Simple Studies in Christian Essentials

 

                            Lesson 10

 

                      The Work of the Christian

 

   Introduction: It has often been said that "we

are saved to serve," and a normal Christian, who

has caught even a dim vision of what Christ did for

him, will desire to do something in return. The first

and natural cry of a new-born spiritual babe is, "Lord

what wilt thou have me to do?"

 

I. Three facts to remember about works.

 

    A. We are saved from works - Eph 2:1-3; Heb 6:1;

       Heb 9:14; Rom 10:1-3.

 

    B. We are saved without works - Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-7;

       Gal 2:16.

 

    C. We are saved unto works - Eph 2:8-10; Titus 3:1,8,14.

 

II. God has a personal life-plan for every believer.

 

   Study more ccarefully Eph 2:8-10, noting that we are

saved unto good works "in doing which God has pre-arranged

that we should spend our lives," (Twentieth Century New

Testament).

 

   Bible illustrations: Isa 6:9-11; Jer 1:4-10; Jer 1:17-19;

   Ezek 2:3 - 3:12; Acts 9:12-16.

 

   See Romans 2:11, which states a truth that applies to our service as well as to our salvation - God has a plan for your life! Have you found it? Will you seek it?

 

III. There is a specific and common task for all believers -

     witnessing.

 

      A. Jesus made this plan, - Lk 24:46-48; Acts 1:8;

         Rev 1:5 with Jn 20:21.

 

      B. The Holy Spirit empowers for it, - Acts 1:8;

         Acts 5:32.

 

      C. The Early Church engaged in it, - Acts 1:22;

         Acts 2:32; Acts 4:33; Acts 8:4; Acts 10:41.

 

      D. It is the God-approved way of building the

         Body of Christ, - Study Eph 4:11-16, see

         note in Scofield Bible on verse 11.

 

   Note: Gifted men are bestowed upon the churches that by there ministry the saints may be "matured" that they in turn may build the Body of Christ by witnessing. "The Shepherd

never bears any lambs, he feeds the flock that they may bear the lambs, so ought it be in the churches.

 

   Conclusion: It requires no great talent or special training to be a witness. He does not have to preach

an eloquent sermon, nor does he have to win an argument

He does not have to persuade the judge, nor convince the jury, all he has to do is to witness. He is only asked and allowed to tell what he knows. It does not matter whether he is grammatical or not, he does not need to have a great personality, all he has to do is to witness. A witness is only asked to tell what he knows, of course if he knows nothing about the case he cannot qualify as a witness, and if we do not know Christ experientially we cannot effectively witness for Him.

 

   "We are not to witness of truth merely, not to become wise and wonderful orators and teachers, but we are to be witnesses for Him." A. B. Simpson, D.D.

 

                            Questions

 

  1. What is the first normal desire of a new Christian?

 

  2. State the three facts to be remembered about works.

 

  3. What scripture portion teaches that God has a plan for

     each life?

 

  4. Give some examples sighted in our lesson of men for

     whom God had a special life-plan. Can you think of

     any others?

 

  5. How about God's plan for your life? Have you found

     it?

 

  6. What is the specific and common task given to all

     believers?

 

  7. Name the four scriptural evidences of this.

 

  8. What is required of a witness?