"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,
but your faith has everything to do with it!
God is a rewarder of those who will diligently seek Him!
19-20 Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
All the miracles they had seen up to this point and believe me, they had seen thousands of them..failed in comparison as to the miracle they were seeing stand in front of them...
all the rumors had been put to rest, the Risen Saviour was standing right in front of them and seeing was believing!
20-21 The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
22-23 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
He was telling them all, everyone was worthy of forgiveness...whoever would come and seek Him, was not only worthy of forgiveness..but the reward of eternal life as well.
The disciples, wether they saw it coming or not..had all been elevated to the next level in their walk with the Son of God!
24-25 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
(There are still Thomas's today, still for whatever reason that don't believe)
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
Jesus is always willing to go the extra mile, to meet us where we are at!
Luke 15:4-7 MSG
4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
TBS. That God is a patient God..Jesus didn't reprimand Thomas or any of the disciples when they questioned His resurrection.
Because truthfully, I imagine each and everyone of them questioned what Mary told them and if it was really true..or if it was to good to be true!
He could have said a lot of things to them..
He could have said, "oh ye of little faith" He had said it to them before!
But what He did was...Love them unconditionally, He was patient with them..all the while Loving them!
And God is still a patient and loving God to you and I
2 Peter 3:8-9 MSG
8-9 Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
I want to close with the last verse of our text
29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
All the blessings we enjoy today stem from this premise..better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.
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.
Every blessing we enjoy was and is made possible by what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us!
Because of what He did for us..
We can have,
Forgiveness for our sins
Eternal life
Health and Healing in our bodies
Prosperity and abundant life
Joy and every other Blessing only God can think of!
All of those things are rewards of diligently seeking God and believing
What the Cross accomplished for you!
All those things are promises God wants to keep in your life, His word says you can have!
All of those things represent growth in your walk with God..and growth is a good thing!
Illus. if you leave a bucket of water outside and never do anything with it, after a while if you don't do anything with it, it starts to stink..it becomes stagnant!
It has to be stirred, just like our relationship with The Lord, it has to be stirred if it's going to grow....
And all of us should want to daily grow our relationship we have with our maker!
Just like Mary was rewarded as she was willing to seek out Jesus..
So will you be, when you do!
Make it a point to seek Him early and often in your daily walk, be willing to follow where He leads you and you will be amazed where you end up each and every day!
Amen? Amen!
