The Purpose of Good Works

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Psalm 106; Lord's Day 32
Psalters: 64, 149, 284, 291
  1. The ability to do good.
    1. Our ability to do good works flows from the Holy Spirit’s work of renewing us in Christ’s image.
    2. We are united to Christ (as branches to the vine) so the branch produces good fruit which glorifies our Father (John 15:1-8).
      1. Often we sinfully do good that we might be seen of others so they will praise us.
      2. 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).
    3. Because our best works are spotted, they are acceptable to God only because Jesus washed them too.
  2. The chief purpose and motive of our doing good works is to thank God (Ps. 106:47; I Chron. 16:35).
    1. The attitude of thankfulness is a gift of God.
    2. The gratitude of the Christian consists of:
      1. Confessing that all that we are He has given to us and we are to acknowledge Him as the Giver and Sustainer.
      2. Acknowledging and professing our gracious deliverance, through Christ, from sin and death.
      3. A willing returning to God what He requires: true worship consisting of obedience unto good works.
      4. The sincere desire to avoid all that offends God, and the desire to conform to His will.
      5. Also our love for Christ, so we seek to show our love and to please Him.
    3. The experience of salvation by grace alone always leads to thankfulness.
  3. The other purposes of good works also bring God glory.
    1. Faith produces the fruit of good works, which good works assure the believer that he is in the faith (I John 2:3).
    2. Also others are gained to Christ by our godly conversation (Matt. 5:16; I Peter 2:12; 3:1).