The Balance of Being and Doing in The

The Balance of “Being” and “Doing” in The Believer’s Life

Part II Martha’s Turn To Set The Record Straight (Or, In Defense of Good Works)

Martha’s response to my prior comments regarding the day Jesus set her straight… Dear Mr. Buttes, My name is Martha and I am the sister of both Lazarus and Mary. We were of Bethany and followers of Jesus of Nazareth. My brother is famous for being raised by Jesus from the grave. My sister Mary also is known around the world for her pouring perfume on Jesus’ feet and then wiping them with her hair. I on the other hand have had to endure much criticism for being admonished by our Lord. Why? because I merrily asked Him to make Mary help me in the kitchen as evidenced by your recent teaching Mr. Buttes. While my sister is known as one His favorites, I have been tagged as, well for lack of a better word, “the bad guy. ” To this I must protest profusely and set the record straight.

First of all, I am not going to suggest for a moment that I was undeserving of our wonderful Lord’s correction. Only that this one act should not define my life, legacy, or the importance of a life dedicated to good works in the service of the Lord and others. Please allow me to return us to the Lord’s words and their meaning in Luke 10: 38 -42.

Clarification on the day the Lord corrected me… n n Jesus’ correction of me was not the undervaluing of good works, but rather the elevating of intimacy with Him. Jesus’ kind words to me, “Martha, Martha” shows that He was not putting me in the same legalistic group as the Pharisees whom He classified mostly as false teachers. Also, my acts of service were not degraded by Jesus as unimportant, without value, or insignificant. Only that my timing left a lot to be desired. Lastly, in defense of good works, I have put together a study for you Patrick to share with Joint-Heirs. So here you go…

The Ten Biggest Truths Religious People Misunderstand About Good Works by Martha

Do you remember this verse from Sunday School? 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ” Matthew 5: 16

1. Good works are a returned check stamped “insufficient funds” and not the basis of our acceptance and approval by God, only the cross is that basis. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3: 4 -7

Martha’s Question… As crystal clear as Paul’s teaching is on the relationship of good works to salvation, why then do religious people say that the Bible teaches we are saved by good works when Paul is so absolutely clear about it? Answer: Because of the fact that this issue is the crux of salvation, it requires the illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 14: 26) to really get it.

2. Though we are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (And now for the most overlooked verse in the Bible…) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2: 8 -10

Martha’s Question… What are the common false teachings on this subject? Answer: 1. Legalism – Man is saved by good works. The book of Romans was written to refute this heresy 2. Galatianism – Man is saved through faith but kept by good works. Galatians was written to refute this heresy. 3. Antinomianism – Man is saved by grace and good works do not enter into anything. James was written to refute this heresy.

3. A Christian life void of good works is evidence that something is wrong and that there may not be a Christian life present 14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, ” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2: 14 -16

Martha’s Question… Is James saying that if a person sends their needy brother off without helping them that it is proof that they are not saved? Answer: The passage appears to be a little unclear. Perhaps because we have no accurate way of determining another’s salvation by simple observation. Hence, the passage serves more as a warning rather than a test.

4. In our walk with God, intimacy with the Lord (being) must always supersede our performance (doing) for the Lord. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me. ” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ” Luke 10: 4042

Martha’s Question… What is harder for most Christians, a life of intimacy with God or a life of good works? Why?

5. You have been empowered, gifted, and equipped by God for good works A. Empowered 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. ” Acts 1: 8 B. Gifted 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4: 10 -11

Continued… C. Equipped 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4: 11 -12

Martha’s Question… If Christians in America have been empowered, gifted, and equipped to lead a life of good works, then what is the number one obstacle today hindering that calling? Answer: American Christians distraction with the pleasures of the world.

6. The local church should have a community wide reputation for good works 1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. Titus 3: 1, 8, 14

Fire Relief CAN YOU PROVIDE HELP? As we seek to come around the victims of this weekend's fires, we as a church, are banding together to provide support to those in need. If you are able to assist in any of the following ways, please contact Tanya Modica at tanyam@ylfc. org immediately: Provide housing for displaced families Providing supplies such as new clothing, food (only accepting gift cards) or financial assistance. You can make checks payable to "Friends Church" and put in the memo section: "Community Impact: Disaster Relief" and send those "Attention Tanya Modica. " Provide Legal, Insurance, Counseling assistance Volunteer your time Provide us with information on families who have lost their homes Gift Cards: Many victims need clothing, food, etc. We are accepting any type of gift card to help those in need. You can mail or drop gift cards off at the Church Office and send them "Attention: Tanya Modica. " If you are aware of any individuals or families in need of counseling, please have them contact Ken Schemmer at kens@ylfc. org. These are difficult times for everyone, with some devastated by the effects. It is in these times that it is so important for us to turn to our Father for the comfort, direction and peace so many are desperately seeking. We will all continue to lift this situation up in prayer and trust in the sovereignty of our Lord! CONTACT INFORMATION: Email Tanya Modica at tanyam@ylfc. org. Mail Donations to: Friends Church Attention: Tanya Modica 18637 Yorba Linda Blvd Yorba LInda, CA 92886

What the church universal has contributed to the world… Missions n Hospitals n Education / Colleges n Orphanages n Relief agencies n Prison Ministries n Human rights n

Mark Trotter has summarized the church's history of good works this way: n n "For 2000 years the Church has responded to [Christ's commands] with concern for the world. It was the medieval church, the monasteries and the convents, that created infirmaries for the sick. That is how hospitals got started. Do you know who they cared for first? For lepers, for people who were untouchable. Nobody in the world would go near them. The church embraced them. It was the Church that started universities in this world, because they believed that in Jesus, light had come into the darkness of the world, and he had the truth that would set you free, so they wanted to push back the darkness of ignorance. Education became the mission of the church. The Church started orphanages, because the Church saw in the Roman and Greek world that the method of birth control was to abandon children in the street. The Church picked up those children, and made them children of the church. It was the Church that started social service agencies in the cities during the Industrial Revolution, when people flocked to the cities to work in the factories, and created slums. The Church was there to serve them. "

For further reading… n Kennedy and Newcombe’s book What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? is an excellent read

Question… What is the number one motivation for God’s people to “do the work of ministry? ” Answer: Love 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5: 5

7. There is no substitution for sweat in the Christian life 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. I Corinthians 9: 24 -27

Martha’s Question… What has happened in the Christian culture to give the false impression that the Christian life is suppose to be easy and that we aren’t really accountable to produce good works? Answer: Many pastors and evangelists in order to enlarge the church kept lowing the bar teaching an easy believism which infects the body.

8. In the church, it is primarily the job of laymen to do good works, not the paid staff and leaders. They are the coaches, not the players. 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4: 11 -12

The church today is like a football game were 50, 000 fans in desperate need of exercise are rooting on 22 players in desperate need of rest.

Martha’s Question… Culturally in America most laymen feel that their financial gifts to their local church is like paying another to perform their good works. How can this attitude be changed to a more Biblical one? Answer: The church must be retaught the truth and given ministry opportunities.

9. Christians need to get a ministry if they don’t have one. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. ” Colossians 4: 17 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. II Timothy 4: 5

More… 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. I Corinthians 12: 4 -5

Guidelines for developing a ministry… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pray that God would give you a ministry Center it around your “gift” – I Pet. 4: 10 What do you have a passion for doing Make yourself accountable – commit! Don’t do it out of compulsion – but rather love. 2 Cor. 9: 7, I Pet. 5: 2 6. Balance you ministry with other responsibilities God expects from you. (Ex. family)

Martha’s Question… We see examples of certain individuals in the Bible that had a ministry, yet nowhere do we find a mandate for all to get a ministry. So is having a ministry optional?

10. We will be held accountable for our performance of good works 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. II Corinthians 5: 9 -10

Martha’s Question… Should the Judgment Seat of Christ be a motivating factor for Christians to produce more good works, or should we only be motivated by gratitude for God’s grace? Answer: Apparently Paul taught it as a motivating influence although the primary motivation should be our love for God and what He has done for us.