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Works

Ergon

  • Why study “works”?
    • Misconceptions of many because of legalism
      • “Works are unimportant to the faithful.” This attitude, despite its claim to being freed from Law, is legalism in disguise.  Its proponents have set a physical threshold: zero.  They overlook the clear passages encouraging good works and James clear message that faith without works is dead.
      • “Faith must result in works,” therefore, focus on works. This is the mindset that turns natural results into objectives, as has been done with attendance, turning the Lord’s Supper into a ritual, and evangelism.  This also is legalism.
      • We will be judged by our works (not faith). This position makes its case from nine passages but those that address being saved by faith and the contrast between faith and work are overlooked.
    • As seen in the passages that contain work, deed, doing, or labor (Strong’s word number 2041), works may be seen by God as good, evil, or misdirected. We must use God’s contexts to understand the meaning in that passage.  We cannot generalize our own definition and expect to be acceptable.
    • As long as we are physically alive, we will do things: work. We need to know how God interprets our work.
  • God worked
    • Acts 15:8 God’s works are known from eternity
    • Romans 14:29 Faithful people are a work of God
    • Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will complete it
    • Hebrews 1:10 The heavens are the works of Your hands
    • Hebrews 3:9 They saw My works for forty years
    • Hebrews 4:3 – 4 Gods works were finished after six days
    • Revelation 15:3 Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty
  • Jesus worked
    • Matthew 11:2 John heard about the works of Jesus
    • Luke 24:19 Jesus was mighty in deed and word before God and all the people
    • John 5:20 Jesus said He would do even greater works than His past miracles
    • John 5:36 Jesus said that His works testified of Him
    • John 7:3 Jesus’ brothers encouraged Him to escape to Jerusalem and show His works
    • John 7:21 Jesus called casting out a demon, work.
    • John 9:3 – 4 That the works of God should be revealed in him (the man born blind).
    • John 10:25 – 38 Jesus’ works testified of Him
    • John 14:10 The Father who dwells in Me does the work
    • John 15:24 Jesus’ works were evidence
  • Jesus finished God’s work
    • John 4:34 Jesus goal was to finish God’s work.
    • John 17:4 Jesus reported to the Father that He had finished the work He had been given
  • Some works are just the things we do, not related to God
    • Mark 13:34 Servants in a parable had work to do.
    • Acts 7:22 Young Moses was mighty in word and deed
    • 2 Peter 3:10 The earth and the works that are in it will be burned up
  • Some works were evil
    • Matthew 23:3, 5 Do not do according to their works…all their works they do to be seen
    • John 3:19 – 21 Men loved darkness rather than light for their deeds were evil
    • John 7:7 Jesus testified that some people’s works were evil
    • Acts 7:41 They rejoiced in the works of their own hands (idolatry)
    • Romans 13:12 Cast off the works of darkness
    • 1 Corinthians 5:2 – 3 That he who has done this (evil) deed might be taken away
    • Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident
    • Ephesians 5:11 The unfruitful works of darkness
    • Colossians 1:21 Enemies in your mind by wicked works
    • 2 Timothy 4:14 May the Lord repay him according to his (harmful) works
    • 2 Timothy 4:18 Paul was confident that he would be delivered from every evil work
    • Hebrews 9:14 Cleanse your conscience from dead works
    • Hebrews 6:1 Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works
    • 2 Peter 2:8 Tormented this righteous soul…by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds
    • 1 John 3:8 That He might destroy the works of the devil
    • 1 John 3:10 Why did he murder him?  Because his works were evil, his brother’s righteous
    • 2 John 11 For he who greets him shares in his evil deeds
    • 3 John 10 I will call to mind his (evil) deeds which he has done
    • Jude 15 To execute judgment …them of all their ungodly deeds
    • Revelation 2:6 Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans
    • Revelation 2:22 Unless they repent of their (evil) deeds
    • Revelation 3:1 I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive but are dead
    • Revelation 3:2 For I have not found they works perfect
    • Revelation 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot
    • Revelation 9:20 But the rest of mankind…did not repent of the works of their hands
    • Revelation 18:6 Render to her…double according to her (evil) works
    • Revelation 16:11 They did not repent of their (evil) deeds
  • The good works of some faithful people were applauded
    • Matthew 26:10, Mark 14:6 Woman who anointed Jesus head did a “good work.”
    • Acts 5:38 Gamaliel called the apostles’ activities work
    • Acts 9:36 Tabitha was full of good works
    • Acts 13:2 The Spirit called the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas work
    • Acts 13:41 Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5; the activities of God in bringing the gospel were work
    • Acts 14:26 Paul and Barnabas first missionary journey is called work
    • Romans 15:18 Accomplished through Paul in word and deed
    • 1 Corinthians 3:13 – 15 [The quality of] each one’s work will be evident
    • 1 Corinthians 9:1 Paul called the Corinthian Christians his work
    • 1 Corinthians 15:58 Christians are encouraged to abound in the work of the Lord
    • 1 Corinthians 16:10 Timothy’s tasks are called the work of the Lord
    • Philippians 2:30 Epaphroditus came close to death for the work of Christ
    • Revelation 2:2 I know your works, your labor, and your patience
    • Revelation 2:5 Repent and do the first works
    • Revelation 2:9 I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich)
    • Revelation 2:13 I know your works and where you dwell…and hold fast to My name
    • Revelation 2:19 I know your works, love, service, faith
    • Revelation 3:8 I know your works…have kept My word
  • Faithful people are enjoined to good works
    • Matthew 5:16 That they may see your good works and glorify God
    • John 8:39 – 41 Jesus recommended doing the works of Abraham, not Satan
    • John 14:12 The works that I do, believers shall do also…and greater things
    • Romans 13:3 Rulers are not a terror to good works
    • 2 Corinthians 9:8 You will have an abundance for every good work.
    • Galatians 6:4 Let each one examine his own work
    • Ephesians 2:10 We are created for good works which God prepared beforehand
    • Ephesians 4:12 Miraculous leaders were for equipping the saints for the work of service
    • Philippians 1:22 If I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor
    • Colossians 1:10 Paul prays that the Colossians be fruitful in every good work
    • Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
    • 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul remembered the work of faith of the Thessalonians
    • 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Paul prayed that God would count them worthy for their work of faith
    • 2 Thessalonians 2:17 Paul prayed for their good word and work
    • 1 Timothy 2:10 Which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works
    • 1 Timothy 3:1 Those desiring leadership roles desire a good work
    • 1 Timothy 5:10 Enrolled widows were to have a history of good works
    • 1 Timothy 5:25 The good works of some are evident
    • 1 Timothy 6:18 That they be rich in good works
    • 2 Timothy 2:21 Vessels of honor are prepared for every good work
    • 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work
    • 2 Timothy 4:5 Timothy was encouraged to do the work of an evangelist
    • Titus 2:7 Showing yourself to be a pattern of good works
    • Titus 2:14 Purify for Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works
    • Titus 3:1 Be ready for every good work
    • Titus 3:8 Be careful to maintain good works
    • Titus 3:14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works
    • Hebrews 4:10 Christians cease from their works when they enter God’s rest
    • Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust to forget your good works
    • Hebrews 10:24 Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works
    • Hebrews 13:21 May God make you complete in every good work
    • James 1:4 Let patience have its perfect work
    • James 1:25 A doer of the work will be blessed in what he does
    • 1 Peter 2:12 They may, by your good works, glorify God
    • 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth
  • Faith is a type of work
    • John 6:28 – 29 This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.
    • Acts 26:20 Do works befitting repentance
  • Contrast of faith and works
    • Romans 3:27 – 28 The law of faith, not the law of works
    • Romans 3:20 By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified
    • Romans 4:2 Abraham was not justified by works
    • Romans 4:6 Blessed is the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works
    • Romans 9:11 Not of works but of Him who calls
    • Romans 9:32 By did Israel fail? Because they pursued righteousness by works instead of faith
    • Romans 11:6 If by grace, it is no longer by works
    • 2 Corinthians 10:11 As we are in word…such will we be in deed
    • Galatians 2:16 A man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Jesus
    • Galatians 3:2, 5 Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith?
    • Galatians 3:10 As many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse
    • Ephesians 2:8 – 9 By grace you have been saved…not of works lest anyone should boast
    • 2 Timothy 1:9 Who saved us and called us…not according to our works
    • Titus 1:16 Some profess to know God but in works deny Him
    • Titus 3:5 Not by works which we have done but according to His mercy, He saved us
    • James 2:14 If one says he has faith and has not works, can that faith save him?
    • James 2:17 – 20, 26 Faith without works is dead
    • James 2:21 Abraham was justified by his works
    • James 2:22 By works, faith was made perfect
    • James 2:24 Man is justified by works, not by faith only
  • Judgment based on works
    • Romans 2:6 – 7 God will render to each according to his deeds
    • Romans 2:15 The work of the Law in the hearts of the Gentiles
    • 2 Corinthians 11:15 Whose end will be according to their works
    • 1 Peter 1:17 The Father judges without partiality each one’s work
    • Revelation 2:23 I shall give to each according to your works
    • Revelation 2:26 He who overcomes and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power
    • Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…their works follow them
    • Revelation 20:12 – 13 The dead were judged according to their works
    • Revelation 22:12 My reward is given to each one according to his work
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