1. At this season of the year great emphasis is placed on doing good deeds. 2. Perhaps this is a good time for us to be reminded of the role that good works are to play in the lives of those who have been saved. 3. According to Ephesians 2:10,: a. those who have been saved are God's "workmanship" b. those who have been saved have been "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" c. God has ordained that those who have been saved "should walk in" good works. 4. In our lesson we are studying a number of Scriptures that show how we are to walk in good works. 5. Let us begin by pointing out how . . .
Discussion:
I. MANY SCRIPTURES TEACH US TO DO GOOD WORKS
A. (Colossians 1:10) We are to be "fruitful in every good work." B. (Titus 2:14) We are to be "zealous of good works." C. (Titus 3:8) We are to "be careful to maintain good works." D. (Hebrews 10:24) We are to "consider one another to provoke unto love and good works." E. In addition to teaching us to do good works, . . .
II. THE SCRIPTURES SHOW US WHEN TO DO GOOD WORKS
A. In John 9:4 Jesus showed by His example when we are to do good works. B. We learn from Galatians 6:10 that the Lord wants us to take advantage of opportunities that are presented to us. C. Now that we know that the Lord wants us to do good works and we know when He wants us to do good works, let us turn our attention to . . .
III. 6 PRINCIPLES THAT WILL MOTIVATE US TO DO GOOD WORKS
A. In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, a "labor of love" is mentioned. 1. God's love should motivate us to do good works. 2. Love for God and love for our fellow man should be the driving force behind the good works we do. 3. There is no profit in doing good works without love (1 Corinthians 13:3). B. A 2nd principle is that our good works will influence others (Matthew 5:16). C. A 3rd principle is that doing good works is one means by which we bear fruit. 1. Jesus showed in John 15:8 how important bearing fruit is. 2. There is a close relationship between doing good works and being fruitful (Titus 3:14 -- "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful"). 3. To be the Lord's disciples we must bear fruit, and doing good works is one way we bear fruit. D. A 4th principle is that we will reap if we do not became weary (Galatians 6:9). E. A 5th principle is the fact that our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). F. A 6th principle is the fact that God will not forget our good works (Hebrews 6:10).
Conclusion:
1. We learn from 1 Corinthians 3:8b that each person will be rewarded on the basis of his works at the judgment ("every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor"). 2. This should help us appreciate the admonition given in Hebrews 4:11a -- "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest."
