God's Will For You

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                          "GOD’S WILL FOR YOU"

                                Do Good

INTRODUCTION

1. Topics covered thus far in this series...
   a. Rejoice always
   b. Pray without ceasing
   c. Give thanks in everything
   d. Your sanctification

2. In 1Pe 2:11-15, we read that God’s will for you includes doing
   good...
   a. That some might glorify God in the day of visitation - 1Pe 2:12
   b. That others in their ignorance might be silenced - 1Pe 2:15

[Let’s take a closer look at the idea of doing good, beginning with...]

I. THE PURPOSE OF DOING GOOD

   A. WE ARE NOT SAVED BY GOOD WORKS...
      1. Good works cannot buy or earn our way into heaven
      2. God saves us by His grace and mercy, not our works - Ep 2:8-9;
         Tit 3:4-7
      -- We should be very clear on this point!

   B. WE ARE SAVED TO DO GOOD WORKS...
      1. We have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works! - Ep
         2:10
      2. We have been redeemed and purified to be zealous for good
         works! - Tit 2:11-14
      3. Thus it is the will of God that we:
         a. Be ready for every good work - Tit 3:1
         b. Be careful to maintain good works - Tit 3:8
         c. Learn to maintain good works - Tit 3:14
      -- We need to understand the role of good works!

   C. WE ARE TO DO GOOD WORKS...
      1. Because they bring glory to God - Mt 5:14-16; 1Pe 2:12
      2. Because they are necessary to be like Jesus - Lk 6:40; cf. Ac
         10:38
      3. Because they demonstrate the living nature of our faith - Jm
         2:14-17,20,26
      4. Because they prepare unbelievers to be more receptive to the
         gospel - 1Pe 2:12; 3:1-2
      5. Because they help silence ignorant critics of our faith - 1Pe
         2:15
      6. Because they meet urgent needs of those around us - Tit 3:14
      -- We must appreciate the importance of good works!

[With an appreciation of the role of doing good in the life of the
Christian, let’s look at some...]

II. EXAMPLES OF DOING GOOD

   A. CARING FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS...
      1. An indicator of pure and undefiled religion before God - Jm
         1:27; cf. Ps 68:5
      2. Two good role models are Job and Tabitha (Dorcas) - Job
         29:12-13; Ac 9:36-39
      -- Are we practicing pure and undefiled religion before God?

   B. SUPPORTING THE WEAK...
      1. As exemplified by Paul, in keeping with Jesus’ dictum - Ac
         20:35
      2. As commanded by Paul, to support and bear their burdens - 1Th
         5:14; Ga 6:1-2
      -- Are we fulfilling the law of Christ?

   C. VISITING THE SICK...
      1. Jesus and His apostles cared for the sick during their ministry
         - Lk 4:40; 9:2; 10:9
      2. Elders are to pray for the sick - Jm 5:14-15
      -- Do we care for the sick?

   D. ENTERTAINING STRANGERS...
      1. To show hospitality, which literally means "love of strangers"
         - He 13:2; Ro 12:13
      2. Required of elders, and widows taken into the number - 1Ti 3:2;
         5:9-10
      -- Do we show kindness to strangers?

   E. REMEMBERING THE PRISONERS...
      1. Especially those who are brethren - He 13:3; 10:34
      2. Like those who visited Paul in prison, or sent him supplies
         - Ac 24:23; Php 4:14,18
      -- Do we remember our brethren who are in prison?

   F. SHARING OUR WEALTH...
      1. Affluent brethren are to be ready to give, willing to share
         - 1Ti 6:17-19
      2. Sharing with others is a form of spiritual sacrifice that
         pleases God - He 13:16
      -- Do we stand ready to offer such spiritual sacrifices?

CONCLUSION

1. As we have ability and opportunity...
   a. We are to do good to all men, especially our brethren - Ga 6:10
   b. We are not to grow weary in doing good - Ga 6:9; 2Th 3:13

2. Begin where you live...
   a. At home, do good for your family and neighbors
   b. At school, do good for your friends and those not your friends
   c. At work, do good for your employers, employees, fellow-workers
   d. At church, do good for your brothers and sisters in Christ
   e. In your community, do good for the poor, homeless, even your
      enemies

Doing good can lead to praising God on one hand, and silencing critics
of our faith on the other; so let us not grow weary in doing good to
all...!

   "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season
   we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have
   opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are
   of the household of faith." - Ga 6:9-10
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