Works Matter In This Present Age

1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1. GOD HAS ALREADY DONE THE WORK FOR YOUR SALVATION a) When we talk about the work of the Lord in the dispensation of grace, it is NOT for your salvation b) The Bible is clear on this matter – Rom 4:5, Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8-9, 2Tim 1:8-10, Titus 3:5. c) It is not to maintain a standing with God – Col 2:9-10, Rom 5:1, 8:38-39, Eph 1:13, 1Cor 12:13. d) It has to do with the will that God wants accomplished today – 1Tim 2:4, Gal 1:3-4, Eph 3:9-11 2. HE USES HIS BODY TO DO HIS WORK a) God works in us today through his word – 1Thess 2:13, 2Tim 2:15, 3:16-17. b) We are his ambassadors – 2Cor 5:17-21, Phil 2:15-16. c) To minister to one another – Eph 4:14-16,25,29,32, 1Thess 5:9-11,14, Rom 12:9-10, 1Cor 14:26. d) We should work together to do the work of the Lord – 1Tim 2:4, Phil 1:27. 3. YOUR WORKS FOR THE LORD MATTER a) Not for salvation, but for seeing souls saved and saints edified. b) God has called us to be saints – Rom 1:7, 1Cor 1:2. Saint = Holy, pure, morally blameless c) We need to walk worthy of this calling – Eph 4:1-3, 1Thess 2:10-13, Col 1:9-12. d) Created unto good works – Ep 2:10, Titus 2:7-8,11-14, Rom 6:14-18 4. WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE LORD a) The judgment seat of Christ – Rom 14:10-19, 1Cor 3:6-15, 2Cor 5:9-15 b) A crown of rejoicing – Phil 4:1, 2Cor 1:14, 1Thes 2:18-20. c) Our service matters because: • We represent the Lord here on earth as his body and ambassadors. • Our ministry is to see others saved and reconciled. • Our responsibility is to uphold the truth and see others grow in it. • We will give an account to God for our service.