Doing Good (Galatians 6:9-10)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
30 August 2020
Many people today are weary and losing heart. The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown have contributed to this.
Christians have an opportunity to do good and so fulfil the Bible teaching of not growing weary in so doing (Galatians 6:9,10).
What is the good we seek to do? Doing good means caring for the physical, mental and spiritual well being of people.
Do good continually. Jesus did this. He never grew weary in doing good. As he was dying he instructed John to look after Mary his mother, thereby showing concern for his mother’s earthly needs (John 19:26,27). He encouraged his disciples when they were anxious thereby showing his concern for their mental well being (John 14:1). He spoke to the thief on the cross about Paradise thereby showing his concern for the soul of the dying thief (Luke 23:43). Jesus lived and died doing good to people.
Do good expectantly. Jesus died with the expectation of a harvest. The prophet Isaiah said "he shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied.” (Isaiah 53:11) He was speaking of Jesus. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and saw the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). We shall share in the joy of Jesus (John 17:13). Paul writes in Galatians 6:9 about reaping. We should expect a harvest as we go about doing good. A farmer sows seed. He expects to reap. We sow seeds of goodness. We should expect a harvest.
Do good extensively. Just as Jesus reached out to Jews and Gentiles so we must seek to do good to everyone. Paul teaches we should do good “to all” (Galatians 6:10) but especially to fellow believers. Paul speaks of believers as the household of faith. The church is like a family with members caring for each other. Let us seize every opportunity to do good to everyone especially to the household of God.
When we do good we are following our Lord Jesus. He went around doing good (Acts 10:38). We his disciples follow his example. The world does not know Jesus but it should know our good works. By this means the world may yet be drawn to Jesus.
In doing good we claim no merit. We are but unworthy servants (Luke 17:10). Some people do good and claim merit. But Christians claim no such thing merit. Salvation is by faith in Christ and not in our doing good. In doing good we manifest the fruit of salvation not the cause of it.
Let us not grow weary in doing good. God never wearied in doing us good. He tolerated our unbelief and rebellion. He worked a work grace in our hearts bringing us to faith in Christ. If God never ceased to do good to us let us not grow weary in doing good to everyone.
Therefore, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).