Performing Good Works

1. Performing Good Works Titus 3:1-2

2. The people of Crete had a reputation for laziness -1:12-13 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

3. A look at the text --- Titus 3:1-2 [1] Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, [2] To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

4. Verse 1 Put them in mind = is to be taught and reminded Be subject = to civil authorities Be ready = “For churches to grow, members must be ready to serve.”

5. Unto every = needs are not always in the area we prefer to work in Our prayer should be: “Lord, where can You use me? I am ready to be used anywhere You want me.”

6. Good work = The good to be done is tied to needs – the result of good works is fruit born in service to God

7. Titus 3:8 [8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

8. Titus 3:14 [14] And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

9. These were works of obedience, not meritorious works Meritorious works = works that would earn our salvation

10. Verse 2 ---Not to speak evil of any man “Paul’s statement is broad. We are not to speak evil of men in government, men in the world, other Christians, elders, deacons, preachers, family members, outsiders, and enemies.” (Bob Winton)

11. Eph. 4:31-32 [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

12. Not to be a brawler “To be no brawlers” -KJV “Not to be contentious” - ASV“to be peaceable” – NKJV “To avoid quarrelling” – ESV

13. Be gentle – showing meekness to all men Meekness includes strength and courage --- it is expressed in kindness and patience

14. 2 Tim. 2:24-25 [24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,[25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

15. 2 Tim. 2:24-25 (ESV) 24 And the Lord's servant[a must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

16. Good works

17. 1. Prepare us for heaven

18. These works resulted in salvation from sin and pointed one toward eternal life Rom. 6:17 [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

19. Heb. 5:9 [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

20. 2. Provide for those in need

21. A. Physical needs

22. Js. 1:27 [27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

23. 1 Jn. 3:17 [17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

24. B. Spiritual needs

25. Mt. 28:19-20 [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

26. [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

27. Gal. 6:1 [1] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

28. Gal. 6:2 [2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

29. 3. Promote spiritual growth

30. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

31. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.[9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

32. [10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:[11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

33. 4. Powerful influence

34. Mt. 5:16 [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

35. 1 Pet. 2:12 [12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

36. 1 Pet. 3:1 [1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;