1. The Scriptures included in today's bulletin indicate that God has always taught His people to do good. a. The Old Testament taught the Israelites to do good. b. The New Testament teaches Christians to do good. c. From these verses we conclude that God's people are to do good. 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on the instructions in Galatians 6:9-10 that relate to doing good works.
Discussion:
I. ACCORDING TO VS.9a, WE MUST NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD
A. Doing good works is emphasized throughout the New Testament. 1. Ephesians 2:10 2. Titus 2:13-14 3. Titus 3:8, 14 4. Hebrews 13:16 B. Doing good works is so important that we must not become weary in doing them.
II. WE LEARN FROM VS.9b THAT WE WILL REAP IN DUE SEASON IF WE DO NOT FAINT
A. God put the law of sowing and reaping in effect at Creation (Genesis 1:11-13). B. A spiritual application of this law is made in Galatians 6:7-8. C. Doing good works is one way in which we bear fruit (Titus 3:14). D. If we remain steadfast and do not become weary in doing good, we will reap a reward when the harvest season arrives (John 5:28-29). E. On the basis of the information revealed in vs.9, . . .
III. VS.10 TEACHES US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DO GOOD
A. In John 9:1-7 Jesus practiced the instruction given in this verse. 1. (vs.1) Jesus saw a man in need. 2. (vs.2) The disciples asked Jesus a question about this man's blindness. 3. (vs.3) Jesus answered the question asked by the disciples. 4. (vs.4-5) Jesus explained why He took advantage of such opportunities. 5. (vs.6-7a) Jesus told the man what to do. 6. (vs.7b) The man obeyed the Lord's instructions, and he was able to see. B. In Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John practiced the instruction given in this verse. 1. Doing good does not have to cost anything -- Peter and John had no silver or gold. 2. By doing this good deed they were given an opportunity to preach to a great crowd of people (vs.11-12).
Conclusion:
1. In Genesis 1:1-2, we read about the condition of the earth after God created it -- "darkness was upon the face of the deep." 2. (Genesis 1:3-4a) Creating light was God's first step in taking care of this situation. 3. Spiritually speaking, the world is in a state of darkness. 4. Each time we do a good deed we are doing something about this situation by spreading light (Matthew 5:14-16). 5. This week let us make a renewed effort to practice the instructions given in Galatians 6:9-10.
