Sermon: Expect A Prophet’s Reward
Scripture Lessons: Matthew 10:1, 16, 40-42 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”
16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
40-42 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Introduction: Jesus shares that when someone receives one of His disciples, they are really receiving the Messiah and God who sent the Messiah. And He talks about the rewards one can expect for receiving prophets, righteous men, and giving cups of cold water to little ones in the name of a disciple. How can we be sure that we will receive the prophet’s reward? We do as Jesus instructed. We receive a prophet “in the name of a prophet.” We receive faithful teachers and preachers of the Word of God with open hearts and teachable spirits, not only will we be blessed, but we can expect a prophet’s reward. Only what we Do For Christ will last!
Jesus was sending out his 12 disciples to advance the kingdom of God, to share the good news of the gospel and he gives them some instructions on what to look for, what to watch out for and how they will be sustained and encouraged.
Jesus positioned His disciples for success. He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manners of sickness and all manners of disease. They would be advancing the kingdom of God in a sick world. Then Jesus described their disposition for ministry, Jesus sent you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Not only they to advance the kingdom of God in a sick world, but advance the kingdom of God in a dangerous environment. Their protection would be the wisdom of God and a meek and quiet spirit. Finally, Jesus assures his disciples that some will receive them and support them. Those who receive them are really receiving Him. The Jews already believed to receive a person’s envoy (messenger) was the same as receiving the person himself. The Jews felt that to honor a person’s representative was the same as to honor that person whose representative he was. This is a principle more Christians need to understand.
That is, when I honor God’s delegated authority, we are honoring God because He is the one who has established every authority. So, when I dishonor them who am I dishonoring? God.
The word “receive” in the original language means to take up, to grant access, give ear to, to sustain with an attitude of love and support for Jesus’ sake, God’s sake and His Mission’s sake in the world in that way we honor God. Think of it this way, when I receive a person or when I honor that person, I receive the same kind of blessing in my own life. Jesus speaks for a prophet’s reward, a righteous man’s reward, and the reward of His least disciples without position or rank. Anyone who receives and honor a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.
This teaches us a couple of things. Even though I am sending you to advance the kingdom in a sick, hostile world you will have good success and secondly, whatever you do for Christ and His kingdom will be rewarded. I don’t have to be a prophet to receive a prophet’s reward, all I have to do is receive (honor) God’s prophet. When you honor others you put their needs, wants, and cares above your own, There is a promised reward that cannot be lost. I believe Jesus makes this promise because He understood the difficulties of Ministry in a fallen world. He realized the need for faithful supporters along the way. There are numerous New Testament passages about blessing the work of God. It is good, and right and needed.
Galatians 6:6-10 “Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings, if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
1Timothy 5:17-18 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
1Thessalonians 5:11-13 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
All those passages instruct believers to receive and honor those who are working to advance the kingdom of God in a sick, a hostile environment for their work’s sake. What is their work? They proclaim the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. They are sent to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and to be patient with all. They are worthy of double honor. Single honor should be given because of the position they hold, who they are and whose name they represent. Double honor should be given when they carry out their assignment faithfully and fruitfully.
What is a prophet reward? The word reward carries the idea of wages, payment, and reward. When honor true servants of God, we honor God who sent them. When we honor servants of God, we show appreciation their value and worth in providing direction and wisdom for our future. How we need a clear word from God during these troubled times. Let’s look at an example out of the Old Testament, the Shunammite woman. In 2 Kings 4, we find a God-fearing family, dwelling securely among their own people. Not only are they God fearing, but they are wealthy, kind and generous. The bible gives us several different episodes of their faith journey, which is unusual, but clearly show the value of a Prophet’s reward.
1. Prophet’s Reward May Lead To Divine Surprises - The first episode of her life highlights her keen awareness of her surroundings. Her family lives in Shunem, a valley in Samaria between Mount Gilboa and Mount Caramel. Through rugged terrain, Elisha would travel on his circuit. Elisha is a Prophet of the first magnitude. He had spent years serving Elijah and had succeeded Him in ministry. His master wore a Camel haired suit and lived off the land, eating locust and wild honey. This simply dressed, poor, homeless prophet caught the eye of this wealthy woman.
2Kings 4:8-9 “And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passes by us continually.”
Her keen perception caused her to extend radical hospitality to Elisha. Elisha, the prophet of Israel meets this woman who honors him by providing a meal. They built a relationship. Without any flyers or introductory letter, without a miracle or a prophecy of God, She perceives “This is a holy man of God.” She honors him because of who he was. She received God’s prophet in the name of a Prophet…there is a reward on the way.
“Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”
This woman recognized and respected the position of her husband as the head of the home. Together, they decide to have a room built so that Elisha can have a place of refreshment from his travels. He can stay with us when he travels through the area. (again she is honoring him).
One day as Elisha is resting in his room. He wants to bestow a blessing on this family because of the great care he has received. He calls her in and asked her what can I do for you? Do you need me to speak to the king or the Captain of the guard? How can I bless you? The woman is about to receive a prophet’s reward. The prophet received a reward he did not know he needed. He thought he had everything, he needed. He experienced a pleasant surprise. Now She is about to receive the same.
This woman may have never heard of a Prophet’s reward and neither did she know that she would ever need it. Yet, the prophet became keenly aware of a secret longing, a long-forgotten dream, and inner desire. She did not have any children. A barren woman in those days carried a heavy burden. She had money, power, influence, family close by, and even nieces and nephews, but no child of her own.
The man of God tells her by this time next year you will be holding a son. This woman’s response shows us this was something very important because she kind of rebukes the prophet – No my Lord don’t mislead your servant. This was the woman’s greatest desire and because she received (honored) a prophet she was rewarded. This episode of her life leads to divine favor! Let’s move to the 2nd Episodes of her life.
2. Prophet’s Reward May Lead To Divine Restoration - The 2nd Episodes was probably more fulfilling than she and her husband have ever dreamed. Their relationship with Elisha was strong but not controlling. Some gifts have string attached, but not this family. All they did was done out of love and respect for the prophet of God. We are not told the number of years the family enjoyed this season of life. By now the boy was probably calling Elisha, “Uncle Eli.” Every member of their extended family knew and cherished the young boy. One day, the boy took ill. In a moment of time, she lost her dream child, the apple of her eye was gone and the only thought in her mind was to get to the prophet. The greatest earthly blessings are uncertain; the son who had made the Shunammite so glad was now to cause her grief. Perhaps the harvest sun was too hot for him, and he suffered from sunstroke, as many do in the east. When the boy dies, his mother goes to Elisha.
Although she had received a Prophet’s reward, She never thought she would need it again! What would have happened if this woman would not have received (honored) the prophet? In the hour of her greatest need she was able to have divine favor again! Life is filled with tragedies and Heaven is a long way. When tragedies come, we need divine favor! Now she has a full understanding of what it means to obtain a prophet reward. She had received a prophet in the name of Prophet. Her Prophet has connections; He knows the King, the captain of the Host and most important, He has influence in high places. She kept hope alive by saying, It is Well! Elisha brought the boy back to life. She received “Divine Restoration.” I trust you are beginning to see how important it is to honor people of God. You can obtain divine favor from God. There are many journeys that lie ahead, many experiences pleasurable and unpleasurable, let’s plant seeds of honor and position ourselves to receive a prophet’s reward. Let’s move to the next episodes of her journey. She has already received an unexpected blessing, divine favor and divine restoration, now she receives divine insight.
3. Prophet’s Reward May Lead to Divine Insight - During this episode of her journey, because of her kindness, this good Shunammite receive special care and insight to escape a grievous famine; she is not fed by miracle, but she was given notice before it came, that she might provide accordingly. She was directed to move to some other country; (anywhere but in Israel) she would find plenty. It was a great advantage to Egypt in Joseph's time that they had notice of the famine before it came, so it was to this Shunammite. She able to move on her own terms, before the grievous famine, before she wasted her substance, and she could settle elsewhere upon good terms because she went early, before the crowd, and took her stock with her unbroken. It is our happiness to have divine insight, and our understanding to make preparations, and our wisdom, when we foresee trouble and make preparation, to hide ourselves in a safe place. She has already received unexpected blessings, divine favor, divine restoration, and divine insight. In the final episode of her journey, she receives divine recovery.
“And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.” 2Kings 8:3
4. Prophet’s Reward May Lead to Divine Recovery - In consequence of her long-continued absence from the country, her possessions were occupied by her kindred or had been confiscated by the crown. No statute in the law of Moses addressed her problem. So she needed to appeal to the king. King Jehoram was inquiring, with great interest, into the miraculous deeds of Elisha. As the prophet's servant was in the act of relating the marvelous incident of the restoration of the Shunammite's son, the Shunamite woman made her appearance and stated her request. The king was pleased to grant it; and assigned an officer to oversee and facilitate the full recovery of all her possessions out of the hands of the occupier and to cause full restitution be made for the last seven years. The prophet’s reward must include unexpected blessings, divine Surprises, divine restoration, divine insight and divine recovery. And Jesus added, “verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” It’s the kind of reward that can never be lost!
Matthew 10:40-42 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” A prophet’s reward may include any one or all of the above: Divine favor, divine restoration, Divine insight and Divine recovery! Jesus promised that this reward can never be lost. Let’s receive and bless our godly leaders, then expect to receive a prophet’s reward. Amen.
