Christian Education and Discipleship

The Work of God

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Education and Discipleship

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2024-09-30

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver expounds John 6:29, emphasizing that saving faith is not a human work but a divine work of God. He contrasts the many works of God in creation, redemption, and providence with the singular 'work of God'—believing on Jesus Christ. Weaver argues that this belief is monergistic, entirely God's doing, as man cannot produce true faith or repentance apart from divine revelation. He warns against carnal motives in seeking God and underscores that only those taught by the Father come to Christ, ensuring all glory belongs to God alone.

[John Weaver] If you'll open your Bibles today please to the book of John, John chapter 6, John chapter 6, and we're going to be looking at verse 29, and we will come back and get the context, but look if you would at John chapter 6 and verse 29, one simple verse, John 6 verse 29, Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God that you believe on him whom he has set. So obviously then the title of the message is the work of God. When you and I think of the works of God, we automatically think of his works in creation, redemption and in providence. There are many wonderful works of God that only God can perform and accomplish because he is omniscient, he is omnipotent, he is omnipresent, and absolutely nothing is impossible with him. And although we classify the works of God under three heads, that of creation, redemption, and providence, there would be innumerable or multitudinous works under each one of those heads that we would classify. But I want to give you just a quick overview very quickly of what the scripture says concerning the works of God.

[John Weaver] And I just want to show you six or seven verses from the book of Psalms. I want you to hold John six. We're coming back there. But if you look in Psalm 26 and verse seven, very quickly, Psalm 26 and verse seven, I'll quote some of these, but I want you to see especially the last one that I'm going to be quoting and reading. So if you look in Psalm 26 to begin with, and here's what the Bible says, that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all of thy wondrous works. So if you look in your Bibles now to Psalm 33 and verse 4, Psalm 33 and verse 4, For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done in truth." So all of God's works are done in truth. Look in Psalm 40 and verse 5, which is one of my favorite verses. Psalm 40 and verse 5, the word of God says this, Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done.

[John Weaver] and thy thoughts which are to usward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." Will you just pause and think that God thinks of us, and the psalmist said, they are more than can be numbered. So it says, many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done. And then in Psalm 46 and verse eight, Psalm 46 in verse 8, he says, Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. So here's a work of the Lord as far as judgment and destruction is concerned as well. Now if you will turn, if you would please, to Psalm 66 and verse 3. Psalm 66 and verse 3. Here the word of God says this, Say unto God, how terrible art thou in thy works. Notice that, how terrible art thou in thy works. Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. Wow. Wow. Through the greatness of thy works.

[John Weaver] Look in Psalm 73 very quickly and verse 28. Psalm 73 and verse 28. Every one of these passages are absolutely phenomenal when it comes to the works of God. So in Psalm 73 and verse 28, the word of God says this, but it is good for me to draw nigh unto God. I put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works. And then we talk about Psalm 104.

[John Weaver] You want to go there. Psalm 104, look if you would please very quickly at verse 24. Psalm 104 in verse 24. He says, O Lord, how manifold are thy works, that is, how variegated, how many there are. O Lord, how manifold are thy works in wisdom, hast thou made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. And then Psalm 105 and verse 2. Psalm 105 verse 2.

[John Weaver] Sing unto him and sing psalms unto him. Talk of all of his wondrous works and then skip down to verse five. Remember his marvelous works which he had done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth. Here's the last one. I want you to look in Psalm 111 and let's begin reading there with verse two. Psalm 111, beginning there with verse two. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

[John Weaver] His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endureth forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He's given meat unto them that fear Him. He will ever be mindful of His covenant. But look, if you would, at verse two again. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. So we could ask a number of questions. Number one, how many have pleasure in the works of God? How many actually seeks out the works of God? And I ask probably correctly when I say how few really seek out the works of God as well. So when the Bible does speak of the works of God, in many different ways. When you look back at your Bibles in John 6 and verse 29, it is not the works of God plural that is being spoken of, but it is the work of God. He said in verse 29, Jesus entered and said to them, this is the work of God that you believe on him whom he has sent.

[John Weaver] So actually in our text, We are talking about not the multitudinous works of God, but one particular and one specific work of God. So let me try to give you the context. When you read John chapter six, you're going to find that many people came to Jesus Christ, followed Jesus Christ for various reasons. A lot of those reasons were very carnal and very fleshly. So if you look in John chapter six and verse two, the Bible says this, and a great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles, which he did on them that were diseased. Look at that. A great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles, which he did on them that were diseased.

[John Weaver] The truth of the matter is this, any supernatural activity is going to draw attention. And it does not necessarily have to be God's supernatural activity. The devil is a counterfeiter. He's an imitator. And it's absolutely strange, but yet it's understandable. Whenever anything, quote unquote, supernatural happens, people flock to that spot or they flock to that service thinking that somehow they're going to see a miracle or maybe have a miracle upon exercise upon them. If you'll remember, some years ago, there was supposed to be some miracle happening somewhere in France and people were flying there and by the hundreds and by the thousands.

[John Weaver] Whether it was really true or not, I have no earthly idea. But the truth of the matter is, people are drawn to that. And so here, these people were following Jesus Christ because they actually saw the miracles that he performed.

[John Weaver] Now, I may have pointed this out before to you, but I'm going to do it again in light of our conversation today. Do you remember or do you know the only man in the Bible to whom our Lord would not even speak? I want you to hold John chapter six, but I want you to turn back in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Luke chapter 23, and I will tell you exactly why our Lord would not speak unto this man. So look, if you would, in Luke chapter 23, And let's begin reading there at verse 5. The man to whom our Lord would not even speak was King Herod. Note, if you would, Luke 23, it is. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. I'm in 22, Luke 23, verse 5. The Bible says, let's see, Luke 23, verse 5.

[John Weaver] And they were more fierce, saying, he has stirred up the people, reaching out and teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man that is Jesus Christ was a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, look at this, he was exceeding glad. Why was he so happy to see Jesus? Here's why. For he was desirous to see of him, he was desirous to see him, of a long season, because he'd heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he, Herod, questioned with him Jesus in many words, but he answered him nothing. All Herod wanted to do was see a miracle.

[John Weaver] And our Lord would not even speak. to the man, because it was very carnal and very fleshly motive, and our Lord just simply ignored him.

[John Weaver] Now, when you go back to John chapter six, and when you get to verses 25 and 26, you'll find that these people now are worse than the miracle seekers. So if you look in John six and verse 25, the Bible says, and when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, Which canist thou hither? Look at our Lord's answer.

[John Weaver] Jesus answered and said to them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, you seek me not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves and were filled. So here these people were worse than the miracle seekers. Our Lord had just fed the five thousand. They got free food. Our Lord crossed the sea. They wondered where he went. They finally found him. And our Lord said very bluntly, wow. You didn't seek me because of my miracles, you sought me because you got a free meal and you want another free meal. And that is just simply it. So if you'll skip back to verses 14 and 15 of John, chapter six, than those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did said, watch this, this is the feeding of 5,000.

[John Weaver] This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. So they got this free meal and they thought, wow, if he can do this one time, he can do this plenty of times, we'll make him king. And so our Lord crossed the sea to get away from them. And they followed him.

[John Weaver] And that's when he said, you're seeking me not because of the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves and were filled. So let me give you a truth that we need to learn right here. The Lord knows our hearts. He knows our motives. He knows our desires. He knows our fleshliness. He knows our carnality. He knows that which is honorable in our lives and that which is dishonorable in our lives. He is not honored by carnal and fleshly motives. Rather, he is dishonored. In fact, our Lord has told us that he will not even answer or regard a dishonorable, fleshly, carnal prayer.

[John Weaver] He said so in James chapter four and verse three. He said, you ask and receive not because you ask amiss that you may consume it upon your own lusts. So God says, I'm not going to answer. I'm not going to give any answer to any prayer that's totally carnal and fleshly.

[John Weaver] Now, look at the admonishment that our Lord gave in John six and verse twenty seven to the people. He says, labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you, for him hath God the Father sealed. So he says, don't be wasting your time on bread and fish. Well, you don't have to eat to live. I understand that. And so did our Lord.

[John Weaver] But he said, you better be concerned not where your next physical meal is coming from. You better be concerned about filling yourself with the bread of life and with the water of life. So he says labor not for the meat which perish it. And so you could have I would say the most expensive and probably the best meal that you could ever enjoy today. You could also have the best and the most expensive drink that you could ever enjoy today. And guess what?

[John Weaver] Tomorrow you're going to be thirsty and hungry all over again. But once our Lord gives you the water of life and the bread of life, it will satisfy you, not just in time, but also in eternity. So the truth of the matter is this. Our Lord is indeed the true bread of life, and he is also the true water of life as well.

[John Weaver] Now, here's the thing that amazes me. Our Lord basically rebuked these people in verse 27. He admonished them. He says, You're not even concerned with the miracles, you're concerned with food. You just want to eat. You want it free. You don't have to work. And he says, don't labor for that. You labor for this bread that does not ever deteriorate and make you hungry again. And look at verse 28. Look at this. Then said they unto him, what shall we do that we might work the works of God? It's astounding to me how many people can become pious and sanctimonious after a good solid rebuke.

[John Weaver] Maybe they're trying to throw attention away from themselves. It's kind of like the Samaritan woman there in John chapter 4 when our Lord asked for a drink of water, and she said, how is it thou being a Judahite or a Judean asking me a drink of a woman of Samaria, for the Judahites have no dealings with the Samaritans? Well, our Lord said, if you knew who it was that spoke with you, and you knew what I had, you would ask of me the water of life, where you would never thirst again, you'd never have to come to this well to draw.

[John Weaver] And she said, our fathers worshipped in this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem we're, what? How did she change the subject? Why did she change the subject? And then of course our Lord gave her the truth and gave her the answer. And then she said, Lord, I think I want this water. Good. He said, go call your husband. She's don't have one. He says, I know you had five. The one you have now is not sure. I understand that. But notice she just changed the subject right there.

[John Weaver] That's what these people seemingly were doing. They were just changing the subject, so to speak.

[John Weaver] Now, uh, Make sure that you understand this one particular truth, that there are a lot of people that will change once they have been rebuked. Now, what shall we do that we might work the works of God?

[John Weaver] Now, there's nothing wrong with that question, if it was asking sincerity and truth. Do you realize that which is important is that which motivates the question. Now, this question could be asked as a cover, or it could have been asked in sincerity. When they ask, what shall we do that we might work the works of God, they could be asking, what could we do more than obedience to the law of Moses which he's given to us? Now, if they were saying that and asking that, if that was the implication, then they were basically claiming to be as the Pharisees who thought they kept the law of God.

[John Weaver] On the other hand, they could have been very, very truthful and could be very genuine, and they could have been asking, well, where do we need to change? How do we need to turn our lives around that we might work the works of God. Have you ever noticed that just about everyone wants to do something to either earn salvation or earn the blessings of God? You remember in Mark chapter 10, that rich young ruler, he came running to Jesus Christ and knelt and said, good master, what good thing must I do that I may inherit eternal life? He wanted to do something.

[John Weaver] Albert Barnes, in his commentary, makes this simple statement. Listen to this. He says, the idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders. And I would say it like this. It is also the last idea that a real Christian ever surrenders when he's looking for and seeking the blessings of God. I know of people who've tried to bargain with God. Lord, if you will do this for me, something that I want specially. Lord, if you'll do this for me, I'll do this for you. Wow. No. The Bible tells us that all the blessings that we have are stored up in the Lord Jesus Christ in the book of Ephesians chapter one.

[John Weaver] Everything is in him now. So when I'm saying that the motivation behind this question, what must we do that we might work the works of God, is that which determines whether or not it was a legitimate question or whether or not it was a cover question trying to distract from the rebuke and the admonition that Christ gave them in verse 27.

[John Weaver] Now there are good questions to ask at times. You remember in Luke chapter 3, John the Baptist was preaching repentance. And of course there's The people came to him. The tax collectors came to him. The soldiers came to him. And if you read Luke chapter three, each one of these groups asked John the Baptist, what must we do? And John the Baptist answered them, and he gave different answers to each group.

[John Weaver] Now, you have to interpret that question in light of the context. So John was preaching, you must repent. And so here the people, what must we do? In other words, what must we do to demonstrate our repentance? Well, the predominant and the prevailing sin among the people was one of covetousness. And so John said, well, let him have two coats. Give it away and he's got two plates of food. You have one to someone who doesn't have one. So the prevailing predominant sin of the people is that of covetousness. And the tax collectors. Hmm. What must we do?

[John Weaver] Exact no more than that which is appointed to you. That's your predominant sin, your things. Then the soldiers came and said, what must we do? And he said, be content with your wages. Do not do not force or take forceful action upon any man that is without reason So those were legitimate questions and they had a right motive behind them whether or not in John chapter 6 and verse 28 There's a right motive or not.

[John Weaver] I do not know but I'm just simply saying it could go either way now John Gale Really speaks well concerning our Lord's answer. Let's look at verse 28. Let's look at verse 29 again verse 29 in light of verse 28 Then said they unto him what shall we do? That we might work the works of God Now here's a very surprise answer Jesus answered and said of them. This is the work of God That you believe on him whom he has sent This is the work of God that you believe on him whom he has sent. Now, they ask, what must we do that we might work in the words of God?

[John Weaver] Our Lord totally ignored that question. Unless you consider that this answer was the answer to that question, because what our Lord was saying is it's impossible for you to do any works of God unless God does a work in you. That's what he was saying. So here's what John Gill said. Listen carefully. He said, the main and principle one work, and which is well pleasing in his sight, and which is impossible to please him, and without which no work, whatever is a good work, and this is the operation of God, which he himself works in men, it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God. In other words, he's saying there's no one can do any works of God until God works in them.

[John Weaver] He goes on to say it like this, that you believe on him in whom he has sent. There are other works which are well pleasing to God when rightly performed, but faith is the chief work, and others are only acceptable when done in faith in Christ. This as a principle is purely God's work. It is His act. It is exercised under the influence of divine grace. It is only man's act that you believe. The object of it is Christ, as sent by the Father, as the mediator between God and man, as appointed by him to be the Savior, Redeemer. And believing in Christ is believing in God that sent him. So he is saying this is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe. In other words, it's God who enables us to believe. It's God who gives us faith. Now, it is true that man actually believes. God does not believe for you, but you would never believe unless God creates in you and gives you grace and gives you faith.

[John Weaver] Now, very quickly, Matthew Poole also said it like this. Our Lord calls them to a work that they never thought of. That of owning and acknowledging him, Jesus Christ, to be the true Messiah. the embracing and receiving him as such, and trusting him with all the concerns of their souls, which was necessary, notwithstanding," now listen to this,"'notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience, and inseparable from it.'"

[John Weaver] Wow, now that is a mouthful. I want to explain what he just said. The first part is very easy. Our Lord calls them to a work they never thought of. That work is owning and acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Messiah. That work is trusting only in Jesus Christ, leaning only in Jesus Christ, receiving him as God has ordained. And then he says this. Notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience and inseparable from it."

[John Weaver] Now here's a good question. What in the world does Matthew Poole mean when he's talking about notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience and inseparable from it? Is he being confusing? And the answer is no. These men certainly knew the law of God They may have only known what the Pharisees thought but at least they had at least some idea about the law of God Well, let me explain.

[John Weaver] I want you to hold John Chapter 6, but I want you to turn back in your Bibles now Matthew chapter 23 and look if you would at verse 23 Matthew 23 in verse 23 I Preached a message on this one verse many, many years ago. It's a verse that oftentimes we overlook. So he says this in verse 23 of Matthew 23. Matthew chapter 23, it is verse 23.

[John Weaver] Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you pay tithe of mint and anise and coming. and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought you to have done and not to leave the others undone." Now, look at this. He commends them for their consistency in paying their tithes. He says, you pay tithes of mint and anise and cumin. In other words, they were willing to tithe down to the smallest herb. But he says you have omitted the weightier matters of the law. What are the weightier matters of the law? Judgment, mercy, and faith. Isn't that interesting? The law taught faith. That's what he said. How in the world could the law teach faith?

[John Weaver] Well, do you not remember in the book of Galatians chapter 3 and verse 24 where the Apostle Paul said the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith? How in the world could the law do that? Because the law showed you that you could not save yourself. It showed you that you were a sinner. It showed you you could not redeem yourself. It showed you that if you were ever saved, you had to be saved on the merits of someone else. So he said, you've omitted the weightier matters of the law. This is why Jesus Christ came, and he was made under the law, made of a woman. The Bible says to redeem us that we're under the law. And so clearly then, Jesus Christ is the only one who's ever kept the law personally, perfectly, and perpetually. And Jesus Christ worked out an absolute perfect obedience to that law. That is why in the book of Romans chapter 10 and verse 4 the Bible says for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for all who believe.

[John Weaver] Why is he the end of the law for righteousness? Because he's the only one that kept it. He's perfected it. He accomplished it. And so when we believe in Jesus Christ, we believe in the perfect fulfillment of that law. So this is what Poole is talking about. If they really understood the law, then the law was going to lead them to Jesus Christ. If they did not understand the law, of course, then it's not going to lead them to Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] So if you'll go to John six and look at verse twenty nine again, because this verse to me is just so absolutely plain. I don't see how anyone can misunderstand it. Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent. So when you believe on Jesus Christ savingly, it's only because of the work of God in you. Believing on Jesus Christ as the Messiah, trusting in his finished atonement, leaning upon him completely for salvation is the work of God in us. We cannot perform that work. We cannot do that work. This is an act of God. This is a work of God. So look back at verse 29 one more time.

[John Weaver] I want to explain this. Jesus entered and said to them, this Is the work of God that you believe on him whom he is sent Verse 29 Is a plain statement of what is known as monergism Monergism mono means one or alone ergo is the Greek word for I work Monergism just means that God works alone in salvation. Okay? That's monergism. The truth of the matter is, most people, most professing Christians, do not even understand verse 29 of John chapter 6. They do not understand monergism. What they hold is really an error known as synergism. Sin means together, S-Y-N, ergo I work. So synergism teaches actually that the sinner or man works with God to accomplish his own salvation. So, let me explain it like this. Have you ever heard people say, and I have, Well if you take the first step, God will do the rest. That's synergism. Man has to do something in order for God to save him.

[John Weaver] Now hang on, think with me. I've heard it said like this, your part is to believe, it's God's part to save. Well, that sounds good because man does indeed believe. Someone else said it's mine to be willing, it's God's to do the saving. The one that is clearest to me and absolutely blasphemous, and I've told you this, and it's still on the sign of the church that I pass every Sunday morning, and it simply says this, I did my best and God did the rest. That's synergism.

[John Weaver] Now let me ask you a question. You remember Isaiah 42 in verse 8, where God says, my glory will I not share with another, or give my praise to graven idols. My glory will I not share with another. Who is insane enough to think that when they get the glory, when they get to heaven, when they get in the presence of God, they're going to be standing there bragging, saying, Oh, God, I'm here, but I'm only here because I did my part and you don't get all the glory. I get part of this glory.

[John Weaver] Because had I not been willing, had I not taken the first step, had I not done my best, you could not have saved me. That is absolutely insane. And yet I can hear people objecting and say, but you don't understand. I came to Christ. And the truth is, yes, you did come to Christ. But then you have to ask yourself this question. Why did you come to Christ? You said, but when I came to Jesus Christ, I was willing to come to Jesus Christ. Yes. But why were you willing to come to Jesus Christ when for many years you were quite unwilling to come to Jesus Christ? Well, I can hear another objection and say, but I repented. Yes, but who gave you the gift of repentance? But I believe, yes, but who gave you the gift of faith? Our Lord said, this is the work of God that you believe on him whom he hath sent.

[John Weaver] I'm not going to go over this again, but I'm going to remind you of the three illustrations of salvation in the Bible. Three in the New Testament. And they all show that salvation is the work of God alone. I told you earlier, the first one is that of birth, John chapter 4. No man births himself. The second one is that of creation, 2 Corinthians 4, as God spoke the world into existence. So God had shined in our hearts, face of Jesus Christ. When God said that there'd be light, there was light. So there's light in our hearts only because Jesus Christ shined in them. And then the third one is resurrection.

[John Weaver] And you had the quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wow. No one can resurrect himself. Dead man does not resurrect himself.

[John Weaver] Now, when I gave you that, I told you and I quoted from Matthew 11, verse 27. I told you I was going to come back to that verse. So I want you to go in your Bibles, hold in John 6 and Matthew 11, and look, if you would please, at verse 27. There's some things I want to point out in this particular verse, Matthew 11 and verse 27, because Jesus Christ is speaking. And he says this. All things are delivered to me and my father. And no man knoweth the son but the father, neither knoweth any man the father, save the son, and he to whomsoever the son will reveal it. Now, although I'm going over this verse, there's still another message I've got prepared. I'm going to come back to this entire section and deal with this verse in its context, but I want you to consider, first of all, the word no. He said, all things are delivered unto me of my father, and no man knoweth the son, but the father, Neither knoweth him and the Father, save the Son, and he whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

[John Weaver] The word knoweth happens to be the word epikonosko, which means full knowledge, or to become thoroughly acquainted with, or to know thoroughly, and to know accurately. So no one can know the Father thoroughly or accurately apart from the Son, and no one can know the Son thoroughly or accurately apart from the Father. Now, so our Lord now is talking then about an intimate personal knowing of the Father, and He says this, look in verse 37 again. All things are delivered unto me and my Father, and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever The sun will, what's that next word? Reveal him. Now the Greek word for reveal is the word apocalypto. And it literally means to uncover, to lay open. It means to lay open that which has been veiled, that which has been covered up. It means to disclose, it means to make bare, it means to make known, it means to make manifest, to disclose whatever has been previously covered.

[John Weaver] Apocalypto means to unveil. When you get to the book of Revelation, chapter one and verse one, you read the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him. The revelation of Jesus Christ, the apocalypsis, the uncovering, the unveiling of Jesus Christ. So now in Matthew 11, verse 27, he is saying that no one can know the father unless the son revealed him and no one can know the son except the father revealed him as well. Now. When you get to James, not James, but when you get to John one and verse 18. Think about this verse. No man has seen God in time. The only begotten Son, He has declared Him. The only way that we can know the Father is through the revelation and the declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, it's impossible to know the Father intimately without the revelation of the Son. It's impossible to know the Son intimately without the revelation of the Father.

[John Weaver] Now, most of you can quote this passage. But I want to quote it one more time, just so you can see the connection. Matthew chapter 16 in verse 13. Jesus Christ asked his disciples, whom do men say that I, the Son of Man am? They answered, some say that thou art Elias, Or John the Baptist? Or one of the prophets? Jesus said, Whom say ye that I am? And Peter said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And our Lord answered in the next verse, Blessed be thou, Simon Barjona.

[John Weaver] For flesh and blood have not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. So how did Peter know that Jesus Christ was the Messiah? How did he know that he was the Son of God? And the answer is, because the Father who is in heaven revealed it unto him. No man can know the Son without the revelation of the Father. No one can know the Father without the revelation and the declaration of the Son. So, very clearly then, salvation has to be a work of God. Back in Matthew 11 in verse 27, he said, all things are delivered unto me and my father, and no man knoweth the son but the father, neither knoweth any man the father save the son, and he whomsoever the son will reveal him. So a saving, intimate, personal, Knowledge of Jesus Christ is an act of God alone because it is the Father who reveals the Son.

[John Weaver] Now, if you would turn right over to the book of Luke chapter 10 and verse 22, you're going to see this same truth stated again, just a little differently, but it is the exact same truth. If you look in Luke chapter 10 and verse 22, Luke 10 verse 22. Our Lord says in this passage all things are delivered to me of my father and no man knoweth who the son is but the father and who the father is but the son and he to whom the son will reveal him. Same truth worded differently.

[John Weaver] Now It should be clear that believing on Jesus Christ is a work of God because only God can unveil the Lord Jesus Christ. Man by nature does not see the beauty of Jesus Christ. That's why in Isaiah 53 the Bible says there is no beauty in him that when we see him that we may desire him. So it's only God who can open our eyes and let us see the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] I want to point something out just so there's no confusion of this. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, the First Thessalonians chapter one, First Thessalonians chapter one. And I want you to look particularly at verse three, because I've been telling you that salvation is a work of God. But when you get to First Thessalonians chapter one and verse three, Look what the Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonican Christians. He says, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

[John Weaver] For our gospel came not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost, so that you were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia, or from you sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad, so that we need not to speak anything.

[John Weaver] Now, if you would, Look, if you would, back at verse 3. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith. Now, wait a minute. Your work of faith. How is the Apostle Paul talking to these Thessalonican Christians and talking about their work of faith when I just told you that, wow, Only God can unveil Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ can unveil the Father. Is it God's work of faith, or is it man's work of faith?

[John Weaver] Well, I want to answer that for you from the Bible. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians. The book of Philippians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Galatians. Ephesians, Philippians, look in chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. Look at this. Philippians 2 verse 12. Wherefore, my beloved, as you've always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

[John Weaver] Is Paul telling them to save themselves? Is Paul telling them to earn your salvation? Of course not. Watch what he says. Wherefore, my beloved, as you've always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both the will and do his good pleasure. You cannot work it out unless God works it in. It's your faith only because God gave it to you and you exercise the gift of God. So it's called your faith or your work of faith, but it's God who gave it to you, and you would never have it apart from him. So it's impossible to work it out if God has not worked it in. It's impossible to believe on Jesus Christ if God has not given us faith. It's impossible to have a personal relationship with God the Father unless God the Son has revealed him. Incidentally, ah, incidentally, In Philippians 2 in verse 13, when he said, for it is God who worketh in you, but do his good pleasure.

[John Weaver] The word worketh in verse 13 is exactly the same word that is used in John 6 and verse 29. John 6 and verse 29. It is the noun in Philippians 2 and verse 13. It is the verb. So the work of repentance is a work of God. Although we repent, God gives us the gift. The work of faith is God's gift, except we actually do the believing. God does not believe for us.

[John Weaver] Now, let me try to tie this together for you. I want you to think with me when I give you these applications. First of all. Oh, man, the unsaved Believe that salvation is in their hand. I've heard people say this I Can repent whenever I want to I can believe whenever I want to that is a lie You cannot repent whatever you want to you cannot believe whatever you want to listen Our Lord himself said whatsoever.

[John Weaver] You shall ask in faith believing you shall receive All right. I tell you what I want you to do. I want you right now to to force yourself to believe that God is fixing to give you a million bucks. You can't do that. You can't make yourself believe faith is the gift of God. You can say, well, I believe some things. I sat down in this chair. I believe that this chair would hold me up. That's why I sat down in it.

[John Weaver] But I got news for you. That kind of faith is far different from a spiritual faith. It's far different from a biblical faith. I can have faith that Steve might loan me 10 bucks. But if I try to work up enough faith to believe that Steve is going to give me a million bucks, which he doesn't even have, I'm going to be wasting my time and I can't work it up anyhow. You cannot work up faith. You cannot make yourself believe the same thing is true when it comes to repentance. I've heard people say, well, I tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to I'm going to I'm going to repent and I'm going to believe right before I die. But until then, I'm going to just live my life to the fullest and said, all I want to say, I got news for you. You might plan on dying at midnight, but you're going to die at 1130 and you don't even know it. And when you think that you can repent on your own, you're mistaken.

[John Weaver] When you think you can believe on your own, you are mistaken. There's a vast difference between biblical faith and a fleshly faith. There's a vast difference between a biblical turning from sin and someone just saying, I don't want to do it anymore right now. No, no, no, no. What does the Bible say in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14? The natural man, the unsaved man, receives not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them because they're spiritually discerned, neither can he see. In other words, there's nothing in his mind that will enable him to receive and accept the truth. It's foolishness to him unless God opens his eyes. Now, let me say this another way. I'm going to say the same thing differently. No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

[John Weaver] You can only go to Christian schools. You can only go to Christian colleges. You can be in church all your life and hear sermons every every Sunday that are biblical and right. You can quote scriptures. But unless God opens your eyes, and works in you, it's nothing. Matthew 15, verses 7 and 8. Here is where most people really are. Our Lord said to these Jews, you hypocrites. Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, but their hearts are far from me. Listen carefully. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and unto me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

[John Weaver] And what did he go on to say? All you have is what you've been taught by your fathers. That's it. That's it. That's it. You've been taught by your fathers. In other words, I can teach you all day long. I can give you truth after truth from the Word of God. But unless God opens your eyes, unless God turns the light on, it's nothing. You're not going to hear. You're not going to repent. You're not going to believe.

[John Weaver] Our Lord says that, yes, but in vain do they worship me, teaching good doctrines, the commandments of men. Wow. That's it. So the truth of the matter is this. John said in John six and verse forty five. It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught of God. Every man, therefore, that hath heard, listened, and have been taught of the Father cometh unto me.

[John Weaver] Who is it that comes savingly to Jesus Christ? Only those who have been taught of the Father. If you haven't been taught of the Father, you're not coming savingly to Jesus Christ. He said in first Thessalonians chapter 4 in verse 9, but it's touching brotherly love You have no need that I write unto you or yourselves are taught of God to love one another Wow, God does teach and Job 36 in verse 22. The Bible says this behold God exalted by his power who teacheth like him Who teacheth like him No one can teach as God teaches.

[John Weaver] So the point I'm trying to make is this. If all we have is what men have taught us, we're lost in our sins. What we must have is the revelation of God the Father, the revelation of God the Son, which would produce an intimate, personal relationship with the Father and with the Son. So the question is, do you have the work of God in your life or do you have just simply the work of man?

[John Weaver] These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. All they've been taught, he said, is the doctrines of man. I can teach biblical truth. But it's God who must open our eyes. And our Lord said it so plainly. They asked, what must we do that we might work the works of God? And he responded, this is the work of God. This is the specific, particular work of God that you believe on him who has said. So those of us who actually believe savingly in Jesus Christ, it's because of the work of God in us. And when we get in the presence of God, he will receive all the honor and all the glory, because it was his work and not ours. The truth of the matter is this.

[John Weaver] The only thing you and I can do is furnish the center. And that's it. The rest of it is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe on him. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We just ask, Lord, that you would indeed open our eyes Teach us, build us up in the most holy faith. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so

The Work of God

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	dP3-JckxrTg
Subject	Education and Discipleship
Course	Christian Education and Discipleship
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-09-30
Dictation Name
Book	Book 073: Christian Education and Discipleship — Chapter 12
Source Timed Segments	75

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Works of God in Scripture

Weaver introduces the topic by distinguishing the many works of God (creation, redemption, providence) from the singular 'work of God' in John 6:29. He surveys several Psalms that extol God's wondrous works.

If you'll open your Bibles today, please, to the book of John, John chapter 6. John chapter 6, and we're going to be looking at verse 29, and we will come back and get the context, but look, if you would, at John chapter 6 and verse 29, one simple verse. John 6 verse 29:

Scripture Reading — John 6:29

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

So obviously then the title of the message is "The Work of God." When you and I think of the works of God, we automatically think of His works in creation, redemption, and in providence. There are many wonderful works of God that only God can perform and accomplish because He is omniscient, He is omnipotent, He is omnipresent, and absolutely nothing is impossible with Him. And although we classify the works of God under three heads, that of creation, redemption, and providence, there would be innumerable or multitudinous works under each one of those heads that we would classify. But I want to give you just a quick overview very quickly of what the Scripture says concerning the works of God.

And I just want to show you six or seven verses from the book of Psalms. I want you to hold John 6; we're coming back there. But if you look in Psalm 26 and verse 7, very quickly, Psalm 26 and verse 7, I'll quote some of these, but I want you to see especially the last one that I'm going to be quoting and reading. So if you look in Psalm 26 to begin with, and here's what the Bible says:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 26:7

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works."

So if you look in your Bibles now to Psalm 33 and verse 4, Psalm 33 and verse 4: "For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth." So all of God's works are done in truth. Look in Psalm 40 and verse 5, which is one of my favorite verses. Psalm 40 and verse 5, the Word of God says this: "Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 40:5

"And thy thoughts which are to us-ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."

Will you just pause and think that God thinks of us, and the psalmist said, they are more than can be numbered. So it says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 40:5

"Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done."

And then in Psalm 46 and verse 8, Psalm 46 in verse 8, he says, "Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth." So here's a work of the Lord as far as judgment and destruction is concerned as well. Now if you will turn, if you would please, to Psalm 66 and verse 3. Psalm 66 and verse 3. Here the Word of God says this: "Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!" Notice that, "How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee." Wow. Wow. Through the greatness of thy works.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 66:3

Look in Psalm 73 very quickly and verse 28. Psalm 73 and verse 28. Every one of these passages are absolutely phenomenal when it comes to the works of God. So in Psalm 73 and verse 28, the Word of God says this: "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." And then we talk about Psalm 104. You want to go there? Psalm 104, look if you would please very quickly at verse 24. Psalm 104 in verse 24. He says, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works!" that is, how variegated, how many there are. "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." And then Psalm 105 and verse 2. Psalm 105 verse 2.

"Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works." And then skip down to verse 5: "Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth." Here's the last one. I want you to look in Psalm 111 and let's begin reading there with verse 2. Psalm 111, beginning there with verse 2:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 111:2-5

"The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." "His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant."

But look, if you would, at verse 2 again:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 111:2-5

"The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."

So we could ask a number of questions. Number one, how many have pleasure in the works of God? How many actually seek out the works of God? And I ask probably correctly when I say how few really seek out the works of God as well. So when the Bible does speak of the works of God, in many different ways. When you look back at your Bibles in John 6 and verse 29, it is not the works of God plural that is being spoken of, but it is the work of God. He said in verse 29, "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

Context of John 6: Carnal Motives in Following Jesus

The speaker examines the context of John 6, where multitudes followed Jesus for miracles and free food. He highlights Herod as an example of one who sought only a miracle and was ignored by Christ.

So actually in our text, we are talking about not the multitudinous works of God, but one particular and one specific work of God. So let me try to give you the context. When you read John chapter 6, you're going to find that many people came to Jesus Christ, followed Jesus Christ for various reasons. A lot of those reasons were very carnal and very fleshly. So if you look in John chapter 6 and verse 2, the Bible says this:

Scripture Reading — John 6:2

"And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased."

Look at that. A great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles, which he did on them that were diseased. The truth of the matter is this: any supernatural activity is going to draw attention. And it does not necessarily have to be God's supernatural activity. The devil is a counterfeiter. He's an imitator. And it's absolutely strange, but yet it's understandable. Whenever anything, quote unquote, supernatural happens, people flock to that spot or they flock to that service thinking that somehow they're going to see a miracle or maybe have a miracle exercised upon them. If you'll remember, some years ago, there was supposed to be some miracle happening somewhere in France and people were flying there by the hundreds and by the thousands.

Whether it was really true or not, I have no earthly idea. But the truth of the matter is, people are drawn to that. And so here, these people were following Jesus Christ because they actually saw the miracles that he performed. Now, I may have pointed this out before to you, but I'm going to do it again in light of our conversation today. Do you remember or do you know the only man in the Bible to whom our Lord would not even speak? I want you to hold John chapter 6, but I want you to turn back in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Luke chapter 23, and I will tell you exactly why our Lord would not speak unto this man. So look, if you would, in Luke chapter 23, and let's begin reading there at verse 5. The man to whom our Lord would not even speak was King Herod. Note, if you would, Luke 23, it is. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. I'm in 22, Luke 23, verse 5. The Bible says, let's see, Luke 23, verse 5.

"And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad:" Why was he so happy to see Jesus? Here's why: "for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing." All Herod wanted to do was see a miracle. And our Lord would not even speak to the man, because it was very carnal and very fleshly motive, and our Lord just simply ignored him.

Now, when you go back to John chapter 6, and when you get to verses 25 and 26, you'll find that these people now are worse than the miracle seekers. So if you look in John 6 and verse 25, the Bible says, "And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?" Look at our Lord's answer.

Jesus' Rebuke and Admonition

Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him only for physical bread and admonishes them to labor for the food that endures to eternal life. Weaver notes that the Lord knows human hearts and motives.

"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." So here these people were worse than the miracle seekers. Our Lord had just fed the five thousand. They got free food. Our Lord crossed the sea. They wondered where he went. They finally found him. And our Lord said very bluntly, "Wow. You didn't seek me because of my miracles, you sought me because you got a free meal and you want another free meal." And that is just simply it. So if you'll skip back to verses 14 and 15 of John chapter 6, "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." So they got this free meal and they thought, "Wow, if he can do this one time, he can do this plenty of times, we'll make him king." And so our Lord crossed the sea to get away from them. And they followed him.

And that's when he said, "You're seeking me not because of the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves and were filled." So let me give you a truth that we need to learn right here. The Lord knows our hearts. He knows our motives. He knows our desires. He knows our fleshliness. He knows our carnality. He knows that which is honorable in our lives and that which is dishonorable in our lives. He is not honored by carnal and fleshly motives. Rather, he is dishonored. In fact, our Lord has told us that he will not even answer or regard a dishonorable, fleshly, carnal prayer.

He said so in James chapter 4 and verse 3. He said,

Scripture Reading — James 4:3

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

So God says, "I'm not going to answer. I'm not going to give any answer to any prayer that's totally carnal and fleshly." Now, look at the admonishment that our Lord gave in John 6 and verse 27 to the people. He says, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." So he says, "Don't be wasting your time on bread and fish." Well, you don't have to eat to live. I understand that. And so did our Lord.

But he said, "You better be concerned not where your next physical meal is coming from. You better be concerned about filling yourself with the bread of life and with the water of life." So he says, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth." And so you could have, I would say, the most expensive and probably the best meal that you could ever enjoy today. You could also have the best and the most expensive drink that you could ever enjoy today. And guess what? Tomorrow you're going to be thirsty and hungry all over again. But once our Lord gives you the water of life and the bread of life, it will satisfy you, not just in time, but also in eternity. So the truth of the matter is this: our Lord is indeed the true bread of life, and he is also the true water of life as well.

Now, here's the thing that amazes me. Our Lord basically rebuked these people in verse 27. He admonished them. He says, "You're not even concerned with the miracles, you're concerned with food. You just want to eat. You want it free. You don't have to work." And he says, "Don't labor for that. You labor for this bread that does not ever deteriorate and make you hungry again." And look at verse 28. Look at this. "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" It's astounding to me how many people can become pious and sanctimonious after a good solid rebuke.

The Question: 'What Shall We Do?'

After the rebuke, the people ask what they must do to work the works of God. Weaver discusses the possible motives behind this question—whether sincere or a deflection—and compares it to other biblical inquiries.

Maybe they're trying to throw attention away from themselves. It's kind of like the Samaritan woman there in John chapter 4 when our Lord asked for a drink of water, and she said, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." Well, our Lord said, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." Where you would never thirst again, you'd never have to come to this well to draw. And she said, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." What? How did she change the subject? Why did she change the subject? And then of course our Lord gave her the truth and gave her the answer. And then she said, "Lord, I think I want this water." Good. He said, "Go call thy husband." She said, "I have no husband." He says, "Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." I understand that. But notice she just changed the subject right there.

That's what these people seemingly were doing. They were just changing the subject, so to speak. Now, make sure that you understand this one particular truth, that there are a lot of people that will change once they have been rebuked. Now, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"

Now, there's nothing wrong with that question, if it was asked in sincerity and truth. Do you realize that which is important is that which motivates the question. Now, this question could be asked as a cover, or it could have been asked in sincerity. When they ask, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" they could be asking, "What could we do more than obedience to the law of Moses which he's given to us?" Now, if they were saying that and asking that, if that was the implication, then they were basically claiming to be as the Pharisees who thought they kept the law of God. On the other hand, they could have been very, very truthful and could be very genuine, and they could have been asking, "Well, where do we need to change? How do we need to turn our lives around that we might work the works of God?" Have you ever noticed that just about everyone wants to do something to either earn salvation or earn the blessings of God? You remember in Mark chapter 10, that rich young ruler, he came running to Jesus Christ and knelt and said, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" He wanted to do something.

Albert Barnes, in his commentary, makes this simple statement. Listen to this. He says, "The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders." And I would say it like this: it is also the last idea that a real Christian ever surrenders when he's looking for and seeking the blessings of God. I know of people who've tried to bargain with God. "Lord, if you will do this for me, something that I want specially. Lord, if you'll do this for me, I'll do this for you." Wow. No. The Bible tells us that all the blessings that we have are stored up in the Lord Jesus Christ in the book of Ephesians chapter 1.

Everything is in him now. So when I'm saying that the motivation behind this question, "What must we do that we might work the works of God?" is that which determines whether or not it was a legitimate question or whether or not it was a cover question trying to distract from the rebuke and the admonition that Christ gave them in verse 27. Now there are good questions to ask at times. You remember in Luke chapter 3, John the Baptist was preaching repentance. And of course there's the people came to him. The tax collectors came to him. The soldiers came to him. And if you read Luke chapter 3, each one of these groups asked John the Baptist, "What must we do?" And John the Baptist answered them, and he gave different answers to each group.

Now, you have to interpret that question in light of the context. So John was preaching, "You must repent." And so here the people, "What must we do?" In other words, "What must we do to demonstrate our repentance?" Well, the predominant and the prevailing sin among the people was one of covetousness. And so John said, "Well, let him that hath two coats impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." So the prevailing predominant sin of the people is that of covetousness. And the tax collectors, "What must we do?" "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." That's your predominant sin, your things. Then the soldiers came and said, "What must we do?" And he said, "Be content with your wages. Do not do violence to any man, neither accuse any falsely." So those were legitimate questions and they had a right motive behind them. Whether or not in John chapter 6 and verse 28 there's a right motive or not,

I do not know, but I'm just simply saying it could go either way. Now John Gill really speaks well concerning our Lord's answer. Let's look at verse 28. Let's look at verse 29 again, verse 29 in light of verse 28. "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Now here's a very surprise answer. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent. Now, they ask, "What must we do that we might work the works of God?"

Jesus' Answer: The Work of God is Faith

Jesus answers that the work of God is to believe on Him whom He has sent. Weaver explains that this is not a human work but a divine operation, citing John Gill and Matthew Poole to support monergism.

Our Lord totally ignored that question. Unless you consider that this answer was the answer to that question, because what our Lord was saying is it's impossible for you to do any works of God unless God does a work in you. That's what he was saying. So here's what John Gill said. Listen carefully. He said, "The main and principal one work, and which is well pleasing in his sight, and which is impossible to please him, and without which no work, whatever is a good work, and this is the operation of God, which he himself works in men, it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God." In other words, he's saying there's no one can do any works of God until God works in them. He goes on to say it like this: "That ye believe on him whom he hath sent. There are other works which are well pleasing to God when rightly performed, but faith is the chief work, and others are only acceptable when done in faith in Christ. This as a principle is purely God's work. It is His act. It is exercised under the influence of divine grace. It is only man's act that you believe. The object of it is Christ, as sent by the Father, as the mediator between God and man, as appointed by him to be the Saviour, Redeemer. And believing in Christ is believing in God that sent him." So he is saying this is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe. In other words, it's God who enables us to believe. It's God who gives us faith. Now, it is true that man actually believes. God does not believe for you, but you would never believe unless God creates in you and gives you grace and gives you faith.

Now, very quickly, Matthew Poole also said it like this: "Our Lord calls them to a work that they never thought of. That of owning and acknowledging him, Jesus Christ, to be the true Messiah, the embracing and receiving him as such, and trusting him with all the concerns of their souls, which was necessary, notwithstanding," now listen to this, "'notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience, and inseparable from it.'" Wow, now that is a mouthful. I want to explain what he just said. The first part is very easy. Our Lord calls them to a work they never thought of. That work is owning and acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Messiah. That work is trusting only in Jesus Christ, leaning only in Jesus Christ, receiving him as God has ordained. And then he says this: "Notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience and inseparable from it."

Now here's a good question. What in the world does Matthew Poole mean when he's talking about "notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience and inseparable from it"? Is he being confusing? And the answer is no. These men certainly knew the law of God. They may have only known what the Pharisees thought, but at least they had at least some idea about the law of God. Well, let me explain.

The Law and Faith

Weaver shows from Matthew 23:23 that the law itself taught faith, and that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. True understanding of the law leads to Christ, not self-righteousness.

I want you to hold John chapter 6, but I want you to turn back in your Bibles now to Matthew chapter 23 and look if you would at verse 23. Matthew 23 in verse 23. I preached a message on this one verse many, many years ago. It's a verse that oftentimes we overlook. So he says this in verse 23 of Matthew 23. Matthew chapter 23, it is verse 23.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 23:23

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Now, look at this. He commends them for their consistency in paying their tithes. He says,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 23:23

"You pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin."

In other words, they were willing to tithe down to the smallest herb. But he says,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 23:23

"You have omitted the weightier matters of the law."

What are the weightier matters of the law? Judgment, mercy, and faith. Isn't that interesting? The law taught faith. That's what he said. How in the world could the law teach faith?

Well, do you not remember in the book of Galatians chapter 3 and verse 24 where the Apostle Paul said, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith"? How in the world could the law do that? Because the law showed you that you could not save yourself. It showed you that you were a sinner. It showed you you could not redeem yourself. It showed you that if you were ever saved, you had to be saved on the merits of someone else. So he said, "You've omitted the weightier matters of the law." This is why Jesus Christ came, and he was made under the law, made of a woman. The Bible says to redeem us that were under the law. And so clearly then, Jesus Christ is the only one who's ever kept the law personally, perfectly, and perpetually. And Jesus Christ worked out an absolute perfect obedience to that law. That is why in the book of Romans chapter 10 and verse 4 the Bible says, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Why is he the end of the law for righteousness? Because he's the only one that kept it. He's perfected it. He accomplished it. And so when we believe in Jesus Christ, we believe in the perfect fulfillment of that law. So this is what Poole is talking about. If they really understood the law, then the law was going to lead them to Jesus Christ. If they did not understand the law, of course, then it's not going to lead them to Jesus Christ.

So if you'll go to John 6 and look at verse 29 again, because this verse to me is just so absolutely plain. I don't see how anyone can misunderstand it. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." So when you believe on Jesus Christ savingly, it's only because of the work of God in you. Believing on Jesus Christ as the Messiah, trusting in his finished atonement, leaning upon him completely for salvation is the work of God in us. We cannot perform that work. We cannot do that work. This is an act of God. This is a work of God. So look back at verse 29 one more time.

Monergism vs. Synergism

The speaker defines monergism (God works alone in salvation) and contrasts it with synergism (man cooperates with God). He refutes common synergistic sayings and emphasizes that God alone gets the glory.

I want to explain this. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Verse 29 is a plain statement of what is known as monergism. Monergism: mono means one or alone, ergo is the Greek word for I work. Monergism just means that God works alone in salvation. Okay? That's monergism. The truth of the matter is, most people, most professing Christians, do not even understand verse 29 of John chapter 6. They do not understand monergism. What they hold is really an error known as synergism. Syn means together, S-Y-N, ergo I work. So synergism teaches actually that the sinner or man works with God to accomplish his own salvation. So, let me explain it like this. Have you ever heard people say, and I have, "Well if you take the first step, God will do the rest." That's synergism. Man has to do something in order for God to save him.

Now hang on, think with me. I've heard it said like this, "Your part is to believe, it's God's part to save." Well, that sounds good because man does indeed believe. Someone else said, "It's mine to be willing, it's God's to do the saving." The one that is clearest to me and absolutely blasphemous, and I've told you this, and it's still on the sign of the church that I pass every Sunday morning, and it simply says this: "I did my best and God did the rest." That's synergism.

Now let me ask you a question. You remember Isaiah 42 in verse 8, where God says, "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." My glory will I not share with another. Who is insane enough to think that when they get the glory, when they get to heaven, when they get in the presence of God, they're going to be standing there bragging, saying, "Oh, God, I'm here, but I'm only here because I did my part and you don't get all the glory. I get part of this glory." Because had I not been willing, had I not taken the first step, had I not done my best, you could not have saved me. That is absolutely insane. And yet I can hear people objecting and say, "But you don't understand. I came to Christ." And the truth is, yes, you did come to Christ. But then you have to ask yourself this question: Why did you come to Christ? You said, "But when I came to Jesus Christ, I was willing to come to Jesus Christ." Yes. But why were you willing to come to Jesus Christ when for many years you were quite unwilling to come to Jesus Christ? Well, I can hear another objection and say, "But I repented." Yes, but who gave you the gift of repentance? "But I believe," yes, but who gave you the gift of faith? Our Lord said, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

I'm not going to go over this again, but I'm going to remind you of the three illustrations of salvation in the Bible. Three in the New Testament. And they all show that salvation is the work of God alone. I told you earlier, the first one is that of birth, John chapter 4. No man births himself. The second one is that of creation, 2 Corinthians 4, as God spoke the world into existence. So God had shined in our hearts, face of Jesus Christ. When God said that there'd be light, there was light. So there's light in our hearts only because Jesus Christ shined in them. And then the third one is resurrection.

Divine Revelation Necessary for Faith

Using Matthew 11:27 and Luke 10:22, Weaver argues that no one can know the Father or the Son unless God reveals them. Saving knowledge is an act of God, not human discovery.

The word "knoweth" happens to be the word epiginosko, which means full knowledge, or to become thoroughly acquainted with, or to know thoroughly, and to know accurately. So no one can know the Father thoroughly or accurately apart from the Son, and no one can know the Son thoroughly or accurately apart from the Father. Now, so our Lord now is talking then about an intimate personal knowing of the Father, and He says this, look in verse 27 again. "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will"—what's that next word?—"reveal him." Now the Greek word for "reveal" is the word apokalypto. And it literally means to uncover, to lay open. It means to lay open that which has been veiled, that which has been covered up. It means to disclose, it means to make bare, it means to make known, it means to make manifest, to disclose whatever has been previously covered.

Apokalypto means to unveil. When you get to the book of Revelation, chapter 1 and verse 1, you read "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him." The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the apokalypsis, the uncovering, the unveiling of Jesus Christ. So now in Matthew 11, verse 27, he is saying that no one can know the Father unless the Son reveals him, and no one can know the Son except the Father reveals him as well. Now, when you get to James—not James, but when you get to John 1 and verse 18, think about this verse. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." The only way that we can know the Father is through the revelation and the declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, it's impossible to know the Father intimately without the revelation of the Son. It's impossible to know the Son intimately without the revelation of the Father.

Now, most of you can quote this passage. But I want to quote it one more time, just so you can see the connection. Matthew chapter 16 in verse 13. Jesus Christ asked his disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They answered, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Jesus said, "But whom say ye that I am?" And Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And our Lord answered in the next verse, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

So how did Peter know that Jesus Christ was the Messiah? How did he know that he was the Son of God? And the answer is, because the Father who is in heaven revealed it unto him. No man can know the Son without the revelation of the Father. No one can know the Father without the revelation and the declaration of the Son. So, very clearly then, salvation has to be a work of God. Back in Matthew 11 in verse 27, he said, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." So a saving, intimate, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ is an act of God alone because it is the Father who reveals the Son.

Now, if you would turn right over to the book of Luke chapter 10 and verse 22, you're going to see this same truth stated again, just a little differently, but it is the exact same truth. If you look in Luke chapter 10 and verse 22, Luke 10 verse 22. Our Lord says in this passage: "All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him." Same truth worded differently. Now it should be clear that believing on Jesus Christ is a work of God because only God can unveil the Lord Jesus Christ. Man by nature does not see the beauty of Jesus Christ. That's why in Isaiah 53 the Bible says, "There is no beauty that we should desire him." So it's only God who can open our eyes and let us see the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Believer's Work of Faith

Addressing 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and Philippians 2:12-13, Weaver explains that while believers exercise faith, it is only because God works in them. The 'work of faith' is God's gift, not self-generated.

I want to point something out just so there's no confusion of this. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, at First Thessalonians chapter 1, First Thessalonians chapter 1. And I want you to look particularly at verse 3, because I've been telling you that salvation is a work of God. But when you get to First Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 3, look what the Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonian Christians. He says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing."

Now, if you would, look, if you would, back at verse 3. "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." Now, wait a minute. Your work of faith. How is the Apostle Paul talking to these Thessalonian Christians and talking about their work of faith when I just told you that, wow, only God can unveil Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ can unveil the Father. Is it God's work of faith, or is it man's work of faith? Well, I want to answer that for you from the Bible. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians. The book of Philippians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, look in chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. Look at this. Philippians 2 verse 12. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Is Paul telling them to save themselves? Is Paul telling them to earn your salvation? Of course not. Watch what he says. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." You cannot work it out unless God works it in. It's your faith only because God gave it to you and you exercise the gift of God. So it's called your faith or your work of faith, but it's God who gave it to you, and you would never have it apart from him. So it's impossible to work it out if God has not worked it in. It's impossible to believe on Jesus Christ if God has not given us faith. It's impossible to have a personal relationship with God the Father unless God the Son has revealed him. Incidentally, in Philippians 2 in verse 13, when he said, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

The word "worketh" in verse 13 is exactly the same word that is used in John 6 and verse 29. John 6 and verse 29. It is the noun; in Philippians 2 and verse 13 it is the verb. So the work of repentance is a work of God. Although we repent, God gives us the gift. The work of faith is God's gift, except we actually do the believing. God does not believe for us.

Applications and Warnings

Weaver warns that unsaved people cannot repent or believe at will; faith and repentance are gifts of God. He stresses that no amount of teaching can replace the divine work of opening eyes, and that only those taught by God come to Christ.

Now, let me try to tie this together for you. I want you to think with me when I give you these applications. First of all, oh man, the unsaved believe that salvation is in their hand. I've heard people say this: "I can repent whenever I want to. I can believe whenever I want to." That is a lie. You cannot repent whenever you want to. You cannot believe whenever you want to. Listen, our Lord himself said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, believing, ye shall receive."

All right. I tell you what I want you to do. I want you right now to force yourself to believe that God is fixing to give you a million bucks. You can't do that. You can't make yourself believe. Faith is the gift of God. You can say, "Well, I believe some things. I sat down in this chair. I believe that this chair would hold me up. That's why I sat down in it."

But I got news for you. That kind of faith is far different from a spiritual faith. It's far different from a biblical faith. I can have faith that Steve might loan me 10 bucks. But if I try to work up enough faith to believe that Steve is going to give me a million bucks, which he doesn't even have, I'm going to be wasting my time and I can't work it up anyhow. You cannot work up faith. You cannot make yourself believe. The same thing is true when it comes to repentance. I've heard people say, "Well, I tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to repent and I'm going to believe right before I die. But until then, I'm going to just live my life to the fullest." And all I want to say, I got news for you. You might plan on dying at midnight, but you're going to die at 11:30 and you don't even know it. And when you think that you can repent on your own, you're mistaken.

When you think you can believe on your own, you are mistaken. There's a vast difference between biblical faith and a fleshly faith. There's a vast difference between a biblical turning from sin and someone just saying, "I don't want to do it anymore right now." No, no, no, no. What does the Bible say in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14? "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Neither can he see. In other words, there's nothing in his mind that will enable him to receive and accept the truth. It's foolishness to him unless God opens his eyes. Now, let me say this another way. I'm going to say the same thing differently. No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

You can only go to Christian schools. You can only go to Christian colleges. You can be in church all your life and hear sermons every Sunday that are biblical and right. You can quote scriptures. But unless God opens your eyes, and works in you, it's nothing. Matthew 15, verses 7 and 8. Here is where most people really are. Our Lord said to these Jews, "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." Listen carefully. "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

And what did he go on to say? "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." That's it. That's it. That's it. You've been taught by your fathers. In other words, I can teach you all day long. I can give you truth after truth from the Word of God. But unless God opens your eyes, unless God turns the light on, it's nothing. You're not going to hear. You're not going to repent. You're not going to believe.

Our Lord says that, yes, "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Wow. That's it. So the truth of the matter is this. John said in John 6 and verse 45, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." Who is it that comes savingly to Jesus Christ? Only those who have been taught of the Father. If you haven't been taught of the Father, you're not coming savingly to Jesus Christ. He said in First Thessalonians chapter 4 in verse 9, "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." Wow. God does teach. And Job 36 in verse 22, the Bible says this: "Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?" Who teacheth like him? No one can teach as God teaches.

So the point I'm trying to make is this. If all we have is what men have taught us, we're lost in our sins. What we must have is the revelation of God the Father, the revelation of God the Son, which would produce an intimate, personal relationship with the Father and with the Son. So the question is, do you have the work of God in your life or do you have just simply the work of man? "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." All they've been taught, he said, is the doctrines of man. I can teach biblical truth. But it's God who must open our eyes. And our Lord said it so plainly. They asked, "What must we do that we might work the works of God?" And he responded, "This is the work of God." This is the specific, particular work of God that you believe on him who has sent. So those of us who actually believe savingly in Jesus Christ, it's because of the work of God in us. And when we get in the presence of God, he will receive all the honor and all the glory, because it was his work and not ours. The truth of the matter is this.

Conclusion and Prayer

The sermon concludes by reiterating that the only thing humans contribute is the sin; the rest is God's work. Weaver prays for God to open eyes and build up the hearers in faith.

The only thing you and I can do is furnish the sinner. And that's it. The rest of it is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe on him. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We just ask, Lord, that you would indeed open our eyes. Teach us, build us up in the most holy faith. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Singular Work of God

Summary: While God has many works, John 6:29 identifies one specific work: believing on Jesus Christ. This faith is not a human achievement but a divine operation.

Evidence: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Monergism in Salvation

Summary: Salvation is entirely God's work; man does not cooperate with God to be saved. Faith is a gift from God, not a human contribution.

Evidence: Monergism just means that God works alone in salvation... This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Carnal Motives vs. True Seeking

Summary: Many follow Jesus for selfish reasons—miracles, free food—but God knows the heart and is not honored by fleshly motives. True seeking requires divine revelation.

Evidence: Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Divine Revelation Necessary for Knowledge of God

Summary: No one can know the Father or the Son intimately unless God reveals them. This revelation is an act of God, not human intellect.

Evidence: No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

The Inability of Man to Believe or Repent Apart from Grace

Summary: Unregenerate man cannot produce saving faith or repentance; these are gifts of God. Human effort cannot replace the work of the Spirit.

Evidence: You cannot repent whenever you want to. You cannot believe whenever you want to... Faith is the gift of God.

God Alone Receives Glory in Salvation

Summary: Because salvation is entirely God's work, He alone receives all glory. Any notion of human contribution robs God of His honor.

Evidence: My glory will I not give to another... Who is insane enough to think that when they get to heaven... they're going to be standing there bragging...

Key Arguments

Faith is a Divine Work, Not a Human Work

Summary: Jesus' answer in John 6:29 redefines the people's question: the work of God is not something they do, but something God does in them—enabling them to believe.

Evidence: This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent... it's God who enables us to believe.

The Law Points to Faith in Christ

Summary: The law itself teaches faith by revealing human inability and pointing to Christ as the only fulfiller of righteousness. True obedience to the law leads to faith.

Evidence: The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith... Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Synergism is a Dangerous Error

Summary: The idea that man cooperates with God in salvation (synergism) is unbiblical and robs God of glory. Common sayings like 'I did my best and God did the rest' are blasphemous.

Evidence: That's synergism... My glory will I not share with another.

Revelation is Necessary for Saving Knowledge

Summary: Peter's confession of Christ was not from flesh and blood but revealed by the Father. Similarly, no one can know the Father without the Son's revelation.

Evidence: Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Human Inability and Divine Enablement

Summary: The natural man cannot receive spiritual things; only God can open eyes and grant repentance and faith. Teaching alone cannot save.

Evidence: The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God... No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

Scripture References

John 6:29

Context: The central text: Jesus declares that the work of God is to believe on Him whom He has sent.

Psalm 26:7

Context: Cited as an example of publishing God's wondrous works.

Psalm 33:4

Context: All God's works are done in truth.

Psalm 40:5

Context: God's wonderful works and thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 46:8

Context: God's works include desolations in judgment.

Psalm 66:3

Context: God is terrible in His works; enemies submit through His power.

Psalm 73:28

Context: Drawing near to God to declare all His works.

Psalm 104:24

Context: God's manifold works made in wisdom; the earth is full of His riches.

Psalm 105:2,5

Context: Talk of God's wondrous works and remember His marvelous works.

Psalm 111:2-5

Context: The works of the Lord are great, honorable, glorious, and remembered.

John 6:2

Context: A great multitude followed Jesus because they saw His miracles.

Luke 23:5-9

Context: Herod desired to see a miracle, but Jesus answered him nothing.

John 6:25-26

Context: Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him because they ate the loaves and were filled.

John 6:14-15

Context: After the feeding, the people intended to make Jesus king by force.

James 4:3

Context: God does not answer prayers asked with wrong motives to consume on lusts.

John 6:27

Context: Jesus admonishes to labor not for perishable food but for food enduring to eternal life.

John 4:7-18

Context: The Samaritan woman changes the subject when confronted; similar to the crowd's deflection.

Mark 10:17

Context: The rich young ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life, illustrating the desire to earn salvation.

Luke 3:10-14

Context: Various groups ask John the Baptist 'What must we do?' demonstrating legitimate questions of repentance.

Matthew 23:23

Context: Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith.

Historical References

Albert Barnes' commentary

Context: Weaver quotes Barnes: 'The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders.'

John Gill's commentary

Context: Gill is cited to explain that faith is the chief work, God's operation in men, not of themselves.

Matthew Poole's commentary

Context: Poole is quoted on Christ calling them to a work they never thought of—owning Christ as Messiah—and that faith is productive of obedience.

Important Quotes

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Significance: The central verse of the sermon, defining saving faith as a divine work, not human effort.

The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders.

Significance: Highlights the persistent human tendency to rely on works for salvation, which the sermon refutes.

The main and principal one work, and which is well pleasing in his sight, and which is impossible to please him, and without which no work, whatever is a good work, and this is the operation of God, which he himself works in men, it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God.

Significance: John Gill's explanation that faith is entirely God's work, not man's, reinforcing monergism.

I did my best and God did the rest.

Significance: An example of synergism that Weaver calls blasphemous, illustrating the error of sharing glory with God.

No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

Significance: Emphasizes that human instruction is insufficient for salvation; only divine revelation avails.

The only thing you and I can do is furnish the sinner. And that's it. The rest of it is the work of God.

Significance: A succinct summary of the sermon's message: man contributes only sin; salvation is entirely God's work.

Discussion Questions

How does understanding faith as 'the work of God' change the way we view our own conversion?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that believing on Christ is a divine work, not a human achievement.

In what ways might we be guilty of seeking Jesus for carnal or fleshly reasons today?

Context: The crowd followed Jesus for free food; Weaver warns against impure motives in seeking God.

Why is synergism ('I did my part, God did His') so appealing to human nature, and how does it rob God of glory?

Context: Weaver contrasts monergism with synergism and argues that God alone deserves glory in salvation.

How does the law function as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, according to Galatians 3:24?

Context: Weaver explains that the law reveals our inability and points to Christ as the only fulfiller.

What does it mean that no one can know the Father unless the Son reveals Him, and how should this affect our evangelism?

Context: Based on Matthew 11:27, Weaver stresses the necessity of divine revelation for saving knowledge.

How can we discern whether our faith is a genuine gift from God or merely a fleshly, self-generated belief?

Context: Weaver distinguishes between biblical faith and fleshly faith, noting that true faith is God-given.

Why is it dangerous to assume we can repent or believe 'whenever we want'?

Context: Weaver argues that repentance and faith are gifts of God, not under human control.

Applications

Examine Your Motives in Seeking God

Summary: Believers should examine whether they seek God for carnal benefits or out of genuine love and faith. God is not honored by fleshly motives.

Evidence: He is not honored by carnal and fleshly motives. Rather, he is dishonored.

Rest in God's Sovereign Work in Salvation

Summary: Since faith is God's work, believers can have assurance that their salvation is secure, not dependent on their own efforts.

Evidence: This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Give All Glory to God for Salvation

Summary: Recognizing that salvation is entirely God's work should lead to humility and worship, giving God alone the glory.

Evidence: When we get in the presence of God, he will receive all the honor and all the glory, because it was his work and not ours.

Depend on God, Not Human Teaching, for Spiritual Life

Summary: No amount of education or preaching can save; only God can open eyes. Pray for divine illumination rather than relying on human wisdom.

Evidence: No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

Labor for Eternal Food, Not Perishable

Summary: Prioritize spiritual nourishment—the bread of life—over temporal concerns, trusting Christ to satisfy eternally.

Evidence: Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:39:06Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T11:20:22Z

Clean Transcript

The Work of God

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

If you'll open your Bibles today, please, to the book of John, John chapter 6. John chapter 6, and we're going to be looking at verse 29, and we will come back and get the context, but look, if you would, at John chapter 6 and verse 29, one simple verse. John 6 verse 29: "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." So obviously then the title of the message is "The Work of God." When you and I think of the works of God, we automatically think of His works in creation, redemption, and in providence. There are many wonderful works of God that only God can perform and accomplish because He is omniscient, He is omnipotent, He is omnipresent, and absolutely nothing is impossible with Him. And although we classify the works of God under three heads, that of creation, redemption, and providence, there would be innumerable or multitudinous works under each one of those heads that we would classify. But I want to give you just a quick overview very quickly of what the Scripture says concerning the works of God.
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And I just want to show you six or seven verses from the book of Psalms. I want you to hold John 6; we're coming back there. But if you look in Psalm 26 and verse 7, very quickly, Psalm 26 and verse 7, I'll quote some of these, but I want you to see especially the last one that I'm going to be quoting and reading. So if you look in Psalm 26 to begin with, and here's what the Bible says: "That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." So if you look in your Bibles now to Psalm 33 and verse 4, Psalm 33 and verse 4: "For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth." So all of God's works are done in truth. Look in Psalm 40 and verse 5, which is one of my favorite verses. Psalm 40 and verse 5, the Word of God says this: "Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done."
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"And thy thoughts which are to us-ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." Will you just pause and think that God thinks of us, and the psalmist said, they are more than can be numbered. So it says, "Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done." And then in Psalm 46 and verse 8, Psalm 46 in verse 8, he says, "Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth." So here's a work of the Lord as far as judgment and destruction is concerned as well. Now if you will turn, if you would please, to Psalm 66 and verse 3. Psalm 66 and verse 3. Here the Word of God says this: "Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!" Notice that, "How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee." Wow. Wow. Through the greatness of thy works.
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Look in Psalm 73 very quickly and verse 28. Psalm 73 and verse 28. Every one of these passages are absolutely phenomenal when it comes to the works of God. So in Psalm 73 and verse 28, the Word of God says this: "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." And then we talk about Psalm 104.
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You want to go there? Psalm 104, look if you would please very quickly at verse 24. Psalm 104 in verse 24. He says, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works!" that is, how variegated, how many there are. "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." And then Psalm 105 and verse 2. Psalm 105 verse 2.
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"Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works." And then skip down to verse 5: "Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth." Here's the last one. I want you to look in Psalm 111 and let's begin reading there with verse 2. Psalm 111, beginning there with verse 2: "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."
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"His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant." But look, if you would, at verse 2 again: "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." So we could ask a number of questions. Number one, how many have pleasure in the works of God? How many actually seek out the works of God? And I ask probably correctly when I say how few really seek out the works of God as well. So when the Bible does speak of the works of God, in many different ways. When you look back at your Bibles in John 6 and verse 29, it is not the works of God plural that is being spoken of, but it is the work of God. He said in verse 29, "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
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So actually in our text, we are talking about not the multitudinous works of God, but one particular and one specific work of God. So let me try to give you the context. When you read John chapter 6, you're going to find that many people came to Jesus Christ, followed Jesus Christ for various reasons. A lot of those reasons were very carnal and very fleshly. So if you look in John chapter 6 and verse 2, the Bible says this: "And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased." Look at that. A great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles, which he did on them that were diseased.
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The truth of the matter is this: any supernatural activity is going to draw attention. And it does not necessarily have to be God's supernatural activity. The devil is a counterfeiter. He's an imitator. And it's absolutely strange, but yet it's understandable. Whenever anything, quote unquote, supernatural happens, people flock to that spot or they flock to that service thinking that somehow they're going to see a miracle or maybe have a miracle exercised upon them. If you'll remember, some years ago, there was supposed to be some miracle happening somewhere in France and people were flying there by the hundreds and by the thousands.
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Whether it was really true or not, I have no earthly idea. But the truth of the matter is, people are drawn to that. And so here, these people were following Jesus Christ because they actually saw the miracles that he performed.
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Now, I may have pointed this out before to you, but I'm going to do it again in light of our conversation today. Do you remember or do you know the only man in the Bible to whom our Lord would not even speak? I want you to hold John chapter 6, but I want you to turn back in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Luke chapter 23, and I will tell you exactly why our Lord would not speak unto this man. So look, if you would, in Luke chapter 23, and let's begin reading there at verse 5. The man to whom our Lord would not even speak was King Herod. Note, if you would, Luke 23, it is. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. I'm in 22, Luke 23, verse 5. The Bible says, let's see, Luke 23, verse 5.
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"And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad:" Why was he so happy to see Jesus? Here's why: "for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing." All Herod wanted to do was see a miracle.
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And our Lord would not even speak to the man, because it was very carnal and very fleshly motive, and our Lord just simply ignored him.
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Now, when you go back to John chapter 6, and when you get to verses 25 and 26, you'll find that these people now are worse than the miracle seekers. So if you look in John 6 and verse 25, the Bible says, "And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?" Look at our Lord's answer.
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"Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." So here these people were worse than the miracle seekers. Our Lord had just fed the five thousand. They got free food. Our Lord crossed the sea. They wondered where he went. They finally found him. And our Lord said very bluntly, "Wow. You didn't seek me because of my miracles, you sought me because you got a free meal and you want another free meal." And that is just simply it. So if you'll skip back to verses 14 and 15 of John chapter 6, "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." So they got this free meal and they thought, "Wow, if he can do this one time, he can do this plenty of times, we'll make him king." And so our Lord crossed the sea to get away from them. And they followed him.
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And that's when he said, "You're seeking me not because of the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves and were filled." So let me give you a truth that we need to learn right here. The Lord knows our hearts. He knows our motives. He knows our desires. He knows our fleshliness. He knows our carnality. He knows that which is honorable in our lives and that which is dishonorable in our lives. He is not honored by carnal and fleshly motives. Rather, he is dishonored. In fact, our Lord has told us that he will not even answer or regard a dishonorable, fleshly, carnal prayer.
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He said so in James chapter 4 and verse 3. He said, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." So God says, "I'm not going to answer. I'm not going to give any answer to any prayer that's totally carnal and fleshly."
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Now, look at the admonishment that our Lord gave in John 6 and verse 27 to the people. He says, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." So he says, "Don't be wasting your time on bread and fish." Well, you don't have to eat to live. I understand that. And so did our Lord.
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But he said, "You better be concerned not where your next physical meal is coming from. You better be concerned about filling yourself with the bread of life and with the water of life." So he says, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth." And so you could have, I would say, the most expensive and probably the best meal that you could ever enjoy today. You could also have the best and the most expensive drink that you could ever enjoy today. And guess what?
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Tomorrow you're going to be thirsty and hungry all over again. But once our Lord gives you the water of life and the bread of life, it will satisfy you, not just in time, but also in eternity. So the truth of the matter is this: our Lord is indeed the true bread of life, and he is also the true water of life as well.
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Now, here's the thing that amazes me. Our Lord basically rebuked these people in verse 27. He admonished them. He says, "You're not even concerned with the miracles, you're concerned with food. You just want to eat. You want it free. You don't have to work." And he says, "Don't labor for that. You labor for this bread that does not ever deteriorate and make you hungry again." And look at verse 28. Look at this. "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" It's astounding to me how many people can become pious and sanctimonious after a good solid rebuke.
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Maybe they're trying to throw attention away from themselves. It's kind of like the Samaritan woman there in John chapter 4 when our Lord asked for a drink of water, and she said, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." Well, our Lord said, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." Where you would never thirst again, you'd never have to come to this well to draw.
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And she said, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." What? How did she change the subject? Why did she change the subject? And then of course our Lord gave her the truth and gave her the answer. And then she said, "Lord, I think I want this water." Good. He said, "Go call thy husband." She said, "I have no husband." He says, "Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." I understand that. But notice she just changed the subject right there.
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That's what these people seemingly were doing. They were just changing the subject, so to speak.
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Now, make sure that you understand this one particular truth, that there are a lot of people that will change once they have been rebuked. Now, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
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Now, there's nothing wrong with that question, if it was asked in sincerity and truth. Do you realize that which is important is that which motivates the question. Now, this question could be asked as a cover, or it could have been asked in sincerity. When they ask, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" they could be asking, "What could we do more than obedience to the law of Moses which he's given to us?" Now, if they were saying that and asking that, if that was the implication, then they were basically claiming to be as the Pharisees who thought they kept the law of God.
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On the other hand, they could have been very, very truthful and could be very genuine, and they could have been asking, "Well, where do we need to change? How do we need to turn our lives around that we might work the works of God?" Have you ever noticed that just about everyone wants to do something to either earn salvation or earn the blessings of God? You remember in Mark chapter 10, that rich young ruler, he came running to Jesus Christ and knelt and said, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" He wanted to do something.
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Albert Barnes, in his commentary, makes this simple statement. Listen to this. He says, "The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders." And I would say it like this: it is also the last idea that a real Christian ever surrenders when he's looking for and seeking the blessings of God. I know of people who've tried to bargain with God. "Lord, if you will do this for me, something that I want specially. Lord, if you'll do this for me, I'll do this for you." Wow. No. The Bible tells us that all the blessings that we have are stored up in the Lord Jesus Christ in the book of Ephesians chapter 1.
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Everything is in him now. So when I'm saying that the motivation behind this question, "What must we do that we might work the works of God?" is that which determines whether or not it was a legitimate question or whether or not it was a cover question trying to distract from the rebuke and the admonition that Christ gave them in verse 27.
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Now there are good questions to ask at times. You remember in Luke chapter 3, John the Baptist was preaching repentance. And of course there's the people came to him. The tax collectors came to him. The soldiers came to him. And if you read Luke chapter 3, each one of these groups asked John the Baptist, "What must we do?" And John the Baptist answered them, and he gave different answers to each group.
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Now, you have to interpret that question in light of the context. So John was preaching, "You must repent." And so here the people, "What must we do?" In other words, "What must we do to demonstrate our repentance?" Well, the predominant and the prevailing sin among the people was one of covetousness. And so John said, "Well, let him that hath two coats impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." So the prevailing predominant sin of the people is that of covetousness. And the tax collectors, "What must we do?"
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"Exact no more than that which is appointed you." That's your predominant sin, your things. Then the soldiers came and said, "What must we do?" And he said, "Be content with your wages. Do not do violence to any man, neither accuse any falsely." So those were legitimate questions and they had a right motive behind them. Whether or not in John chapter 6 and verse 28 there's a right motive or not,
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I do not know, but I'm just simply saying it could go either way. Now John Gill really speaks well concerning our Lord's answer. Let's look at verse 28. Let's look at verse 29 again, verse 29 in light of verse 28. "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Now here's a very surprise answer. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent. Now, they ask, "What must we do that we might work the works of God?"
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Our Lord totally ignored that question. Unless you consider that this answer was the answer to that question, because what our Lord was saying is it's impossible for you to do any works of God unless God does a work in you. That's what he was saying. So here's what John Gill said. Listen carefully. He said, "The main and principal one work, and which is well pleasing in his sight, and which is impossible to please him, and without which no work, whatever is a good work, and this is the operation of God, which he himself works in men, it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God." In other words, he's saying there's no one can do any works of God until God works in them.
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He goes on to say it like this: "That ye believe on him whom he hath sent. There are other works which are well pleasing to God when rightly performed, but faith is the chief work, and others are only acceptable when done in faith in Christ. This as a principle is purely God's work. It is His act. It is exercised under the influence of divine grace. It is only man's act that you believe. The object of it is Christ, as sent by the Father, as the mediator between God and man, as appointed by him to be the Saviour, Redeemer. And believing in Christ is believing in God that sent him." So he is saying this is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe. In other words, it's God who enables us to believe. It's God who gives us faith. Now, it is true that man actually believes. God does not believe for you, but you would never believe unless God creates in you and gives you grace and gives you faith.
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Now, very quickly, Matthew Poole also said it like this: "Our Lord calls them to a work that they never thought of. That of owning and acknowledging him, Jesus Christ, to be the true Messiah, the embracing and receiving him as such, and trusting him with all the concerns of their souls, which was necessary, notwithstanding," now listen to this, "'notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience, and inseparable from it.'"
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Wow, now that is a mouthful. I want to explain what he just said. The first part is very easy. Our Lord calls them to a work they never thought of. That work is owning and acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Messiah. That work is trusting only in Jesus Christ, leaning only in Jesus Christ, receiving him as God has ordained. And then he says this: "Notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience and inseparable from it."
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Now here's a good question. What in the world does Matthew Poole mean when he's talking about "notwithstanding all their acts of obedience to the law, though most certainly productive also of that obedience and inseparable from it"? Is he being confusing? And the answer is no. These men certainly knew the law of God. They may have only known what the Pharisees thought, but at least they had at least some idea about the law of God. Well, let me explain.
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I want you to hold John chapter 6, but I want you to turn back in your Bibles now to Matthew chapter 23 and look if you would at verse 23. Matthew 23 in verse 23. I preached a message on this one verse many, many years ago. It's a verse that oftentimes we overlook. So he says this in verse 23 of Matthew 23. Matthew chapter 23, it is verse 23.
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"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Now, look at this. He commends them for their consistency in paying their tithes. He says, "You pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin." In other words, they were willing to tithe down to the smallest herb. But he says, "You have omitted the weightier matters of the law." What are the weightier matters of the law? Judgment, mercy, and faith. Isn't that interesting? The law taught faith. That's what he said. How in the world could the law teach faith?
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Well, do you not remember in the book of Galatians chapter 3 and verse 24 where the Apostle Paul said, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith"? How in the world could the law do that? Because the law showed you that you could not save yourself. It showed you that you were a sinner. It showed you you could not redeem yourself. It showed you that if you were ever saved, you had to be saved on the merits of someone else. So he said, "You've omitted the weightier matters of the law." This is why Jesus Christ came, and he was made under the law, made of a woman. The Bible says to redeem us that were under the law. And so clearly then, Jesus Christ is the only one who's ever kept the law personally, perfectly, and perpetually. And Jesus Christ worked out an absolute perfect obedience to that law. That is why in the book of Romans chapter 10 and verse 4 the Bible says, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."
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Why is he the end of the law for righteousness? Because he's the only one that kept it. He's perfected it. He accomplished it. And so when we believe in Jesus Christ, we believe in the perfect fulfillment of that law. So this is what Poole is talking about. If they really understood the law, then the law was going to lead them to Jesus Christ. If they did not understand the law, of course, then it's not going to lead them to Jesus Christ.
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So if you'll go to John 6 and look at verse 29 again, because this verse to me is just so absolutely plain. I don't see how anyone can misunderstand it. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." So when you believe on Jesus Christ savingly, it's only because of the work of God in you. Believing on Jesus Christ as the Messiah, trusting in his finished atonement, leaning upon him completely for salvation is the work of God in us. We cannot perform that work. We cannot do that work. This is an act of God. This is a work of God. So look back at verse 29 one more time.
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I want to explain this. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Verse 29 is a plain statement of what is known as monergism. Monergism: mono means one or alone, ergo is the Greek word for I work. Monergism just means that God works alone in salvation. Okay? That's monergism. The truth of the matter is, most people, most professing Christians, do not even understand verse 29 of John chapter 6. They do not understand monergism. What they hold is really an error known as synergism. Syn means together, S-Y-N, ergo I work. So synergism teaches actually that the sinner or man works with God to accomplish his own salvation. So, let me explain it like this. Have you ever heard people say, and I have, "Well if you take the first step, God will do the rest." That's synergism. Man has to do something in order for God to save him.
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Now hang on, think with me. I've heard it said like this, "Your part is to believe, it's God's part to save." Well, that sounds good because man does indeed believe. Someone else said, "It's mine to be willing, it's God's to do the saving." The one that is clearest to me and absolutely blasphemous, and I've told you this, and it's still on the sign of the church that I pass every Sunday morning, and it simply says this: "I did my best and God did the rest." That's synergism.
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Now let me ask you a question. You remember Isaiah 42 in verse 8, where God says, "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." My glory will I not share with another. Who is insane enough to think that when they get the glory, when they get to heaven, when they get in the presence of God, they're going to be standing there bragging, saying, "Oh, God, I'm here, but I'm only here because I did my part and you don't get all the glory. I get part of this glory."
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Because had I not been willing, had I not taken the first step, had I not done my best, you could not have saved me. That is absolutely insane. And yet I can hear people objecting and say, "But you don't understand. I came to Christ." And the truth is, yes, you did come to Christ. But then you have to ask yourself this question: Why did you come to Christ? You said, "But when I came to Jesus Christ, I was willing to come to Jesus Christ." Yes. But why were you willing to come to Jesus Christ when for many years you were quite unwilling to come to Jesus Christ? Well, I can hear another objection and say, "But I repented." Yes, but who gave you the gift of repentance? "But I believe," yes, but who gave you the gift of faith? Our Lord said, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
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I'm not going to go over this again, but I'm going to remind you of the three illustrations of salvation in the Bible. Three in the New Testament. And they all show that salvation is the work of God alone. I told you earlier, the first one is that of birth, John chapter 4. No man births himself. The second one is that of creation, 2 Corinthians 4, as God spoke the world into existence. So God had shined in our hearts, face of Jesus Christ. When God said that there'd be light, there was light. So there's light in our hearts only because Jesus Christ shined in them. And then the third one is resurrection.
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And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wow. No one can resurrect himself. Dead man does not resurrect himself.
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Now, when I gave you that, I told you and I quoted from Matthew 11, verse 27. I told you I was going to come back to that verse. So I want you to go in your Bibles, hold in John 6 and Matthew 11, and look, if you would please, at verse 27. There's some things I want to point out in this particular verse, Matthew 11 and verse 27, because Jesus Christ is speaking. And he says this: "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." Now, although I'm going over this verse, there's still another message I've got prepared. I'm going to come back to this entire section and deal with this verse in its context, but I want you to consider, first of all, the word "know." He said, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."
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The word "knoweth" happens to be the word epiginosko, which means full knowledge, or to become thoroughly acquainted with, or to know thoroughly, and to know accurately. So no one can know the Father thoroughly or accurately apart from the Son, and no one can know the Son thoroughly or accurately apart from the Father. Now, so our Lord now is talking then about an intimate personal knowing of the Father, and He says this, look in verse 27 again. "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will"—what's that next word?—"reveal him." Now the Greek word for "reveal" is the word apokalypto. And it literally means to uncover, to lay open. It means to lay open that which has been veiled, that which has been covered up. It means to disclose, it means to make bare, it means to make known, it means to make manifest, to disclose whatever has been previously covered.
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Apokalypto means to unveil. When you get to the book of Revelation, chapter 1 and verse 1, you read "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him." The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the apokalypsis, the uncovering, the unveiling of Jesus Christ. So now in Matthew 11, verse 27, he is saying that no one can know the Father unless the Son reveals him, and no one can know the Son except the Father reveals him as well. Now, when you get to James—not James, but when you get to John 1 and verse 18, think about this verse. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." The only way that we can know the Father is through the revelation and the declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, it's impossible to know the Father intimately without the revelation of the Son. It's impossible to know the Son intimately without the revelation of the Father.
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Now, most of you can quote this passage. But I want to quote it one more time, just so you can see the connection. Matthew chapter 16 in verse 13. Jesus Christ asked his disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They answered, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Jesus said, "But whom say ye that I am?" And Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And our Lord answered in the next verse, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
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So how did Peter know that Jesus Christ was the Messiah? How did he know that he was the Son of God? And the answer is, because the Father who is in heaven revealed it unto him. No man can know the Son without the revelation of the Father. No one can know the Father without the revelation and the declaration of the Son. So, very clearly then, salvation has to be a work of God. Back in Matthew 11 in verse 27, he said, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." So a saving, intimate, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ is an act of God alone because it is the Father who reveals the Son.
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Now, if you would turn right over to the book of Luke chapter 10 and verse 22, you're going to see this same truth stated again, just a little differently, but it is the exact same truth. If you look in Luke chapter 10 and verse 22, Luke 10 verse 22. Our Lord says in this passage: "All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him." Same truth worded differently.
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Now it should be clear that believing on Jesus Christ is a work of God because only God can unveil the Lord Jesus Christ. Man by nature does not see the beauty of Jesus Christ. That's why in Isaiah 53 the Bible says, "There is no beauty that we should desire him." So it's only God who can open our eyes and let us see the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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I want to point something out just so there's no confusion of this. I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, at First Thessalonians chapter 1, First Thessalonians chapter 1. And I want you to look particularly at verse 3, because I've been telling you that salvation is a work of God. But when you get to First Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 3, look what the Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonian Christians. He says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."
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"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing."
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Now, if you would, look, if you would, back at verse 3. "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." Now, wait a minute. Your work of faith. How is the Apostle Paul talking to these Thessalonian Christians and talking about their work of faith when I just told you that, wow, only God can unveil Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ can unveil the Father. Is it God's work of faith, or is it man's work of faith?
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Well, I want to answer that for you from the Bible. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians. The book of Philippians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, look in chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. Look at this. Philippians 2 verse 12. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
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Is Paul telling them to save themselves? Is Paul telling them to earn your salvation? Of course not. Watch what he says. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." You cannot work it out unless God works it in. It's your faith only because God gave it to you and you exercise the gift of God. So it's called your faith or your work of faith, but it's God who gave it to you, and you would never have it apart from him. So it's impossible to work it out if God has not worked it in. It's impossible to believe on Jesus Christ if God has not given us faith. It's impossible to have a personal relationship with God the Father unless God the Son has revealed him. Incidentally, in Philippians 2 in verse 13, when he said, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
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The word "worketh" in verse 13 is exactly the same word that is used in John 6 and verse 29. John 6 and verse 29. It is the noun; in Philippians 2 and verse 13 it is the verb. So the work of repentance is a work of God. Although we repent, God gives us the gift. The work of faith is God's gift, except we actually do the believing. God does not believe for us.
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Now, let me try to tie this together for you. I want you to think with me when I give you these applications. First of all, oh man, the unsaved believe that salvation is in their hand. I've heard people say this: "I can repent whenever I want to. I can believe whenever I want to." That is a lie. You cannot repent whenever you want to. You cannot believe whenever you want to. Listen, our Lord himself said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, believing, ye shall receive."
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All right. I tell you what I want you to do. I want you right now to force yourself to believe that God is fixing to give you a million bucks. You can't do that. You can't make yourself believe. Faith is the gift of God. You can say, "Well, I believe some things. I sat down in this chair. I believe that this chair would hold me up. That's why I sat down in it."
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But I got news for you. That kind of faith is far different from a spiritual faith. It's far different from a biblical faith. I can have faith that Steve might loan me 10 bucks. But if I try to work up enough faith to believe that Steve is going to give me a million bucks, which he doesn't even have, I'm going to be wasting my time and I can't work it up anyhow. You cannot work up faith. You cannot make yourself believe. The same thing is true when it comes to repentance. I've heard people say, "Well, I tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to repent and I'm going to believe right before I die. But until then, I'm going to just live my life to the fullest." And all I want to say, I got news for you. You might plan on dying at midnight, but you're going to die at 11:30 and you don't even know it. And when you think that you can repent on your own, you're mistaken.
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When you think you can believe on your own, you are mistaken. There's a vast difference between biblical faith and a fleshly faith. There's a vast difference between a biblical turning from sin and someone just saying, "I don't want to do it anymore right now." No, no, no, no. What does the Bible say in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14? "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Neither can he see. In other words, there's nothing in his mind that will enable him to receive and accept the truth. It's foolishness to him unless God opens his eyes. Now, let me say this another way. I'm going to say the same thing differently. No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.
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You can only go to Christian schools. You can only go to Christian colleges. You can be in church all your life and hear sermons every Sunday that are biblical and right. You can quote scriptures. But unless God opens your eyes, and works in you, it's nothing. Matthew 15, verses 7 and 8. Here is where most people really are. Our Lord said to these Jews, "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." Listen carefully. "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
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And what did he go on to say? "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." That's it. That's it. That's it. You've been taught by your fathers. In other words, I can teach you all day long. I can give you truth after truth from the Word of God. But unless God opens your eyes, unless God turns the light on, it's nothing. You're not going to hear. You're not going to repent. You're not going to believe.
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Our Lord says that, yes, "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Wow. That's it. So the truth of the matter is this. John said in John 6 and verse 45, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
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Who is it that comes savingly to Jesus Christ? Only those who have been taught of the Father. If you haven't been taught of the Father, you're not coming savingly to Jesus Christ. He said in First Thessalonians chapter 4 in verse 9, "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." Wow. God does teach. And Job 36 in verse 22, the Bible says this: "Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?" Who teacheth like him? No one can teach as God teaches.
#70 | 52:54 to 53:31 | cleaned
So the point I'm trying to make is this. If all we have is what men have taught us, we're lost in our sins. What we must have is the revelation of God the Father, the revelation of God the Son, which would produce an intimate, personal relationship with the Father and with the Son. So the question is, do you have the work of God in your life or do you have just simply the work of man?
#71 | 53:32 to 54:18 | cleaned
"This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." All they've been taught, he said, is the doctrines of man. I can teach biblical truth. But it's God who must open our eyes. And our Lord said it so plainly. They asked, "What must we do that we might work the works of God?" And he responded, "This is the work of God." This is the specific, particular work of God that you believe on him who has sent. So those of us who actually believe savingly in Jesus Christ, it's because of the work of God in us. And when we get in the presence of God, he will receive all the honor and all the glory, because it was his work and not ours. The truth of the matter is this.
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The only thing you and I can do is furnish the sinner. And that's it. The rest of it is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe on him. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We just ask, Lord, that you would indeed open our eyes. Teach us, build us up in the most holy faith. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen.
#73 | 55:03 to 56:12 | cleaned
The only thing you and I can do is furnish the sinner. And that's it. The rest of it is the work of God. This is the work of God that you believe on him. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We just ask, Lord, that you would indeed open our eyes. Teach us, build us up in the most holy faith. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen.
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so
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:39:06Z

The Work of God

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver expounds John 6:29, emphasizing that saving faith is not a human work but a divine work of God. He contrasts the many works of God in creation, redemption, and providence with the singular 'work of God'—believing on Jesus Christ. Weaver argues that this belief is monergistic, entirely God's doing, as man cannot produce true faith or repentance apart from divine revelation. He warns against carnal motives in seeking God and underscores that only those taught by the Father come to Christ, ensuring all glory belongs to God alone.

Introduction: The Works of God in Scripture

Scripture Reading — John 6:29

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 26:7

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 40:5

"And thy thoughts which are to us-ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."

Will you just pause and think that God thinks of us, and the psalmist said, they are more than can be numbered. So it says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 40:5

"Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 66:3

Look in Psalm 73 very quickly and verse 28. Psalm 73 and verse 28. Every one of these passages are absolutely phenomenal when it comes to the works of God. So in Psalm 73 and verse 28, the Word of God says this: "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." And then we talk about Psalm 104. You want to go there? Psalm 104, look if you would please very quickly at verse 24. Psalm 104 in verse 24. He says, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works!" that is, how variegated, how many there are. "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." And then Psalm 105 and verse 2. Psalm 105 verse 2.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 111:2-5

"The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." "His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant."

But look, if you would, at verse 2 again:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 111:2-5

"The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."

Context of John 6: Carnal Motives in Following Jesus

The speaker examines the context of John 6, where multitudes followed Jesus for miracles and free food. He highlights Herod as an example of one who sought only a miracle and was ignored by Christ.

Scripture Reading — John 6:2

"And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased."

Jesus' Rebuke and Admonition

Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him only for physical bread and admonishes them to labor for the food that endures to eternal life. Weaver notes that the Lord knows human hearts and motives.

He said so in James chapter 4 and verse 3. He said,

Scripture Reading — James 4:3

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

The Question: 'What Shall We Do?'

Jesus' Answer: The Work of God is Faith

The Law and Faith

Weaver shows from Matthew 23:23 that the law itself taught faith, and that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. True understanding of the law leads to Christ, not self-righteousness.

Scripture Reading — Matthew 23:23

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Now, look at this. He commends them for their consistency in paying their tithes. He says,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 23:23

"You pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin."

In other words, they were willing to tithe down to the smallest herb. But he says,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 23:23

"You have omitted the weightier matters of the law."

What are the weightier matters of the law? Judgment, mercy, and faith. Isn't that interesting? The law taught faith. That's what he said. How in the world could the law teach faith?

Monergism vs. Synergism

Divine Revelation Necessary for Faith

Using Matthew 11:27 and Luke 10:22, Weaver argues that no one can know the Father or the Son unless God reveals them. Saving knowledge is an act of God, not human discovery.

The Believer's Work of Faith

Applications and Warnings

Conclusion and Prayer

The sermon concludes by reiterating that the only thing humans contribute is the sin; the rest is God's work. Weaver prays for God to open eyes and build up the hearers in faith.

The Work of God

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	dP3-JckxrTg
Subject	Education and Discipleship
Course	Christian Education and Discipleship
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-09-30
Dictation Name
Book	Book 073: Christian Education and Discipleship — Chapter 12
Source Timed Segments	75

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Works of God in Scripture: Weaver introduces the topic by distinguishing the many works of God (creation, redemption, providence) from the singular 'work of God' in John 6:29. He surveys several Psalms that extol God's wondrous works.
Context of John 6: Carnal Motives in Following Jesus: The speaker examines the context of John 6, where multitudes followed Jesus for miracles and free food. He highlights Herod as an example of one who sought only a miracle and was ignored by Christ.
Jesus' Rebuke and Admonition: Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him only for physical bread and admonishes them to labor for the food that endures to eternal life. Weaver notes that the Lord knows human hearts and motives.
The Question: 'What Shall We Do?': After the rebuke, the people ask what they must do to work the works of God. Weaver discusses the possible motives behind this question—whether sincere or a deflection—and compares it to other biblical inquiries.
Jesus' Answer: The Work of God is Faith: Jesus answers that the work of God is to believe on Him whom He has sent. Weaver explains that this is not a human work but a divine operation, citing John Gill and Matthew Poole to support monergism.
The Law and Faith: Weaver shows from Matthew 23:23 that the law itself taught faith, and that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. True understanding of the law leads to Christ, not self-righteousness.
Monergism vs. Synergism: The speaker defines monergism (God works alone in salvation) and contrasts it with synergism (man cooperates with God). He refutes common synergistic sayings and emphasizes that God alone gets the glory.
Divine Revelation Necessary for Faith: Using Matthew 11:27 and Luke 10:22, Weaver argues that no one can know the Father or the Son unless God reveals them. Saving knowledge is an act of God, not human discovery.
The Believer's Work of Faith: Addressing 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and Philippians 2:12-13, Weaver explains that while believers exercise faith, it is only because God works in them. The 'work of faith' is God's gift, not self-generated.
Applications and Warnings: Weaver warns that unsaved people cannot repent or believe at will; faith and repentance are gifts of God. He stresses that no amount of teaching can replace the divine work of opening eyes, and that only those taught by God come to Christ.
Conclusion and Prayer: The sermon concludes by reiterating that the only thing humans contribute is the sin; the rest is God's work. Weaver prays for God to open eyes and build up the hearers in faith.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Faith is a Divine Work, Not a Human Work

Jesus' answer in John 6:29 redefines the people's question: the work of God is not something they do, but something God does in them—enabling them to believe.

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent... it's God who enables us to believe.

The Law Points to Faith in Christ

The law itself teaches faith by revealing human inability and pointing to Christ as the only fulfiller of righteousness. True obedience to the law leads to faith.

The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith... Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Synergism is a Dangerous Error

The idea that man cooperates with God in salvation (synergism) is unbiblical and robs God of glory. Common sayings like 'I did my best and God did the rest' are blasphemous.

That's synergism... My glory will I not share with another.

Revelation is Necessary for Saving Knowledge

Peter's confession of Christ was not from flesh and blood but revealed by the Father. Similarly, no one can know the Father without the Son's revelation.

Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Human Inability and Divine Enablement

The natural man cannot receive spiritual things; only God can open eyes and grant repentance and faith. Teaching alone cannot save.

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God... No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

Scripture References

John 6:29: The central text: Jesus declares that the work of God is to believe on Him whom He has sent.
Psalm 26:7: Cited as an example of publishing God's wondrous works.
Psalm 33:4: All God's works are done in truth.
Psalm 40:5: God's wonderful works and thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.
Psalm 46:8: God's works include desolations in judgment.
Psalm 66:3: God is terrible in His works; enemies submit through His power.
Psalm 73:28: Drawing near to God to declare all His works.
Psalm 104:24: God's manifold works made in wisdom; the earth is full of His riches.
Psalm 105:2,5: Talk of God's wondrous works and remember His marvelous works.
Psalm 111:2-5: The works of the Lord are great, honorable, glorious, and remembered.
John 6:2: A great multitude followed Jesus because they saw His miracles.
Luke 23:5-9: Herod desired to see a miracle, but Jesus answered him nothing.
John 6:25-26: Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him because they ate the loaves and were filled.
John 6:14-15: After the feeding, the people intended to make Jesus king by force.
James 4:3: God does not answer prayers asked with wrong motives to consume on lusts.
John 6:27: Jesus admonishes to labor not for perishable food but for food enduring to eternal life.
John 4:7-18: The Samaritan woman changes the subject when confronted; similar to the crowd's deflection.
Mark 10:17: The rich young ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life, illustrating the desire to earn salvation.
Luke 3:10-14: Various groups ask John the Baptist 'What must we do?' demonstrating legitimate questions of repentance.
Matthew 23:23: Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith.

Historical References

Albert Barnes' commentary: Weaver quotes Barnes: 'The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders.'
John Gill's commentary: Gill is cited to explain that faith is the chief work, God's operation in men, not of themselves.
Matthew Poole's commentary: Poole is quoted on Christ calling them to a work they never thought of—owning Christ as Messiah—and that faith is productive of obedience.

Important Quotes

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The central verse of the sermon, defining saving faith as a divine work, not human effort.

The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things that a sinner ever surrenders.

Highlights the persistent human tendency to rely on works for salvation, which the sermon refutes.

The main and principal one work, and which is well pleasing in his sight, and which is impossible to please him, and without which no work, whatever is a good work, and this is the operation of God, which he himself works in men, it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God.

John Gill's explanation that faith is entirely God's work, not man's, reinforcing monergism.

I did my best and God did the rest.

An example of synergism that Weaver calls blasphemous, illustrating the error of sharing glory with God.

No amount of teaching and no amount of education can replace the work of God.

Emphasizes that human instruction is insufficient for salvation; only divine revelation avails.

The only thing you and I can do is furnish the sinner. And that's it. The rest of it is the work of God.

A succinct summary of the sermon's message: man contributes only sin; salvation is entirely God's work.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does understanding faith as 'the work of God' change the way we view our own conversion?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that believing on Christ is a divine work, not a human achievement.

[Question]

In what ways might we be guilty of seeking Jesus for carnal or fleshly reasons today?

[Context]

The crowd followed Jesus for free food; Weaver warns against impure motives in seeking God.

[Question]

Why is synergism ('I did my part, God did His') so appealing to human nature, and how does it rob God of glory?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts monergism with synergism and argues that God alone deserves glory in salvation.

[Question]

How does the law function as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, according to Galatians 3:24?

[Context]

Weaver explains that the law reveals our inability and points to Christ as the only fulfiller.

[Question]

What does it mean that no one can know the Father unless the Son reveals Him, and how should this affect our evangelism?

[Context]

Based on Matthew 11:27, Weaver stresses the necessity of divine revelation for saving knowledge.

[Question]

How can we discern whether our faith is a genuine gift from God or merely a fleshly, self-generated belief?

[Context]

Weaver distinguishes between biblical faith and fleshly faith, noting that true faith is God-given.

[Question]

Why is it dangerous to assume we can repent or believe 'whenever we want'?

[Context]

Weaver argues that repentance and faith are gifts of God, not under human control.

Applications

Format deepseek deepseek-v4-pro structured study JSON | Source Commentary.net transcript enrichment

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T11:20:22Z