God's Gift - Not Our Works
Introduction
Objective
The object of this study is to teach the difficult concept (difficult because it is absolutely foreign to proud, sinful human nature), that we are saved by the grace of God in Christ, not by our own efforts or works.
Homework Review
Participant was asked to read Mark chapters 11-16. Ask if they have any queries arising out of this, or any other questions about some aspect of the Christian faith. Allow some time for this.
Review
A person cannot be a Christian in any biblical sense of that word without accepting three fundamental beliefs.
- Jesus, his Sonship (his divine nature)
- Jesus, his cross (his atoning death)
- Jesus, his physical resurrection (his Lordship)
Two Questions
Give out paper and pencils and ask members to write down their answers to two questions. Explain that no one else will see their answers. Begin by asking this question:
Do you know for certain that you have eternal life—that is, if you died right now you would go to heaven?
Most people will have answered, 'No' or 'I'm not sure.' Then say, Well, in the next few minutes I'd like to share with you how you can know this for certain.
Before I explain this, may I ask you another question that will help clarify the situation? Then ask:
'Suppose you were to die tonight and you stood before God in heaven and he asked, "Why should I let you into my heaven?", what would you reply?'
Answer #1: What I Have Done
God, you should accept me because I have:
- Lived a good life
- Kept the Ten Commandments
- Gave to charities
- Was a good citizen
- Was a good parent
- Prayed and read the Bible
- Have been to church
- Was baptised ... etc.
These are actually the wrong answers that people give. Explain that this is how people try to get right with God. But not one of these good works individually, nor all of them collectively, can qualify us for heaven. Ask the rhetorical question: Why can good works not get us into heaven?
Read Mark 7:20-23
Explain first that God's standard is 100 percent perfection and by this standard we all fail. This is why no-one can be saved by good works.
Secondly, sin is not just a matter of doing, or saying, or even thinking wrong things. Jesus says here that from within, out of the heart, come all the evil things that he lists. Suppose you go to the doctor with red spots all over your body, and he diagnoses measles. Imagine he then tried to cure you by putting band-aids over all the spots! You would say, 'Hold on, the spots are only the symptoms - the real disease is within, in the blood-stream!'
So it is with sin. When we do, say or think wrong things these are only the symptoms of sin. The real problem is that from within, out of the heart come these evil symptoms. In our hearts, the Bible says we are in rebellion against God, actively or passively, and doing a few good works cannot cure this rebellion! Doing a few good works is like putting spiritual band-aids on the problem. The central problem is that we each want to run our lives our own way. We want to live apart from God and push Him out. This is sin.
Answer #2: What Christ has Done
The right answer
Ask: What do we mean by grace? Explain that this means an undeserved free gift. Explain that the Stool Diagram is what Christ has done on our behalf. (Read Ephesians 2:8-10). Explain that it is Grace through Faith alone that saves us. This salvation is the gift of God. It is the finished work of Christ alone that saves us. We must respond to his finished work by faith.
At this point you may get an objection that could come in a variety of forms, but which will go something like this:
'If salvation is a free gift, doesn't this mean that I can live any kind of life I like—and then so long as I believe, God will forgive me? Does this mean good works are not important?'
Explain from Ephesians 2:10 that God wants us to lead a life of good works, but this is to be the fruit of salvation.
Summary
We have seen that eternal life, forgiveness of sins and a place in God's kingdom cannot be earned or deserved by us. They have been earned for people by the Son of God, through his death and rising again.
God, you should accept me because of what Christ has done for me, and that alone.
Good works do not produce salvation
BUT
Salvation produces good works.
Read Ephesians 2:8-10.
Recall that you promised to show how they could know for certain that they have eternal life. We have seen that we do not have to earn salvation, indeed we cannot. It is the gift of God. Finish by saying that any gift must be received. So it is with God's grace. Next week we will be discussing how to receive the free gift of eternal life.
Homework
Give each person a copy of an evangelistic tract (KGP).
Ask participants to read it carefully by next week, marking any sections they do not understand or would like to discuss.
Also ask participants to read these passages in Mark’s Gospel for next week and answer the question: ‘What does it mean to follow Jesus?’ Underline what you think are the most significant words for you:
- Mark 1:15
- Mark 8:34-38
- Mark 9:43-48
- Mark 10:29-31