A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
Many Christians seem to have a difficult time getting motivated to work for the Lord. All Christians can know that God expects them to work (James 2:17; 26) but, for some reason they just cannot get going and keep on going. Why? That is a question we must all examine ourselves to find the answer to (II Corinthians 13:5). Of course, any self-examination we do will result in a choice to fix the problem or ignore the problem. The Bible teaches us that if we are lacking in our work efforts it is a matter of our lack of faith, for our faith produces works.
Faith Produces Works
(James 2:21-22) “Was
not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his
son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works,
and by works was faith made perfect?” Abraham was the example
that the inspired James used to display the very fact that faith produces
works. Abraham’s faith was in God. He knew that God could raise
his son if he were to offer him up as a sacrifice. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
“By
faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received
the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That
in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise
him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”
Abraham was set to offer his
son upon the altar when God offered a substitute
(Genesis 22:10-13). It was faith that allowed Abraham to follow the
command given by God without hesitation. The result of Abraham’s
faith was that through his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed
(Genesis 22:18). Christ would come from the decedents of Abraham.
Our works are going to be brought before the Lord in the Judgment Day (II Corinthians 5:10). Our faith will be shown to the Lord on the Judgment Day based upon our works, just as our faith is shown to those around us based upon our works. We sing songs such as “I Want to Be a Worker for the Lord”, and I often wonder how many think about the words coming out of their mouths. When we sing that song we are making a vocal proclamation that we are going to be working for God. Are we telling the truth? With such commands as to go into the world and preach the Gospel (Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-16), we know what work the Lord has for us to do. Is your faith great enough to motivate you to take the Gospel to others? Is your faith great enough that it makes you want to study the Bible (II Timothy 2:15). Is your faith great enough that it will produce the efforts God demands and your brethren need to see?
Conclusion
We are only kidding ourselves
when we claim to be faithful but, we do nothing from that faith.
When we read Hebrews chapter eleven we see how faith produced works in
men and women in times past. What history lesson will you leave to
your children and grandchildren of how faithful you are? Will they
be able to say that Grandma and / or Grandpa was so faithful that they
taught many, attended every service, fought against error, prayed fervently,
provided good examples for others to follow, etc.? Your faith is
shown through your works. So, is your faith none, little, or great?
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s who
has been diagnosed with Cancer), Nancy Green (Barb’s cousin who has cancer),
Steve Burgoon as he recovers from his surgery, and Joan Croyle who has
been struggling with her health.
Ladies Class:
The ladies are invited to Kim's on February
9th at 2:00 for a Bible Study. Please see Kim for details.
Workbook Information:
If you did not get your workbook on the
book of James please see Brian. It took many hours to put the material
together so please do not misplace your copy.