The Works of God in Us

Matthew 5:13-16 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Verse 16 is our text.

It is the great desire of God’s people for others to see the greatness of God, yet we are continually hindered in this endeavor by our sinful actions, our wicked minds and Satan hindering many circumstances in our life. 

It is our prayer that God will use us to reveal his majesty to a lost and dying world.  It is our constant prayer that God will open eyes that others may see the kindness of God. 

It is our prayer that we will not hinder the works of God.  Our past and our minds cannot conceive the work of God, but we want to be used in a good way to reveal God’s greatness to others. 

Some very honest people sincerely believe speaking in “tongues”, which nobody can understand, or performing miracles, or other miraculous occurrences are what we need to reveal God’s mighty works to others.  But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus never mentions these miraculous events, but continually mentions how people ought to live that others can see Christ in them. 

I.    It is good to see the works of God. 

A.     Exodus 34:10 – And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. 

1.       God reveals to Moses after Moses has prepared the second copy of the law some of the things God will do to show Israel and all the world his great power. 

2.       The word “terrible” means feared or reverence, therefore the terrible things God does will be things nobody else could possible do, things which will make all his children see he is the most powerful there is. 

3.       The “terrible” things God will do is revealed in verse 11. 

4.       Some will indicate these are not so great things, but each of these nations is greater and mightier than the nation of Israel. 

B.     It is a horrible thing to not be able to see the works of God. 

1.       Job 23:9 – On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 

2.       Read from verse 1 to reveal that Job is speaking, and see how he desires to speak one on one with God, in order to present his case. 

3.       It is remarkable that Job wants to speak to God, yet in the latter part of Job, when he is given the opportunity, he has nothing to say. 

4.       Job declares the goodness of God in the end, even if he cannot see how God is working, or what he is doing. 

C.     Our place is to continually let the world see our good works, even if some mock, scorn or reject us. 

1.       John 7:3 – His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 

a.      The brothers of Christ rejected him at first, but soon became believers. 

b.      Do not be surprised if your friends, or family reject your good works and make fun of them. 

c.      Keep on faithfully serving God – God will either use you to reveal his truth to them, or use you to be a judge of them. 

2.       John 6:30 – They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 

a.      These unbelievers did not believe Jesus is the Christ, even though they saw his works. 

b.      Do not be surprised if unbelievers do not believe Jesus is the Christ, even though you have good works. 

c.      Unbelievers not responding favorably to your proper showing your good works does not mean you are a failure: Jesus was not a failure! 

3.       Matthew 5:45 (verse 43-48) – If we do the true works of God, we will be called the children of God by God, even if people of this world do not recognize us as the children of God.  [1]

II.    Other scriptures that could be include in this message, but were not. 

A.     On seeing the works of God

1.       Psalms 66:5 – Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. 

2.       Psalms 107:24 - These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 

3.       Isaiah 66:18 – For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. 

B.     It is terrible to serve gods that do not see, just as it is terrible when people do not see our good works and glorify God. 

1.       Deuteronomy 4:28 – And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 

2.       Revelation 9:20 – And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: