Introduction
How many of you work at a place where people are recognized and rewarded for a job well done? Why do you think companies make a point to recognize and reward such things as perfect attendance, production goals and length of service? Is it not true that we will try harder if we are recognized and rewarded for extra effort.
Does God recognize and reward some Christians more than others? It appears from our scripture passage that he does so lets see who gets recognized and rewarded by God.
Now when it comes to recognizing and rewarding anything we can fall into one of two extremes.
1. We can argue.(v33)
" They came to Capernaum.When he was in the
house, he asked them, "What were you arguing
about on the road?"
Whenever you begin comparing ’who is the greatest’ you are asking for an arguement to break out. People are very passonate about this subject. They will pay more money and give more time to see greatness in action.It is also true that people use different stardards when defining greatness so no wonder arguments happen.
2. We can say nothing.(v34)
" But they kept quiet because on the way
they had argued about who was the
greatest."
Is it ok to be a Christian and seek greatness in the Kingdom of God? Are recognition and rewards only worldly pursuits? If I am not so sure perhaps I should remain quiet.
Jesus is very interested in recognizing and rewarding us or why would he have brought up the subject in the house? However we need to see that Jesus recognizes and rewards us differently than the world might.
1. The issue of Christian Greatness (v35-37)
" Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and
said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be
the very last, and the servant of all."
He took a little child and him stand among
them.Taking him in his arms, he said to them
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in
my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does
not welcome me but the one who sent me."
A. If you and I would wish to be great then just like
Jesus we must open our arms to others.
1. The Christian is a living Statue of Liberty. We
too are to open our arms to the least and lost.
2. Notice Jesus sat down.(v35)We can catch a lot
more people in our arms if we would just be a
little lower to the ground.
3. It is only possible to open our arms to other
when we first know that Jesus has opened his
arms to us. Jesus did open his arms to each of
us at Calvary.
4. The moment we realize how open the arms of
Jesus are to us the more open our arms will be
to others.(see Luke 19:8)
Zacchaeus gave 50% of everything in the offering and
400% restitution.He was not asked to do this. The
only reason he did open his arms so wide to others
was because he saw how wide Jesus opened his arms
to him.
5. When we open our arms to others we are also opening
our arms to Jesus and the Father.(v37)
So many of us want more of God. To get more of God
we must first get more of others.Is it not true that
when we fellowship with other believers we leave
feeling we now know God more!
2. The issue of Christian rewards(v38-41)
"Teacher," said John,"we saw a man driving out
demons in your name and we told him to stop,
because he was not one of us.
Do not stop him," Jesus said."No one who does a
miracle in my name can in the next moment say
anything bad about me, for whoever is not
against us is for us. I tell you the truth,
anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name
because you belong to Christ will certainly
not lose his reward."
A. When it comes to receiving rewards God is not
confined to only my denomination. There is
a "John" in many of us. We need to see that
others who love Jesus and hate the Devil are
worthy of reward.
b. God sees the big stuff and the little stuff.
Miracles and Milk shakes done in his name are
precious in his sight.
c. The cup of water theory
1. God must be very generous with his rewards.
2. God must reward anything done in his name.
3. God must want everyone to have an
opportunity to be rewarded.
d. What are some of the rewards God gives us?
1. The satisfaction of helping someone less
fortunate.
2. The victory over materialism and greed.
3. The privilege of being the answer to
someone else’s prayer.
Conclusion
Those that God recognizes and rewards are those who open their arms wide and give many cups of water to others. Go be that person!
