TITLE: GODS’ REWARD PROGRAM
SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 11:6 / II TIMOTHY 4:8
I am not sure if you are like me, but I get tired for all of the direct-mail that clutters up the Mailbox with offers –
• You have been Pre-Approved to receive a new Credit Card and experience all the amazing advantages of a new line of credit
• All that is required is to sign the form inside the envelope and return it—postage-paid
• And in a few short days, the newly minted credit card, embossed in distinct lettering with your name and ready for immediate use, arrives in a beautifully designed package of materials that outline the exhilarating benefits of its full utilization
• And in real small, tiny print you will find 32% APR
There are many variations on what may be offered in this kind of proposition that floods the mailbox. It could be an invitation to -
• Switch cable or Satellite companies and pay just $50 for the first six months
• An opportunity to sign up for a frequent-flier program
• An inducement to discount plans for a line of retail stores or restaurants
• And they all say respond by the impending deadline to receive the best rewards for the offer
I am not suggesting these offers are all negative. As Sis. Lawson and I travel we have some Reward Programs we really enjoy.
• IHG Rewards Program which has a menu of Hotels in the Program
• Hilton Honors Program
• Hyatt Loyalty Program
• American Airlines Reward Program
• My All Time, Ultimate Favorite (and Sis. Barbra’s) – Starbucks Rewards Program
What I enjoy about the various Reward Programs we are in, is the more you use the product or services the better the Rewards.
• Build Points for staying at certain Hotels -- Free Upgrades or Free Stay
• The more you fly – Free Upgrades or Free Flights
• Since I go to Starbucks practically every day – Free products after so many Rewards or Stars
Reward Programs attempt to bond customers to a company or its products and services by offering an additional incentive. The idea of Reward Programs is to retain customers and channel partners.
• These programs are designed to engage customers and partners and ultimately generate loyalty
• Businesses desire loyalty programs because they keep customers coming back for more
• Reward Programs are designed to set themselves apart from the competition
• When two companies have similar products, customers have no reason to choose one over the other
• Therefore Reward Programs are used to entice you to support their company over competitor and continue your support
Let’s make sure we understand how these various reward programs work. Definitely not by rewarding participants for something they’re already doing! If a company does this, they could be throwing their money away. You could even de-motivate customers to continue doing the desired task.
• There is no reward when you are already flying
• There is no reward offered when you are already travelling and need a hotel
• There is no reward because I already go to Starbucks daily
Rewards Program is only effective when offering the reward challenges the participant to go above and beyond to earn it. Must go above what you would normally do in an effort to earn the reward. You must be enticed to do more than you would ordinarily do in an effort to receive the designated Rewards.
Let me also tell you my brothers and sisters there is a difference between an award and a reward. Award and Reward sound the same but their meanings are quite different. Although, both are valuable for any person as they give a sense of satisfaction and respect, in return for their work.
• An AWARD is conferred in front of the public for excellence
• But REWARD may or may not be given in public, it is a kind of compensation given to a person for their good work
• An AWARD can be understood as the prize or any other equivalent mark of recognition, endowed to honor an achievement
• On the other hand, REWARD alludes to something given in recognition to someone, for the efforts or service provided by them
The line of demarcation between award and reward is very blurred, due to people using them in place of each other. There are a few differences between award and reward, but significant differences nonetheless.
• Military career I received many Awards
o Army Commendation Award
o Overseas Award
o Meritorious Service Award
• These were given in honor of a special achievement
• I was given Awards while serving in the Armed Forces not Rewards
• A Reward is what we sometimes offer when we have a lost Pet
• We don’t offer an Award but a Reward to someone that shows effort in finding and returning our lost pet
Our text this morning reminds us – God also has a reward program. Matter of fact His Reward Program is out of this world. Let me make this clear so you don’t try to tune me out at this point. Keep in mind we do not serve the Lord just for Rewards.
• Nor do our good deeds make us any more saved
• God has done it all for us
• Loyalty and good deeds, rather, are to be done as an act of worship that exemplifies our thankfulness for His sacrifice
• In return, Jesus delights to encourage us with the peace of knowing that His rewards will outweigh whatever we have given up for Him
Unlike the worldly reward system which remunerates us for meeting the needs and wants of customers and shareholders, God’s system rewards Obedience - Faithfulness - Faith With Salvation - Healing - Deliverance - Favor - Wisdom - Peace.
• It is impossible to meet God’s needs because He has none
The worldly reward system is exclusive as it favors those with higher incomes more than poor and financially challenged people. On the other hand, God’s reward system is inclusive, it does not discriminate. As long as we have a strong relationship with Him, our motives for serving Him are right, and we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will be rewarded.
As Christians, we are to seek one who is called a "Rewarder." God’s Reward Program has nothing to do with Amassed Points - Earned Credits - Redeemed Awards.
• With Him, Loyalty is a matter of Relationship
• And through this relationship may be enjoyed “the exhilaration of an undeserved and wholly unexpected joy”
GOD HAS NEVER BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL ANYONE THAT SEEKS HIM. Most Reward Programs we have with various companies have expiration. There is a Reward in God that He reserves only for seekers who will go after Him with all their heart and there is no Expiration in God’s Reward Program. The best and the choicest things of God are reserved for those who will seek Him diligently.
• Many people seek God half-heartedly and then complain that seeking God is not giving them the desired result
• The Bible makes it clear that God rewards diligent seekers
• BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM
• How diligent are you in the pursuit of God?
Saw on news the other day a 31 year old Woman from Phoenix, Arizona who went on one date with a man selecting from a dating app. She said she believed she found her soulmate after one date.
• She broke into his house when he was out of the country and took a bath in his bathtub
• She sent him 65,000 text messages
• 500 texts on one particular day
• She was ultimately arrested for stalking and making threats
• Can you imagine if we went after the Lord like that
• Can you imagine if we were that diligent at seeking the Lord
• Sis. Paulette, I am not suggesting we Stalk the Lord, if that is even possible
A diligent seeker will always want to be in God's presence and in the assembly of God's children. Diligence in seeking God takes spending time with Him and waiting on Him in Prayer - Fasting - Studying God's Word. Fasting and prayer is not something you remember only when you are in trouble, it is an instrument for seeking God.
• When was the last time you fasted and prayed, just seeking to know God more?
• God rewards diligence in seeking Him
• The priority of a diligent seeker is spending time with God - in planning your day and program, and carefully and uncompromisingly creating time for God
• Even in the kind of job and appointment taken we must consider whether we will make time for God
It is good for us to know the criteria for ‘Gods Reward Program.’ When we consider most reward programs, that we participate, the company will feature some aspect of earning the desired Rewards by the idea of accumulating something that can be EXCHANGED—REDEEMED—FOR SOMETHING OF VALUE. So in today’s secular world, the words redeemed and redemption have come to connote something earned or purchased by the consumer.
• Through the purchase of previous airfare tickets from an airline – you can redeems an award for a flight to Hawaii
• By faithfully—loyally—buying groceries at a supermarket chain –you can earn discounts in the purchase of fuel for your vehicle
So what are the evaluation criteria of God’s reward system? We understand it is tied into DILIGENTLY SEEKING THE LORD, but what does that entail? There are THREE CRITERION --
--Firstly - THE RELATIONSHIP CRITERION. The life God rewards is not a life of performance apart from relationship with Him. Jesus pointed out in ST. JOHN 15:15 - that UNLESS YOU ABIDE IN HIM AND OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS; YOU WILL NOT BEAR FRUIT FOR HIM.
• He commended the church at Ephesus for their good works, then turned around and condemned them because they hadn’t kept their love for Him alive. “I KNOW YOUR WORKS, YOUR LABOR, YOUR PATIENCE…NEVERTHELESS I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE” -- REVELATION 2:2-4
• To Diligently Seek the Lord we must Firstly, be in Relationship with Him
• The Lord must be our ‘First Love’
--Secondly - THE MOTIVE CRITERION. Jesus said to the Pharisees in ST. MATTHEW 6:1 “TAKE HEED THAT YOU DO NOT DO YOUR CHARITABLE DEEDS BEFORE MEN, TO BE SEEN BY THEM. OTHERWISE YOU HAVE NO REWARD…IN HEAVEN” Note the words “TO BE SEEN.” What should be our motive? To serve God and bring Glory to Him! Even simple things like eating and drinking can do that. On the other hand, our most religious actions are worthless if our motive is to enhance our own ego and reputation.
• We can ordinarily tell when someone is working in an effort to draw attention to themselves
• We must constantly strive to ensure all focus is upon the Lord and not on us
• Therefore we don’t get upset when our name is not called
• We don’t get angry when our name has failed to be called for thanks and appreciation
• We don’t get angry when Culinary Ministry is not thanked for the hard work and dedication
• To Diligently Seek the Lord we must Secondly – Have the Right Motive
--Thirdly – THE LOVE CRITERION. Christ said in ST. LUKE 6:35 “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; AND YOUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT”
• When it comes to good works, “WHY” is always more important than “WHAT”
• The Bible says in II JOHN 8 “LOOK TO YOURSELVES, THAT WE DO NOT LOSE THOSE THINGS WE WORKED FOR, BUT THAT WE MAY RECEIVE A FULL REWARD”
• So let’s keep our hearts pure and our motives right!
• To Diligently Seek the Lord we must Thirdly – Operate in Love
To Diligently seek the Lord we must come believing that he is a rewarder. Too often we approach the Lord with no expectations at all. What are you believing God to do for you this morning? What did you come to Church believing God for? Has to be more than just showing up Sunday after Sunday. What are you seeking the Lord to do for you? The text says we must come believing. God makes it very simple for us.
• All we have to do is come believing
• It doesn’t say we must come with Sacrifices
• It doesn’t say we must come with Beauty
• It doesn’t say we must come with Enticing Words
• It doesn’t say we must come with Wisdom
• It merely states that we must come Believing
Now, some will insist that we should not seek rewards from God, that it somehow makes our faith and our motives impure.
• “Seek His face, not His hand,” they say
• But, to follow that analogy, if you are like me, your hand is not far from your face
• And the same is true of God
• And the author of Hebrews teaches us something different: WE MUST DILIGENTLY SEEK GOD FOR WHO HE IS, BUT WE MUST ALSO BELIEVE THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO DO SO
• His hand is not far from His face
• Without that kind of faith, it is impossible to please God
When we desire to draw near to God we must settle in our hearts that he is not an idea or a thought in our hearts. We must believe that –
• He IS the Solution to every Problem
• He IS the Giver of every Good Thing
• That He is the Only True God who Hears, Sees and Cares for us
• That we can trust and believe in His written promises and those that He speaks to our hearts
When we lack this confidence in God it displeases Him. Because His greatest desire is to be believed. We know this through the Greatest Scripture recorded in the Bible - ST. JOHN 3:16 “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELEIVETH IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”
NOTICE THAT FAITH DOES NOT JUST REQUIRE THAT WE BELIEVE GOD EXISTS BUT ALSO THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. We are to seek Him, believing that it is in our best interest to do so, that as we diligently seek Him, we receive something in return. The final part we must understand is to answer the question -- ‘What Is The Reward?’
With my –
• Frequent Flier Rewards – I know I get a free upgrade to First Class or Free Flight(s)
• With my IHG Hotel Rewards – I know I get free upgrades or Free Stays
• With my Starbucks Rewards – I know I get free Coffee, Tea, Pastries, whatever I desire
So what is the Reward we read about in our text? What is God’s Reward Program? I believe Paul answers this for us in II TIMOTHY 4:8 “HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, SHALL GIVE ME AT THAT DAY: AND NOT TO ME ONLY, BUT UNTO ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING.”
• This crown of righteousness is not obtained without a life-long effort, striving lawfully as a soldier of the cross
• Diligently seeking the Lord all our days
The last part of this verse refers to a promise made not just for Paul, but for “ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING.”
• There is a certainty for all who have surrendered their life to Jesus Christ and that is eternal life with Him forever in heaven
• It is a journey that has no end in death, only a beginning
• This crown of righteousness isn’t reserved just for the few, but for all
• Everyone who have loved “His appearing” and are “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus...”
Jesus Christ will return again. And when He does, He has a Reward - THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS to all “WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING.”
--So live your life in view of His imminent, certain, and future return
--Be encouraged now with this certain hope all believers in Jesus Christ have to look forward to
--The crown of righteousness is a Reward that is reserved, not for preachers alone
--Not Just for the Deacons
--Not Just for the Deaconess
--Not Just for Church Leaders
--Not Just for those that attend Sunday School – Prayer Meeting – Bible Study
--But for each individual who is attested to be one God’s Holy Saints
--For Every Saint of God
--For Every Child of God
--I pray that this crown is yours; and it can be!
--Do you live for this dying age?
--Or are your eyes fixed on His return?
--Do you live to please the citizens of this dark world?
--Or do you look for His return?
--Are you believing that He is a Rewarder?
--I am looking for my final Reward
--There is laid up for me and for you a ‘Crown of Righteousness’
--He the Savior will say ‘Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant’
--Yes, I am participating in God’s Reward Program
