I. Good Works-Blessing To Others
A. Miraculous Works Thru Jesus & His Followers
1. Healings- lame, withered hands, blind, leprosy, fevers, hemorrhages.
2. Dead Raised
3. Demons cast out of people
4. People received tremendous blessings from these miraculous good works.
B. Non-Miraculous Works Thru Jesus & His Followers
1. Jesus received & blessed little children- Mark 10
2. Jesus feeding of the 5000, and the 4000. Matt. 14&15; Mark 6&8; Luke 9&11
The miraculous not emphasized; practical blessing through miraculous means.
3. Acts 6– Early church distributed food daily to widows in need.
4. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…
5. Mark 9:41 “…whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, b/c you belong to Christ, assuredly…he will by no means lose his reward.
II. Christians Called To Good Works
A. Develop, Learn, Maintain Good Works-Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14
B. Exhort One Another
Hebrews 10:24, 25 24And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
C. Don’t Grow Weary
1. 2 Thess. 3:13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
2. Gal. 6:9, 10 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
III. Manifests Nature Of God
John 1:18 18No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
John 10:22-42
John 14:6-14
IV. Inspires Hope & Faith In God Acts 9:38
V. Draws People To God
Acts 9:35, 42
Matthew 5:14-16 14“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.