Finding Joy in Serving Christ
Part II
II Timothy 4:8
Purpose: To describe the importance of loving Christ.
Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in their future rewards from Christ, or surrender to Christ.
REVIEW:
1:1-2:13 I. How Should a Christian React to Stress?
2:14-26 II. How Should a Christian Relate to Fellow Believers?
3:1-17 III. How Can a Christian Reside in a Hostile Culture?
4:1-22 IV. How Can a Christian Remain Faithful to Christ?
Vs.1-5 A. Put first things first “preach the word”
Vs.6-8 B. Focus on the joy of our reward
Vs.6 1. Sacrificing for Christ is temporary
a. Serving Christ is our offering to Him “a drink offering”
b. Heaven is Christ’s offering to us “my departure”
Vs.7 2. Be faithful to Christ to the very end
a. Be a good soldier “I have fought the good fight”
b. Be a good athlete “I have finished the course”
c. Be a good guard “I have kept the faith”
INTRODUCTION: This is the time of year that many gifts are exchanged. It is important that we remember that Christmas is supposed to be a time to celebrate Christ, so we should remember to give generously to Him. But, there is another truth about gifts that we don’t often think about. Christ has promised to reward His followers with the gift of a crown.
That gift is our reward if we truly love Christ. Will Christ hand you a crown someday?
Most people are living for themselves, but there is a heavy price to pay when we live our lives for ourselves. Near the end of his life, the notorious French statesman Talleyrand wrote, "Eighty-three years have passed! I am not sure I am pleased when I think back over how those years were spent. How many useless uproars there were; how many failures; how many outrageous complications; how much wasted emotion and energy, and how much wasted ability! Hatreds have been aroused, illusions lost, tastes jaded. And with what result? Moral and physical exhaustion, complete discouragement with respect to the future, deep disgust with respect to the past" [J. F. Bernard, Talleyrand: A Biography [N. Y. : G. P. Putnom’s Sons, 1973], pp. 599-600]
There is a way to avoid ending our lives like Talleyrand did. We must learn to:
LESSON:
Vs.8 3. Long for Christ’s approval
Even Christians must be careful about how they are spending their lives. A famous French classical scholar, Clandious Salmasiur died in 1653. On his death bed he said, “I have lost a world of time! Had I one year more of life, it would be spent in pursuing David’s Psalms and Paul’s Epistles. ✔ I would mind the world less and God more” [Voices From the Edge of Eternity by John Myers, page 116.]
✔ It was Paul’s focus on eternal things that enabled him to go through present circumstances with joy.
What should we know about this reward that Christ is offering?
a. Christ’s reward is future “in the future”
Paul’s rewards, for the most part, were still future. Humanly speaking his life was ending as a failure. He was all alone, even his friends were acting as if he didn’t exist. He had Gentile and Jewish enemies who couldn’t wait to see him dead. He was just one little Jewish preacher who was about to be executed. Paul knew how the world looked at him: For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. (1 Corinthians 4:9 NAU) The world often looks at Christians who have a passion for Christ much the same way we might go to a zoo and gaze at an odd looking animal.
But, Paul did enjoy many rewards during his ministry here on earth.
For example, he saw many people who were trapped in sin set free. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (NAU)
One of the greatest joys for a believer is to be used to bring others to Christ. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. (NAU)
When Paul began following Christ, he was banned from Jewish leadership and probably lost most if not all of his friends. But, he did gain better and closer relationships with others who knew Christ. Jesus said it would be this way. Luke 18:28-30 28 Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” 29 And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” (NAU)
Paul also had the joy of watching the Lord provide all of his needs. Often the Lord used other believers to meet Paul’s needs. Philippians 4:18-19 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (NAU)
But, just going around and doing good is not enough of a reward to balance the hardships of following Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. (NAU)
✔ Jesus has promised us rewards beyond our imagination.
One reason our reward is wonderful is because,
b. Christ’s reward is personal “laid up for me...award to me”
LAID UP means, “to reserve, store up, set away.” Our rewards are on “lay-a-way!” They are on reserved JUST FOR US.
Jesus isn’t going to get all of His followers together in a group someday and say, “You guys have done a great job!” NO! He will hand out each reward personally.
Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ (NAU)
Why are rewards important? I will answer that question in a moment, but first, let’s make sure that understand what the Bible says about rewards. Some people say that we shouldn’t be concerned about getting rewards from God. But, God commands us to work for them. Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NAU)
Moses served God because of the rewards. Hebrews 11:26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. (NAU)
John warned us: 2 John 8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. (NAU)
Paul explained that we should be working hard to get a reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (NAU)
Why are rewards important? Because God has placed within each one of us a desire for significance. Every one of us longs to live a life that has meaning. We can see this even in wealthy celebrities. I think that Ophra Winfry is a good example. After she became one of the wealthiest people in our country, she undoubtedly learned that money and fame do not fill our need of significance. So, she has spent millions of dollars to help orphans in Africa. I think she genuinely wants to do something that has real value because just buying things for yourself leaves you feeling empty.
I’m glad that Ophra is making it possible for poor hungry children to have food, clothing, and a comfortable place to live. But, compare that with what Christ has called us to do. If hundreds of poor children are able to live long happy lives, but then they have to spend an eternity separated from God because no one shared Christ with them, how significant is that in light of eternity?
We have a Gospel message that is so powerful it can guarantee an eternity in heaven and peace and joy on this earth. No other message can do that! That’s why Paul just finished saying, “Preach the word.”
If we are supposed to be working for a reward from Christ, what exactly is that reward?
c. Christ’s reward reflects God “crown of righteousness”
The reward is not a bigger and better place in heaven. The reward is not fame. The reward is being able to wear something that glorifies the righteousness or holiness of our God. This is important to us because it is the righteousness of Christ that makes heaven possible.
Romans 1:16-17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (NAU)
Jesus made it clear that longing for righteousness is in the heart of every believer. Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (NAU) Every Christian longs to experience all of Christ’s righteousness because that will mean we no long have to fight against the world, the Devil and especially our own flesh. ✔ Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (NAU)
Philippians 3:8-10 8 . . . I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, . . . , 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection . . . (NAU)
Paul was looking past the unrighteous judge, Nero, and was looking at Christ the righteous judge. We will face many unfair judgements in this world, but we have a righteous judge who will set everything straight. Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, . . . (NAU)
When John Calvin was thrown out of the city of Geneva he said, “Most assuredly if I had merely served man, this would have been poor [payment]; but it is my happiness that I have served Him Who never fails to reward His servants to the full extent of His promise.”
d. Christ’s reward is available to others “not only to me”
The reward of being able to wear a badge of Christ’s righteousness (not our own!) can be ours too. God does not pick out a few select super-Christians who can wear His crown.
One of the most amazing things about God is that He wants to honor His followers. It makes sense that He deserves honor: Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (NAU)
But, the Bible teaches that God wants to honor His followers.
Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (NAU) Hebrews 11:6 . . . He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (NAU) John 12:26 . . . if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. (NAU)
When our lives are focused on honoring Christ, He will turn the tables and honor us. The slaves are served by the Master. Luke 12:36-37 36 “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37 “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. (NAU)
But, why would God honor creatures who began as His enemies and are totally dependant on Him for everything? I’m not sure I can answer that question. But I do know that we should be looking forward to Christ rewarding us. Are you looking forward to receiving this awesome gift from Christ Himself?
e. Christ’s reward is only for those who love Christ
“all who have loved His appearing”
The tense of HAVE LOVED reveals that Paul is talking about those who continually love the presence of Christ.
We can only have one passionate love affair at a time. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (NAU)
If we really love Christ then we will continue to love Him when it is hard. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (NAU)
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (NAU)
CONCLUSION We must learn what is really valuable. I wonder how many of us would be willing to admit that there are times we have wasted our money. In know there are times that I spent our money on some gadget that turned out to be worthless. A few years ago thousands of people spent a lot of money for a special material that was supposed to shrink your waist line when you wrapped it around you. Research has proven that it is worthless.
Are we living our lives for what is eternally valuable?
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NAU)
✔ God rewards His followers according to His own grace.
