Week 2 - Ministry of Works

Teaching children, singing in the choir, leading a Bible study, feeding the homeless, taking a meal to sick, giving money to the church, serving on the church board, working in the nursery. Are you keeping a list?

A popular bumper sticker reads, “Jesus is coming back – look busy!” Is that what you’re doing?

Do you sometimes wonder if your church would close the doors if you quit doing more than your share?

Do you sometimes think others just don’t appreciate all that you do for your church? Or that you just don’t get the recognition you deserve for all the good things you do? Be honest. Are you serving and leading because of Him or are you involved in your own little “ministry of works?”

It’s not that the good things we do bring us closer to Him, it’s that the bad things we do separate us from Him. That can include pride. The pride that is often visible when we make a list of all the good things we do. The pride that is often visible when we think we are doing more than our fair share.

We just have to get over the idea that it’s about us! It’s not. It’s about Christ. It’s about the cross. It’s about his perfect life that was sacrificed for our sinful one. No matter how many Bible studies we lead, or the amount of money we give, or the number of homeless we feed, we still need His grace. That’s our only hope.

This week, pray…

1. Thank Him for His grace.
2. Ask Him to forgive prideful works.
3. That you will serve Him with a new heart.
4. Ask Him for opportunities to show His grace to others – for His glory! – perhaps without the recipient even knowing.
5. Prayers of praise for Jesus, His sacrifice and forgiveness.

This week, read….

1. Romans 4
2. 2 Timothy 1:8-10
3. Galatians 3
4. Matthew 23:1-7
5. Hebrews 11:6

This week, listen to…

1. In Christ Alone by the Newsboys
2. How Deep the Fathers Love for Us by Skillet
3. Amazing Grace by Gospel Creek - The Bluegrass Band

This week’s quote…

“I'm not a bad guy! I work hard, and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I'm going to Hell?” - Homer Simpson