His Workmanship-2

HIS WORKMANSHIP-II—Eph. 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Attention:

Christians are the very workmanship of God Almighty in Christ Jesus!

Need:

Why are you here?; Who am I?; How do I find my way?

Most people seem to think Christians are a little wacky, right?

We will answer that statement/question with a resounding “Yes,” but also offer you great reasons as to why you may think them to be so wacky. And by removing your own ignorance may even be inclined to accept such seeming 'wackiness' as something to be embraced!

The apostle Paul related that the intent of Jesus’ sacrifice was to release man to affect God’s purposes.

Christians are & exemplify the purposeful workmanship of God.

How/Why are Christians identified with the purposeful workmanship of God?

This morning we found that Christian workmanship entails a hallmark...

1. BELONGING(:10a)His workmanship

2. AGENT(:10b)Created in Christ Jesus

Tonight we will examine 3 remaining hallmarks of Christian workmanship.

3—Christian workmanship entails a hallmark...

PRODUCT(:10c)

Explanation:(:10c)For good works

“...created...for good works,...”

People generally have false ideas of what is indeed “good”(Mat. 19:16-17, 18-26), not realizing such a determination derives from God alone.

Things that may be considered intrinsically ‘good’ in-&-of themselves:

Civic concerns

The arts

The sciences

The humanities

Business

Judges

Leaders

Legislature & legislators

Educators & the educated

Household concerns

Care Givers

Sports heroes

Military heroes & endeavors

All these things(& many more) have ‘good’ aspects to them, which entail some aspect of ‘sacrifice’ or hold potential for being “good.” However their actual “goodness” is attained only when God is given free reign in them. Then these “works” are transformed into “good works.”

Mat. 19:16-22—“Now behold, one came & said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father & your mother,’ &, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have & give to the poor, & you will have treasure in heaven; & come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Jesus is more than just a teacher or preacher of “good,” He Himself is “good”!

*If the “works” of Christians are expected to be ‘good’, then God will also see fit to equip His workers toward that fulfillment!

“For”—epi—Preposition—1) Upon, on, at, by, before; 2) of position--On, at, by, over, against; 3) To, over, on, at, across, against. Strong—a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition(of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], i.e. Over, upon, etc.; of rest(with the det.)--At, on, etc.; of direction(with the accusative case)--Towards, upon, etc..

“Good”—agayov—Adj.—1) Of good constitution or nature; 2) Useful, salutary; 3) Good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; 4) Excellent, distinguished; 5) Upright, honorable. Strong—a primary word; “Good”(in any sense, often as noun).

“Works”—ergon—1) Business, employment, that which any one is occupied—1a) That which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking; 2) Any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind; 3) An act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasized in opposition to that which is less than work. Strong—from a primary(but obsolete) ergw(to work); Toil(as an effort or occupation); by implication--An act.

Argumentation:

Php. 2:12, 13—“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear & trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will & to do for His good pleasure.”

Isa. 26:9, 12—“With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”.....“LORD, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us.”

**Heb. 13:20-21—“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever & ever. Amen.”