ephesians 2:10 sermon

(3) Works of righteousness and justice; to hurt none, to give every one his due, to use fidelity in our relations (Acts 24:15). We are "created in Christ Jesus to good works" in heaven. You perceive, then, why throughout the Scriptures the works of man are made the test of his salvation. Nothing noble is done from any other motive.2. Vaughan, M. One has ten talents, another has only one. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin," etc. Think of the patience that lent its arm, and its eye, and its heart, and its infinite mind, to the carrying on of the supreme work of producing the image of Christ in those who were born in sin!4. Indeed, all that profess the reformed religion affirm that faith is the root of all graces, that Divine virtue is the basis and foundation of all good works; this they maintain, and have good reason to do so; but still they hold that good and holy works are indispensably requisite in Christianity, and that no man can be excused from performing them, and that those whose lives are utterly devoid of them have no right faith and no true religion. That is good which God requires.7. If it is difficult to produce good works where you are, you will find it still difficult where you wish to be. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin," etc. ITS PURPOSE. Fountains and springs of actions are those from whence the actions flow; ends and aims are those to which the actions tend. )Perseverance in good worksG. How many of us are to be made perfect by suffering! III. The falsehood of the Romanists is hence confuted. (c) In order to our future enjoyment of God, and that glory and blessedness which we expect in His heavenly kingdom; none but new creatures can enter into the new Jerusalem. With respect to the Spirit, who reneweth us for this end; we are new made, that we may look upon doing good as our calling and only business. Everything around you is arranged for the production of good works in you. The invalid cannot do as much as the man of good health, nor the mother of a family as much as she who has no such care.3. A. Let those who are in Christ Jesus remember why they have been so created, and that it is entirely in the power derived from Christ they can do their good works. (2) It teaches us to magnify this renewing work. Of regeneration we must say once for all, "This is the finger of God." Of regeneration we must say once for all, "This is the finger of God." Whey they prayed, they did it standing in the corners of the streets, that they might be seen of men (Matthew 5:5). And this brings me to one characteristic of all "prepared work." Purity and harmlessness are but negative graces, and are not sufficient justification for existence. As many as are truly saved, and brought into union with Christ, are the workmanship of God. D.These words suggest far-reaching speculations about the Divine ideal of humanity, and about how that ideal is suppressed by human folly and sin; they suggest inquiries about the ideal relations of all men to Christ, relations which are only made real and effective by personal faith in Him. And that Word teaches us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin; without faith it is impossible to please God.3. A cup of cold water could not purchase salvation for the sinner; but a cup of cold water, given in the name of Jesus, shall in no wise lose its reward, because it is the test that the believer loves his Master.(R. What, then, are good works, as the fruit of faith? Works of obedience.2. For every "prepared work" has its limitations; and here is the line of the limitation — that God's footsteps must be there. And so God has His elevation, but He does not show it. By virtue of our relation to Him, who is our Righteousness, our performances are accounted righteous. )Good works preparedPaul Bayne.Six ways in which God prepares good works for us to do.1. What are preachers but God's chisels and hammers? Reality.3. (Paul Bayne. They are inspirations of God, they are beams from the central light, they are streams from the uncreated fountain. Thus the Saviour taught. He that acts without knowledge cannot be said to act morally, much less Christianly. (2) Ever strive to be going forward, exercising the faculties we have, and looking to God for all. HOW ARE THEY FITTED AND PREPARED by this new nature that is put into them for good works? How much is man's work, and how much is the work of the light? And yet the history of Christendom contains the proof that even here a new and alien life has begun to show itself among mankind; a life not alien indeed, for it is the true life of our race, but it is unlike what had been in the world before. The object: good works; that is, works becoming the new creature; in short, we should live Christianly.2. (John 15:1, etc.). His "works" are not suited to everybody alike. The special infirmities of men vary. And this brings me to one characteristic of all "prepared work." )Christian men God's workmanshipR. In this section, Paul will repeat the claim that human effort has no impact on salvation whatsoever. Now, or never, is our time to work. God gives us our new creation through Christ. God has not created us that we may execute good works as a grand performance, but that we may walk in them.IV. (2) An action. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." Good works have their origin in love, i.e., they are inspired by the Holy Ghost. It is not the dull tool that can cut the fine lines. these and the like things are not thought of. Some we describe as Nature's gentle men, while others are born mean. J. Goodhart, M. A.1. "In Christ Jesus," united to Him, so that we can say, "It is no more I that do it, but Christ who dwelleth in me." (b) An entire love of God is required in every good work. To know if this is our condition, we must see if we bear the traces of the great Worker upon our persons. We are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." When does the image of God, or the inner sense of peace and pardon spring up in the human soul? (1) As thou wouldst have comfort that thou art a new creature in Christ, made alive by the Spirit, try it by this — how thou walkest. Champness. "Conversion, the soul, and GodJoseph Cook.There is produced in a soul an image of God. 1. He must open a door. You see then how fondly they discourse who say that, because Christ hath done and suffered all things for man's redemption, therefore there is nothing left for us to do. Manton, D. D.The doctrine of the text is, That those who are renewed and recovered out of the apostasy of mankind, are, as it were, created anew through the power of God and grace of the Redeemer.I. Think of the power that has cut lines of beauty in such steel as we are! All that we have vaguely desired is now offered us in the glorious gospel of the blessed God; in Christ we become "His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works." He excites the will; for such is our dulness, that we must have our will raised by Him to will.6. Life is our task, but it is also Another's. This is God's book of poems. It is useless to say that all men are equal. You may be quite sure that any "work" which God hath "prepared" for you, will have a particular adaptation to your... 3. The Greek is, "God's poem." How different would our life have been, had we lived in the last century. Think of the power that has cut lines of beauty in such steel as we are! It is true good works in general comprehend all works morally good, whether they be adjusted to the law of nature or the revealed law; but I shall chiefly and principally consider good works as they are conformable to the revealed rule of the gospel. It is compared to the change that took place when God said, "Let there be light." "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." Good works cannot be judged by appearances. This was it which spoiled and blasted the most solemn and religious duties of the Pharisees. There are lives of Christians like all these. But, be sure of this, there will be "work" in heaven. And these aspirations of the individual soul are also prophecies; by them the Spirit of Christ is signifying to us the hopes which are our inheritance; they come from the Light which lighteth every man. He must give an impulse. We may enjoy all that God has given us, for of every tree of this garden you may freely eat, since in the paradise into which Christ has introduced you there is no forbidden fruit. The light of our works came from God, and it must be reflected to him again. Only when the faculties of the soul are rightly adjusted in relation to each other, and the will brought into coincidence with God's will. No man is fit to do the work of life till he is created in Christ Jesus. A. He constantly promoted good works and holy living, and bid His disciples show their love to Him by keeping His commandments (John 14:15). They will all be used, but how differently. "There is none good, save God." Everything around you is arranged for the production of good works in you. They have twisted laurel wreaths of glory round the brows of faith; they have kept good works in the distance. )LinksEphesians 2:10 NIVEphesians 2:10 NLTEphesians 2:10 ESVEphesians 2:10 NASBEphesians 2:10 KJVEphesians 2:10 Bible AppsEphesians 2:10 ParallelEphesians 2:10 Biblia ParalelaEphesians 2:10 Chinese BibleEphesians 2:10 French BibleEphesians 2:10 German BibleEphesians 2:10 CommentariesBible Hub, (2)In the obedience of faith. Their confessions of sin are a fuller expression of our own sorrow and trouble than we ourselves had ever been able to make. One has social charm; another, the gift of song; another, moral attractiveness.2. Spurgeon. )The heavenly WorkmanT. There is always the invisible presence, the Eternal Friend at hand, and to Him we must go in solemn prayer. "Hath not the potter power over the clay," etc. Christ has come to destroy it; let it be destroyed.II. This was it which spoiled and blasted the most solemn and religious duties of the Pharisees. And they are not to be occasional merely, but habitual. That is the highest thing that can be said. It is compared to the change that took place when God said, "Let there be light." And have you no eyes to see, nor heart to appreciate, the noble work of God in the new creation of a soul that was dead in trespasses and sins? If you get more grace, and are more fully God's workmanship, you can glorify him in Babylon as well as in Jerusalem. Indeed, we have nothing to do that can further our salvation by way of merit, but we have something to do whereby we may show our thankfulness for Christ's undertakings; we have a great deal to do whereby we may discover our obedience to the Divine commands and injunctions. And all this is conformable to the doctrine of our blessed Lord and Saviour, who tells us that He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it, and make it more complete and perfect. To guide you into a decision in this matter, there should always be at least two vocations to every work: the inward vocation of your own conscience, and the outward vocation of Providence. The requisites. He marks the stone while yet in the quarry, cuts it from its natural bed, and performs the first hewing and squaring, even as it is He who afterwards exercises the sculptor's skill upon it.2. A man oweth duty to himself (Titus 2:12).2. But once receive anything you have to do — or equally, anything you have to suffer — as a "work" long ago "prepared" for you; and then see what a comfort, what an energy, what a power that one single thought will give!1. (2) It teaches us to magnify this renewing work. All other things are valuable according to the use for which they serve; the sun was made to give light and heat to inferior creatures, and we are enlightened by grace, and inclined by grace, that our light may shine before men (Matthew 5:16).4. So it is in the regeneration of a soul; instrumentality appears, but the real work is immediately of the Spirit of God.III. The circumstances and places of our lives are arranged by God, as well as the persons we influence and who influence us. Enoch "walked with God"; it is not taking a step or two in a way which denominates a man a walker, but a continued motion. Besides, we differ in both physical and mental constitution. With respect to God, He hath ordained that we should walk in them. When the Lord creates us the second time, in the second Adam, He does not make us that we may be merely comfortable and happy. Illustrate this in a young convert passing through various connections in life to old age.II. (d) This workmanship on us as new creatures far surpasses that which makes us creatures only.2. This is very beautiful to remember, and it should stir up all that is within us to magnify the Lord. By way of inference, from what hath been said of good works, we may correct the error of the Antinomians, we may confute the falsehood of the Roman Church, we may make a discovery of other false apprehensions of men concerning good works; we are hence also obliged to examine whether our works be good; and lastly, if we find them to be such, we must continue in the practice of them.1. When does the image of God, or the inner sense of peace and pardon spring up in the human soul? Of information. He has ordained that His people should walk in good works. "He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Every good and righteous man lays his foundation low; he begins his works with a submissive and self-denying spirit; he proceeds with lowliness of mind, and a mean opinion of himself, and of all he can do. We have ideals of moral excellence which are out of our reach. If any man think much of his "works," I say, "You are only a bit of mechanism, that God has trained to carry out His mind; to evolve those preplanned works." Some are disposed to self-culture; let them, then, go on and cultivate their natures. I must not promote the best cause either by persecution or by rebellion. Religion must not be blind; reason must always go first, and carry the light before all our actions, for the heart and life cannot be good if the head be not enlightened. Graces and good works fit us for that place and state; they dispose us for glory. Champness. Let it be understood that the Great Workman does not expect the same results from every kind of material. In this work, it is true, He employs various tools — His Word, His Spirit, His Providential arrangements; but no hand save His touches them.We are His workmanship.Man's creation unto good worksThomas Jones.Human boasting is excluded, because human merit there is none. So it is in the regeneration of a soul; instrumentality appears, but the real work is immediately of the Spirit of God.III. More "prepared" than even the "work" which we are doing here. We want to remain ourselves, to preserve our personal identity, and yet to live a life which seems impossible unless we can cease to be ourselves. God makes nothing for waste. Man is unfit for God's use till he be new moulded and framed again. It must needs be so; they have God's nature and life. It is not the dull tool that can cut the fine lines. The falsehood of the Romanists is hence confuted. And the more we grow towards heaven, the more we approach to that — work is rest because we do it restfully. It is chaos to us. We must first know that what we do is our real duty, and we must also understand why it is so. Men in the world may become so prosperous that they may give over trading, and live comfortably on what they already possess; but it is not thus with the soul, which, where it ceases to profit, waxes gross. ITS PURPOSE. This is the end of Christ's undertakings. You meet with rivers, and streamlets, and fountains, and lakes among the mountains, and in the valleys of the earth; but the origin of them all is in the sea, they all begin there. THIS IS YOUR LIFE . look on it, it is the living work of God; it has His own resemblance imparted to it; it is immortal, and destined to run an endless race of glory, to the everlasting praise of the infinite Jehovah — behold it — angels are enamoured with it, and yet you, who can break forth in rapture at that lifeless statue, can see no beauty here; no loveliness to draw forth your love; no admiration of this soul "born of God"!Professors without good worksC. From the fault or misfortune of our progenitors, we may start on the race with heavy burdens that we cannot shake off. Our aspirations are after a perfect righteousness and a diviner order, but we cannot fulfil them. (b) An entire love of God is required in every good work. Our new life is a creation. (f) Alacrity, joy, and cheerfulness, and so likewise a due warmth, zeal, and ardency, are other principles from whence our good works should spring. GOD AS THE AUTHOR OF THESE GOOD WORKS IN THEM. Nothing noble is done from any other motive.2. You must necessarily distinguish between principles and ends if you would speak properly and significantly. Works, if they be considered as a way leading to eternal life, are indeed necessary to salvation; they are necessary by way of qualification, for no unclean thing shall enter into heaven. The artist must procure his canvas and his colours, the maker of a mosaic must find his marbles or his wood, the potter must dig his clay, for without these materials he can do nothing; for he is not the Creator. He must leave his own works behind, if he would shine in freedom and joy. I answer — It is certainly an abuse of this doctrine if it lull us asleep in the lap of idleness; and we think that because God doth all in framing us for the new life, we must do nothing. Joseph acted out of this excellent principle when he cried out, "How shall I do this wickedness and sin against God? It may be some will not approve of saying, We are saved by good works, but this they must needs acknowledge that we cannot be saved without them; yea, we cannot be saved but with them. The near preparation is called promptitude and readiness for every good work, or "a ready obedience to every good work." It never goes before God. Everything around you is arranged for the production of good works in you. ITS CHARACTERISTICS.1. Not much is expected from a mere mountain brook. It was on television for many years. Shew how the Scripture speaks of this. "(c) When thus new framed and fashioned, it belongeth to God; it hath special relation to Him (James 1:18). They brand us with the name of Solifidians, as if faith monopolized all our religion. J. Goodhart, M. A.1. This is very beautiful to remember, and it should stir up all that is within us to magnify the Lord. Indeed, we have nothing to do that can further our salvation by way of merit, but we have something to do whereby we may show our thankfulness for Christ's undertakings; we have a great deal to do whereby we may discover our obedience to the Divine commands and injunctions. He planned and constructed it before you touched it. Holy labours await you, good works are expected of you, and you were created in Christ Jesus on purpose that you might be zealous for them.1. This is beyond inclination. A true believer, like the heavenly orbs, is constant and unwearied in his motion and actings. From what hath been said, we may discover the wrong notions and apprehensions which most men have of good works. Are the words of our Lord, in Matthew 25:35, mock thunder? It must be done in faith, for the apostle tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6), and, consequently, as he adds in another place, "what is not of faith is sin."5. By way of inference, from what hath been said of good works, we may correct the error of the Antinomians, we may confute the falsehood of the Roman Church, we may make a discovery of other false apprehensions of men concerning good works; we are hence also obliged to examine whether our works be good; and lastly, if we find them to be such, we must continue in the practice of them. (f) Alacrity, joy, and cheerfulness, and so likewise a due warmth, zeal, and ardency, are other principles from whence our good works should spring. Man is dead; God is the quickener. How far the mediation of Christ is concerned in this effect. J. McGhee, M. This is very beautiful to remember, and it should stir up all that is within us to magnify the Lord. So all goodness in individuals, in the Church, in the world, in the whole universe, is inspired of God, and I wish I could make you feel it as seriously as I do. If we are God's workmanship, never let us be ashamed to let men see God's workmanship in us. The sacrificer must be accepted before the sacrifice.2. It is a proof of love. Rut we are not alone in this pathless place. A. Again, for the sake of good men, we are obliged to be very careful how we walk; we are concerned to do all the good we can, that they may not be scandalized and hurt by our evil examples, and consequently that God's name may not be dishonoured thereby. Manton, D. D.)New creatures prepared for good worksT. "In Christ Jesus," united to Him, so that we can say, "It is no more I that do it, but Christ who dwelleth in me." God's way of concurrence to establish this relation. Good works cannot be judged by appearances. God supplies us with the grace, which enables us to do this or that work.5. The spiritual life cannot come to us by development from our old nature.1. The fault of our nature assumes a thousand forms, but no one is free from it. Study the Scriptures. For assuredly we shall "work" there. Unless we walk in the path of good works we cannot come to eternal life. (2) The principles of operation must be faith, love, and obedience. He must give an impulse. He preserves us; so that now willing we may work. )Perseverance in good worksG. We of obscurer rank and narrower powers read their lives, and we know that we and they are akin; we listen to their words, and are thrilled by the accent of home. "Created in Christ Jesus." But, of a vast river starting at one end of a continent, and flowing through the heart of it, gathering to itself volumes of water, much is expected, for is it not a great river? Foster, M. This is God's book of poems. Foster, M. Not much is expected from a mere mountain brook. First, I might mention the reason in the text, where first we are said to be created unto good works, that we might walk in them. (4) It informeth us in what manner we should check sin, by remembering it is an old thing to be done away, and ill becoming our new estate by Christ (2 Peter 1:9).2. "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."3. God's purpose is subserved by that which He makes, else were He an unwise worker. THE SINGULAR ORIGIN OF A CHRISTIAN MAN. Good works must be adjusted to a right rule; they must be according to the will and commandment of God. The good works we are to do are ordained by God. He must open a door. They have twisted laurel wreaths of glory round the brows of faith; they have kept good works in the distance. For all of salvation, from start to finish, is under the control of God. To each his own. They are no other than visible exertments and actual discoveries of the inward graces before mentioned. Manton, D. D.)A bird's-eye view of lifeJames Stalker, M. A.I. Acts of justice and honesty must be clone by ways that are lawful and good. To put us upon self-reflection; are we the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus? "God said, Let there be light: and there was light." God supplies us with the grace, which enables us to do this or that work.5. They will die out through disappointment; they will be pronounced impossible unless we discover that they come from the fountains of a Divine inspiration, unless we have the faith and patience of the saints of old who waited, with an invincible confidence in the goodness and power of God, until the words of ancient prophecy were fulfilled, and more than fulfilled, in Christ. "(c) When thus new framed and fashioned, it belongeth to God; it hath special relation to Him (James 1:18). (2) That by this new nature a man is distinguished from himself as carnal; he hath somewhat which he had not before, something that may be called a new life and nature; a new heart that is created (Psalm 51:10), and may be increased (2 Peter 3:18). It would, of course, be a great question — concerning every particular work as it comes before you whether it is the work which God has" prepared" for you. As there are fountains or principles of actions, so there are ends or designs belonging to them all. Things are always happening — births, deaths, and marriages. You are not unfit, so far as you are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. In itself it is a token for good. GOOD WORKS AS THE THINGS IN WHICH GOD'S PEOPLE ARE TO WALK. No; by not resting in it, but forcing a way through it, will the winged creature reach sunshine and air. (Paul Bayne. The inclination is natural, the acts are voluntary, because it is an inclination of a free agent.2. No; by not resting in it, but forcing a way through it, will the winged creature reach sunshine and air. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made." The Greek is, "God's poem." By His doctrine and practice He taught the world that the moral law obligeth the faithful under the evangelical dispensation, and that obedience to the former is not opposite to the grace of the latter. To One only does that august name strictly belong. (4) It informeth us in what manner we should check sin, by remembering it is an old thing to be done away, and ill becoming our new estate by Christ (2 Peter 1:9).2. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
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