WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.839 And turn back to Ephesians chapter 2. Ephesians chapter 2, it's on page 976. 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:16.420 And if you were around this morning you might remember that we thought about good works in church life. 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:27.080 ! And we thought about the danger of confusing working for Jesus with loving Jesus. 00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:33.079 And so often that is the biggest obstacle isn't it? We think we're loving him when we're busy. 00:00:33.839 --> 00:00:36.500 But actually we need to rethink that sometimes. 00:00:37.099 --> 00:00:44.599 And so after this morning I thought it would be helpful to think a bit more about good works in the Christian life. 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:50.060 In church, in general and how we think about that in our lives. 00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:58.660 And so we're going to focus in on verse 8 to 10 of this astounding passage in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:01.300 So if you look down there. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:07.640 In verse 8 to 10 Paul is super repetitive, isn't he? 00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:16.200 He says the same thing pretty much over and over again, again and again, four or five times. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:26.200 And what he is saying to the Ephesians is, your salvation, Ephesians, has nothing to do with things that you have done. 00:01:27.340 --> 00:01:30.299 We've said that many times in this church before, haven't we? 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:35.420 That the Christian gospel is not about what you can do for God. 00:01:36.040 --> 00:01:38.780 It is about what God has done for you. 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:44.159 And that is what Paul repeats over and over again in these verses. 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:59.319 And the first thing I think we want to see about good works from this passage is that good works can never be therefore the source of our salvation. 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:03.560 But they are the goal of salvation. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:14.259 Let me read those verses out for us again. 00:02:14.379 --> 00:02:14.979 Verse 8. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:25.640 For by grace, by undeserved kindness, you have been saved through faith. 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.120 Through looking outside of yourself to somebody else. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:31.060 That is how salvation has come. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:35.979 And this salvation is not your own doing. 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:38.460 It is the gift of God. 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:39.819 It's not a payment. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:44.060 It's not a wage given to us as if we've earned salvation. 00:02:44.860 --> 00:02:45.560 It's a gift. 00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:48.099 And he repeats it again, isn't it? 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:52.740 Not a result of works so that no one may boast. 00:02:52.740 --> 00:03:03.980 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:07.800 So he repeats the same thing over and over again. 00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:12.640 Good works can never be the source of our salvation. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:16.219 But they are the goal of our salvation. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:24.039 You only have to look at the weight that Paul places on what God has done in the passage that we read earlier. 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:28.239 To see that good works can never be the source of salvation. 00:03:28.399 --> 00:03:29.519 Look at verse 4. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:36.800 But God being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:40.620 Verse 5 made us alive. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.620 Verse 6 he raised us up. 00:03:43.800 --> 00:03:46.540 Verse 7 he might show his grace. 00:03:47.160 --> 00:03:48.840 It is a gift of God. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:49.640 Verse 8. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:57.939 So the thought that my works, the good things that I do in the Christian life, are the source of my salvation, 00:03:59.139 --> 00:04:03.779 is a thought that he needs to kind of address again and again, isn't it? 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:10.739 It is a thought that just keeps coming back into my mind again and again. 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:22.980 But I have to daily take that thought, that big thought, and grab hold of it and deliberately throw it in the skip every day. 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:26.379 So Paul repeats himself here. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:34.540 We live under the false impression that there are a certain number of good things, good works, 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:40.000 that need to be done in order for us to have a right relationship with God, to be saved. 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:46.819 But when we do that, we're effectively weighing up the gift that God has given to us. 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:52.560 We're weighing up Jesus' death on the cross with things that we can do. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:05:00.360 With cups of tea made, or times cleared up after church, or times reading the Bible, or writing sermons. 00:05:01.960 --> 00:05:04.319 So what are we saying when we think that? 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:06.740 When we think that we can earn our salvation? 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:10.280 What are we saying about God when we do that? 00:05:11.460 --> 00:05:15.620 We're saying, aren't we, that we don't really think our salvation is a gift. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:18.980 That he must want something in return. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:24.920 That ultimately the sacrifice must come from me and not him. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:28.660 So that's why Paul repeats himself, 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:31.560 By grace you've been saved, not of your own doing. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:34.100 A gift of God, not a result of works. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:39.460 These works, these good works, are never the source of our salvation. 00:05:40.580 --> 00:05:46.200 But, and here's the thing, they are the goal of my salvation. 00:05:47.460 --> 00:05:52.340 Although my works don't bring me a right relationship with God, 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:59.460 our good works are a necessary result of my right relationship with God. 00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:03.379 Verse 10, he says to them, 00:06:03.479 --> 00:06:08.799 You are created, we are created in Christ for good works. 00:06:09.859 --> 00:06:16.599 So salvation is not from my good works, but it is for good works. 00:06:17.599 --> 00:06:21.859 My salvation, it should lead me to a changed life. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:26.060 My right relationship with God will bear fruit. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:28.319 It will have evidence. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:32.660 So good works are not the grounds of my salvation, 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:35.960 but they are evidence of my salvation. 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:39.739 I was hearing the story of a teenage lad 00:06:39.739 --> 00:06:44.279 who had got into the habit of going up to his room 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:47.000 and closing the door behind him and locking it 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.979 to avoid speaking to his stepfather. 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:53.339 There'd been problems in the family 00:06:53.339 --> 00:06:55.740 and he just wanted to lock himself away. 00:06:56.539 --> 00:06:58.399 He put a sign on the door saying, 00:06:58.679 --> 00:06:59.399 Keep out. 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:03.279 But one week he'd heard the gospel. 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:07.079 He'd heard this gospel of the Lord Jesus 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:11.659 doing all that we need to have done for our salvation. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:15.619 He'd become helpless with Jesus. 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:19.219 He put his faith in Jesus for his salvation. 00:07:20.059 --> 00:07:24.119 And he hadn't become perfect overnight, had he, when he did that. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:28.339 But when he'd got home, according to his stepdad, 00:07:28.419 --> 00:07:30.379 instead of locking his bedroom door, 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:34.180 he'd propped it open and replaced the sign 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:36.459 with one saying, Come in. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:38.000 All welcome. 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:42.339 Now that teenage lad, he still had many sins 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:43.819 to deal with, didn't he? 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:47.240 But he had responded appropriately 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:49.659 for his age and for his situation. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:52.740 He was obedient to Jesus. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:56.980 There was evidence of good work in his life. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:08:01.520 And that's where we see genuine faith in action, isn't it? 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:04.879 Where it affects the nitty-gritty of our lives. 00:08:05.700 --> 00:08:09.620 He didn't prop his door open to earn his salvation, did he? 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:11.280 That just wasn't in his mind. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:16.860 But it was the evidence of the salvation given to him. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:19.900 John Newton put it really well when he said, 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:21.740 I am not what I ought to be, 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.960 but I am not what I once was, 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:26.439 and by God's grace I am what I am. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:33.139 Good works can never be the source of my salvation. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:35.460 And if they ever do, 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:37.799 I've got to put that thought in the skip 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:39.600 and throw it away. 00:08:40.439 --> 00:08:45.299 But, good works are the goal of my salvation. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:50.000 So that's the first thing that Paul tells them here. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.700 And the second thing is that good works in the Christian life 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:55.379 come from God, 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:58.340 but are walked in by us. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:00.779 Good works come from God, 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.860 but are walked in by us. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:05.019 Have a look again at verse 10 there. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:07.100 For we are his workmanship, 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:10.139 created in Christ Jesus for good works, 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:12.860 which God prepared beforehand 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.820 that we should walk in them. 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:18.980 When you get to verse 10 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:21.560 of this section in Ephesians, 00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:23.840 I wonder whether you sort of think a bit like me 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:25.840 when I first started looking at this. 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:28.280 Paul has done all of the great stuff 00:09:28.280 --> 00:09:29.740 in verse 1 to 9, 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:32.300 which is wonderful and lovely, 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:36.120 but now he's getting on to our part of the bargain, 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.020 isn't he here? 00:09:37.140 --> 00:09:39.800 The word work comes up. 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:42.579 God has done his stuff 00:09:42.579 --> 00:09:43.899 and now it's our turn. 00:09:44.979 --> 00:09:46.419 We're his workmanship. 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:47.839 We're like his minions 00:09:47.839 --> 00:09:51.099 to do his thing in the church. 00:09:52.219 --> 00:09:53.659 But if we think like that, 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:55.039 actually we've not really understood 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:56.259 what he's saying here. 00:09:56.339 --> 00:09:57.979 The word workmanship there 00:09:57.979 --> 00:10:00.179 is not the word for workforce 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:02.539 or a group of employees. 00:10:03.459 --> 00:10:05.799 But it's more like the word creation. 00:10:07.099 --> 00:10:08.679 We are his creation. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:11.899 It's the word that is used 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:14.279 for a work of art 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:17.019 or the work of a master designer 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.379 or a carpenter, 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.479 somebody like that. 00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:21.979 We are God's masterpiece. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:25.379 We are his great work of art, 00:10:25.839 --> 00:10:26.919 his handiwork. 00:10:27.319 --> 00:10:30.599 So we're not primarily the workers for God, 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:34.319 but those being worked on by God. 00:10:35.359 --> 00:10:37.039 We are the furniture. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:41.159 We are the work of art. 00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:43.519 We are the canvas 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:46.139 that the painter paints on. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:48.699 We are the produce, if you like, 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:50.019 not the producers. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:54.039 And if you look back to verse 19 of chapter 1, 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:54.980 you see there 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:58.259 that the greatness of God's power 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:00.699 has worked in those who believe in them. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:04.099 They are benefiting from God's work there, 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:04.700 aren't they? 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.259 But in verse 10, 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:08.700 they are God's work. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.279 See the difference there? 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:12.700 The word workmanship is, 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:15.320 it's the same in the Greek Old Testament 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:18.019 as in Psalm 100, 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.940 which we read at the beginning. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:21.120 Remember that Psalm. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.500 Know that the Lord, 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.480 he is God. 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:24.940 It is he who made us 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:26.420 and we are his, 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.620 we are his people 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:29.840 and the sheep of his pasture. 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:31.520 Now you see the point is the same 00:11:31.520 --> 00:11:32.480 in that Psalm 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:34.420 as it is in verse 10. 00:11:35.140 --> 00:11:37.100 The point is that we contribute 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.520 nothing 00:11:38.520 --> 00:11:41.180 to being in his pasture, 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:43.440 to being made by him, 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:45.840 to being his creation. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.600 It's another reason 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:50.460 that everything about us, 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:51.320 who we are, 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.879 the reason we are here, 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:55.000 the source of our salvation 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.500 is nothing to do 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:58.320 with our good works 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:01.160 because we are not the workers primarily, 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.120 but those being worked on. 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:07.800 So when it comes to the good works we do, 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.920 they themselves 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:12.860 can only come from God. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:16.159 We can only do good work 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:18.300 because God is working with us, 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.360 firstly. 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:22.740 It means that the works we do 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.639 in the church 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:26.379 are not things that we drum up ourselves 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.580 on our own 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.019 because fundamentally 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:30.620 we are the work of art, 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.940 not the workers of art. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:39.279 We are created in Christ Jesus, 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.899 Paul says. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:43.480 Jesus says, 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.939 without me 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:46.419 you can do 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:46.899 nothing. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.819 Do we honestly think 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:51.939 that this church 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:52.819 would be here 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:54.779 in a generation's time 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.360 if we weren't 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.019 attached to Christ Jesus? 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.959 What's more, 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:01.939 our good works 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:02.840 come from God 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.899 because they've been prepared 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:04.899 beforehand. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.860 They have a divine origin. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:11.379 not from us 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.800 but from God. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:15.039 Any good works, 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.019 it's amazing isn't it, 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:18.720 have been pre-prepared for us, 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.320 decided in advance, 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.419 ready for us to do. 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:25.379 So God has not only chosen us 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:27.600 for a relationship with him, 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:29.639 but he's marked out the path 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:32.320 of all the things that we will do. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:35.360 God has made us 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:37.060 his workmanship. 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:38.440 We only work 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:39.940 because he works. 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.820 And we only work 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.960 because he's prepared 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:43.860 those things 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.100 for each one of us 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.940 in advance to do. 00:13:48.900 --> 00:13:51.360 So I can only do anything 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:54.740 with God's work in me. 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:56.799 And all the good 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.720 that I do do 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:58.500 is prepared 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.700 by God 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.659 for me. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.240 And that's all 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.120 from him, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.000 for him 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.519 and to him. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.200 So, 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.240 am I really doing 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.399 the work at all 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.639 here? 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.340 That's the question, 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:12.759 isn't it? 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:14.060 Am I just a robot? 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.279 Good works 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.659 come from God 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:19.180 and yet, 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:19.919 Paul says, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.960 we should 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.700 walk in them. 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.800 verse 10. 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:25.780 It's no good 00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:26.759 thinking that 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.780 I can just be 00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:29.420 passive in all of this. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.140 God prepares 00:14:31.140 --> 00:14:31.640 these things 00:14:31.640 --> 00:14:32.259 for me to do 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:32.840 in advance 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:33.780 and like a sort of 00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:34.100 puppet, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.180 I'll do them. 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.060 It would be wrong 00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.780 to go to the 00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:38.940 opposite extreme, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:39.379 wouldn't it, 00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:39.940 and say that 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:40.560 Christianity 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:42.600 is never about 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.520 good works 00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:44.460 that I really do 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.060 myself. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.259 And we shouldn't 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:47.860 sort of be 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.800 embarrassed about that. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.680 The Bible is 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:50.860 full of commands 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.440 for Christians, 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:53.100 for believers 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.820 to do the 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.340 right thing, 00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:54.800 to live in 00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:55.420 the right way, 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:55.740 isn't it? 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:57.340 Romans chapter 6, 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.300 let not sin 00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.000 reigning your 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.100 mortal bodies. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:02.020 Present your 00:15:02.020 --> 00:15:02.700 bodies as 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:04.200 living sacrifices. 00:15:05.880 --> 00:15:06.780 And just note 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:07.300 here that we're 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:08.260 not talking about 00:15:08.260 --> 00:15:09.580 a list of jobs, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:09.960 are we? 00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:12.640 A do's and don'ts 00:15:12.640 --> 00:15:13.320 of the Christian 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:13.680 life. 00:15:13.760 --> 00:15:14.580 But the verb 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:15.400 in verse 10 00:15:15.400 --> 00:15:16.560 is to walk. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.420 To walk in 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.060 these things. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:19.859 We are called 00:15:19.859 --> 00:15:21.699 to a transformed 00:15:21.699 --> 00:15:22.679 walk, 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.679 a lifestyle. 00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:26.639 Galatians chapter 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.539 5 I think is 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.199 really helpful 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:28.559 here, 00:15:28.599 --> 00:15:28.959 isn't it? 00:15:29.719 --> 00:15:30.799 It gives us 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.599 a helpful list 00:15:32.599 --> 00:15:33.539 of what it is 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.579 to walk in 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:35.000 the Spirit, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.979 to live in 00:15:36.979 --> 00:15:37.359 the Spirit, 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:38.179 to do good 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:38.739 works, 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.619 living along 00:15:39.619 --> 00:15:40.659 the grain of 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.959 God's law, 00:15:42.219 --> 00:15:42.919 trusting in 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:44.639 Jesus under 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.519 the influence of 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.219 the Holy Spirit, 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.899 works of love 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.919 and of joy 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.620 and of peace, 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.120 of kindness, 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.379 of self-control, 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.039 of goodness, 00:15:54.319 --> 00:15:55.279 of faithfulness, 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.939 of gentleness. 00:15:59.079 --> 00:16:00.199 But it is that 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.600 funny paradox, 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.100 isn't it? 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:03.259 Good works come 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.899 from God 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.699 and yet 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:06.659 we have a part 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.139 to play, 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.059 we should walk 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:08.620 in them. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:10.139 It's that verse 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.019 in Philippians 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.740 chapter 2, 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.779 work out your 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.720 own salvation 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.519 with fear and 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.439 trembling because 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:17.020 it is God 00:16:17.020 --> 00:16:17.820 who works 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.780 in you, 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:20.320 both to will 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:20.920 and to work 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:21.560 for his good 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.080 pleasure. 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.260 But that 00:16:24.260 --> 00:16:24.940 paradox, 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.540 if you think 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:25.940 about it, 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.740 is greatly 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.880 comforting really, 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:28.360 isn't it? 00:16:28.400 --> 00:16:29.840 As we do 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.920 work in the 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.180 church, 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.900 as we live 00:16:31.900 --> 00:16:32.440 the Christian 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.080 life, 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.020 as one 00:16:35.020 --> 00:16:35.820 theologian 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.200 put it, 00:16:36.280 --> 00:16:36.940 we do not 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.700 have to do 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.720 any carrying 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:40.860 without remembering 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.660 that we are 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.520 being carried. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:44.860 we work 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.620 because God 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.539 works in us. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.340 I think it's 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.079 important to 00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:52.179 realise that 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.179 that paradox 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.159 there is, 00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:56.120 even though all 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.919 our good works 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.740 come from God, 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.259 we should walk 00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.699 in them. 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.819 We are actually 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:01.919 doing those 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.439 things, 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.139 aren't we? 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.900 And they are 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.079 good things. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.879 I think we 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.799 sometimes have a 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.639 bit of unbalanced 00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.619 thinking on this, 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.680 often I do. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:13.120 we know that 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.900 the things that 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.680 I do, 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.279 that the good 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:15.860 things that I 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:16.840 do are tainted, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.299 aren't they? 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.480 They are affected 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.580 by my sin 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:21.120 all of the time. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.080 I don't do 00:17:22.080 --> 00:17:22.779 things with a 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.440 pure heart. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.220 I do things 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.560 out of impure 00:17:25.560 --> 00:17:26.480 motives so 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.920 often. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.539 And even the 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.519 best things we 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:32.080 do are like 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.440 filthy rags. 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.080 Now, 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.100 Paul knows 00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.400 that, 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.120 doesn't he, 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.500 about the 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.580 human condition. 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:41.220 but oddly 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.139 in this verse 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.779 he still 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.619 calls these 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.259 works 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.259 good. 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.599 Good works. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.439 He doesn't 00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.259 shrink from 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.500 that, 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:50.939 does he? 00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:52.159 He doesn't 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:52.740 add a little 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.720 footnote to 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.460 say good 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:54.980 works, 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.599 asterisk, 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.199 but really 00:17:56.199 --> 00:17:56.579 they're a bit 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.199 like filthy 00:17:57.199 --> 00:17:57.679 rags. 00:17:58.439 --> 00:17:58.799 No. 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.579 The reason 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.119 he doesn't 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.899 do that 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:03.179 is because 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:03.720 they are 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.599 really good 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.319 works. 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:06.500 because we 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.259 are God's 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.059 workmanship. 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:10.119 As God's 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.539 masterpiece, 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.220 we are 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.619 created in 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.460 Christ. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.279 And so 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:15.799 the things 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.200 that we 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.700 do are 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.460 in Christ. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:18.819 We are 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.139 attached to 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:20.599 him. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:21.700 And so 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.700 God really 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.980 is pleased 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:25.579 with the 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.200 good works 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.539 that we 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:28.079 do because 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.879 of Christ. 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:29.899 He is 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.679 pleased with 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.099 them because 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.480 we are 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.299 attached to 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.819 Christ. 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:34.700 like branches 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.559 attached to 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.639 a vine, 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.559 to a tree, 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:39.859 whose 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.559 spirit, 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.439 Jesus, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.319 produces 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.259 good fruit 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.099 in us. 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:45.939 And this 00:18:45.939 --> 00:18:46.519 does not 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.179 stop him 00:18:47.179 --> 00:18:47.679 from being 00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:49.539 pleased with 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.019 the good 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.759 works in 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.439 themselves, 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.379 from a 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.419 regenerated, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.039 renewed 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.839 heart with 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.240 the Holy 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.700 Spirit. 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.159 He sees 00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:00.240 our good 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.879 works and 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:02.179 he recognises 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.460 Jesus in 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.660 them, 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:03.940 doesn't 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.299 he? 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.620 Because they 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.340 are empowered 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:06.820 by the 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.560 Holy Spirit. 00:19:09.560 --> 00:19:10.060 You see 00:19:10.060 --> 00:19:10.680 how all of 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.080 this fits 00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:11.440 together. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:11.880 When we 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.420 think that 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:12.920 our good 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.680 works come 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.400 from us, 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.519 well, 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.240 then yes, 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:16.720 they are 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.400 just filthy 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:17.799 rags, 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.100 aren't 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.460 they? 00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:19.519 But good 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.380 works come 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.299 from God 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:23.000 for us 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.740 to walk 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.720 in them. 00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:25.100 They are 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.580 not the 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:26.120 source, 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.060 but the 00:19:27.060 --> 00:19:27.539 goal of 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.440 our salvation 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:30.440 from God 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.460 walked in 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.779 by us. 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.740 So as 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.759 we close 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.120 now, 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:37.420 I just 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.740 want us 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.160 to think 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.600 about how 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.299 this works 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:39.600 a little 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.240 bit in 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.559 church life 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.279 and how 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.580 we talk 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.140 about these 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.720 things. 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.480 How do 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.000 these things 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.900 work themselves 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.340 out? 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.539 When all 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.019 ways in 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.420 which we 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:52.980 serve the 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.500 Lord are 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.420 from him, 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.080 firstly, 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.120 there is no 00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:56.799 room for 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.500 boasting 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.319 in church 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.019 life is 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.420 there. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.980 Paul says 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.319 to the 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.900 Corinthians, 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.240 what do 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.839 you have 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.279 that you 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.880 did not 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.440 receive? 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.359 If you 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.240 then received 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.460 it, 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.099 why do 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.819 you boast 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.559 as if you 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.180 did not 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.059 receive it? 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.579 There is 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.119 always that 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.779 temptation, 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.240 isn't there, 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.819 certainly for 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.019 me, 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:18.279 for rivalry, 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.160 to slip 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.380 in to 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:20.940 things that 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.619 we do 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:23.079 in church, 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.880 for jealousy 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.779 of one 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.319 another's 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:25.839 gifts 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.660 around us, 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.099 of seeing 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.839 other people's 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.619 good works 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.039 in their 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:31.740 lives. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:33.839 But the 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.259 gospel, 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.059 it fumbles 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.599 me because 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.099 I can 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:37.700 contribute 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:39.480 nothing on 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.059 my own, 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.599 I cannot 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.920 do anything, 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.859 I can't do 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.399 any good 00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:44.240 without God 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.119 working in 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.559 me. 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.139 So we 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.940 should thank 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.279 God, 00:20:48.339 --> 00:20:48.660 shouldn't we, 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.399 for all of 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:49.859 the gifts 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.379 and all of 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:50.680 the good 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.000 things that 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.559 go on in 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.420 this church. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.359 Because they 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:55.799 are from 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.299 the Lord, 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:56.639 there is 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.480 no room 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.759 for boasting 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.399 even quietly 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:01.119 in our 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.920 hearts. 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.079 But at 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:04.460 the same 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:04.940 time we 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.519 do, I 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:05.720 think, 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.220 have a 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.839 warrant to 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.519 say to 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.200 each other, 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.759 you have 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.539 done good 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.200 work, 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.619 well done. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.500 The works 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.119 come from 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:16.680 God, 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.200 but we 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.119 really do 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.879 walk in 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.059 them 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.899 ourselves. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.180 Paul says 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:24.000 in 1 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.380 Corinthians 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:24.960 15, 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.380 by the 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:25.880 grace of 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.279 God I 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.640 am what 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.119 I am, 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:27.980 and his 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.680 grace towards 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.019 me was 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.420 not in 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:29.579 vain, 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:29.920 on the 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.279 contrary, 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.440 I worked 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.160 harder than 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.759 any of 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.019 them. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.619 That is 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.220 audacious, 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:35.819 isn't it? 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:36.779 I worked 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.319 harder than 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.759 any of 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:37.980 them. 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.380 Paul 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:40.920 gives us 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.480 a warrant, 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.980 I think, 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.180 there, 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.980 to say, 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:43.859 no, 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.579 we have 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.599 worked hard. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.940 We are 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:48.759 allowed to 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.539 celebrate 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:51.220 one another's 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.200 good works. 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.660 we can 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.180 say, 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.180 well done, 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.860 you did 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.279 that. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.160 We can 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.620 do that 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.080 because 00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:58.740 they're not 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.220 the source 00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.580 of our 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.180 salvation, 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.680 and it's 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.460 no dishonour 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:02.960 to Jesus 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.460 to say 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.120 well done 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:04.580 to each 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:05.559 other when 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.980 we see 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.600 growth and 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.140 good work 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.900 going on. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:08.940 That is 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.980 not ungodly 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.740 to do that 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.340 because we 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.539 know that 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.259 those works 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.779 come from 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.220 God and 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.580 they are 00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.299 evidence of 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.319 his work 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.779 in us. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.279 It's 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.200 important to 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.740 note how 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.319 Paul 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.279 couches 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.980 that phrase 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.559 I worked 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.159 harder than 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.539 any of 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:25.679 them, 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.179 isn't it? 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.039 It's in 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.720 1 Corinthians 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.659 chapter 15 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.319 verse 10 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:29.759 if you want 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.139 to look it 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.679 up later. 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.659 He says, 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.379 by the 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.220 grace of 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.740 God 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:35.179 I am 00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:35.720 what I 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.220 am. 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.079 He says, 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.099 though it 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.740 was not 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.439 I, 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.439 but the 00:22:41.439 --> 00:22:42.200 grace of 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.700 God 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:44.299 that is 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.099 with me. 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.399 We can 00:22:47.399 --> 00:22:47.779 say, 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.460 well done 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.019 I worked 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.359 hard, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:49.940 but actually 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.379 it was 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:50.960 God 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:52.139 who did 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.599 the work. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:52.960 It was 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.839 his grace 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.000 in me. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.759 And there 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.200 isn't a 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.419 person in 00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:58.879 the church 00:22:58.879 --> 00:22:59.460 anywhere 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.759 who doesn't 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.700 have some 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.379 work to 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.639 do, 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.279 some role 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.980 to play. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.059 We are 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.960 all God's 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.519 workmanship, 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.240 it's plural 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.720 isn't it, 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.680 that we 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:10.180 are God's 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.980 workmanship, 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.899 collective, 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.619 it's corporate, 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.220 together. 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.940 There is 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.759 all good 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:17.500 work for 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.000 us to 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.000 walk in. 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.379 Let me 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:22.819 tell you a 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.419 quick story 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:23.940 before we 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.339 finish. 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:26.099 It is 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.659 told that 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.359 a man 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.419 went 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.659 eagerly 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.359 to a 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:30.919 revival 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.579 meeting, 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:32.980 but he 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.639 was late. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.720 And he 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.159 found the 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:35.680 workman 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.579 tearing down 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.200 the tent 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.639 in which 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.240 the meeting 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.000 had been 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.859 held a few 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.779 moments earlier. 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.299 And frantic 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:42.940 at missing 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.099 the evangelist, 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.339 he decided 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.879 to ask 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.259 one of 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.960 the workers 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.759 what he 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.240 could do 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.619 to be 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.240 saved. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:51.919 The 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.480 workman 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.099 who happened 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.559 to be a 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:53.940 Christian 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.960 replied to 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.379 the man, 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.639 I'm afraid 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.319 sir to tell 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:57.639 you that 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:57.980 you are 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.759 too late. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.480 You cannot 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.259 do anything. 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.519 What do you 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:02.759 mean? 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.539 How can I 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:03.919 be too 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.259 late? 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.500 The 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:05.859 Christian 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.519 replied, 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.779 because the 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.200 work has 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:08.799 already been 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.200 done. 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.359 There is 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.019 nothing left 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.559 for you to 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.859 do other 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.319 than to 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.919 believe it. 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.980 That is the 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.359 gospel. 00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:18.099 And when 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.779 you forget 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.259 that, 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.059 take hold 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.379 of that 00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:21.899 thought and 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.379 throw it 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:22.679 in the 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.079 skip. 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.679 And keep 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.159 it there. 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.559 Good works 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.779 prepared for 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.359 God, 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.899 for us to 00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:32.159 walk in 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:32.939 in advance, 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.599 not the 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.279 source, 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.220 never the 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:35.759 source, 00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:37.099 but the 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.859 goal of our 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.500 salvation, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.119 entirely from 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.519 and through 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.000 him, 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.900 attached to 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.400 Christ, 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.119 empowered by 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.500 him. 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.099 So we 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.779 can say 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.660 well done 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.880 to one 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.319 another, 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.279 because it 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.700 is by 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.539 grace, 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.059 the grace 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.759 of God, 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.539 that I am 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.539 not what I 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.019 ought to 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.400 be, 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.619 and I am 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.200 not what I 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.980 once was, 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.799 by the grace 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.480 of God, 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.980 I am what 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.640 I am. 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:05.240 Let's 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.060 pray together.