"God Rewards Diligence"

"God Rewards Diligence"

Illus. A Muslim in Africa became a Christian and some of his friends asked him, “Why have you done such a thing?” He answered, “Well, its like this: Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions. You didn’t know which way to go; and there at the fork were two men—one dead, and one alive—which one would you ask to show you the way?” (from a sermon by Bruce Howell, The Gospel Vs. Religion.)

Hebrews 11:6 NKJ

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith, faith is what makes the reality of the resurrection real for millions of believers all across the globe today.

History tells of the event and records it on paper, but it is faith in the miracle that sprang forth from it, that writes it down in the Lambs Book of Life and let's us proudly proclaim:

"There's a new name written down in Glory and it's mine! Thank You Jesus for the Cross and the resurrection

Resurrection!

John 20 1-2 MSG

1-2. Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”

It is interesting to note, that this same Mary is the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair and anointed Jesus with her precious box of alabaster filled with very costly perfume,

Much to the dismay of all who were there that day, including Judas..who thought it was a waste of money to do such a thing

The same woman that Simon the Pharisee, said wasn't worthy to do such an act...was now the first one, out of all of Jesus followers to discover the miracle that had taken place!

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him!

3-10 Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home.

11-13 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”

13-14 “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him.

15 Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”

She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”

16 Jesus said, “Mary.”

Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”

17 Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.

Again, the other two..Peter and John would have both been capable of telling the others what Mary had saw...but he chose Mary!

TBS. But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb...she was still seeking Jesus. The other two had left and she was still looking for Jesus, still hoping that she would find Him...and she did!

God is a rewarder, of those who will diligently seek Him...

your background has nothing to do with it,

your upbringing has nothing to do with it,

Your job, your heritage, your circumstances and even the mess

you've made with your life..have nothing to do with it,