Living Out Our Purpose: Good Works for God
Summary
In our journey through life, we often focus on what God has done for us, but today, I want to challenge us to consider what we are doing for Him. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God's masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. These good deeds are not just a suggestion but a divine purpose for our lives. God has equipped us with His Word, not only to learn and receive from Him but to prepare us for every good work. Our good deeds are a testament to God's love and can lead others to Him, fulfilling His desire for everyone to be part of His family.
Jesus emphasized the importance of letting our good deeds shine before others, as seen in Matthew 5:16. When we do good works, we reflect God's light, drawing others to Him. This is crucial because our actions can be a powerful witness to those who do not yet know God. Moreover, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is inspired by God to equip us for these good works. Our purpose is not just to attend church but to actively engage in doing good for God and others.
It's important to understand that while our good works do not save us—salvation is a gift of grace through faith—they are a natural response to our salvation. As Christians, we are called to do good works because we are from heaven, and our actions should reflect our heavenly citizenship. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3, speaks of rewards based on our labor for God. Our good deeds will be examined, and we will receive rewards according to our works.
Jesus also teaches us to lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Our focus should be on accumulating spiritual wealth through good deeds, as these treasures are eternal. By doing good for God, we are investing in our heavenly bank account, ensuring that we have treasures in heaven. This is not just about rewards but about aligning our hearts with God's purposes.
In practical terms, doing good for God involves winning others to Jesus, mentoring new believers, serving others, praying for others, and giving generously. These actions not only impact the lives of others but also store up treasures in heaven for us. God has set up a reward system to encourage us to do good deeds, knowing that we are motivated by the promise of eternal rewards. Let us embrace our purpose and do good for God, making a lasting impact on the world and securing treasures in heaven.
Key Takeaways:
1. Purposeful Creation: We are God's masterpieces, created to do good works. Our purpose is not just to receive blessings but to actively engage in good deeds that reflect God's love and draw others to Him. [01:07]
2. Witness Through Actions: Our good deeds are a powerful witness to those who do not know God. By letting our light shine, we can lead others to Christ and fulfill God's desire for everyone to be part of His family. [03:15]
3. Salvation and Works: While our good works do not save us, they are a natural response to our salvation. As Christians, we are called to do good works because we are from heaven, and our actions should reflect our heavenly citizenship. [09:18]
4. Eternal Treasures: Jesus teaches us to lay up treasures in heaven through good deeds. Our focus should be on accumulating spiritual wealth, as these treasures are eternal and align our hearts with God's purposes. [20:07]
5. Practical Goodness: Doing good for God involves winning others to Jesus, mentoring new believers, serving others, praying for others, and giving generously. These actions impact lives and store up treasures in heaven for us. [29:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Created for Good Works
[02:03] - New Creatures in Christ
[02:42] - Let Your Light Shine
[03:15] - The Importance of Good Deeds
[04:48] - Equipped by Scripture
[05:59] - Purposeful Creation
[06:41] - The Role of Grace
[07:54] - Salvation by Grace
[09:18] - Works and Salvation
[11:23] - Rewards for Good Works
[14:28] - Eternal Rewards
[15:14] - Examining Our Works
[17:02] - Treasures in Heaven
[20:07] - Investment Strategy
[21:57] - Focus on Heavenly Treasures
[23:10] - Rich in Good Works
[24:15] - Spiritual Stacks
[25:50] - Benefits of Godliness
[26:52] - Consistent Good Works
[27:44] - Incentive for Good Deeds
[29:28] - Winning Others to Jesus
[31:04] - Mentoring Others
[32:24] - Raising Timothys
[33:25] - Making a Difference
[34:54] - Serving Others
[35:55] - Praying for Others
[36:24] - The Power of Prayer
[37:03] - Giving to Others
[38:06] - Eternal Impact
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:10
2. Matthew 5:16
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we created in Christ Jesus to do? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on good works? [01:07]
2. In Matthew 5:16, what is the purpose of letting our good deeds shine before others? How does this relate to the idea of being a witness through actions? [02:42]
3. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 describe the role of Scripture in preparing us for good works? [04:48]
4. What examples of good deeds were mentioned in the sermon that align with the idea of storing up treasures in heaven? [29:28]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being God’s masterpiece in Ephesians 2:10 influence a believer’s understanding of their purpose in life? [01:07]
2. What might be the implications of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:16 for how Christians live out their faith in public settings? [02:42]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between salvation by grace and the call to do good works? [09:18]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that good deeds can lead others to Christ and fulfill God’s desire for everyone to be part of His family? [03:15]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life: What are some specific ways you can let your good deeds shine before others this week? [02:42]
2. Consider your current involvement in good works. How can you align your actions more closely with the purpose described in Ephesians 2:10? [01:07]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can be more intentional about storing up treasures in heaven. What practical steps can you take to focus on spiritual wealth? [20:07]
4. Think about someone in your life who does not know God. How can your actions serve as a witness to them and potentially lead them to Christ? [03:15]
5. The sermon mentions mentoring new believers as a form of doing good for God. Is there someone you can mentor or disciple in your faith community? [31:04]
6. Reflect on your prayer life: How can you incorporate praying for others as a regular practice to do good for God? [35:55]
7. The sermon discusses giving generously as a way to store up treasures in heaven. What is one way you can give to others this week, whether through time, resources, or encouragement? [37:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Created for a Purposeful Life
We are not just passive recipients of God's blessings; we are His masterpieces, created with a divine purpose to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 emphasizes that these good deeds are not optional but are integral to our identity in Christ. God has equipped us with His Word to prepare us for these works, which serve as a testament to His love and can lead others to Him. Our actions are a reflection of God's light, drawing others to Him and fulfilling His desire for everyone to be part of His family. [01:07]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific good work do you feel God has prepared for you to walk in today, and how can you take a step towards fulfilling it?
Day 2: Actions as a Witness
Our good deeds are a powerful witness to those who do not know God. Jesus taught us to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is crucial because our actions can be a powerful witness to those who do not yet know God. By letting our light shine, we can lead others to Christ and fulfill God's desire for everyone to be part of His family. [03:15]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might be influenced by your actions today, and how can you intentionally let your light shine to lead them closer to God?
Day 3: Works as a Response to Salvation
While our good works do not save us, they are a natural response to our salvation. As Christians, we are called to do good works because we are from heaven, and our actions should reflect our heavenly citizenship. The Apostle Paul speaks of rewards based on our labor for God, and our good deeds will be examined, with rewards given according to our works. This understanding encourages us to live out our faith actively, demonstrating our heavenly citizenship through our actions. [09:18]
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do your daily actions reflect your heavenly citizenship, and how can you align them more closely with your faith?
Day 4: Accumulating Eternal Treasures
Jesus teaches us to lay up treasures in heaven through good deeds. Our focus should be on accumulating spiritual wealth, as these treasures are eternal and align our hearts with God's purposes. By doing good for God, we are investing in our heavenly bank account, ensuring that we have treasures in heaven. This is not just about rewards but about aligning our hearts with God's purposes and living a life that reflects His love and grace. [20:07]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What earthly treasures are you holding onto that might be hindering your focus on accumulating spiritual wealth, and how can you shift your priorities today?
Day 5: Practical Expressions of Goodness
Doing good for God involves winning others to Jesus, mentoring new believers, serving others, praying for others, and giving generously. These actions not only impact the lives of others but also store up treasures in heaven for us. God has set up a reward system to encourage us to do good deeds, knowing that we are motivated by the promise of eternal rewards. Let us embrace our purpose and do good for God, making a lasting impact on the world and securing treasures in heaven. [29:28]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who can you encourage or serve today in a practical way, and how can you make this a regular part of your life to store up treasures in heaven?
Quotes
God's saying, I want you to let your good deeds shine out. I want you to do good deeds. And he shows you one reason why here, because when his people do good deeds, it leads to people that don't know him following him. [00:03:15] (14 seconds)
God uses it to prepare and equip his people, get this, to do every good work. So wait, God gave us the Bible not just so we can learn, not just so we can receive from God, but he said, I literally gave this to you so that you could do good works, so you could do every good work. [00:04:16] (31 seconds)
God created you for the purpose of you doing good deeds for him and for others. That's your purpose. Somebody said this way, do good deeds for God. Turn to somebody next to you. Tell them, do good for God. [00:06:18] (19 seconds)
You're right in one sense and you're wrong in another. Let's look at Ephesians 2 .8. He's talking about salvation here and the scriptures leading up to this and even in the one after it. He says, for by grace, you are saved through faith. [00:07:35] (17 seconds)
There's going to come a day where all of our works will be examined. God's just looking to see what's counterfeit and what's real. And he goes on to say here, and if any man's work abide, which he had built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [00:15:21] (17 seconds)
Just like you got treasures on earth, you have treasures in heaven. And Jesus is giving you an investment strategy. See, he's been there. He knows what it looks like. He knows what you're going to want to have in the future. [00:20:41] (17 seconds)
God has an amazing future for you, one that is greater than anything you can create for yourself. But the way to get to that future is to do things God's way, to actually apply what you just heard. [00:38:40] (12 seconds)
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