DOING WHAT I CAN DO…

in Good Works

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   In the religious world, there are many things individuals disagree about.

 

B.   There is one thing among all those that profess to be Christians that all agree upon, that is, Christians are supposed to be individuals who do good works.

 

C.   Our theme for this year is “Doing What I Can Do…”  In this lesson, let’s discuss this idea:  “Doing What I Can Do…in Good Works.”

 

I.             SAVED TO DO GOOD WORKS

 

A.   Two verses reveal that we have been saved to do good works.

1.    Titus 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.

 

2.    Ephesians 2:10

 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

B.   Several verses exhort us to do good works.

1.    Matthew 5:16

 

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

 

2.    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…

 

3.    Titus 3:14

 

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

 

C.   Specific people in the church were commanded to perform good works.

1.    Christian woman (1 Tim. 2:10)

2.    Widows indeed (1 Tim. 5:10)

3.    The rich (1 Tim. 6:18)

4.    Preachers (Tit. 2:14)

 

D.   One of the purposes of our assembly on the Lord’s Day is to provoke one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25).

 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works:  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.

 

II.           TYPES OF GOOD WORKS

 

A.   There are small, individual tasks that we can do that are good works (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.

 

1.    Phone calls, cards, a visit, a dessert, a meal, taking someone to the store or doctor’s office, cutting a neighbor’s yard.

2.    Many Christians engage in these kinds of actions.  Most of the time only the one who is assisted knows of our effort.

 

B.   There are individual ministries that some like to do.

1.    Example:  Dorcas

a.    Acts 9:36

 

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:  this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

 

b.    Acts 9:39

 

…and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

 

2.    There are many people in churches who find niches and fill the needs found therein:  sewing, coat hangers, gifts, yard service for the elderly, etc.

 

C.   The church may be involved in a one-time program for which members volunteer (collecting Bibles, eyeglasses, coin drives for Children’s Homes, food runs, medications for missionary efforts, etc.).

 

D.   The church may have regular programs in which members can participate (Clothing Closet, Food Box program, meals for shut-ins, baby blankets for newborns).

 

III.         THE BIBLE IS OUR GUIDE TO GOOD WORKS (2 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.

 

A.   We have already seen that the Scriptures authorize us to be engaged in good works.

 

B.   The Scriptures also guide us in other aspects of good works.

1.    The type of good works we should do.

2.    The kind of attitude we should have when doing good works.

3.    The effort we should put into our good works.

4.    The purpose of our good works.

 

IV.         THE PURPOSES OF GOOD WORKS

 

A.   So others will glorify God (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:12)

 

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

 

1.    In the world, not everyone is geared to assist others.

2.    Those we help with our good works learn that we are Christians.

3.    Our efforts point these individuals and those who see us in action to our Father in heaven.

 

B.   Our good works are good and profitable unto men (Tit. 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.  These things are good and profitable unto men.

 

1.    The things that we do help and assist others.

2.    Feed the body, cloth the body, bring comfort, bring happiness, alleviate afflictions, etc.

 

C.   To bear fruit (Tit. 3:14)

 

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

 

1.    The Bible reveals several ways for the Christian to bear fruit.

a.    Converting others (Rom. 1:13).

b.    Developing our Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23)

c.    Doing good works.

2.    Remember Jesus’ words found in John 15:8.

 

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

 

V.           WHY WE DO NOT DO GOOD WORKS

 

A.   Ignorance

 

B.   It takes too much time.

 

C.   We don’t have the talent.

 

D.   It costs too much money.

 

E.   We are not interested in certain efforts.

 

F.    It is inconvenient for us.

 

G.   There is no glory in it for us.

 

H.   We do not see the benefit of it.

 

I.     It isn’t easy to do.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Jesus was a doer of good works.

1.    John 10:32a

 

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

 

2.    Acts 10:38

 

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:  who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

 

B.   If we are going to follow the Christ, good works must be part of our lives (1 John 2:6).

 

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk, even as he walked.

 

C.   It is impossible to do every good work, but we must make certain that when the Father sees our lives that He knows we are zealous of goods works. 

1.    Our lives need to be boiling over with good works.

2.    Our tree needs to be filled with much fruit.

 

D.   Two Scripture:

1.    Revelation 20:12

 

And I saw the dead, small and great stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the book of life:  and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

2.    Romans 2:10

 

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.