An Attitude For Good Works
11/16/08 PM
Text: Ephesians 2:10
INTRODUCTION:
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
In our lesson this morning we examined Ephesians 2:10 and learned that all who believe are created in Jesus by God to walk in good works that God has prepared for us.
1.The same power that created us in Christ Jesus empowers us to do the good works which He has prepared for us.
a.These are the verifiers of true salvation. Righteous attitudes and righteous acts proceed from the transformed life.
b.James 2:18 (NASB) But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
2.To the Corinthians Paul said there was in them “an abundance for every good deed” (2 Cor. 9:8).
3.To Timothy he instructed that the believer is “equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy. 3:17).
4.Christ died to bring to Himself a people “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14).
And it may be our attitude that stands in the way of our accomplishing the good works for which we were created. In this lesson we will consider the attitudes which can lead us to walk in the good deeds as God intends.
I.An Attitude of Faith
A.We will do what we believe we can do
1.Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford
a.The spies’ report: Read Numbers 13:30-33.
b.They saw themselves as grasshoppers and so they were to the inhabitants of the land.
c.Numbers 14:11 - 12 (NASB) The LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? “I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.”
d.Moses turned the wrath of God from the people but this generation lost the promised land.
2.Caleb had the attitude of faith proper for the people of God: v30.
a.The attitude of Paul:
Philippians 4:13 (NASB) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
1)His own experience in the various changes of life had warranted him in arriving at this conclusion; and he now expresses the firm confidence that nothing would be required of him which he would not be able to perform.
2)It was not in any native ability which he had; not in any vigor of body or of mind; not in any power which there was in his own resolutions; it was in the strength that he derived from the Redeemer.
b.Read Matthew 17:14-21
II. An Attitude of Hope
A.This hope is not wishing but the expectant knowing of our being in Christ.
1.Read 1 Peter 3:8-16
a.Unbelievers can see that Christians have something different; only “hope” gives us strength and joy in hardships and persecutions.
b.Paul learned contentment in all circumstances, Unbelievers will ask about it; believers must be ready to tell them.
2.We have such a firm foundation for our hope:
a.We are the children of God 1 John 3:1
b.We have all spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3
c.We will receive the crown of life 2 Timothy 4:8
III. An Attitude of Prayer
A.We rely on the power of prayer
1.James 5:16b (NASB) ”…The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
a.Read Matthew 21:18-22
1)The saying is neither hyperbole nor literal. It is a proverbial form of speech, which no Jew would misunderstand, and with which we ought not be puzzled.
2)Rooting up of mountains is a phrase very generally used to signify the removing or conquering great difficulties—getting through perplexities.
3)In this sense our Lord’s words are to be understood. He that has faith will get through every difficulty and perplexity; mountains shall become molehills or level plains before him.
b.Christ’s relationship with the Father made the miracle of answered prayer not only a possibility, but a certainty.
c.And when our prayers grow out of a genuine relationship with the Lord, our prayers too can be expressions not of uncertain hope, but of real confidence that we “will receive.”.”
2.The grammar of the Greek at the beginning of the sentence renders it emphatic.
d.His workmanship are we. He has made us Christians.
IV. An Attitude of Love
A.Rooted in our love of God
1.Luke 10:27 (NASB) And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself
2.Hebrews 10:24 - 25 (NASB) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
3.1 John 4:21 (NASB) And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
B.We must also evidence love for the lost
1. The parable of the lost sheep, lost coin, and the prodigal son show the attitude of God towards the lost.
a.Luke 19:10 (NASB) “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
b.Romans 5:8 (NASB) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Conclusion:
We are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus for good works which we are to do for His glory. With loving, prayerful, hopeful and faithful attitudes we can do all the works which have been prepared for us.
Invitation
