Sermon on Good Deeds – Do What You Can!
Categories: Sermon Outlines
Date written: October 16th, 2005
Scripture ref: Mark 14:3-11
SUBJECT: Ability
TITLE: Do What You Can!
PROPOSITION: How do we do what we can? How do we know that we have done what we could?
Objectives: That each would understand what God expects in regard to our abilities.
Aim: To encourage everyone to use what abilities they have not fret over the ones they don’t have. To focus upon what we can do, not upon what we can’t do.
INTRODUCTION: [ Beginning of this sermon on good deeds. ]
1. Read: Mark 14:3-11
2. About the Text:
1) The Jewish leaders were looking for an excuse to kill Jesus.
2) Jesus had told his disciples what was about to happen.
3) And word of this had naturally gotten out beyond the twelve.
4) Mary, Lazarus’ sister (according to John 11:2) was the woman of this story.
5) She took a very expensive ointment and anointed Jesus’ head and feet.
6) Judas was upset because he wanted the money for this costly item and complained.
7) He used the excuse of helping the poor to justify his feigned concern.
8) But Jesus praised Mary.
9) He said that she had done what she could.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: How do we know that we have done what we could? How do we do what we can?
I. We must recognize the limitations of our abilities.
1. God understands that we all have our limitations.
2. If we don’t recognize our limitations, we may not get anything done at all for discouragement.
3. We see this in Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians concerning giving.
1) 2 Corinthians 8:12 ” For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
2) God won’t judge us according as to what we don’t have, but what we DO have.
4. We read in Acts 11:29 “And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:”
II. We must not hide our abilities.
1. Read Matthew 25:14-30
1) Each was given the talents according to his ability! (vs. 15).
2) That means that each had a response-ability to use what he was given.
2. I’m often surprised at the abilities that others have.
3. You know what those abilities are and so does God.
4. Ultimately, it won’t be the preacher, elders, teachers, or deacons that will stand before God.
5. Romans 14:12 “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
6. We must ask ourselves how can we use our abilities for God?
III. We must use our abilities no matter how small.
1. Take the example of Dorcas.
1) Read Acts 9:36-43
2) Dorcas was FULL of good deeds.
3) What did she do? She cared for widows.
2. How many of us would think that God would call someone who cared for widows, “full of good deeds”?
3. Yet, He did!
4. There is nothing too small that we can’t use for God’s glory.
5. There’s an expression “Think globally; act locally.”
6. That’s exactly the attitude we need to have toward doing God’s work.
7. We can ALL do something!
8. Read 1 Peter 4:7-11.
CONCLUSION: [ Ending of this sermon on good deeds. ]
1. How can be like Mary and do what we can?
1) Recognize the limitations of our abilities.
2) Use our abilities no matter how small.
3) We must not hide our abilities.
2. Invitation