Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“The Reward Factor”
REVIEW
The church is not about location but relationships.
"We love nothing better than to erect buildings and develop sprawling ecclesiastical campuses. The church is not about locationships: It's about vocation¬ships and relationships. Christianity is at its core an itinerant and a relational gospel. Jesus walked and talked - "Can you hear me now?" - and the early church did its evangelizing in the marketplace." Unknown author
Paul understood that and appeals for the church to take seriously the command of Jesus to love one another as He loves us. God established that one characteristic as the irrefutable evidence of a people connected to Him and evidence that God sent Him to earth to restore fellowship with God and each other.
I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6
A. Reproof concerning divisions 1-4
1. Opening appeal for unity 1:10-17
2. The Biblical foundation for Unity 1:18-4:5
a) Focus on the priority of Christ and the cross 1:18-31
b) Depend on the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit 2:1-3:4
c) Faithfully serve as partners for the Kingdom of God 3:6-4:5
Introduction
In the course of his teaching on individual responsibility, Paul also instructed them about rewards for faithful service. The truths about reward deserve a further hearing.
Unearned privileges
In human families there are certain privileges and blessings that are granted at conception birth and especially at birth.
Given a name - Become part of the family - We become partakers of our parents nature (good and the bad) - Daily provisions - General care and love - Training - Recognition and Gifts (birthdays, holidays, just because gifts and demonstrations of love)
These are granted on the basis of whatever belongs to the parents. There is also the promise that everything that belonged to the parents will one day be passed to the children. There even may be some things determined before conception.
“When we have children they are going to have…”
Obviously all these things are granted apart from merit on the part of the child. They are granted merely on the fact that they are FAMILY.
Earned Privileges
But also, during our life there are gifts and reward for things that we do and earn.
Allowance for faithfully completing chores - Praise for a job well done - Awards and recognition for outstanding achievement - Recognition and reinforcement for good behavior
The family of God works in a similar way.
Unearned privileges
God drew us to Himself and predetermined to bless us even before we were his children.
At birth, He gave us a new name - We became sons of the living God - We become partakers of the divine nature through the indwelling Holy Spirit - He promised daily provision - He demonstrates His abundant love and care - He continual trains us and disciplines us - He gifts us and recognizes us and blesses us just because.
These are granted purely on the basis of grace by faith in Christ without any connection to works or merit or effort on our part. These are only a down payment of what is to come. He has granted us a secure inheritance with all the other members of that family All that belongs to God also belongs to His children. He has promised even that we will be just like Him. Imagine, God granted ALL this apart from any merit on our part.
Earned Privileges
Blessing for faithfully completing chores - Praise for a job well done - Awards and recognition for outstanding achievement - Recognition and reinforcement for good behavior - Increased responsibility and opportunity to serve the Lord
Today we will briefly touch on some of those specific unearned privileges and rewards and then spend the bulk of our time together unpacking the various issues surrounding rewards for faithful service. Some feel that reward should not be a basis for serving God.
We should not serve God just for what we can receive from Him. We should be good for goodness sake.
We should serve God for God’s sake.
“I wish I could quench with water the fires of hell and burn with fire the joys of heaven so I could serve Christ out of pure motives.” Unknown author
Reward should not be the ONLY reason we serve Him but He would not have promised reward and called us to trust a God who REWARDS if it did not play some part in our motivation. Look at Moses.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26
Reward has to do with love and justice. We need the reward factor to even make sense out of life. Jesus taught it along with Peter, and Paul and John.
I. Unearned Privileges and blessing
A. Basis for Unearned reward
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 seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Active Trust in a God who rewards faith is the ONLY basis for Unearned reward.
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10
though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9
"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40
Our God is a rewarding God
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Isaiah 40:10
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Rev. 22:12
And 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 seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
He made us His children…
so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephes. 2:7-10
Faith in Christ is the ONLY basis for all of the specific rewards that follow.
B. Specific Unearned Privileges and blessing
1. Identification With Christ
a) Being with Christ.
"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3
Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thes. 4:17
b) Beholding the face of God.
As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake. Psalm 17:15
c) Beholding and sharing the glory of Christ.
"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; John 17:22
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Col. 3:4
d) Sharing a glorified body like Christ
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philip. 3:20-21
e) Sharing a character like Christ
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Romans 8:29
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1 John 3:2
f) Sharing rule and judgment with Christ
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 1 Cor. 6:2-3
"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
Rev. 5:10
g) Sharing an incorruptible inheritance with Christ and saints
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:15-17
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
Not only is our inheritance protected, but we are protected.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephes. 1:13
h) Sharing an immovable kingdom.
"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34
and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:29-30
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12:28-29
2. A house full of kids.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psa 127:3
3. Everlasting light and life
"No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light;
But you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory. Isaiah 60:19
"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40
even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:2-3
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11
4. A New house prepared by Christ in a city built by God
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:1-2
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10
5. Rest.
So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."
Rev. 14:13
We need to keep in mind that the rewards God promises are not always packaged in the way we might expect or want. Here are just some of the wonderful blessings which our loving Heavenly Father freely pours out on EVERY ONE of his children. Even though many blessing that await God’s children, the greatest experience of joy will come from being in His presence.
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11
II. Earned Privileges and Reward
God rewards His children for their actions. There will be an evaluation of everyone’s life they lived on earth as a basis for eternal reward and responsibility and privilege.All believers will enjoy heaven but no all will serve on the same level.
Earthly actions do determine heavenly affirmation. We are not talking about blessing and privilege by reason of our heritage through Christ. We are talking about reward and acknowledgment of faithful service down here.
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
"AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Cor. 5:9-10
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Cor. 4:5
If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Cor. 3:14-15
For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Eccles. 12:14
He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:31
A. Basis for earned Reward
1. Labor and sacrificial service
"May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." Ruth 2:12
Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 1 Cor. 3:8
And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, For You recompense a man according to his work. Psalm 62:12
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, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life." Luke 18:29-30
"But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work."
2 Chron. 15:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Tim. 4:7-8
2. Kind deeds
"May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day. 1 Samuel 24:19
The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. Proverbs 11:18
"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." Matthew 10:41-42
"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. Mark 9:41
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Luke 6:35
But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:32-36
3. Proper motives
but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Cor. 4:5
4. Keeping God’s Commands
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Psa 19:11
Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Tim 2:3-7
5. Humility and fear of the Lord.
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life. Prov 22:4
6. Enduring persecution and trials and hardship
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9
"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; Matt 5:11-12
"Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.. Luke 6:22-23
'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev. 2:10
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 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.
2 Cor. 4:16-18
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Tim. 2:3-7
7. Leading other to the truth
"Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
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? 1 Thes. 2:19
These come from Matthew 5
8. Quiet deeds
9. Secret giving
10. Private prayer
11. Unnoticed fasting
12. Excellent fervent service from the heart
If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 1 Cor. 3:14
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Col. 3:22-25
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. Ephes. 6:5-8
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philip. 3:13-16
13. Sacrificial Giving
Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matthew 19:21
"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. Luke 12:33
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:20-21
14. Pure Heart for God
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
"The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. 2 Samuel 22:21
"Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness before His eyes. 2 Samuel 22:25
15. Desire to see the Lord’s return
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim. 4:7-8
16. Faithful leadership
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you (elders who rule well) will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4
17. Faithful investment of God-given resources
"And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.' Luke 19:17
"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.' Matthew 25:21
18. Disciplined service
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. 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. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Cor. 9:24-27
B. Specific earned rewards
1. An imperishable crown of righteousness, glory, life, exaltation
2. Eternal weight of glory
3. Increased responsibility
4. Praise and affirmation from the father
5. Increased riches and honor
6. True and great reward
7. Good returned for good rendered
8. Prophets reward for serving a prophet
9. Better and lasting possession
10. Shining glory
11. Greater inheritance
12. Incorruptible treasure in heaven
13. Upward call of God
14. Deeper insight into God’s presence
15. Increased joy
III. Lost or diminished Privileges and reward
Possible to lose rewards
"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." Matthew 10:41-42
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:44-6:6
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 2 John 1:8
'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Rev. 3:11
IV. God will be recompense for those who rejected Christ
Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices;
Requite them according to the deeds of their hands;
Repay them their recompense. Psalm 28:4
He will recompense the evil to my foes; destroy them in Your faithfulness. Psalm 54:5
According to their deeds, so He will repay,
Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; to the coastlands He will make recompense. Isaiah 59:18
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:11-15
? Have you joined the family? If not answer his call today and put your trust in the one who Is and abundantly blesses those who seek Him.
? If you are a Christian rejoice in the blessing that Christ has freely poured out on you and make sure you are not taking credit for any of those things or trying to earn them.
? Now think back through the basis for earning further reward. Have you diminished or lost your reward due to a lack of those qualities in your walk. What is God saying to you this week.
