The Purpose of Good Works
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/15/2017 AM
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Text:
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Psalm 106;
Lord's Day 32
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Psalters: |
64, 149, 284, 291 |
- The ability to do good.
- Our ability to do good works flows from the Holy Spirit’s work of renewing us in Christ’s image.
- We are united to Christ (as branches to the vine) so the branch produces good fruit which glorifies our Father (John 15:1-8).
- Often we sinfully do good that we might be seen of others so they will praise us.
- But God saves us, not as something which ends in us, but unto His glory and praise (I Cor. 6:20; I Peter 2:9).
- Because our best works are spotted, they are acceptable to God only because Jesus washed them too.
- The chief purpose and motive of our doing good works is to thank God (Ps. 106:47; I Chron. 16:35).
- The attitude of thankfulness is a gift of God.
- The gratitude of the Christian consists of:
- Confessing that all that we are He has given to us and we are to acknowledge Him as the Giver and Sustainer.
- Acknowledging and professing our gracious deliverance, through Christ, from sin and death.
- A willing returning to God what He requires: true worship consisting of obedience unto good works.
- The sincere desire to avoid all that offends God, and the desire to conform to His will.
- Also our love for Christ, so we seek to show our love and to please Him.
- The experience of salvation by grace alone always leads to thankfulness.
- The other purposes of good works also bring God glory.
- Faith produces the fruit of good works, which good works assure the believer that he is in the faith (I John 2:3).
- Also others are gained to Christ by our godly conversation (Matt. 5:16; I Peter 2:12; 3:1).