Grace and Good Works

A Grace and Good Works

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

1. Without grace, faith can become legalism

2. Without faith, grace can become sovereignty

B Are We Saved, Made Righteous By Works?

1. Where do works fit in the Christian life?

“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-5)

“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;” (Isaiah 64:6)

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)

C But Can We Be Justified By Works At All?

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 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? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, (corresponding actions) is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!  (in reverence) But do you want to know, O foolish (empty) man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? (years after his salvation) Do you see that faith was working together (partnered) with his works, and by works faith was made perfect (completed)? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? (years after salvation)

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:14-26)

1. Works do not justify us before God (Romans 4:2)

2. But, works do justify us before the men and women of the world

   a. Works are the subject of Hebrews 11

   b. There is a book called works, Acts

   c. A disciple is one who uses the word to produce good works

   d. Our works will follow us to heaven one day (Revelation 14:13)

   e. Disciples were first called "Christians" at Antioch (Acts 11:26)

3. Eric Holder said on TV, "it's not all Christians we don't like, it's the Christians who believe the Bible and live by it.”

   a. Christians have not been left here to stop or change the world, but to block it. We are the mud they must swim through to get anything done

   b. The Church is the strongest influence for God and against the world

D What Are Good Works?

1. There are good works and bad works, right and wrong uses of works

2. You cannot find one scripture defining works & make all others fit it

3. Works are wrong when used to win God's love or acclaim of people

4. Works are right and good when used as a witness to win the lost

5. What makes works right or wrong is the motive behind them

6. Good works are our entrance into the world and society around us

   a. The Good Samaritan

   A priest and Levite both passed by a man lying in the road and would not reach out to him. The Good Samaritan reached out in compassion

   b. Don't hang a "do not disturb" sign on your life

7. Other uses of "works" in the Word

   a. Creation is called God's works and is used to convince the lost (Hebrews 1:10, Romans 2:20)

   b. Signs and wonders are called works and should be used to win the lost (Mark 16:15-18, Acts 1:8, John 9:4, John 14:12)

   c. Meeting people's needs is works to be used to show God’s love (1 Peter 3:16-18)

1. I can give and not love, but I cannot love and not give

2. Giving food, clothing (James 2:14-16)

3. Jesus gave to the poor (John 13:29)

4. Paul helped and gave to the poor (Galatians 2:10)

d. Wives and mothers are to produce good works through the home as a witness to win the lost (1 Timothy 5:10)

e. Giving money is good works to win the lost (1 Timothy 6:18)

f. The Great Commission is good works. We give the good news in word and deed

1. Witnessing, preaching the gospel

2. Healing the sick

3. Casting out devils

4. Getting believers filled with the Spirit

5. Working miracles

8. Another word for good works is witnessing (Matthew 10:21, John 10:25, John 14:11)

9. Works are the basis of our rewards (Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:34-36)

E Good Works-The Goal Of The Christian Life

1. You are not saved by good works, but saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10)

   a. As a sinner, you were not capable of works pleasing to God because you did not have the nature of God in you. A dead spirit produces dead works.

   b. As a Christian, you are capable of works pleasing to God because you have the life and nature of God in you, the Holy Spirit. A living spirit produces living works

2. Grace needs no works to make you righteous. But once righteous, works are the outworking and manifestation of God’s grace. 

3. Good works do not precede faith but follow it (Titus 2:14, Titus 3:8)

4. Good works are your light, your witness, to the world (Matthew 5:14-16)

5. Good works give you a reputation (Acts 9:36)

6. Good works will be rewarded (2 Corinthians 5:9-10, Galatians 6:9, Revelation 14:13)

7. Prosperity lets us expand our good works (2 Corinthians 9:8)

8. Good works are part of the daily Christian walk (Colossians 1:10)

9. Daily forgiveness prepares us for good works (1 Timothy 2:21)

10. The Word prepares us for good works (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

11. You instruct others by your good works (Titus 2:7)

12. We are to encourage others to good works (Hebrews 10:24)

13. God’s power is needed for good works (Hebrews 13:20,21, Mark 16:20)

14. Good works display our character (James 3:13)

15. Good works can win others to the Lord (1 Peter 2:15)

16. Good works are the evidence to the world of our faith (Hebrews 11:2)