Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” As I stand here to deliver this message I pray that God will use me for His ambition. Nothing is to be done for my glory because it is all to be done for God Almighty and His magnificence. It is never to be about me … or you. When any work becomes about me they are nothing but filthy rags, trash, waste to be discarded and incinerated. James 2:14-18: “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Do your works, deeds, actions or words reflect Christ? Can someone attribute to you the things that you do are Christ-like? Or are you doing them for your own advantage? Self-righteous acts, things done seeking commendation, things done with pride or even malice (for example, you may be setting someone up to fail without them knowing to make yourself look like the hero for helping them out). They may never comprehend that you set them up to fail - but God at all times knows your true intentions. God always knows our motive for any work that we do. Are you trying to buy or expect favor from God by doing things that will sway His will for your purposes and not His own will in your life? People all the time: they do, do, do, go, go, and go performing feats and works and words in their own strength. Then they expect a return because of it. Jesus was not first in what they were doing.
Please ponder this question: does God owe us anything??? He gave us everything. Life, creation, air, water, food, family, love, and most importantly His Son. He has given us all, but owes and we are entitled to none of it. It is a gift of the Almighty and wonderful sovereign God. God owes us nothing and His grace is and always will be sufficient in our lives. We owe everything to Him. Knowing we owe everything to Him it should be easy for us to do anything for Him because our love for Jesus. The problem is, Jesus is not first in many people’s lives. They are first, then family or career or money or hobby, etc…God is to be first and prevalent at all times, at all moments of your day. Every day. Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble and attentive and focused on God in everything - everyday. Paul put God first. Jesus was at the center of his core.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10: “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Are you exalting yourself or worshiping yourself as many people do; or are you humble, praising God in the sunshine and in the storms in your life? Do you truly grasp and comprehend His concept that His grace is always abundant no matter the circumstance? Listen, do you come to church to find approval or feel that since you show your face in worship each week that you are a true Christian or a God warrior? Or is it out of obligation, part of your schedule or is it because you truly love Jesus? Do you come to be in fellowship with other believers and the Savior? Do you come to worship God and hear His Word and give thanks to His great love and the giving of His Son to us for our salvation? What are your motives? Any works done in a self-seeking manner have no use for God and will do nothing for Christ and His Kingdom. They will be tested by fire and will be burnt up.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
This holds true for all because God shows no favoritism. Romans 2:11: “For there is no partiality with God.” So now matter how much success or money or stature in society you have, God will not put you on a pedestal because of it. People put themselves or other people on a pedestal. God does not. He knocks down the prideful and crushes pedestals of false worship. Many do not see that their own selfish desires and wants are an idol. They do not see the false god they are worshiping because they are too caught up in worshiping themselves! Where are your priorities? What position does God take in your life? We are told to do everything to the glory of God. How about praising God for giving you breath this morning. Praise God you woke up. We are also told in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Not whatever you do for the glory of me or myself. Listen, we cannot see how great and wonderful God is until we see how great and wonderful we are not.”
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In one of his sermons, Dr. Harry Ironside tells of the occasion when, as a young man, he went into a cafeteria to eat. The tables were crowded and the only place he could find to sit down was at a table across from another man. So he sat down and as was his habit, Dr. Ironside bowed his head and gave thanks. The other man glowered while he did so and as soon as Dr. Ironside had finished, the man looked at him and said, “What’s the matter with you. Is something wrong with your food?” He looked down at it and said, “No, it looks fine to me.” The fellow said, “Have you got something in your eye? Do you have a headache?” Dr. Ironside said, “No, I’m feeling fine.” The fellow said, “What are you doing then? Why did you bow your head?” Dr., Ironside said, “Well, I was just giving thanks to God for the food I was about to eat.” The man looked at him and said, “You believe that stuff, do you? That’s crazy.” Dr. Ironside said, “Sir, don’t you give thanks for your food?” The man said, “I never give thanks. I just jump right in.” Dr. Ironside looked at him and said, “Well, you’re just like my dog then. He doesn’t give thanks either. He just jumps right in.”
Here is a great example of a truly good Christian, God honoring work: Mark 12:41-44: “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."
She gave all that she had out of love for God. She listened to the Holy Spirit. She trusted God. She knew that God was there for her. In man's eyes her small work was nothing, but to the Lord it was a beautiful precious stone to be rewarded greatly in Heaven and on earth. Matthew 6:1-4: Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
Christians listen to me; I truly despise the line that goes, "Give until it hurts." You do not give until it hurts. What good is any gift that you give be it time, service, money, helps, instruction, etc...If you do so begrudgingly? 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.” Love for Jesus Christ in gratitude for what He has done for you. Put Jesus first! And if you are putting Jesus first, are you giving your time, resources and money to the one who gave them to you abundantly? Are you truly giving enough?
Luke 10:38-42: “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Mary, who also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word: Martha didn’t get the help she wanted from her sister Mary. It wasn’t that Mary was lazy - she prepared as well as Martha, but Mary also sat at Jesus feet. Martha was distracted with much serving: Listen, Martha did nothing wrong in working hard for Jesus - that was good. Her problem was that she became distracted with too much serving. She was distracted away from Jesus. There are many people who become crabby and irritable in their service for the Lord like Martha was. It is easy to look at all we do and to criticize those who don’t seem to do as much. But Martha’s real problem wasn’t Mary; it was Martha. She had become distracted and had taken her eyes off Jesus. Taken her eyes off of the One she was working for. Spurgeon said, “Martha’s frustration is typical of those who diligently serve with good intent, but forget to also sit at Jesus’ feet. The Martha spirit says, if the work is done, is that not all? The Mary spirit asks whether Jesus is well pleased or no? All must be done in his name and by his Spirit, or nothing is done.”
In Jesus’s reply to Martha He said, “…Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” We can sense the love in Jesus’ voice as He said this. Martha did well - she wanted to serve Jesus; but she had not added the one thing that is needed. The Bible speaks of one thing. Psalm 27:4: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”
Luke 18:18-30: “Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Is God saying the same thing to you? Do you hold too tightly to your money or possessions that you forget the One who gave them to you? He gave them to you to use for His kingdom. When you stand before Him one day, there will not be any money or possessions, they will be left here on earth. Listen, God has given some of you more, because He wants you to do more with it!
Turn to Matthew 25:14: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Use what God gives you for His purpose and glory, not your own!
There are people like Mary; those who know how to serve and also sit at Jesus feet. There are people like Martha; those who diligently, and with the best intention serve God, but without adding the one thing - a continued focus on Jesus - and it results in great frustration. Then, there are people who don’t do either. They are not even in the house with Jesus, for they are too busy with their own pursuits. Are you in the house with Jesus? If you are, then why are you not sitting at His feet? Jesus first, then all things will fall into place because the Holy Spirit will be controlling it, not you. Would God want anything from you if there was no love behind it? You do not give to receive; you give out of the goodness of your saved heart with no intention of expecting anything in return. Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Are you serving God or money? If you are serving God, then why aren’t you doing so with your money that He gave you?
So one might ask, is there anything wrong with being wealthy, do we have to be deprived? No. Job, Abraham, Solomon etc...Were very wealthy - those who are rich monetarily need to use those gifts given by God in a way that glorifies Him and His Church. You cannot hold the hand of Christ and walk with Him if you are too busy clutching on to your purse or wallet.
1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Any type of gift given must have your heart behind it or it is not a gift, but a burden. That can then render it useless to the viewpoint of our Father God.
What about lukewarm and dead faith? Going through the motions out of requirement thinking that God will bless you because you show up at church on Sunday and then act like a lap dog of the devil the rest of the week? That you try to force God’s hand for what you think His will should be in your life? How prideful is that? Do you reward your own children if they are disobedient? Why should God? The lack of love, lack of forgiveness, lack of putting God's Word first that shames the unity of Christ’s body of believers as a whole.
Or those like Diotrephes in 3 John who is on a power trip and tries to bend everyone to their wishes because they want to be supreme dictator and ruler of their church? How are you treating your brothers and sisters in Christ? What good works can come from Christians tearing down other Christians? Nothing, because Christ told us that a house divided will not stand. We are Christians saved by mercy and we are to tell others about God’s mercy, about His grace and about His love towards them through the work of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. This is not rocket science. Preaching the Gospel, telling people what Jesus has done for us and then showing them by our works; our faith in action for Jesus Christ our Lord. We give and live and love, preaching and reaching for Christ! But without being submissive, being trusting and being in fellowship with God it will lead us to failure.
Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world.” A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Well, what about works based religions? Every other religion is based upon what the person has to do to gain heaven or enlightenment, nirvana, etc...Christianity is the only relationship built on faith without works. The works that Christians put forth come after the indwelling and motivating of the Holy Spirit. Those are Godly works; Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Remember church, we are to work out what God works into us.
I saw Ray Comfort interviewing a Mormon and he went straight to the heart of the matter about salvation being a gift from God. There was nothing that we could do to earn it. After everything was explained to this young man he still felt he had to “do” to be deserving. His unfinished works were yet to be fulfilled. He does not understand that it is already finished. Christ finalized it when He was crucified on the cross and rose from the tomb on the third day. To this young man and others who follow other religions, Jesus is not enough. Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Truly and total faith in the Person and Work of Our Lord Jesus Christ saves us and nothing else.
Luke 23:39-43: “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The thief admitted his guilt, recognized Jesus was blameless, recognized He was God and asked for Jesus to remember Him. He was not baptized, he paid no money, he was no member of any church group, and he did not do anything but believe totally in who Jesus is and what He does. The man was a true believer for about half a day of his earthly life and he still went to heaven because of His faith alone in Jesus Christ the Savior. God has given us much more time in our walk with Him and what have we done with it?
I think many people are like it says in Titus 1:16: “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed. So then, what do we do to please God with our works? Colossians 3:23-24: 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” It is the Lord Christ you are serving. John 6:28-29: “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God; that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 4:35: “Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” What gifts or resources has God given you to help with the harvest?
We are given the salvation and grace of Christ and then we in turn are to share that saving grace. When you pray without ceasing, asking God to give you the words and the boldness to plant the seed of Christ's saving grace to someone, what happens? The glory of the grace that first came from God is reciprocated back to the Father for His glory. The works that bless God are when we are submissive and rest in Him. His Holy Spirit will give us the means to do works in the correct manner that bring honor to Christ Jesus and His salvation that was freely given to us. God gave us His Son and offered us eternal life for belief in what Jesus Christ did on our behalf on the cross. The ultimate work that we can perform is in our acceptance of Christ Jesus as our Savior. The second best work we can accomplish is by presenting to others how to do the same. God loves you and that will always be more than enough. Honor Him with good works pleasing to Him and that glorify His majesty. 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Always give yourself fully to the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Stephanie wrote this the other day about Mary, the mother of Jesus. She said, “Mary, the mother of Jesus. Can you imagine it, here she is, a simple village girl, about to be married to Joseph, and here comes an angel of the Lord who tells her that she has been chosen to carry the Son of God. Can you imagine it? The thoughts that could have went through her head: "What about my plans Lord?? I'm about to be married! What will he think? He will surely think I cheated on him. What will my family think? What will the town’s people think? What will happen to me? Surely they will stone me to death condemning me as an adulterous woman!" Did she think these things? No. She said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." She was humble. She had a servant’s heart. She trusted God and knew that He would take care of everything, and that if it were His will, He would work everything out exactly as He saw fit: for His glory and for her ultimate good. She had already decided in her heart long before that encounter with God's angel that she would trust God, no matter what. How powerful is her example to us of how we should be as followers of Christ!! Humble, willing, and trusting Him with every single moment of every day of our lives. Not my will, but YOUR will be done Lord!”
When you wake up, get out of bed for God. Thank Him for another day. When you eat breakfast, do housework, yardwork, your job, play with your kids, love your family and friends do them all for Jesus. When you come to church, when you give your time and effort and money, do it all for Jesus Christ! Focusing on God and doing good works for God should encapsulate your entire day, every day for the rest of your life if you are a true believer in Christ. Why do things alone when you have the Holy Spirit to help and lead you so that you glorify God in a way that is pleasing to Him? Colossians 1:10:”…that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”
