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PREPARING FOR ETERNITY
THE PROFIT OF GOOD WORKS
Titus 3:1-8, 14
Part Sixteen
INTRODUCTION: Our works do not save us, but we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Jesus “gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a people of his own, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:13-14) God is not obligated to reward us for our labor, but He does
because of His generosity and love for us. Our rewards and crowns are determined by our faithful service and stewardship.
I. REASON FOR SERVICE
A. LOVE FOR GOD.
“For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge that, if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that
they who live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)
B. LABORER WITH GOD.
“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are
laborers together with God.” (1 Cor. 3:8-9)
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)
“But God is not unrighteous to forget you work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to
the saints, and do minister.” (Heb. 6:10)
II. REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE
“Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2)
A. FAITHFULNESS.
1. Parable of the talents. (Matthew 25:14-30)
2. Parable of the pounds. (Luke 19:11-17)
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any
man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all
things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Pet. 4:10-11)
“Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
B. FRUITFULNESS.
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
(Col. 1:10)
“Abide in me, I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am
the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do
nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
III. REWARD FOR SERVICE
A. DANGER OF LOSS.
“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss.” (1 Cor. 3:15)
“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we received a full reward.” (2 Jn. 8)
B. DEGREES OF REWARDS.
“If any man’s work abide which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward.” (1 Cor. 3:14)
“So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Cor. 9:24)
“I count all things but lost that I might win Christ.” (Phil. 3:7)
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot died on the mission field in his attempt to share
Christ's love with the primitive Auca Indians in the jungles of Ecuador. He is now enjoying the rewards of his investment because he
gave what he could not keep (his life and the message of Christ's love), for gain he could not lose (the rich reward of eternal life and
promised blessings from the Father).
“Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus
said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne
of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall
inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:27-20
Big Sam was humble and quiet,
And very slow of speech.
But he touched the hearts of several
His pastor couldn’t reach,
Because he lived the sermon.
He knew he couldn’t preach.
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. It should be our love for God that causes us to want to honor Him with our lives.
2. Our submission to the will of God and obedience to the Word of God will reap great rewards.
3. Our works on earth will follow us into heaven where they will be judged. Those works that survive the fire of God’s judgment will
bring a greater joy to the believer.
When I turn my face
To the setting sun;
When the race is ended
And the course is run;
When the trials are past
And the triumphs begun;
May I hear in heaven
My Master’s “Well done!”
--Author unknown