Workmanship of God
✅ Introduction
📖 Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
What we learn from this is that we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works and good works are important but it doesn’t get you saved because if we look back a verse we will see that salvation is a gift giving, not of works.
📖 Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Now notice that after we are saved by accepting the free gift of eternal life then we are ordained unto good works.
First and foremost the verse says that we should walk in them, "should" is not a definite word but a suggestion, a definite word is "Will" you will walk in them.
1️⃣ The Reason for a Reward System
📖 1 Corinthians 3:6-15 (KJV) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The context of this passage is about winning souls, as verse 6 tells us Paul planted and Apollos watered, these are terms that are used to explain that Paul gave the gospel (planted) but Apollos has given more understanding (watered) this is to help finalize all doubt and questions, but God gave the increase (The Holy Spirit accepted the receiver of the gift). So this talking about Soulwinning which is the greatest of all good works which we will explain later.
Now we see here that every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour! These rewards are for our positions in the Millennium Reign and possibly the New Heaven and New Earth.
📖 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
The Judgement seat of Christ is for all believers after we have passed or have been caught up to Christ, and its at this moment that the judgement is taken place, the reason for it is to reposition you for the next phase in life which after death is the Millennium Reign where Jesus Christ returns and reigns for a 1000 years, during this time we brought back to a new position in his kingdom, and Jesus hints at this in the gospels.
📖 Luke 19:12-17 (KJV) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Jesus speaks about ruling over cities throughout the Bible and it only makes sense that he determines this justly by our actions in this life time which sounds totally fair since a lot of christians don’t actually do the works God requires of them.
The reward system is important because God knows that many saved people would rather focus on life than on Eternity.
📖 Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
We have a reward system in our home to make the kids do the work in the house is a great motivator to get the kids to work and it does work, and so this is why God has the reward system in place.
2️⃣ The Greatest Work
There are many good works that God has ordained for believers to walk in, but the greatest work in light of eternity is the winning of souls, because it directly fulfils Christ’s commission and produces fruit that abides forever.
📖 Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Souls are eternal and people matter to God above everything else.
📖 Luke 15:4-7 (KJV) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Winning Souls is the primary goal and there are many passages explaining this.
📖 Proverbs 11:30 (KJV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
You are wise if you win souls.
⚔️ Having the full Amour on
📖 Ephesians 6:13-19 (KJV) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
A lot christians like to believe they have the armor of God but a lot of christians are missing the shoes to the armor!
⚔️ First works
📖 Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
This church is about to die because God will remove the candle stick (this means God will remove the church).
📖 Revelation 1:20 (KJV) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
The candlestick is the church and God said he will remove it (meaning spiritually remove the church) because there are churches that exist but spiritually are dead because they forgotten the first works which is winning souls.
3️⃣ Types of Works
There are all types of works to do, some great, some good, and some ok, and the apostle Paul broke these works down into categories.
📖 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (KJV) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
We have gold, silver and precious stones, these are works that last forever, then there is works that don’t, wood, hay and stubble, these all burn and mean nothing in the kingdom of heaven.
👩🏼🦳 Women doing works
Now I have shown that winning souls would be the greatest work as it involves saving lives from Hell, and it’s a work that everyone is command to do even the women.
📖 Philippians 4:3-4 (KJV) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Women are throughout the Bible helping in soul-winning, now women aren’t to be preachers in church but they can use their prophesying through soul winning.
📖 Acts 21:8-9 (KJV) And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
This can confuse people and many so-called churches would use this to teach women can preach in church but that is contradicting scripture.
📖 1 Timothy 2:10-15 (KJV) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Women aren’t to teach in the church, only outside the church and with other women they can encourage one another.
📖 Titus 2:3-6 (KJV) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
So Women have a lot to do as soul winning is the main work of God and there are many other things women can do.
🧔🏻♂️ Works For the Men
For the men they have works like pastoring (bishop) or deacons (helpers of pastors)
📕 Pastoring & Deacons
📖 1 Timothy 3:1-14 (KJV) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
This is clear that a pastor or deacon can only be a man as it mentions that a bishop must be the husband of one wife.
📕 Discipling
discipling done in the church is ran by the men, women can disciple but within their order, as women can disciple women, also we see couples outside the church teaching and discipling.
📖 Acts 18:24-28 (KJV) And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
So this couple taught together which is fine if the husband is there doing it, but the lady should never teach a man alone it’s not their place. But Discipling is a great work in God.
📕 Teaching
Purpose: Instruction, understanding, grounding
Focus: The mind learning truth
Method: Explanation, clarification, application
This is where perfecting of knowledge happens and it is a form of discipling which happens in church or outside of church in groups like home groups or bible studies.
Its different to preaching as preaching is…
Purpose: Proclamation, conviction, calling to response
Focus: The heart and will
Method: Declaring, heralding, exhorting
🙏 Prayer
Prayer is a work that Women and Men can do.
📖 Luke 18:1 (KJV) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Fainting is to be tired, it's a work to pray, this is why prayer meetings are important, and Friday is our usual prayer service, we do this to pray for all our brethren’s needs.
📖 Colossians 4:12 (KJV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
We see here that prayer is labour (it’s a work), and the reason Paul is praying for Epaphras is to help him to stand perfect and complete in the will of God.
Dont just assume we preachers are going to automatic serve the Lord, we need your prayers to spiritually protect us from the attacks of Satan, Its an important work to pray.
Also Paul ask for prayer to be bold in preaching the gospel, this is because it can be scary at time and also wearisome to do that work! Our flesh would love to skip soul winning day, this is why we need your prayer and it’s a good work.
❤️🩹 Healing
📖 James 5:13-16 (KJV) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Prayer of a pastor can heal.
👏🏼 Giving
2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (KJV) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
This is a service to give unto the work of God especially to those that labour in the word to preach and teach to others.
📖 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (KJV) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Pastor are worthy to be paid and should be full time workers but depending on the situation some pastors have to work, but this isn’t good because the church doesn’t get all the attention it needs to prosper more.
📖 Galatians 6:6-10 (KJV) Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
And so giving is a great way to help in the work of God is your too busy or too scared to do anything, then giving is a great way to help.
⏰ Conclusion
📖 Titus 3:8 (KJV) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
