The Lord’s Work – Part 4
Our works – the Lord’s works – are salvation, eternal life. We believe to receive eternal life. We preach to give eternal life.
As long as we preach the doctrine unleavened, our work is not in vain.
“The works of Christ” only appears 1 time in Scripture.
Matthew 11:2-5 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
His works showed to the Jews signs. But the signs were the demonstration/proof of his power to do those things in the spirit.
Mark 2:9-12 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
He did those temporal works so that mankind would know that He had power to do the true work of the Lord.
Those are works that we, in the flesh cannot do. And yet.. every one of those marvelous works is performed in that very last phrase.
The gospel does every one of those things at the same time: Makes a man perfectly whole and cleansed from all sin.
Back to Matthew 11…
Matthew 11:5-6 … and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Who did he heal? Who did he heal on behalf of? Those that had faith – those that believed.
Those that were not offended – did not disbelieve. They receive healing, eternal life IN HIM.
“The works of Christ” are what HE does, and yet, in the gospel, they are what is GIVEN TO a believer.
We as Christians HAVE those works in us, and we GIVE those works to dwell in others.
We as Christians ARE those works, and we MAKE others to BE those works too.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
Those that you lead to Christ (the work of the Lord) are your work in the Lord. You will not have laboured in vain.
“The work of Christ” only appears 1 time in Scripture.
Philippians 2:25,30 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. … 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul says Epaphroditus is his companion in labour.
Paul says Epaphroditus is his fellowsoldier.
The work of Christ can only be done by a Christian brother.
The work of Christ is the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now does the work of the Lord include “ministering to my wants”? We’d need another witness. Even so, Paul is on the frontlines and Epaphroditus is one of his right-hand men. His companion in labour is preaching the gospel, and suffering the same tribulations and persecutions. That is the Lord’s work!
Now, if on top of that, he was working to supply Paul with the carnal things that he needed (food, clothes, a tent) while Paul was praying and preaching, does that mean that you running a soup kitchen is the work of Christ? Feeding the poor is the same as being on the frontlines of the spiritual battle for the souls of mankind? I think not.
But.. supporting the ministry. Supporting those that are going the works of Christ. Ministering to those that are ministering the gospel. I think you have a part in the reward for the work of the Lord.
The work of Christ (as we are made able to do it) is giving eternal life. That is the one and only important work. Find the words of God and give the words of God.
This is the work that is not yet finished. This is the work that He is still working:
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
The work of God is spiritual. An unsaved man cannot know it.
The World’s Work
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
The things – the works and the fruit of those works – that come out of men’s hearts are evil.
John 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
The works of the world are evil.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
The world worketh death. But even the weakness of God works eternal life. The weakness of God is stronger than men. (what about the joy of the world? – “the world shall rejoice”)
The works of the world (all, not some!) are evil and they bring forth death.
What about the good works of the world? The works thereof are evil. It has none..
Romans 6:20-22 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? [just the evil ones? Doubt it.. ] for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
In your flesh all your fruit is to death. All the works of the world result in death. All the works of the world are evil.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
which are these – not SOME of which are these.
These are things that man does. These are the works of your flesh. This things come from your heart, your fleshly heart. These are things that you both do, and say, from your heart.
We are all guilty of such things..
Romans 2:1-3 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
If you do such things, and we all do.. you will not escape the judgment. You will be found guilty. You will not inherit the kingdom of God. You are worth of death.
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The works of the world are evil. They all result in death and if you have SUCH works, you will not be justified.
Even with all this here, mankind still accuses or else excuses one another.
Even with all of this here, mankind still wants to compare their works.
Here is what they do:
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, … and such like: … that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
…
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
“Man, if I can just do these things, instead of the same things that the Bible says are the works of the flesh… If I can just do the Lord’s works… if I can just do the works of the Spirit!” … OOPS!
What does it say there? “The fruit of the Spirit”, not “the works”. This is fruit.
Could these possibly be called fruitS? Maybe. But the Bible doesn’t call THEM fruitS, it calls THIS “the fruit of the Spirit”.
But they are NOT works. If you think they are, please “do them”. You can’t.
You can have them, you can be them, but you cannot do them – e.g., faith, longsuffering.
These are things that one HAS, or one IS, not things that one DOES.
Maybe fruits? Maybe … But definitely not works!
We may not even HAVE these currently in us. It may be something that we will receive.
And notice:
Galatians 5:24-5 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
None of these good fruits come from the flesh. They are of the Spirit, in the Spirit.
You need to get rid of the flesh entirely: it is free from righteousness. The works of the flesh are THESE SUCH THINGS.
“We did the Lord’s work!” That’s what the world will claim.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
We were righteous! We did the Lord’s works! We did good works! We had the proof of salvation!
Oh the Lord will reveal their works and their fruit… by fire. He will show them their fruit.
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You may have done some “good works”. But that is not what you work. You work evil. You work iniquity. You do the works of the flesh. You never did the Lord’s works. You never were righteous and perfect in all your works. You never even did one work FOR the Lord. Not even once. Not even one thing.
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
The world’s work is with iniquity. You do your works in unrighteousness. Works done in the flesh are never without iniquity. You will never be justified by those works. Even as proof.
Jul 19 2020
The Lord’s Work – Part 4
Downloadable Word document:
The Lord’s Work – Part 4
The Lord’s Work – Part 4
Our works – the Lord’s works – are salvation, eternal life. We believe to receive eternal life. We preach to give eternal life.
As long as we preach the doctrine unleavened, our work is not in vain.
“The works of Christ” only appears 1 time in Scripture.
Matthew 11:2-5 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
His works showed to the Jews signs. But the signs were the demonstration/proof of his power to do those things in the spirit.
Mark 2:9-12 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
He did those temporal works so that mankind would know that He had power to do the true work of the Lord.
Those are works that we, in the flesh cannot do. And yet.. every one of those marvelous works is performed in that very last phrase.
The gospel does every one of those things at the same time: Makes a man perfectly whole and cleansed from all sin.
Back to Matthew 11…
Matthew 11:5-6 … and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Who did he heal? Who did he heal on behalf of? Those that had faith – those that believed.
Those that were not offended – did not disbelieve. They receive healing, eternal life IN HIM.
“The works of Christ” are what HE does, and yet, in the gospel, they are what is GIVEN TO a believer.
We as Christians HAVE those works in us, and we GIVE those works to dwell in others.
We as Christians ARE those works, and we MAKE others to BE those works too.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
Those that you lead to Christ (the work of the Lord) are your work in the Lord. You will not have laboured in vain.
“The work of Christ” only appears 1 time in Scripture.
Philippians 2:25,30 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. … 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul says Epaphroditus is his companion in labour.
Paul says Epaphroditus is his fellowsoldier.
The work of Christ can only be done by a Christian brother.
The work of Christ is the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now does the work of the Lord include “ministering to my wants”? We’d need another witness. Even so, Paul is on the frontlines and Epaphroditus is one of his right-hand men. His companion in labour is preaching the gospel, and suffering the same tribulations and persecutions. That is the Lord’s work!
Now, if on top of that, he was working to supply Paul with the carnal things that he needed (food, clothes, a tent) while Paul was praying and preaching, does that mean that you running a soup kitchen is the work of Christ? Feeding the poor is the same as being on the frontlines of the spiritual battle for the souls of mankind? I think not.
But.. supporting the ministry. Supporting those that are going the works of Christ. Ministering to those that are ministering the gospel. I think you have a part in the reward for the work of the Lord.
The work of Christ (as we are made able to do it) is giving eternal life. That is the one and only important work. Find the words of God and give the words of God.
This is the work that is not yet finished. This is the work that He is still working:
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
The work of God is spiritual. An unsaved man cannot know it.
The World’s Work
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
The things – the works and the fruit of those works – that come out of men’s hearts are evil.
John 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
The works of the world are evil.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
The world worketh death. But even the weakness of God works eternal life. The weakness of God is stronger than men. (what about the joy of the world? – “the world shall rejoice”)
The works of the world (all, not some!) are evil and they bring forth death.
What about the good works of the world? The works thereof are evil. It has none..
Romans 6:20-22 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? [just the evil ones? Doubt it.. ] for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
In your flesh all your fruit is to death. All the works of the world result in death. All the works of the world are evil.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
which are these – not SOME of which are these.
These are things that man does. These are the works of your flesh. This things come from your heart, your fleshly heart. These are things that you both do, and say, from your heart.
We are all guilty of such things..
Romans 2:1-3 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
If you do such things, and we all do.. you will not escape the judgment. You will be found guilty. You will not inherit the kingdom of God. You are worth of death.
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The works of the world are evil. They all result in death and if you have SUCH works, you will not be justified.
Even with all this here, mankind still accuses or else excuses one another.
Even with all of this here, mankind still wants to compare their works.
Here is what they do:
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, … and such like: … that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
…
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
“Man, if I can just do these things, instead of the same things that the Bible says are the works of the flesh… If I can just do the Lord’s works… if I can just do the works of the Spirit!” … OOPS!
What does it say there? “The fruit of the Spirit”, not “the works”. This is fruit.
Could these possibly be called fruitS? Maybe. But the Bible doesn’t call THEM fruitS, it calls THIS “the fruit of the Spirit”.
But they are NOT works. If you think they are, please “do them”. You can’t.
You can have them, you can be them, but you cannot do them – e.g., faith, longsuffering.
These are things that one HAS, or one IS, not things that one DOES.
Maybe fruits? Maybe … But definitely not works!
We may not even HAVE these currently in us. It may be something that we will receive.
And notice:
Galatians 5:24-5 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
None of these good fruits come from the flesh. They are of the Spirit, in the Spirit.
You need to get rid of the flesh entirely: it is free from righteousness. The works of the flesh are THESE SUCH THINGS.
“We did the Lord’s work!” That’s what the world will claim.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
We were righteous! We did the Lord’s works! We did good works! We had the proof of salvation!
Oh the Lord will reveal their works and their fruit… by fire. He will show them their fruit.
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You may have done some “good works”. But that is not what you work. You work evil. You work iniquity. You do the works of the flesh. You never did the Lord’s works. You never were righteous and perfect in all your works. You never even did one work FOR the Lord. Not even once. Not even one thing.
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
The world’s work is with iniquity. You do your works in unrighteousness. Works done in the flesh are never without iniquity. You will never be justified by those works. Even as proof.
By Pastor • Individual Lessons, Salvation • 0