Effectual Work
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesDate written: October 1, 1994
Scripture ref: John 9:4
SUBJECT: Stewardship
TITLE: Effectual Work
PROPOSITION:Effectual work in the kingdom requires three things: abiding, acting, acknowledging; such work looks forward to a fourth thing–accounting for our labor.
OBJECTIVE: In this lesson, each should learn what it means to work effectually in the kingdom.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
2. About the Text:
1) In this context, Jesus is answering a question posed by his disciples. “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he might be born blind?”
2) His answer: Jesus works were to demonstrate his Divine claim.
3) However, his works fall into a larger category of works which the Father wants accomplished.
4) In this sense, a time would come in which no person would be able to work effectually for the Father any longer.
5) Therefore, there is a time when these works would be effectual.
6) This time is during the Christian age–now!
7) So, as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 ” Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O.
DISCUSSION: Effectual Christian Work involves–
I. Abiding
1. Read John 15:1-8 ” I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and 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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
2. Jesus was talking to the twelve, but the principle applies as well today.
3. The principle: we must continue to remain faithful in Christ for our work to be effectual today.
4. This involves patience: “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15).
5. This involves striving: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).
6. This involves cleaving: “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23).
II. Acting
1. Read: Matthew 19:16-22: “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
2. The young man’s actions fell short of what he needed to do.
3. We must be willing to do all of the work it takes for us to be effectual workers in the kingdom.
4. If we don’t we will have received God’s grace in vain: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1)
5. This happens when we have a dead faith: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
6. What must we do to work the works of God? This is the Master’s response to the same question: “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).
III. Acknowledging
1. Read 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: ” I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
2. We must acknowledge that God is the one who brings our fruit to fruition. He provides the growth–not us!
3. God gives us the grace for us to do our parts: 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
4. He saved us by his grace that we may walk in good works: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
5. It is this grace that teaches us how to do the Christian work: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14.
IV. Accounting
1. Read Matthew 25:14-46
2. Comment and Parable of Talents
3. Comment on Judgement of Sheep and Goats–Note especially that the nature of the question which the sheep ask implied that they did not know they were acting righteously–i.e. they were so caught up in living the Christian life the way God wants it to be lived that they did not even recognize when they were doing a good deed. The goat’s question, however, implies that they thought they knew that they were doing God’s works, when in fact, they were not. They claimed to be helping the Lord, but were not. Compare Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
CONCLUSION:
1. Effectual Christian work involves:
1) Abiding
2) Acting
3) Acknowledging
4) Accounting
2. Invitation