Communion Message
(Good Works)
May 12-13, 2001
Pastor Leighton Sheley

I'm often asked if there is a relationship between salvation and good works. And the answer is, yes. But many of us have been trained that salvation is the product or result of good works, when in fact, the Scriptures clearly teach that good works are the product of salvation. I think that there is no more clear passage than Ephesians chapter 2 in regard to this matter, which reads: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. This fact was so important for the writer of the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul, to communicate that in this short passage, these few verses, he repeats this twice to make sure that there is no lack of understanding.

It is by grace we have been saved through faith. This, that is faith, is not from yourself, it also is the gift of God. Not even the faith that we have can we take credit for. We were spiritually blind. We were spiritually dead. It is Christ who has made us alive, who has given us spiritual sight to our need. He has provided for us the opportunity for faith. It is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves. It is the gift of God. The passage doesn't end there. It addresses this issue of works. Verse 9: not by works, so that no one can boast. We are not saved by our works. We are saved by grace through faith.

But what about works pastor? Verse 10: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. We were created in Christ Jesus. We were saved in order that we might produce good works. There is a relationship between salvation and good works, but salvation is not the product or result of good works, but rather, good works is the product or the result of salvation; which God prepared in advance for us to do. We are saved by grace.

The Scriptures tell us when we gather together with these elements that we should examine ourself. As we do so, we find that we have been guilty of not being faithful to producing good works, that each and every one of us each and every day have thought and said and done things that are not good works - things that are displeasing to God. Thanks be to God for His graciousness and mercy to us. We don't need to carry the burden and the shame of our sin with us from this place. We can leave it here because of the cross of Christ where the wages of our sin was paid. That is why we sing the song: I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace. I invite you if you're physically able to join with me know as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior and examine ourself.

Lord, as we examine ourselves we are reminded of how sinful we really are, how our feet are prone to wander. Yet Lord, like a gentle shepherd You gently guide us and protect us, provide for us in every regard. Thank you Lord for Your word that says if we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We don't need to leave here carrying our sin for our shame because of the precious Christ on Calvary. Let's partake of the bread and also the cup.

We worship You this day Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you. In Jesus' name we pray, and together we say, amen. Let's greet our neighbors.