ABOUNDING IN EVERY GOOD WORK

ABOUNDING IN EVERY GOOD WORK

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 9:8

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:8 — “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 6:9-10; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:8; Hebrews 10:24

Description: God supplies abundant grace and sufficient resources so that His people can continually abound in good works.

INTRODUCTION

God does not bless His children merely so that they can possess more; He blesses them so that they can become greater instruments of blessing. Paul declares that God is able to make all grace abound towards us so that we may have sufficiency in all things and abound in every good work. God's provision therefore carries a divine purpose.

To abound means to overflow, increase, excel or have more than enough. When God's grace operates in a believer's life, that believer should not remain barren in good works. Grace gives us the ability, strength, wisdom and resources to fulfil God's purposes and become useful to others.

God wants His people to be fruitful in every area of Christian service. Whether through giving, helping, encouraging, evangelising, serving, showing mercy or meeting genuine needs, our lives should continually produce good works. We are saved by grace, but we are also saved unto good works.

1. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL GRACE

Our ability to do good does not originate in human strength alone. Everything necessary for fruitful Christian service comes from God.

a. God Gives Grace Abundantly (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God is able to make all grace abound towards His people.

b. Grace Enables Service (1 Corinthians 15:10) — Paul recognised that his labour was possible because of God's grace working in him.

c. Grace Supplies Strength (2 Corinthians 12:9) — God's grace is sufficient even when human strength is inadequate.

d. Grace Produces Fruitfulness (John 15:5) — Apart from Christ, we cannot produce lasting spiritual fruit.

Biblical Example: Bezalel and Aholiab were empowered by God with wisdom and skill to carry out the work of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6).

2. GOD GIVES US SUFFICIENCY FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

God's provision is connected to His purpose. He desires His children to have what is necessary to fulfil the good works He has prepared for them.

a. God Gives Sufficiency (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God supplies what is necessary for His people to abound in good works.

b. God Provides According to His Riches (Philippians 4:19) — God supplies the needs of His people according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

c. God Equips His People (2 Timothy 3:16-17) — Scripture thoroughly equips the believer for every good work.

d. God Prepares Good Works for Us (Ephesians 2:10) — We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

Biblical Example: The early believers shared their possessions so that practical needs among them were supplied (Acts 4:32-35).

3. WE MUST ABOUND IN GOOD WORKS

God's grace should produce visible fruit in our lives. A believer should not merely speak about faith but demonstrate faith through righteous actions.

a. Be Rich in Good Works (1 Timothy 6:18) — Believers are instructed to be rich in good works and ready to distribute.

b. Be Zealous for Good Works (Titus 2:14) — Christ redeemed us so that we would become a people zealous for good works.

c. Be Ready for Every Good Work (Titus 3:1) — Christians should be prepared to serve whenever opportunities arise.

d. Continue in Good Works (Titus 3:8) — Believers should be careful to maintain good works because they are profitable to others.

Biblical Example: Dorcas was known for her good works and acts of charity, demonstrating the practical expression of her faith (Acts 9:36).

4. GOOD WORKS MUST FLOW FROM FAITH

Good works do not replace salvation, but genuine faith produces a life that reflects God's character.

a. Faith Produces Works (James 2:17) — Faith that produces no corresponding action is dead.

b. We Are Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10) — Good works are part of God's purpose for those who are in Christ.

c. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16) — Good works should cause people to glorify our Father in heaven.

d. Love Must Become Practical (1 John 3:18) — Christian love should be demonstrated through actions and truth.

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan demonstrated compassion through practical action rather than merely expressing sympathy (Luke 10:30-37).

5. WE MUST ABOUND IN LOVE AND SERVICE

Good works are not merely activities; they are opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ to people around us.

a. Serve One Another in Love (Galatians 5:13) — Christian freedom should become an opportunity for loving service.

b. Bear One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:2) — We demonstrate Christ's love by helping others through their difficulties.

c. Do Good to All People (Galatians 6:10) — Every opportunity to do good should be used wisely.

d. Encourage One Another (Hebrews 10:24) — Believers should provoke one another to love and good works.

Biblical Example: Barnabas encouraged struggling believers and strengthened the church through his ministry (Acts 11:22-26).

6. WE MUST NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING GOOD

Good works may sometimes appear unnoticed or unrewarded, but God sees every act of faithfulness.

a. Do Not Become Weary (Galatians 6:9) — Believers are encouraged not to give up while doing good.

b. Continue in Faithfulness (1 Corinthians 15:58) — Our labour in the Lord is never in vain.

c. Remember the Harvest (Galatians 6:9) — Those who remain faithful will reap if they do not faint.

d. Keep Your Focus on Christ (Hebrews 12:2) — Looking unto Jesus gives us strength to continue faithfully.

Biblical Example: Nehemiah continued rebuilding Jerusalem's wall despite opposition, intimidation and discouragement (Nehemiah 4:6-9).

7. OUR GOOD WORKS SHOULD GLORIFY GOD

The ultimate purpose of Christian service is not personal recognition but the glory of God.

a. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16) — Our good works should lead people to glorify our Father in heaven.

b. Give God the Glory (1 Peter 4:11) — Ministry should be performed in a way that causes God to receive glory.

c. Do Everything for God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) — Every aspect of our lives should honour God.

d. Become a Living Testimony (Philippians 2:15) — Believers should shine as lights in a dark world.

Biblical Example: When the lame man was healed through Peter and John's ministry, the people glorified God for what had happened (Acts 3:8-10).

8. GOD REWARDS FAITHFUL GOOD WORKS

God sees the sacrifices, labour and service of His people. Nothing done sincerely for Him is wasted.

a. God Remembers Our Labour (Hebrews 6:10) — God is not unjust to forget the work and love shown in His name.

b. There Is a Harvest (Galatians 6:9) — Faithful sowing eventually produces a harvest.

c. Labour in the Lord Is Not in Vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) — Every faithful service for Christ has eternal significance.

d. God Rewards Faithfulness (Matthew 25:21) — Faithful servants will hear the Master's commendation.

Biblical Example: Cornelius' prayers and charitable giving were remembered before God, demonstrating that God sees acts of sincere devotion (Acts 10:1-4).

CONCLUSION

God is able to make all grace abound towards us so that we may have sufficiency in all things and abound in every good work. His grace is not merely for our comfort; it equips us for kingdom usefulness. Whatever God places in our hands can become an instrument for blessing, service and the advancement of His kingdom.

Therefore, do not live beneath the grace God has made available to you. Be rich in good works, ready to serve, generous towards others and faithful in every opportunity God gives you. Do not grow weary when your labour seems unnoticed. Continue doing good, because God sees your faithfulness, and your labour in the Lord shall never be in vain.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, let Your grace abound towards me for every good work, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, make me sufficient in every area necessary for Your purpose, in Jesus name.

3. Father, make my life fruitful in good works, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me opportunities to bless and help others, in Jesus name.

5. Father, deliver me from spiritual barrenness and fruitlessness, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me strength not to grow weary in doing good, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make me a faithful servant who brings glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, use my resources, gifts and abilities for the advancement of Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my good works become a testimony of Your grace, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my labour in Your kingdom produce an abundant harvest, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. God's abundant grace shall operate powerfully in your life.

2. You shall have sufficiency in all things necessary for God's purpose.

3. You shall abound continually in every good work.

4. Your life shall become a channel of blessing to many people.

5. You shall not be barren in spiritual service or good works.

6. You shall receive strength to remain faithful even in difficult seasons.

7. Your gifts, resources and abilities shall be used for God's glory.

8. You shall not grow weary in doing good; you shall reap your harvest in due season.

9. Your labour in the Lord shall never be in vain.

10. Your life shall continually overflow with grace, fruitfulness and good works, in Jesus name.