(text and audio)
Title: Who Gets The Glory?
Intro: We have far too much to cover today for an introduction!
- What We Are
“workmanship”
Greek: poiema
Definition:
1. that which has been made
2. a work
3. of the works of God as creator
All of the major English versions translate this word “workmanship” except the NIV (handiwork) and the NLT (masterpiece).
This is an interesting Greek word in that the only other place it appears in all of scripture is Romans 1:20
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..”
If we are God’s “workmanship” what is fair and reasonable to conclude about the nature of God as creator and Man as creation?
- God’s absolute sovereignty over man’s original design.
- God’s understands us more than we understand ourselves.
- God’s design is not random, each of us was made with precision and purpose; both universal purpose and specific purpose.
2. What We Were Made For
Matthew Henry offers some beautiful words in regard to this passage:
We are his workmanship; he means in respect of the new creation; not only as men, but as saints. The new man is a new creature; and God is its Creator. It is a new birth, and we are born or begotten of his will. In Christ Jesus, that is, on the account of what he has done and suffered, and by the influence and operation of his blessed Spirit.
Another way to think of it is like this:
- All mankind was originally created in God’s image.
- The saved are re-made in the image of the son Jesus (thus defeating sin and death)
SO THAT:
3. We are ABLE to do the good works he has called us to.
Key: Without this “second birth” (See: Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3) we are NOT ABLE to do what we were designed to do.
3. What We Are To Do
The text tells us that the point, the purpose of this second birth is that now we are able to do the good works…work that God prepared before we were ever born.
(A Very Strange Illustration)
Let me use a bizarre example to hopefully bring this concept to life: This summer, it is my hope, (with the help of some very good friends) to put up a basketball hoops at my house for the kids. Silas played his first year of basketball, but has nowhere at the house to practice shooting.
Now, imagine for a moment if Silas and I are our practicing foul shots and Nate Logan shows up, and as he steps out of his SUV, a cloud of holy smoke surrounds him and he hands me three envelopes, one with the name “Silas” one with the name “Mary” and one with the name “Al” on them…then, in a booming voice, he says, “Ben, leave us…I will teach Silas the ways of basketball domination!”
And I, out of fear, comply, go inside, and play video games.
An hour later, I come outside, and Nate says, “Observe!”
And Silas take a running start, and then makes 50 straight free throws.
Who gets the glory?
Now, let us suppose that Mary comes up and says, “What’s all the ruckus?” and Nate again says, “Leave us!”
An hour later, we come out, and Mary makes 50 straight three pointers.
Who gets the glory?
And then finally, Al makes his way outside to see us screaming in amazement losing our minds and how unreal this event is. Nate then says, “Leave us!” And we all make our way inside, leaving Al and Nate in the driveway alone.
An hour later we come out, and watch, in sheer terror and amazement, as Al Goad takes a running start, and then dunks from the foul line.
Who gets the glory?
Nate then says, “Open the envelopes”
I do, and they read:
Silas will make 50 straight foul shots.
Mary will make 50 straight three pointers.
Al will become the first senior citizen to play in the NBA.
Who gets the glory?
Have you ever thought of the cumulative effect of God’s glory as believer after believer, generation after generation, becomes converted through this second birth, and faithfully does the work that God has called them to do.
It is one thing to praise the worker, it is another thing entirely to praise the Master. The more lives God changes, the more amazing work those lives do, the more glory God gets.
Close:
One final note on this work: I believe
There is universal work, as determined by the Scriptures:
- Share the gospel
- Strive to grow closer with Jesus
- Joyfully serve the local Church
- Keep yourself from the sin of the world
- Be satisfied and content in His provision
- Others?
And also there is specific work…now, I don’t want to ask what that specific work is, because it would number in the billions, depending on the person and situation, but what I do think might be a good question to explore as we close is this question:
What things might direct us to the specific work God may be calling us specifically to?
- Our natural personalities/spiritual gifts.
- Our desires/likes/interests.
- Our life experiences…both good AND bad. (Jenny B.)
- Our locations.
- Others?
There is an amazing scene in one of my all time favorite films, staring the late great Robin Williams, Dead Poet’s Society
(set the scene)
Most don’t realize how spiritual the Walk Whitman poem actually is, and how perfectly it fits our reflections today.
O Me! O Life!
BY WALT WHITMAN
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
What will your verse be?
Let us pray.