Lesson 17

How are faith and good works related?

What words does the Bible use to picture the work of the Holy Spirit? Acts 11:21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. turning people around The Holy Spirit’s working faith in our hearts… Conversion

John 3:3,6 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. giving people a second birth The Holy Spirit’s working faith in our hearts… Regeneration What words does the Bible use to picture the work of the Holy Spirit?

Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins… The Holy Spirit’s working faith in our hearts… (First) Resurrection What words does the Bible use to picture the work of the Holy Spirit?

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. raises us from the dead The Holy Spirit’s working faith in our hearts… (First) Resurrection What words does the Bible use to picture the work of the Holy Spirit?

Key Point #1 The Bible uses the words “conversion, regeneration, and resurrection” to help us understand the wonderful miracle the Holy Spirit worked in us by bringing us to faith.

What is a good work in God’s sight?

What change in attitude did the Holy Spirit work in us when he brought us to faith? Psalm 119:104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. faith in my heart

What change in attitude did the Holy Spirit work in us when he brought us to faith? Titus 2:14 …who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What change in attitude did the Holy Spirit work in us when he brought us to faith? Psalm 40:8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. a new, eager attitude to do God’s will

Key Point # 2 When the Holy Spirit brought us to faith, he also changed our attitudes so that we now hate sin and are eager to do God’s will.

Where do we get the ability to do good works? Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Christ lives in me and gives me the ability to do good works Strength

Key Point # 3 We get the ability to do good works only from Jesus who lives in our hearts by faith.

What motivates us to do good works? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Motivation

What motivates us to do good works? Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. I do good works out of love and thanks to Jesus Motivation

Key Point # 4 Our love for Jesus and our thanks to God motivate us to do good works.

How do we know what works God considers good? Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Guide

How do we know what works God considers good? Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. I use the Bible to test whether a work is God’s will Guide

Key Point #4 We can use God’s Word to test whether a work is good according to God’s will.

Which of the following three illustrations best pictures the works you do in your life? Why?  A small branch on an apple tree loaded with perfect fruit.  A branch on a dying apple tree that has some withering fruit.  A branch on an apple tree that has some good fruit and some with worms in it.

Lesson 17 The Holy Spirit creates faith in my heart. By faith in Christ, I now can do good works according to God’s will to thank him.

Vocabulary… “Conversion” turning us around

Vocabulary… “Regeneration” giving us a second birth

Vocabulary… “Resurrection” raising us from the dead