Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas
Jeremy approaches Bible teaching with a passion for getting the basic doctrines explained so that the individual can understand them and then apply them to circumstances in their life. These basic and important lessons are nestled in a framework of history and progression of revelation from the Bible so the whole of Scripture can be applied to your physical and spiritual life.
Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas
Titus - Works & Rewards for what purpose?
There is so much controversy and confusion about works; do they result from love, prove our salvation, or necessary for salvation? Jeremy responds to a question on this very topic and tries to clarify the important purpose of doing good works both in this life and the life to come.
More information about Beyond the Walls, including additional resources can be found at www.beyondthewalls-ministry.com
This series included graphics to illustrate what is being taught, if you would like to watch the teachings you can do so on Rumble (https://rumble.com/user/SpokaneBibleChurch) or on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtV_KhFVZ_waBcnuywiRKIyEcDkiujRqP).
Jeremy Thomas is the pastor at Spokane Bible Church in Spokane, Washington and a professor at Chafer Theological Seminary. He has been teaching the Bible for over 20 years, always seeking to present its truths in a clear and understandable manner.
Welcome to Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas and our series on the book of Titus. Today a smaller, bite-sized piece from the larger lesson. We hope you enjoy it.
Speaker 2:The question is along the lines of basically these concepts related to good works. So the Scripture discusses, for example, in Titus, obviously, good works, and the statement is that we're under the impression that good works should be a natural outgrowth of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us and a work of God rather than ourselves. So admonishing good works as a requisite for eternal reward seems manipulative as a requirement for eternal recognition. Please help with this concern. Please help with this concern. So, um it, let me do discuss good works and the relationship that this statement makes relative to the holy spirit. What I basically see it as is good works is looking at it from the human perspective, where fruit of the spirit is looking at it from god's perspective. I don't think that peter's denying that you, the good works that we do are accomplished by the Spirit, through us as we live by faith. I think he's just speaking of it from the human perspective. As far as our eternal salvation is concerned, obviously none of our good works come into the equation for that. It's always by grace, through faith alone and Christ alone. It's his work that counts. What his work accomplished on the cross was everything that was necessary to satisfy God, and so by grace, through faith alone in Christ alone, we have everlasting life for salvation. As far as good works and the relationship to reward, for example, in 1 Corinthians 9, paul talks to us about the importance of running the race, which he means running the Christian life right. He says run so as to win, and he says he does so disciplining himself so that he may not be disqualified. The disqualification is disqualified from eternal reward. As far as so good works would relate to eternal reward, and I would equate them essentially with the fruit of the Spirit in our life. So what this means, then, is that they're not meritorious in the sense of gaining any kind of eternal life with God or anything like that. But God does give reward for the accomplishment of good works done as we are living by the Spirit. But we also have to think about the eternal reward in the respect in which they should be viewed, and that is in the respect that, when we are there, remember, revelation 4 says we will cast our crowns at his feet. In other words, we will give recognition that the source of the strength that produced this valuable good works was him and not us, and not our strength. And second, we must also remember that eternal reward is not for our own personal and private enjoyment, but it is for capacity to glorify God in greater ways during the kingdom and forevermore. So we are to be placed in his kingdom in a particular station, and in that station there is certain capacity, responsibility, and that's the aspect of reward. It relates to that. So it's not private enjoyment of something like I got this, and nor should we add that we should do good works so we can get a prize, so to speak.
Speaker 2:It's not a selfish motive to do good works or whatever. It's a selfless motive. And I think of Christ, who's the one who's described in Hebrews chapter 12, that says for the joy set before him he went through the cross. What was the joy set before him? That he might bring many sons to glory. So it was selfless act on the cross in the sense that it was for others to bring them to glory, but at the same time he is able then to acquire the ultimate reward of having the highest position in the kingdom and beyond. So these things aren't exclusive ideas, but basically selflessness now in service results in God giving reward that we will acknowledge is sourced in him and it outfits us for capacity to glorify him. So in that sense, we should want rewards because we want to be able to glorify God to the greatest degree. But he who is least shall become greatest. Yes, luke 19. Yes, luke 19,. The parable of the talents there, yes, capacities to serve him. So, you know, you do with a little right and what you do with a little gains you much, so to speak. Even if you're given a lot, what you do with that still affects and relates to your capacity then. So, capacity now, and what we do with it relates to capacity then and what we'll be able to do with it. So for him, yes, he does the rest. Now, I do think that one of the elements that Paul keeps drawing out and I meant to mention this too as like a fourth or fifth point here is the idea that as we live the Christian way of life, we have to know that God has a purpose for us.
Speaker 2:Let's just look at Ephesians 2 real quick. Actually, we'll look at Titus, titus, chapter 3, since we're in Titus, one of the doctrinal sections. There's two things that we need to think about as we go through life. One of them is recognizing opportunity, recognizing when God gives you an opportunity, and the secondness is the willingness to capitalize on it. Okay, so these two elements are, very just to say, practical. As you go through life, do you recognize an opportunity that God's giving you? And number two, are you willing to capitalize on that and do something about it? Remember, in James, chapter 2, it says what good is it, brethren, if someone is cold or hungry and they let you know this need, but then you close your heart to them and you say, oh, go, I hope you stay warm and stay well fed and I'll pray for you. Okay, well, it says it's no good, this doesn't help. You have been given an opportunity, you recognize it, but you're not willing to do anything about it. See, and so James 2 is talking about that, this very practical problem.
Speaker 2:Titus 3 describes this relationship too, because in verse 4, it discusses our salvation Notice. But when the kindness of God, our Savior, and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us. Not on the basis of deeds or works okay. Not on the basis of any good works okay, let's say, which we have done in righteousness, but according to his mercy. He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing, by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that, being justified by his grace, we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Speaker 2:But then look what it says next. So that's all looking back at what he has done for us in salvation. Then it says in verse 8, this is a trustworthy statement and concerning these things, I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds or works. These things are good and profitable for men. In other words, then we're already saved right, we're not trying to get any merit with God for that, but we are to be careful now, as saved people, to engage in good deeds. Well, how do we be careful to engage in good deeds? First of all, we recognize that there is a need, that something or something, some person needs attention, and then, secondly, we're willing to act on it. Okay, and as we have the recognition and the willingness to do it, we yield to the Spirit and he produces the value through us by going through with whatever it is that is needed and not turning ourselves away from these opportunities.
Speaker 1:Thank you for joining us on Beyond the Walls with Jeremy Thomas and our series in the book of Titus. If you would like to see the visuals that went along with today's sermon, you can find those on Rumble and on YouTube under Spokane Bible Church. That is where Jeremy is the pastor and teacher. We hope you found today's lesson productive and useful in growing closer to God and walking more obediently with Him. If you found this podcast to be useful and helpful, then please consider rating us in your favorite podcast app, and until next time, we hope you have a blessed and wonderful day.