Jesus' Expectations of Followers

Jesus' Expectations of Followers

Matthew 5:11-16

It is not easy to be a dedicated Christian. Our society is not a friend to God nor to God’s people. Whether we like it or not, there is conflict between us and the world. Why? Because we are different from the world and we have different attitudes.

Our Attitude Toward The World (Matt. 5:10–16).

·        As we read the Beatitudes, we find that they represent an outlook radically different from that of the world. The world praises pride, not humility. The world endorses sin, especially if you “get away with it.” The world is at war with God, while God is seeking to reconcile His enemies and make them His children. We must expect to be persecuted if we are living as God wants us to live.

·        But we must be sure that our suffering is not due to our own foolishness or disobedience.

1. We Are to be Righteous in This World (5:10).  “they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” Believers will be persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

a.       The Role (5:10 A, 11): God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for Him.

1.      Unfortunately, believers who exemplify the characteristics already mentioned, who put others before themselves and who attempt to make peace, will seldom receive applause and honors. Often, they will be persecuted instead.

2.      Because we are "righteous," having oriented our lives around God and his will (see 5:6), we stand out from the world and become targets for enemy attacks. The world is under Satan's control, and believers belong to the opposing army. Persecution should not surprise Christians. (see 2 Chron 18:7).

·        John 3:20, For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

·        John 7:7, The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

·        John 15:19, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

   

3.      Our integrity condemns the ungodly world and brings out its hostility. People hate a righteous life because it exposes their own unrighteousness.

a.       Sometimes Christians are not included in their social gatherings.

b.      Some family members may disown a believer for taking a strong stand for Christ.

c.       Supervisors may have a prejudice toward believers and block opportunities of advancement.

d.      Godly young ladies may find themselves mocked and laughed at because they refuse to live immorally.

e.       Young men face rejection because they refuse the alcohol and drugs that the popular guys are involved with.

4.      The world will persecute us and injure our good names, reputation, property, or even threaten to take our life, on account of our spiritual commitment and obedience to God.

5.      We are not to seek persecution. We are not to provoke it by strange ideas or misconduct; by violating the laws of civil society, or by using words and language that are unnecessarily offensive to others.

6.      But if, in the honest effort to be Christians, and to live the life of Christians, others persecute and revile us, we are to consider this as a blessing. It is an evidence that we are the children of God, and that he will defend us in His timing.

7.      2 Tim. 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

b.      The Reward (5:10 B, 12): The Kingdom of Heaven is ours.

1.      The reward for such believers will be the kingdom of heaven.

a.       God will make up for the suffering that his children have undergone because of their loyalty to him.

b.      The reward here matches the reward in 5:3, rounding out this list of characteristics of those who belong to God.

2.      The kingdom of heaven is promised to those believers who suffer for doing right.

a.       Christ comforts believers who suffer loss and persecution for living righteously with the blessedness of the kingdom.

b.      Such believers enjoy a foretaste of kingdom life right now.

·        2 Cor. 1:3-4, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

·        1 Peter 5:10, But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

·        Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

   

3.      The order and orientation of the Beatitudes provide several key insights.

a.       The Beatitudes begin and end with the promise of the kingdom of heaven (5:3,10).

b.      They progress from the point of greatest need (spiritual bankruptcy) to the point of greatest identification with Christ (experiencing rejection for his sake).

c.       The first four beatitudes outline a deepening relationship with God; the second four depict the impact of our relations to others.

d.      Clearly, the Beatitudes are not stages through which we pass and go on, but responses that we must keep on making.

e.       Each day we must utilize our opportunities to show mercy, practice peacemaking, and purify our intentions.

2. We Are to Represent Christ in This World (5:11-12).  “for my sake”

Believers will also be persecuted for the Sake of Christ.

a. The Role (5:11): God blesses those who are persecuted for Loyalty to Christ.

1.      The final beatitude seems to be a repetition of the preceding one. However, there is one difference. In the previous verse, the subject was persecution because of righteousness; here it is persecution for Christ’s sake.

·        Luke 21:12, But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

·        Luke 21:17, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

·        John 15:20-21, Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 

·        Rev. 2:2-3, I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.   

2.      The Lord knew that His disciples would be maltreated because of their association with, and loyalty to, Him.

a.       History has confirmed this: from the outset the world has persecuted, jailed, and killed followers of Jesus.

b.      We can be completely loyal to only one person.  Jesus revealed that association with Him often results in conflict.

1.      He demands a response so intimate that other relationships may be torn apart when some choose to follow him and others refuse to do so.

2.      There is no middle ground with Jesus. Loyalties must be declared and commitments made, sometimes to the point of severing other relationships.

3.      Are you willing to risk your family's or friends approval in order to remain loyal to Christ?

c.       Loyalty is an essential part of true friendship. There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend.

1.      The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (see 1 Cor 13:7) -- being available and true in times of struggle.

2.      Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship.

3.      Think of your friendship to Christ, and assess your loyalty to Him.

4.      Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages (Prov 17:17).

3.      Jesus was telling his disciples that they shouldn't be surprised when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

a.       Jesus would face such treatment.

b.      Later he explained to his followers that they should expect nothing different (Matt.10:18; 24:9; John 15:20).  

c.       To imitate Jesus is to live righteously, and, as explained above, this evil world hates righteous living.

4.      “Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact it is a joy and a token of his grace.” -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

5.      Later, when Peter wrote to persecuted believers, he urged them to be sure that their persecution was truly for Christ’s sake and not for wrongdoing on their part (1 Peter 4:12-19).

b. The Reward (5:12): a Great Reward in Heaven.

1.      Jesus clearly described the way the disciples should respond to this kind of treatment: Rejoice and be exceeding glad.

a.       The words "be… glad," refers to deep, spiritual joy (see Luke 1:46-47; Acts 16:34). It means to leap for joy!

·        1 Peter 4:13-14, But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. [14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.     

b.      This type of rejoicing is eternal -- unhindered and unchanged by what happens in this present life.

1.      Persecution brings maturity.

2.      1 Peter 1:6-7, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

       

3.      Peter mentions suffering several times in this letter: 1Pet. 1:6-7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9.

a.       When he speaks of trials, he is not talking about natural disasters or the experience of God's punishments, but the response of an unbelieving world to people of faith.

b.      All believers face such trials when they let their light shine into the darkness.

c.       We must accept trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet Christ.

d.      Trials teach us patience (Rom 5:3-4; James 1:2-3) and help us grow to be the kind of people God wants.

c.       Jesus said to rejoice when we're persecuted. There are four reasons that persecution can be good:

1.      It can take our eyes off earthly rewards

2.      It can strip away superficial belief,

3.      It can strengthen the faith of those who endure, and

4.      Our attitude through it can serve as an example to others who follow.

2.      How can anyone rejoice when being insulted, persecuted, or slandered?

a.       While that would not be the first and most natural response, a person with righteous character can rejoice and be glad because of the promise: great is your reward in heaven.

1.      Luke 6:23, Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

2.      Luke 6:35, But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  

3.      Col. 3:24, Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.   

4.      Hebrews 11:26, Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

b.      When God judges the world, the persecution will pale in comparison to the great reward that awaits. The reward is heaven itself. See Matt.16:24-27 and Matt.19:28-30 for more on rewards.

c.       When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don't do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for Christ.

c.  The Reason (5:12): Companions with the Prophets in Sufferings.

1.      Besides that, the disciples had good company. The Old Testament described many prophets who had come with God's message and had faced persecution, rejection, and even death (see Matt. 21:33-46).

·        “People possessing these qualities would naturally stand out in the crowd and would not be understood by others. Thus they would be persecuted; others would speak evil of them (v. 11). However, Jesus’ words encouraged His followers, for they would be walking in the train of the prophets, who also were misunderstood and persecuted (v. 12; cf. 1 Kings 19:1-4; 22:8; Jer. 26:8-11; 37:11-16; 38:1-6; Dan. 3; 6; Amos 7:10-13).”---John Walvoord

2.      Jesus placed his disciples in a long line of God's followers who lived righteously and spoke truthfully -- only to suffer for it. The Jews held the ancient prophets of God in high esteem; to be placed among them was a great honor. Jesus explained that to live and speak for God in the face of unjust persecution, as did the ancient prophets, would bring great reward in heaven.

3.      We can take comfort in knowing that God's greatest prophets endured persecution (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). Persecution proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future, God will reward the faithful by receiving them into his eternal kingdom, where there is no more persecution. No matter what you face today, if you remain faithful to Christ, one day you will receive a joyful reward.

4.      To suffer for Christ’s sake is a privilege that should cause joy. A great reward awaits those who thus become companions of the prophets in tribulation. Those OT spokemen for God stood true in spite of persecution. All who imitate their loyal courage will share their present exhilaration and future exaltation.

5.      The Beatitudes present a portrait of the ideal citizen in Christ’s kingdom. Notice the emphases on righteousness (v. 6), peace (v. 9), and joy (v. 12). Paul probably had this passage in mind when he wrote: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 14:17).

3. We Are to Be Useful as Salt and Light in This World (5:13-16).  “Ye are the salt of the earth”

To demonstrate the impact believers should make on our world, Jesus used two common illustrations: salt and light. Believers are useful to the Lord when we sustain a positive influence and good testimony in the world.

a. We are to Function as the Salt of the Earth (5:13).

1.      Jesus likened His disciples to salt.

a.       Believers are to the world what salt is in everyday life:

1.      Salt seasons food; it hinders the spread of corruption; it creates thirst; it brings out the flavor.

2.      So Christ’s followers add spice to human society, serve as a preservative, and make others long for the righteousness described in the Beattitudes.

b.      Primarily Salt is both a preservative and a flavor enhancer.

1.      Jesus’ followers would be like salt in that they would create a thirst for greater information. When one sees a unique person who possesses superior qualities in specific areas, he desires to discover why that person is different.

2.      Salt also means believers serve as a preservative against the evils of society. In fact salt as a preservative is what Jesus has mostly in view here.

2.      If salt loses its savor [flavor], how can its saltiness be restored?

a.      The important quality to note is that salt ought to maintain its basic character.

1.      If it fails to be salty, it has lost its purpose for existence and should be discarded.

2.      There is no way to restore the true, natural taste. Once it has lost its flavor, salt is good for nothing—it cannot flavor nor preserve.

b.      Bad Salt is discarded on a footpath. Albert Barnes’ comment on this passage is illuminating:

·        “The salt used in this country is a chemical compound—and if the saltiness were lost, or it were to lose its savor, there would be nothing remaining. In eastern countries, however, the salt used was impure, mingled with vegetable and earthly substances; so that it might lose the whole of its saltiness, and a considerable quantity [of salt without flavor] remain. This was good for nothing except that it was used, as it is said, to place in paths, or walks, as we use gravel.”

·        “Pure salt cannot lose its flavor or effectiveness, but the salt that is common in the Dead Sea area is contaminated with gypsum and other minerals and may have a flat taste or be ineffective as a preservative. Such mineral salts were useful for little more than keeping footpaths free of vegetation.”---John MacArthur

·        Pure Salt is useful and maintains is flavor, but contaminated salt cannot be trusted to preserve nor to flavor!

1.      If a seasoning has no flavor (has lost its taste), it has no value. Jesus clearly told his disciples (the word “ye” is emphatic, meaning “you, my followers”) that if they wanted to make a difference in the world, they would have to be different from the world.

2.      God would hold us accountable to maintain our “saltiness” (that is, our usefulness).

·        Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

·        1 John 2:15-17, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

·        If we are too much like the world, we are useless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Jesus tells us, as he told the disciples, that we must be different if we want to make a difference.

·        We dare not allow the world to dilute our effectiveness. If we do, we are of no value to Him.

c.       As salt preserves and brings out the best flavor, so believers should make a positive impact and influence in society.

1.      Faithfulness should be characteristic of God's people. Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in his people:

a.       We should remember God's faithfulness, just as salt used with a sacrifice recalled God's covenant with his people (Lev 2:13).

b.      We should make a difference in the "flavor" of the world we live in, just as salt changes meat's flavor (Matt 5:13).

c.       We should counteract the moral decay in society, just as salt preserves food from decay.

·        When we lose this desire to "salt" the earth with the love and message of God, we become useless to Him.

·        Be faithful to your Lord, His Word, your spouse and family, your church, job, your word and promise, commitments, and service to Christ.

2.      Jesus stressed this responsibility of each disciple toward God.

a.       Mark 9:50, Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

·        The disciples would be held accountable by God to maintain their "saltiness" (that is, their usefulness) by maintaining a close relationship with Him.

b.      The disciples were told to “have salt in yourselves” -- good, useful salt.

·        The "salt" that believers have in themselves refers to true discipleship: obedience, denial of self, humility, and willing suffering for the sake of the kingdom.

·        The disciples were to allow God's purifying work to be done in them. They, in turn, would be purifying agents in the community and in the world. The result, then, would be peace with each other.

c.       If the disciples had the "salt" in themselves, then they would not be arguing about who would be the greatest in Christ's kingdom (9:34).

·        They must not allow the salt within them to be made useless by their wrangling over position and concerns of this world.

·        Instead, they must serve Christ; then they would be doing their duty in the world and be at peace with each other.

·        This peace among the disciples would be of vital importance after Christ's return to heaven (see 1 Thess 5:13). The future of the gospel and of Christianity would be left in their hands.

3.      Even the things we say and how we say them should add flavor and prevent decay.

·        Col. 4:6, Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col. 3:8).

·        Ephes. 4:29, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

3.      The disciple has one great function—to be the salt of the earth!  By living out the terms of discipleship listed in the Beatitudes and throughout the rest of the Sermon.

a.       If he fails to exhibit this spiritual reality, men will tread his testimony under their feet (Matt. 5:13).

b.      The world has only contempt for an undedicated believer.

4.      There is also the possibility that some only claim to be Christians, but are really not. 

a.      Therefore they cannot be “salty” people, though they may be influenced for a while with Christian ideals and values.

b.      2 Peter 2:20-22, For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. [21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. [22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

c.       Hebrews 6:4-9, For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. [7] For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: [8] But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. [9] But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

d.      2 Tim. 2:19-22, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. [22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

b. We are to Function as the Light of the World (5:14-16).

1.      Jesus also calls Christians the light of the world.

a.       He spoke of Himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12; 12:35, 36, 46).

1.      The relationship between these two statements is that Jesus is the source of light; Christians are the reflection of His light.

2.      Our function is to shine for Him just as the moon reflects the glory of the sun.

b.      A godly life gives convincing testimony of the saving power of God. This brings Him glory. (1 Pet. 2:12).

c.       A light is meant to shine and give direction.

1.      Beattitude Christians (vs 3-10) would obviously radiate and point others to the proper path of righteousness—Jesus Christ.

2.      Our influence should be evident, like a city that is set on a hill or a candle . . . on its candlestick.

3.      A concealed lamp, placed under a bushel [bowl] (a clay container for measuring grain) would be useless.

4.      Light-radiating believers live so that others see their good works and give praise to or “glorify” God!  It’s all about our Father which is in heaven.  

2.      Your Testimony for Christ Should be Obvious. The Christian is like a city that is set on a hill: it is obvious and elevated above its surroundings and it shines in the midst of darkness. Those whose lives exhibit the traits of Christ’s teaching cannot be hid.

a.       Christ's disciples must live for Christ, shining like lights in a dark world, showing clearly what Christ is like.

b.      Who could hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Lanterns glowing from behind its walls send a light at night that can be seen for miles.

c.       Because Jesus is the Light of the World, his followers must reflect His light. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.

d.      Why would anyone try to hide a light?   Unfortunately many Christians do just that. We hide our light by:

1.      Being quiet when we should speak

2.      Going along with the crowd

3.      Denying the truth

4.      Letting sin dim our witness for Christ

5.      Not explaining the truth to others

6.      Ignoring the needs of others or failing to help

7.      Be a beacon of truth -- don't shut off your light from the rest of the world.

3.      Don’t Hide Your Light, But Share It With Others. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lamp stand so that it will give light unto all that are in the house.

a.      He did not intend that we hoard the light of His teaching for ourselves, but that we share it with others.

1.      Being Christ's disciples means being distinctive.

2.      Being Christ's disciples means spreading the light to everyone in the house -- that is, everyone with whom they have contact.

·        Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

·        2 Cor. 4:3-6, But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

3.      The lower lights surrounding a lighthouse guide the boats in the harbor away from the treacherous rocks and into the channel. The interesting analogy in the hymn Let the Lower Lights Be Burning was suggested to author and composer Philip P. Bliss as he listened to D. L. Moody tell a sermon anecdote about a pilot during a storm.

·        “Brethren,” concluded Mr. Moody, “the Master will take care of the great lighthouse. Let us keep the lower lights burning.” Bliss, as he often did, immediately put this challenging thought into a hymn. He usually worked rapidly, completing both the text and the music in one sitting.

·        We may not all be powerful lighthouses, such as Mr. Moody, Ira Sankey, or Philip Bliss, but God calls us each to be “lower lights” wherever we are to guide some fainting, struggling person to the eternal haven with deeds that direct all the praise to our heavenly Father.

·        “Brightly beams our Father’s mercy from His lighthouse evermore, but to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.

Dark the night of sin has settled. Loud the angry billows roar; eager eyes are watching, longing for the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother! Some poor sailor tempest tossed, trying now to make the harbor, in the darkness may be lost.

Chorus: Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave! Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.”

4.      Resolve to keep a gleam burning for Christ by words and actions so that some seeking individual may be directed into a calm and secure relationship with the Lord.

b.      We should let our light so shine that as people see our good works, they will glorify our Father in heaven.

1.      The believer's light shines not for himself but to reflect the light back to the Father and so direct people to Him.

·        Isaiah 61:3, To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

·        John 15:8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

·        2 Thes. 1:10-12, When he [Christ Jesus] shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. [11] Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: [12] That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.      In an attempt to steer clear of works for gaining righteousness, good works are often neglected in church life today.

·        But clearly the Bible supports the importance of doing good (see Eph 2:8-10; 4:12; 1 Tim 5:10; 6:18; 2 Tim 2:21; 3:17; Titus 3:1,8,14; James 1:22; 2:14-26; 3:13).

·        Good works are important not only as a witness to others but as a continuation of the work Christ began on earth.

·        Titus 2:14, Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

·        2 Tim. 3:17, That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

·        Hebrews 10:24-25, And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

·        1 Peter 2:12, Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

·        James 2:19-20, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

·        “I do not ask for mighty words to leave the crowd impressed, But grant my life may ring so true my neighbors shall be blessed.                                                                                     I do not ask for influence to sway the multitude; Give me a “word in season” for the soul in solitude.” —Unknown   

·        “Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do … but brighten the corner where you are!”                          “Brighten the corner where you are! Brighten the corner where you are! Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar; brighten the corner where you are!”

·        Resolve that regardless of the frustrating and mundane duties you may face, you will, with God’s help, do them cheerfully as unto the Lord, seeking to bring some spark of joy and kindness into the life of another.

3.      Who gets the spotlight when you witness for Jesus -- God or you?

·        When you work all day on a service project, give testimony on Sunday, or lead the church building campaign, whose image and reputation is most important?

·        Your life is what people see, but the spotlight is all God's. Not that God needs an image boost, but the focus of your witness should always point beyond you to the one you represent.

·        Give your ego a break and give the honor to God.

The emphasis is on the ministry of Christian character. The winsomeness of lives in which Christ is seen speaks louder than the persuasion of words.