Ephesians 2:9-10. Sometimes we seem to want to prove you don’t have to do good works to get saved, by never doing good works AFTER we get saved.

Yet, verse 10 reminds us that we were saved SO THAT we might do the good works that God has prepared for us to do.

Proposition: God wants us to do good works.

Interrogative: Why does God want us to do good works?

I. The good works of Christians leads to praise for the Father.

16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

A. Good works are a light for men.

1. Negative examples

a. I’m sorry, your actions are speaking so loud I cannot hear a word you are saying.

b. "Do as I say–not as I do!" doesn’t work.

c. Commercial of father who finds drug paraphanelia in son’s room and asks how he learned to use the stuff. Boy responds, "I learned by watching you, Dad!"

QUESTION: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON NEGATIVE TRAITS OUR CHILDREN LEARN FROM US?

2. Positive examples

a. Mentorships.

b. Recruitment slogan getting men to help with scouting: A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to help a boy.

QUESTION: TELL OF A TIME WHEN SOMEONE TOOK TIME TO SPEAK GOODNESS INTO YOUR LIFE.

II. The good works of Christians preserves their salvation and earn them rewards.

23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

A. If you are diligent, your hope will be sure.

1. Idle hands are the devil’s tools.

2. If you are busy fussing over your own problems they will become like mountains.

3. If you are busy blessing others, your own troubles will become minor.

B. If you are diligent, you will earn rewards.

1. God will not forget the good that you do.

2. He will give you an inheritance. We’re not talking about a toy at the bottom of a cereal box!

III. The good works of Christians earns praise for the Church.

A. the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

1. Christian means Christ-like.

2. Surely, the term was not merely the result of the disciples’ speech-making. They reminded the people of Antioch of Jesus!

3. Do you remind people of Jesus?

QUESTION: TELL OF A TIME WHEN SOMEONE REMINDED YOU OF JESUS.

B. In India, Hindus are angry because Christians are doing charitable working for the poor.

i. They are afraid their poor and misfortunate will convert to Christianity.

ii. They are right to fear. When people see the love and sacrifice of Christians, they are attracted, and will listen to the Good News of Jesus!

QUESTION: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SOMETIMES FAIL TO DO GOOD WORKS?

C. Song: They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love

1. Let us earn praise for our God.

2. Let us earn praise for ourselves.

3. Let us earn praise for our Church–the family of God.

4. Let us do good works, by God’s strength!

Amen? Amen!