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Church Study Course

SAINTS & WORK

Lesson 7

CHURCH (#7), Part 2

SAINTS & WORK

OUTLINE

1. WORKS ARE IMPORTANT AFTER you are born again.
2. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, NOT WORKS, LAW, OR LETTER
3. FAITH AND WORKS
4. WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER
5. WORK/REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES
6. PREPARED
7. BE SENT BY GOD
8. WARFARE
9. WORK/PROFITABLE
10. YOUR WORKS ARE MANIFEST
11. WE MUST ENDURE TO THE END TO BE SAVED
12. WORKING TOGETHER

penury: destitution or extreme poverty
lasciviousness: lustfulness

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1. WORKS ARE IMPORTANT AFTER you are born again.

Works are important. Some have taught that works are not important, since there are no works you can do that will save you. Ephesians 2:8 & 9 tells us we are saved by grace through faith, not of works. However, faith without works is dead, so our manner of living (our works) will testify that we are saved. We will show our faith by our works. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and if we don't please God, we cannot obtain eternal life.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:15.

Works have their place in your life as you continue living for Christ Jesus. When you are first (saved) born again, you are a baby in knowledge and understanding concerning most of the spiritual things of God. As you grow in Christ, you will understand where faith and works are so very important in the Christian life.

2. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, NOT WORKS, LAW, OR LETTER

Jesus told a certain ruler "yet lackest thou one thing," and he had already obeyed all the law. To be PERFECT he had to do more than just the law. He had to sell all he had and follow Jesus (John 3).

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.

(30) What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. (31) But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be shamed. Romans 9:30-33.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16.

We must obey the commandments of Jesus Christ. The law (which God had Moses give to the people) was the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24-25). The Old and New Testaments go together and show that the Bible is valid in past history and now.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23.

3. FAITH AND WORKS

Ephesians 2:8 & 9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Romans 10:9 & 10 tells us that if we confess the Lord Jesus with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead we shall be saved. Some use these scriptures as an excuse for laziness!!! As soon as we are saved, (come to God and get our sins forgiven and decide to live for Jesus), our works become important. Some think we can go to an altar, tell Jesus our sins and ask him to forgive us, and then go sit down and do nothing else about our salvation. Matthew 10:22 teaches us that we must endure to the end to be saved. We have work to do. Read the parables of the ten virgins and the talents (Matthew 25), the vineyard that was given to others (Mark 12), and the parable of the labourers (Matthew 20). Read all of James 2.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? James 2:14.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:17-18. Try to retain this in memory.

(21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:21-22.

Believing God to fulfil his promise about Isaac, Abraham obeyed God and would have slain Isaac, had the angel not stopped him. What he did (his works) proved that he had faith (that he believed God). Webster's dictionary says the word (wrought) is the past tense of the word (work).


(24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (25) Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:24-26.

4. WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

5. WORK/REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Malachi 3:16.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12. Read Revelation 2:23, Job 31:3, and Proverbs 10:29.

There are no special privileges to special Christians! God is not a respecter of persons. READ REVELATION 20:11-15. Try to memorize as much as you can of this passage of scripture.

For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11.


And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1 Peter 1:17.

They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. Isaiah 65:23.

Read Hebrews 10:24. Let us remind each other of the scriptures where God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others. The time is short so let's get on with God's work. Read Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13-14, and Hebrews 12:15.

6. PREPARED

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.

. . . to be ready to every good work. Titus 3:1.

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10.

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12:47. Read Luke 12:42-48.

We know that we must take up our cross and follow Jesus. He withdrew himself and prayed. He fasted. By the age of 12 He knew the Word and was able to talk about the scriptures with those in the temple.

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15.

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6.

Be saved, walk worthy of the calling wherewith he has called you to work. We need a mind and a will to work (Read Exodus 36:2, 1 Chronicles 9:33, & Nehemiah 4:6). We must put God first (Matthew 6:33) and he will supply our needs (Philippians 4:19). We must know God's will (Romans 12:1-2). Matthew 9:29 says, ". . . According to your faith be it unto you." Remove the problem of being a novice by growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:15). Be filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. Seek God and know God is sending you (Psalm 37:23). Fast, pray, read the word, and OBEY God. Strengthen yourself in God (Jude 1:20). Put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6).

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Ephesians 4:1. Read also 1 Thesssalonians 2:12.

Waiting on God is required at times. We have received many promises but WE MUST fulfill the requirements before we can RECEIVE those promises. Read Philippians 3:14. Read Isaiah 40:31 about waiting on the Lord!

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

Are you prepared? Sometimes we don't think we have any thing to work for God with, such as abilities, properties, financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Use what God has already given you and wait on God in prayer for the things you think you need. FAITH is a big factor here. God multiplied the five loaves and two fishes to feed a great multitude of people (Matthew 14). Read Matthew 6:19-31.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8.

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. Proverbs 10:16.


(31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:31-34.

7. BE SENT BY GOD

When Jesus spoke of us doing greater works, (John 14:12) he meant in volume, not quality. Your works will never be better or greater than those of Jesus Christ. The disciple is not above his master (Luke 6:40). There is only one begotten Son of God, who takes away the sins of the world and reconciles us to God (John 3:16), but he has given us the power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). Jesus Christ was only one man. There are many more workers to do the works of God now, if they will pay the price necessary to get the power to do it.

The early church is our example. In Matthew 10:5 Jesus sent forth his disciples to preach. He commanded them to do certain things.

(7) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (9) Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, (10) Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (11) And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. (12) And when ye come into an house, salute it. (13) And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. (14) And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. (15) Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 10:7-15.


When Jesus left to return to heaven, he gave commandment again as he sent them, saying GO YE in Mark the 16th chapter. They obeyed him and preached every where, and the Lord worked with them.

(15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (20) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-20.

8. WARFARE

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us we are in a spiritual warfare. Many complain that they do not have the time to do any thing for God, but check out what all they are involved in. Ephesians 6 tells us about our armour and our weapons of warfare. We had better get equipped to fight the devil if we are not already. Sometimes it is hard to sacrifice our desires to the will of God and the work of God. We must pray and submit to God.

(3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

(11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:11-13.

If you prepare yourself, having faith, and seeking God with all your heart, he is faithful to stablish you in every good work. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. Read Ephesians 3:14-21 about being rooted, grounded, and strengthened.

9. WORK/PROFITABLE

Obedience is required in servants. We are servants of the Lord. Don't let the devil hinder or deceive you. There is much to busy yourself with and you can CALL it the work of the Lord, but is it? Read Jeremiah 2:8.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21. Read all of Matthew Chapter 7.

We can talk or study about working for Jesus but until we DO it, what profit is there to us or the kingdom of God? 2 Corinthians 8:11..."perform the doing of it..."

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Proverbs 14:23.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22.

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 2 Timothy 2:14.

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:19.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:25.


Jesus was talking about the hypocritical religious leaders in this next verse:

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Matthew 23:3.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:30.


10. YOUR WORKS ARE MANIFEST

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Revelation 3:2.

(13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. Read 1 Peter 4:12.

YOUR WORKS WILL BE KNOWN, whether they are of God or not. Don't do as the hypocrites do, to be seen of men. Read Matthew 6:1-18.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. 1 Timothy 5:25.

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Luke 8:17.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16. Read Titus 1:15.

(19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1. Read Psalm 106:39.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Romans 13:3.

The Bible says that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Then we can please God. Then the Spirit will work through us and show forth the fruit of the Spirit which is the opposite of the works of the flesh, just as God and good is the opposite of the devil and evil.

(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

11. WE MUST ENDURE TO THE END TO BE SAVED

Jesus was talking to God in this next verse. Paul said he had finished his course and fought a good fight, not long before he died. He also said henceforth there was a crown of righteousness laid up for him. Read 2 Timothy 4:7-8. We must also finish the work God gave us to do. Remember Romans 11:29!

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4.

Jesus won't forsake us but will help us work for him, for it is the will of God for the gospel of Jesus Christ to go forth. It is the will of God for us to be busy in God's work. Read Mark 13:34.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6.

12. WORKING TOGETHER
Scriptures on unity: Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 1:27.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1.

(37) Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:37-38.

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:9.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1.

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4.

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. Revelation 20:12.



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