Grace and Works - Part 2:  The Need for Vision and Initiative

-Introduction

-Last week, we noticed the harmonious relationship between grace on the part of God

 and good works on the part of mankind.

            -Unfortunately, there seem to be those in the religious world that don’t understand

             the proper balance between the two and, therefore, criticize those who speak about

             the importance of good works as advocating salvation by works.  Such is not true.

-Last week’s lesson - scriptural look; This week’s lesson - practical considerations

-Eph. 2:8-10 - grace and good works

-Titus 2:11-14 - grace and good works

-Romans 6 - free gift of God (vs 23), obedience (vs 17)

-1 Cor. 15 - In view of the grace of God, Paul worked harder (vs 10).

            -The grace of God served as a very strong motivator for Paul.  Such should be

             the case for each of us as well.

-The Challenge of Balance

-As I have stated on previous occasions, the topic of balance can be very challenging.

-Yes, there is a proper balance between grace and works.  And, there needs to be a proper

 balance in preaching and teaching on those two subjects.

-Imbalance toward grace:

            -Perhaps we’ve heard about or known about situations where there was a strong

             imbalance toward grace.  This has a tendency to make people comfortable.  (It’s

             pleasant to hear - nice on the ears, easy on the heart.)  In such an atmosphere,

             complacency and inactivity settle in and spiritual growth and maturity are hindered.

             After some time, it can be difficult to reverse the trend and a return to productivity

             can be a challenge.

-Imbalance toward works:

            -There are those who have neglected the grace side of the equation and have tilted

             the balance very heavily to the works aspect of the equation.  Over time, this can

             be disheartening and discouraging.  The church begins to feel more like a work

             camp.  The members become more and more dejected.  In this atmosphere, spiritual

             growth and maturity are hindered and the members have a tendency to eventually

             throw their hands up and say “I give up” and they quit trying.

-So, yes, it is very important to remain properly balanced.

-Proper Balance - Tilted Toward Works

-Example of our recent Oklahoma Marriage Initiative sessions - Material focuses not on

 static factors (those things hard or impossible to change) but on dynamic factors (those  

 things that we can change / improve upon).

-Well, grace is God’s part of the equation.  We cannot alter His grace and we certainly

 can’t improve upon it.  We can and should respond to it.

-Good works is our side of the equation.  Therefore, shouldn’t there be some type of

 emphasis on it?

            -Wouldn’t you agree that the instructions found in the scriptures are focused more

             heavily on the works side of the equation?

            -We have information regarding the nature of God, including his grace.  We have

             instructions regarding our proper response which includes good works.

-Therefore, it seems to me that we should follow that pattern of emphasis in our

 preaching and teaching - not to the neglect of God’s grace, but in view of God’s grace.

            -1 Cor. 15:10 - Don’t Paul’s words indicate that if one is not active in good works,

                                                       that person is wasting the grace of God?

-Good Works

-We need to be active in good works.  And, honestly, we need to do a better job.

-I’m not saying that we have no good works.  And, there are things that members do that

 of which others are not aware. 

-And, I’m not questioning motives or intentions.  I’m talking about actions.

-But, how do we move from the motive/intentions stage to actions?  Here are two key

 ingredients:  vision and initiative.

            -Vision - being able to see what needs to be done

            -Initiative - stepping forward, taking on the task and running with it

                        -Nehemiah is an excellent example of these concepts.  He recognized the need

                         and took the initiative in getting it done.  He didn’t try to do it all by himself

                         but he recruited others and involved others and accomplished great things.

                                    -Involvement - another important word

-That initiative can come from individual members.  We need individuals to step up and

 gets some things taken care of.  But, that initiative also needs to come from the

 leadership - provided opportunities for others to get involved.

            -Rather than our efforts being somewhat sporadic and unorganized.  We can organize

             those efforts, bring them together and, as a result, be more efficient and effective.

-Summary and Invitation

-Grace on the part of God and works on the part of mankind are in harmony in the

 scriptures.  We need to make sure they are in harmony in our lives.

            -Gal 6:9

-What about you?  Have you responded to God’s offer of grace by obeying the Gospel of

 Christ?  If not, believe in Jesus (John 3:16, 8:24); confess your faith (Matt. 10:32, Rom.

 10:9-10); repent of sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), be baptized into Christ for forgiveness

 (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).

-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, are you allowing the grace of God to motivate you in good

 works?  If you have sinned through neglecting the things you should have been doing or

 by doing things that you shouldn’t, confess your shortcomings, repent of them and seek

 forgiveness through prayer (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).