Zealous for Good Works

29 April 2012

1. Introduction

· Tit.2:14 “who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for Himself, His own special people, zealous for good works”

· Jesus gave up His life on the Cross for a purpose – not just to get us to heaven.

· He redeemed us – pay the full ransom price to free a captive – for a purpose.

· Jesus wants us to be a people that are unique, special (lit. beyond usual, belonging to God)

· “Zealous” = NT2207 Burning with passion, strongly contending for something.\We are called to be busy, proactive, passionately advancing the Kingdom of God.

· Tit.3:8 “… those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works”

· Tit.3:14 “Let our people learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs that they be not unfruitful”.

2. Three Reasons why it is Important to Maintain Good Works

(i) Divine Design and Purpose – Gold has prepared good works unique to each of us.

· Eph.2:10 “..created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”.

(ii) Eternal Rewards are at stake – God desires to reward us, acknowledge our work.

· Mt.16:27 “Fer the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels and then He will reward each according to his works.

· Rev. 22:12 “Behold I am coming quickly, and my Reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work”. (Reward = NT3408 = wages, pay for services).

(iii) Accountability is required – God will evaluate what we have done with our life.

· 1 Cor.3:11-15 “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. Reward =NT3408= wages, pay for services).

· Jesus Himself will evaluate what we have done – our works – what sort of work.

· Our works may fail to qualify for a reward, but we are still saved.

· Jesus evaluated the works of the 7 churches of Revelation and made promises of reward. (Rev. 2:2 “I know your works”).

3. Two Foundations for Good Works

· Mt.7:21-29 “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven but he who does the Will of my Father in heaven”.

(a) Context: The Sermon on the Mount – this is the conclusion.

· Jesus has been teaching the culture, heart attitudes and values of the Kingdom.

· He is now addressing the issue of how we respond to his teaching – what we do.

(b) Vs21 “Entrance to the Kingdom” is the key issue at stake.

· He is not talking about “getting saved” = we are saved by grace through faith without any works (Eoh.2:8-9).

· He is talking about entering (experiencing) the Kingdom of Heaven now in our personal life but more importantly the millennium and eternal Kingdom.

(c) Vs22 “That day” refers to the day of His coming to establish His Kingdom on earth.

· In “that day” He will evaluate what we have done – “what sort of work”.

(d) Supernatural Ministry does not necessarily qualify us for Kingdom Entrance.

· V22 “Many will say” Lord, Lord – these are saved believers who call Jesus Lord.

· Note their works: Prophesy, Deliverance, Miracles = Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

· These are done in Jesus name by faith (you cannot do deliverance by methods – Acts 19:13).

(e) Two key issues at stake.

· Vs23 I will declare to them I never knew you; depart from me you that work iniquity.

Personal Intimacy Loving relationship with Jesus

· Vs23 “I never knew you” = I did not know you as a friend.

· The other place Jesus makes this statement is in Math.25:12 ‘I do not know you’.

· 5x foolish virgins failed to prepare themselves, to purchase oil of intimacy.

· Our first call and work is to love the Lord with all our heart.

· This means relating to Him, hearing His voice, sharing our heart and life with Him.

· E.g. Lk10:39 Mary and Martha – Mary placed intimacy – hearing Jesus before works.

Purity of Motivation Authentic love for people

· Vs23 “You that work iniquity”.

· Iniquity =NT458= without law, lawless, independent, illegal, contempt for law or authority.

· The key issue is fulfilling the will of God (Mt.7:21) not doing good works and expecting God to be impressed.

· E.g. Acts 8:9-23 “I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity”

· Simon was a person with great influence and importance. He used occult power to help him gain the influence and recognition.

· Vs9 “He gave out that he was great” = self-promotion.

· Vs13 He became a believer, was baptised and followed Philip.

· He wanted the power of God not to honour God and serve people but to promote himself.

· He failed to understand the need to serve out of love so God is honoured.

· Roots   Bitterness – rejection and injustice was poisoning his

perspective.

Iniquity – not yielded to the will or authority of God.

- Desired to use God to advance position, reputation, finances.

· “Bond” = Roman Soldier would chain prisoner’s right hand to his left hand.

· His works were “dead works” moved by selfish agenda.

· Cf Jn.5:38 “I have come down from Heaven not to do my will but the will of Him who sent me.

· Mt.7:24 “He that hears these sayings of mine and does them – stable

4. Focus on Knowing Jesus and Developing Character

2 Peter 1:2-11

· Build intimacy daily with the Lord

· Commit to personal growth in Godliness

· Results        i) Not barren or unfruitful (v8)

ii) Not stumble (v10)

iii) Abundant entrance to Kingdom (v11)