The Lord’s Work – Part 47
Acts 8:18-20 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
You can’t give carnal things to reap spiritual things. We do not sow natural things, and get spiritual things in return. Carnal sowing cannot bring forth spiritual fruit.
But, when as a Christian, we minister carnal things to the people of God, for the purpose of supporting a soul-winning ministry, God is able to (1) give you spiritual food to grow you, and also (2 – I believe) give you a part in the fruit of the ministry.
But it is the understanding, not the motivation of the giver, that the Lord honours.
Giving carnal things is not the true good work. The true good work is to give spiritual things.
I’ve counted 9 works that are specifically called out as “good works” in the Bible.
- Building Jerusalem
- Anointing the body of Jesus to the burial
- The office of a bishop (pastor)
- Making clothing; clothing the naked
- Raising children
- Lodging strangers
- Washing the saints’ feet
- Relieving the afflicted
- Giving
These are really all the same thing. They all equate to the same work: Preaching the word of God in order to save souls and establish men in the faith. You do all these things when you get saved, and when you save others. Learn how to save souls, and teach others how to save souls.
1 Timothy 5:24-25 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
What are the good works that sometimes can be manifested now, but those which are not, “cannot be hid” in the day of judgment?
Well… Here is the only other instance of this phrase:
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
What are the good works that can be manifested now, but those that are not manifest now, “cannot be hid” in the day of judgment? The ones wrought in the city of God. The city of God cannot be hid in that day. And the city of God is the Church. Christians are the good works.
Spiritual good works are the true good works.
Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
There are two commandments that summarize the law of Moses.
1- Love the Lord thy God. 2- Love thy neighbor. Those 2 capture all the good works of the law.
And in the New Testament, we have, essentially the same 2 commandments. The spiritual law of God, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” in the NT is nearly identical.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, [1] That he who loveth God [2] love his brother also.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, [1] That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and [2] love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1- Love the Lord thy God. 2- Love thy brother. Those 2 capture all the good works in truth.
I believe that a man does both, loves the Lord and loves the brethren, when he gets saved.
1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
You do both commandments when you receive the truth (get saved), and when you give the truth (speak salvation).
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
You do both commandments when you receive the gospel and confess it out of your mouth.
You do the whole law, you do both commandments when you do every good work; each of the 9.
You do both when you cloth yourself, and when you cloth others.
You do both when you get born again, and when you bear and raise up others.
You do both when you anoint yourself with oil (Spirit), and when you anoint others.
You do both when you wash your feet (with the gospel), and when you wash the feet of others.
You do both when you receive spiritual food, and when you give spiritual food to the brethren.
How do you love the Lord and love your brother? How do you do all these good works? You get saved, and you save others. You learn how to get saved, and you teach others how to get saved. Jesus told Peter, (if you love me) feed my sheep.
–
But we ought to not just love the brethren, the Christians. But to also love the enemies; the strangers. We ought to love the strangers, turning them into friends and fellow citizens. How?
Deuteronomy 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
If you do this good work, you have fulfilled the righteousness of the law.
If you do it carnally, you have the righteousness of the law – the carnal law.
But to do it spiritually, you have the righteousness of faith – the spiritual law. (“the law of faith”, “the law of liberty”, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”).
To give food and raiment carnally is a good work, by which men establish their own temporary righteousness.
To give food and raiment spiritually is a true good work, which establishes eternal righteousness.
Communicating (giving) to the flesh is a figure of the true good. Fake, reprobate, destined to be rejected.
When the figure of the true is done with a pure heart, and understanding heart, seeking the Lord and His things, the Lord will offer an opportunity to receive the true things. As with Ananias, and with those that support the brethren/ministers.
But true giving, true distribution, the true good work of communication, is always the same:
Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
To distribute the gospel is the true good work. The work of distributing eternal life.
There are only 2 good works. Love the Lord, and love the brethren. All other good works hang on these two. How do you go them?
Get wisdom and give wisdom. Get saved, and save others. Learn how to win souls and teach other people how to win souls. Feed His sheep.
There are “good works” that can be done in the flesh, but true good works are done spiritually.
I’ve counted 9 works which I believe are specifically referred to as good works in the Bible. All 9 equate to one work (or two works): to grow and care for the body of Christ. To save souls and build up the house of God in faith. To faithfully feed the Lord’s house with the Lord’s things (spiritual things).
Preparation unto good works
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
How exactly do we prepare ourselves unto good works? Purge ourselves from something? What and how?
2 Timothy 2:15-21 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. [See what’s going on here?] 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these [the babblings, the errors; the false doctrines that overthrow the faith of some], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
You have to study to purge yourself from false doctrine.
If you have not purged yourself from false doctrine that overthrows the faith of some (sends some to Hell or perhaps causes true Christians to not stand fast in the truth and preach the true gospel) you are not prepared to every good work.
A saved man who does not stand fast in pure doctrine is NOT prepared unto every good work.
Only other instance of “babblings” in the Bible.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. …
That is the danger of “babblings”. And if we don’t purge ourselves from these false doctrines, we will be in ERROR (unsaved/lost or a vessel unto dishonor) and completely unprepared; incapable of doing good works.
True good works are done by teaching the words of truth. Good works are done by the word of God. If we will not study to find the words of truth to divide the word of truth from error, we cannot do good works.
This is how good works are done: Feed and grow the body of Christ with the word of God.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The word of God is given so that we might be prepared, furnished unto good works.
How do you prepare yourself unto every good work? Get wisdom, from the holy Scriptures. Wisdom… unto salvation through faith. Learn how to get saved, and learn how to save others. Otherwise, you are incapable of good works (true good works).
Apr 24 2022
The Lord’s Work – Part 47
Downloadable Word document:
The Lord’s Work – Part 47
The Lord’s Work – Part 47
Acts 8:18-20 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
You can’t give carnal things to reap spiritual things. We do not sow natural things, and get spiritual things in return. Carnal sowing cannot bring forth spiritual fruit.
But, when as a Christian, we minister carnal things to the people of God, for the purpose of supporting a soul-winning ministry, God is able to (1) give you spiritual food to grow you, and also (2 – I believe) give you a part in the fruit of the ministry.
But it is the understanding, not the motivation of the giver, that the Lord honours.
Giving carnal things is not the true good work. The true good work is to give spiritual things.
I’ve counted 9 works that are specifically called out as “good works” in the Bible.
These are really all the same thing. They all equate to the same work: Preaching the word of God in order to save souls and establish men in the faith. You do all these things when you get saved, and when you save others. Learn how to save souls, and teach others how to save souls.
1 Timothy 5:24-25 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
What are the good works that sometimes can be manifested now, but those which are not, “cannot be hid” in the day of judgment?
Well… Here is the only other instance of this phrase:
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
What are the good works that can be manifested now, but those that are not manifest now, “cannot be hid” in the day of judgment? The ones wrought in the city of God. The city of God cannot be hid in that day. And the city of God is the Church. Christians are the good works.
Spiritual good works are the true good works.
Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
There are two commandments that summarize the law of Moses.
1- Love the Lord thy God. 2- Love thy neighbor. Those 2 capture all the good works of the law.
And in the New Testament, we have, essentially the same 2 commandments. The spiritual law of God, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” in the NT is nearly identical.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, [1] That he who loveth God [2] love his brother also.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, [1] That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and [2] love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1- Love the Lord thy God. 2- Love thy brother. Those 2 capture all the good works in truth.
I believe that a man does both, loves the Lord and loves the brethren, when he gets saved.
1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
You do both commandments when you receive the truth (get saved), and when you give the truth (speak salvation).
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
You do both commandments when you receive the gospel and confess it out of your mouth.
You do the whole law, you do both commandments when you do every good work; each of the 9.
You do both when you cloth yourself, and when you cloth others.
You do both when you get born again, and when you bear and raise up others.
You do both when you anoint yourself with oil (Spirit), and when you anoint others.
You do both when you wash your feet (with the gospel), and when you wash the feet of others.
You do both when you receive spiritual food, and when you give spiritual food to the brethren.
How do you love the Lord and love your brother? How do you do all these good works? You get saved, and you save others. You learn how to get saved, and you teach others how to get saved. Jesus told Peter, (if you love me) feed my sheep.
–
But we ought to not just love the brethren, the Christians. But to also love the enemies; the strangers. We ought to love the strangers, turning them into friends and fellow citizens. How?
Deuteronomy 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
If you do this good work, you have fulfilled the righteousness of the law.
If you do it carnally, you have the righteousness of the law – the carnal law.
But to do it spiritually, you have the righteousness of faith – the spiritual law. (“the law of faith”, “the law of liberty”, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”).
To give food and raiment carnally is a good work, by which men establish their own temporary righteousness.
To give food and raiment spiritually is a true good work, which establishes eternal righteousness.
Communicating (giving) to the flesh is a figure of the true good. Fake, reprobate, destined to be rejected.
When the figure of the true is done with a pure heart, and understanding heart, seeking the Lord and His things, the Lord will offer an opportunity to receive the true things. As with Ananias, and with those that support the brethren/ministers.
But true giving, true distribution, the true good work of communication, is always the same:
Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
To distribute the gospel is the true good work. The work of distributing eternal life.
There are only 2 good works. Love the Lord, and love the brethren. All other good works hang on these two. How do you go them?
Get wisdom and give wisdom. Get saved, and save others. Learn how to win souls and teach other people how to win souls. Feed His sheep.
There are “good works” that can be done in the flesh, but true good works are done spiritually.
I’ve counted 9 works which I believe are specifically referred to as good works in the Bible. All 9 equate to one work (or two works): to grow and care for the body of Christ. To save souls and build up the house of God in faith. To faithfully feed the Lord’s house with the Lord’s things (spiritual things).
Preparation unto good works
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
How exactly do we prepare ourselves unto good works? Purge ourselves from something? What and how?
2 Timothy 2:15-21 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. [See what’s going on here?] 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these [the babblings, the errors; the false doctrines that overthrow the faith of some], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
You have to study to purge yourself from false doctrine.
If you have not purged yourself from false doctrine that overthrows the faith of some (sends some to Hell or perhaps causes true Christians to not stand fast in the truth and preach the true gospel) you are not prepared to every good work.
A saved man who does not stand fast in pure doctrine is NOT prepared unto every good work.
Only other instance of “babblings” in the Bible.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. …
That is the danger of “babblings”. And if we don’t purge ourselves from these false doctrines, we will be in ERROR (unsaved/lost or a vessel unto dishonor) and completely unprepared; incapable of doing good works.
True good works are done by teaching the words of truth. Good works are done by the word of God. If we will not study to find the words of truth to divide the word of truth from error, we cannot do good works.
This is how good works are done: Feed and grow the body of Christ with the word of God.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The word of God is given so that we might be prepared, furnished unto good works.
How do you prepare yourself unto every good work? Get wisdom, from the holy Scriptures. Wisdom… unto salvation through faith. Learn how to get saved, and learn how to save others. Otherwise, you are incapable of good works (true good works).
By Pastor • Christian Doctrine, Good Works • 0