Faith and Works

Main Point:  Faith without works is dead.  People with true faith produce works.

Current event update:  God is on the move.

• The streets of London gather to claim the U.K. for Jesus.  Show Video
• Ohio legislature passes law to bring back Christianity to public schools. Show Video
  • Bringing God back into schools.

Salvation comes by faith not by works

• Ephesians 2:8-9.  Your works outside of faith in Jesus will never bring salvation
• Philippians 2:12-13.  Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
  • Only God knows the heart.

Faith without works is dead
James 2:17-18.  Faith alone without action/works is not true faith.  True faith produces works for the Kingdom of God.

Don’t let your walls burn down: Do Good works with a pure heart.

• Your works will be judged and rewarded as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.
  • V11.  Jesus Christ is the only foundation in which we can be saved.
  • V12.  Gold, silver, hay, stubble are examples of your works on earth
  • V13.  Every man’s work shall be revealed to determine what sort it is
  • V14.  A reward is given to those whose works are proven to done with a pure heart
    • If works are like gold, it will be rewarded
  • V15.  If works are not done with a pure heart, then these works will burn
    • if it is hay and stubble, it will be burned and the person will suffer loss but will be saved

What are works?

• Anything you do that is done with a pure heart to serve the Kingdom of God is a work.
  • Works that look good but are done for selfish reasons are not works that will withstand God’s judgement of works.

Pastor’s thoughts:

• As Christians, we should look for opportunities to do good works with a pure heart.
  • Look for opportunities to serve
  • Ask your church leaders what you can do to serve
  • Don’t expect your carnal nature to be happy when you begin to produce good unselfish works.

 
Conclusion:

• Your salvation is not depended on good works.
• Your good works will be judged and rewarded in God’s Kingdom.
• Look for opportunities to do good works for God’s Kingdom