3/16/13

From Gary V. Womack... Created for good works




CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS



- Jesus had a purpose in His life - a work to do -

Lk. 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

- He knew what His work was while a young child - It wasn't carpentry

Lk. 2:41-50 Jesus at age 12 - accidentally left behind by his parents in the city of Jerusalem. When found, His reply: "I must be about My Father's business."

- A little over 20 years later -

Jn. 9:1-7 Jesus healed a blind man at the temple. He told His disciples why that opportunity had been afforded - then He said, "I must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day..."

- While on trial before Pilate -

Jn. 18:33-37 When questioned about His kingship, He replied, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth..."

There is a reason for our having been created
As the 24 elders around God's throne fall before Him:

Rev. 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."
KJV = "and for Your pleasure they are and were created." 

Our new birth is for a purpose - not just for salvation

1 Pet. 1:23-25 We have "...been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, (24) because 'All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, (25) But the word of the Lord (incorruptible seed) endures forever.' Now this is
the word which by the gospel was preached to you."

Jas. 1:18 "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."

We were created for good works - If we fail in our work, where is God's workmanship? We become a dishonor to the grace of His will.

Eph. 2:1-10 (10)"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should
walk in them."

The work of doing involves continuous hearing. Note: he is writing to brethren

Jas. 1:21-25 "...be doers of the word, and not hearers only..."

We have been blessed by God as priests to "proclaim His praises."

1 Pet. 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (10) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

We reject "faith only" - But we must put our actions where our mouth is. Jas. 2:14-24 We are justified by works, and not by faith only. In real life situations, we come in contact with people who are spiritually destitute. 
How do we respond?

Lk. 10:25-37 The parable of the Good Samaritan - "Go and do likewise."

Remember: Our conduct in the body of Christ & her purpose:

1 Tim. 3:15 "but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

When the church stops being "the pillar & ground of the truth" - When we stop proclaiming the truth & leading the lost to Christ Where does the rest of the world end up?

Because:

1 Cor. 1:21-25 "...it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."




INVITATION

Mt. 25:31-ff On the day of judgment when the books are opened -

will there be anything to show for your time spent on earth?