Deeds-Dead or Alive Text: Luke 12:1-5
1In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
In the chapter before this one, Jesus is addressing lawyers and Pharisees. He gives them a series of woes only to be hated even more from them. In fact we know from the way this chapter begins that Jesus is still in their midst while He addresses this huge crowd! Verse 1 say’s, In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together… It’s important to remember that Jesus confronts people who think their righteous, and He uses their self-righteousness too try and help other’s that might still repent!
Here’s my definition of self-righteousness: People who think their right but they are dead wrong. People who come to church, but their hearts are far removed from God’s presence! People who hide behind a smile, and people who are hiding in church, but they won’t hide self-righteousness long.
Listen to what Jesus said in verse 4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
A person who is only concerned with appearance or church attendance is this person!
But listen the person who is here for appearance only falls into being the person in verse 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Listen unto Revelation 3:14-18 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
If you are here today obviously it’s not too late!
Listen unto verse 2 of the text again, For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
As I read this text over and over again this is the word I received. There are at least 3 kind of deeds. 1. Destructive deeds. 2. Dead deeds. 3. Godly deeds.
Paul said in I Cor. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
The only deeds I want my Master to mention on Judgment day are deeds that will make Him praise me! But listen, I can’t judge you, but I can warn you!
You have to judge yourself!
Dead deeds are those things you do that are mainly leaving you empty! It hurts others though because you are only going through the motions! 1. Dead relationship. 2. Dead fruit. 3. Dead gifts. 4. Dead Jesus.
Destructive deeds are those things that are clearly seen and you know you do, but you don’t care! 1. I don’t care. 2. I’ll make my own destiny! 3. I’ll do and say what I want to!
Godly deeds come from that person who cares about others. That one who shows their love! Who isn’t selfish, but selfless! Those who want God more than anything!
Listen to Jesus’ words in Luke 12:3 of the text, 3). Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
