works.”

 

2.      It is the last portion of the verse that has intrigued me.

a.   Jesus bought us to purify us and make us His special treasure.

b.   But, He also purchased us to do good works.

                        1)  Our doing good works is part of God’s plan.

                        2)  Doing good works is not optional for the child of God.

                        3)  Those who fail to do good works are not manifesting the fact that they have been

                              redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

                        4)  We are not to do just one or two good works.  We are to be zealous of good works. 

                              Good works should constantly be burning in our lives.

 

B.      Paul noted this mission of good works again in Ephesians 2:8-10.

 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

C.     In this lesson, we want to address our theme for the year:  “Seeking Higher Ground.”  The title of our lesson is:  “Seeking Higher Ground…in Good Works.”

 

I.                   GOOD WORKS VERSUS EVIL WORKS

 

A.    III John 11

 

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.  He that doeth good is of God:  but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

 

B.      Our world is filled with evil works of all kinds:  murder, theft, violence, evil speaking, rebellion, adultery, fornication, lying, lust, covetousness, deceit, homosexuality, pride, abortion, hatred, wrath, extortion, envy, strife, heresies, and host of other evil works.

 

C.     As the church, we need to fill our world with good works.

1.      Good works are profitable instead harmful to others.

2.      Good works give hope instead of casting others into despair.

3.      Good works being joy instead of sorrow.

4.      Good works make the world brighter instead of darker.

5.      Good works glorify God instead of doing the bidding of the evil one.

 

D.    With these thoughts in mind, we are not surprised by Paul’s words to Titus in 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.

 

II.                WOMEN AND GOOD WORKS

 

A.    The Bible plainly tells all of us to do good works (Tit. 3:8).

 

B.      The Bible also commands certain individuals to do good works.

1.      Evangelists (Tit. 2:7)

 

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works…

 

2.      The rich (I Tim. 6:18).

 

…that they do good, that they be rich in good works.

 

C.     The Bible, however, also focuses on women and good works.

1.      In I Timothy 2:9-10, Paul teaches woman to dress modestly.  In verse ten, he sums up their dress with these words:  “But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

2.      In I Timothy 5, Paul notes the conditions that a widow must meet in order to be supported by the church financially.  In verse 10, he gives this as the very first one:  “Well reported of for good works…”

3.      Then, there are several woman mentioned in the Bible who did good works.

a.      The woman who anointed the feet of Jesus with the ointment of spikenard (Mark 14:3, 6).

b.      Tabitha (Acts 9:36).

4.      Women have not been given roles in public worship like men (I Cor. 14:34-35; I Tim. 2:11-12). 

a.      God, however, has given them a ministry.  They can be engaged in good works. 

b.      I am reminded of Phebe (Rom. 16:1-2).

 

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church at Cenchrea:  that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you:  for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

 

III.             IMPORTANT THOUGHTS ABOUT GOOD WORKS

 

A.    Those who do good works pattern themselves after Jesus Christ (John 10:32a).

 

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father…

 

B.      Good works can be as simple as a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name (Matt. 10:42).

 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

C.     Good works can be costly (Mark 14:3, 6).

 

And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat a meat, there can a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured in on his head…And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her?  She hath wrought a good work on me.

 

D.    Good works are one of the ways our Christian light is manifested to the world (Matt. 5:16a).

 

Let you light so shine before me, that they may see your good works…

 

E.      Our good works will be remembered by some after we have departed from this life (Acts 9:36, 39b).

 

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple name Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:  this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did…When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber:  and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing him the coats and garments, which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

 

F.      Christians are to exhort one another to engage in good works (Heb. 10:24).

 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.

 

G.     The Word of God equips us to do good works (II Tim. 3:16-17).

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

H.    Our good works can cause our enemies to be converted (I Pet. 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.

 

I.        The rich have to be reminded to do good works with their treasures (I Tim. 6:17-18).

 

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; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

 

J.        Rulers of nations are supposed to praise our good works (Rom. 13:3).

 

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.  Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?  Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Doing good is an essential part of the Christian’s life.  Jesus died for us so we would be redeemed and be zealous of good works.

 

B.      Let’s consider three more aspects of doing good.  (NOTE:  I want woman to really take special note of this point since they sometimes see themselves as inferior to men as they engage in good works).

1.      Doing good works is part of the production of fruit.

a.      Titus 3:14

 

And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

 

b.      God want us to abound in the production of fruit (John 15:8).

 

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

2.      Doing good works is a sacrifice with which God is well pleased (Heb. 13:16).

 

But to do good and to communicate forget not:  for which such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

3.      Doing good brings glory to our heavenly Father from others (Matt. 5:16).

 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

C.     A final exhortation (Gal. 6:9)

 

And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.