Message topic: What reward are you working for?
Scripture text: Luke 6: 19-24
Most often, when anyone is asked a question, before they can give the right answer, they must understand what the question is all about:
For that reason, before I ask you to answer the question for our sharing today, let me read to you from Genesis 1: 27-29.
It says, so God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them: and God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thig that move upon the earth.
And God said, behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat.
Now, does that give you the feeling that although God is a Spirit, and we were created in His Spirit, we were formed in flesh as we are today and that is why they were told to be fruitful and multiply.
Now we also realize that although we are in the fleshly form, we have the responsibility to worship God in Spirit and in truth, which sets mankind above all the creatures that were created, while man was made; formed from the dust of the ground, in God’s image.
Now, with this in mind, let us reflect back on the question which is the topic of our sharing for today, which is, what reward are you working for, knowing we must worship God in Spirit and in truth.
We also know that the meaning of the word reward, is something given in return for good or even sometimes evil or for service or merit for something lost, or could even the capture of someone wanted for a crime which they had done.
Now with this in mind, knowing that we are subject to worship God in Spirit and truth, though we are flesh and blood, how would you answer the question what reward are you working for? Should it be spiritual or physical?
When we work for physical reward, we can be rewarded in a short time, but when we are working for spiritual reward, it will only come when we get into the spiritual world as we do things to and for God in Spirit and in truth.
We know that heaven is the dwelling place of our heavenly Father and the things which we do for him in secret He shall reward us openly when we get into His presence.
The bible mentioned rewards in heaven many times, in Matthew five 12, Luke 6: 23, 35, 1st. Corinthians 3: 14 and 9 18. But why are rewards necessary, won’t being in heaven with God be good enough? experiencing Him, His glory and the joys of heaven will be so wonderful, it is hard to understand why extra rewards would be needed. Also since our faith rests in Christ’s righteousness instead of our own, and our work would merit rewards.
God will give reward in heaven at the bema, or the judgement seat of Christ, based on our faithfulness in service to Him: for we bust all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, weather it be good or bad.
The rewards will show the reality of our sonship in Galatians 4: 7, and the justice of God in Hebrews 6:10; God will give rewards in heaven in order to fulfill the law of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6: 7-9 and make good on His promise that our labor in the Lord is not in vein.
One reason for the rewards in heaven is the fact that Jesus shares His reward with us. Paul said, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Our lives are hidden with Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God: we die with Him and we live with Him and we share in His joy: in heaven we will be with Him: our lives are inextricably linked with Christ’s. the reward He receive is sheard with all of us.
Our rewards in heaven depend on the goodness and power of God. Through Christ resurrection we gain an inheritance in heaven; on earth our faith is tested and results in praise and glory and honor when Christ is revealed.
The things we do in this life are only permanent that is carried with us into heaven if they are built on the foundation which is Christ.
What does the bible says we will receive in heaven as rewards, what we have to do, and who will receive these rewards.
Do you believe the bible records? Then listen to what we find in James 1: 12: blessed is the man that endured temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Are you in category?
Matthew 16: 27 says, for the son of msn shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward every man according to his work. Do you have any acquaintance with the son of man?
In Matthew 5: 12, we are told to rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven when you are persecuted as were the prophets which were before you. You wont be alone.
In Revelation 22: 12 we hear these words, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Are you looking forward to that?
Matthew 6: 4 tells us that our alms or gifts may be in secret: and our Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly: is that ok, or do you want everyone to know how kind you are?
Paul in 2nd. Corinthians 5: 10 is reminding us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad.
1st. Corinthians 2:9 tells us that in all of these things it is written, eyes hath not seen, nor ears heard, neither have entered into the hearts of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Now with all of this on your mind, are you willing to continue working for rewards in heaven?
Let us not forget that we cannot do things to please God our own ways, all must be done in obedience to God commands before we can have rewards in heaven.