The Good Works of God’s Good Pleasure

• Our scripture verse of emphasis is Philippians 2:13

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philip. 2:13)

1. God wants us to know (and to choose) what He wants us to do by making His will ours. How can this be? By first choosing to, and then yielding our will to his use.

2. God also wants to accomplish a specific work (His desires) through us.
How can this be? By the use of the gifts, talents, skills, knowledge, and abilities that He has already invested in us.

• Christ has enlisted all of his saints in his great work of calling out a people for his name.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

If you are not the preacher, you must be a facilitator of preaching the gospel. Maybe simply being a good Christian witness at home and at work, or a church secretary, or a custodian of church property, or a deacon, or a Sunday school teacher, or a builder, or a Web developer, or (name a practical application of your own gifts, skill areas or abilities). Each of us is an important specially crafted tool that God wants to use to accomplish a specific work of his good pleasure. Be sure you know your gifts and then be looking for His use for you!

How many times have we prayed; "Dear Lord, make me what you want me to be" ?

Now that you are what he wants you to be, what does he want you to do? In general terms, "his good pleasure" of Philip. 2:13 becomes "our good works. Lets look into the sometimes forgotten or diminished "good works" of Gods "good pleasure" in us.

• Works are "good" only when...

(1) They spring from the principle of love to God. Therefore good works only spring from a believing heart, and can only be wrought (worked) by one reconciled to God (Ephes. 2:10; James 2:18-22). James 2:21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified (approved) by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [22] Seest thou how faith wrought (was fashioned) with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

(2) They have the glory and praise of God as their object. Phil. 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

(3) They are the revealed will of God to you. (Deut. 12:32; Rev. 22:18-19). Deut. 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

• GOOD WORKS...

1. Are an expression of gratitude in the believer's heart. (John 14:15, 23; Galatians 5:6) John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
    
2. Of the most sincere believers are all imperfect, yet like their persons, they are accepted through the mediation of Jesus Christ, and so are rewarded; they have no merit intrinsically, but are rewarded wholly of grace. Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
    
3. Are the fruits of the Spirit, and thus spring from grace, which they illustrate and strengthen in the heart. Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
    
4. Are wrought by God in us. Isaiah 26:12; Philip. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
    
5. The Scripture is designed to lead us to do good works. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; James 1:25. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
    
6. Good works Illustrated. John 15:5 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.
    
7. In the judgment, good works will be an evidence of faith. Matthew 25:34-40; James 2:14-20 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
    
8. A blessing attends good works. James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (the whole word of God), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
    
9. Christ, an example of good works. John 10:32; Acts 10:38
    
10. Good works are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Phil. 1:11
     
11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform good works. John 15:4-5
     
12. Good works are to be performed in Christs name. Col. 3:17
     
13. Heavenly wisdom is full of good works. James 3:17
     
14. Justification unattainable by good works. Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16
     
15. Salvation unattainable by good works. Ephes. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5
     
16. The wicked are reprobate (worthless) to good works. Titus 1:16

• GOOD WORKS ARE CALLED...

1. Good fruits. James 3:17
    
2. Fruits meet (suitable) for repentance. Matthew 3:8
    
3. Fruits of righteousness. Phil. 1:11
    
4. Works and labours of love. Hebrews 6:10

• SAINTS...

1. Are created in Christ to good works. Ephes. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
    
2. Should be careful to maintain good works. Titus 3:8, 14. Titus 3:8 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.
    
3. Should be fruitful in good works. Col. 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
    
4. Should manifest good works, with meekness. James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation (behavior) his works with meekness of wisdom.
    
5. Are followed into rest by their good works. Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
    
6. Are exhorted to put on good works. Col. 3:12-14
    
7. Are full of good works. Acts 9:36
    
8. Are zealous of good works. Titus 2:14
    
9. Should be throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:17
    
10. Should be rich in good works. 1 Tim. 6:18
     
11. Should be established in good works. 2 Thes. 2:17
     
12. Should be perfect in good works. Hebrews 13:21
     
13. Should be prepared to all good works. 2 Tim. 2:21
     
14. Should abound to all good works. 2 Cor. 9:8
     
15. Should be ready to all good works. Titus 3:1
     
16. Should provoke each other to good works. Hebrews 10:24
     
17. Should avoid ostentation (showing off) in good works. Matthew 6:1-18
     
18. Bring to the light their good works, that they are wrought in God. John 3:21
     
19. Holy women should manifest good works. 1 Tim. 2:10; 1 Tim. 5:10
     
20. God remembers your good works. Neh. 13:14; Hebrews 6:9-10
     
21. Your good works shall be brought into the judgment. Eccles. 12:14; 2 Cor. 5:10

• MINISTERS SHOULD...

1. Be patterns of good works. Titus 2:7
    
2. Exhort to good works. 1 Tim. 6:17-18; Titus 3:1, 8, 14
    
3. Glorify God by good works. John 15:8
    
4. Do good works to lead others to glorify God. Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12