"For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
1. Grace is the empowering work of the Holy Spirit considered
as unmerited favor in light of the work of Christ upon the cross.
This grace was not received in vain because it led to a life of thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
1 Timothy 1:16-17
2. This grace was not received in vain because it compelled Paul to be a man of joyful labor.
"These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and living faith. By them believers:
• make known their thankfulness
• strengthen their assurance
• edify their brethren
• adorn the profession of the gospel
• stop the mouths of the adversaries
• and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus for good works, so that, having their fruit to holiness, they may have the goal, eternal life
Their ability to do good works is not at all from themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. Also, so that they may be enabled to do good works, in addition to the graces they have already received, they need an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do his good pleasure. Yet are they not to grow negligent based on this, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless they receive a special motion of the Spirit; instead they ought to be diligent to stir up the grace of God that is in them." Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 16, paragraphs 2 & 3
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
"The mission of teaching all peoples, and preaching of the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of Commandments." Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2068
• Good works are the f_______________ and e___________ of a true and living faith.
“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
• But all ought to be d_______________ to s_____________ up the grace of God that is in them.
APPLICATION STATEMENTS
1. We are thankful because God brings dead people to life (Ephesians 2:1-5, Numbers).
2. By the cross through faith alone, God saves nice people who are dead in their sins and blaspheming, persecuting, insolent people (like Paul) who were also dead in their sins.
3. We’re saved by faith alone. This saving faith compels us to live with faithful energy.
4. We are not saved to sit on the couch and eat Doritos and binge on Netflix.
5. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
6. Our faith is energized, sustained, and progressed as we behold the greatness of Jesus.
“When believers come to see the true excellency of Christ Jesus they look no further, but the mind rests there. It sees a transcendent glory and an ineffable sweetness in him so; it sees that until now it has been pursuing shadows, but that now it has found the substance; before it had been seeking happiness in the stream, but that now it has found the ocean… every new discovery of Christ makes this beauty appear more ravishing, and the mind sees no end; here is room enough for the mind to go deeper and deeper, and never come to the bottom... Is it impossible for those who have tasted of this fountain, and know the sweetness of it, ever to forsake it? The soul has found the river of water of life, and desires no other drink; has found the tree of life, and desires no other fruit.” Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 2, Sermon 8, p. 932