THE GOD WHO REWARDS
Imagine if today you stand on the edge of eternity. Today you make your trade, this life for eternity.
What would it be like? Well there is no doubt that you will be in eternity with Jesus if you have asked him to forgive your sins and change your life!
If I told you that choices you make in this life will affect your life in heaven would you be surprised?
We first need to look at some things Jesus said about the afterlife after all He is our expert!
When Jesus began His public ministry this is what he said!
Luke 6:22-23 God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man.23 “When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were also treated that way by your ancestors
V23 “For a great reward awaits you in heaven. 8 words that could change your life!
8 words that reveal why you and I can rejoice even in our worst circumstances.
Because there is a direct connection between something you do for him on earth and something great in heaven.
Jesus isn’t asking us to endure misery on his behalf. Instead he’s saying that the consequences in heaven for certain actions on earth will be so wonderful that simply knowing the’re coming- and knowing they will be great- can transform how you live now
Lets look at what else Jesus said!
Matthew 16:27 For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds.
Matthew 19:21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 14:14 Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
1) God is keeping a track of all I do for Him every day.
2) I have more to gain by serving Him than I could ever imagine.
What do Augustine, Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, and Billy Graham have in common?
They all believed in and hoped for eternal rewards.
The teachings of Jesus show us that there are two keys that unlock our eternity!
1) Belief (This determines where we spend eternity)
2) Behavior (This key unlocks our reward in heaven)
If you believe that God rewards us according to our actions.We will begin to live a life with unshakable certainty that everything we do today matters forever!
Matthew 16:27 For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will reward all people according to their deeds.
1) He will come again
2) He will bring rewards
3) His rewards will be according to our deeds
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THESE REWARDS.
Jesus was invited to a great feast! At the feast he said!
Luke 14:12-14 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a dinner,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
Rather that criticising his host Jesus was showing him a way he could gain eternal reward by doing the same thin for the poor.
God will repay you for a good deed or good works after you are dead!
What does Jesus mean by reward?
The bible uses two different words to describe reward.
The Greek word used in Luke 6 is “ MISTHOS” It literally means wages
Jesus was saying “When you labour on earth, your employer gives you MISTOS (wages) and when you labour for me I will give you wages too”
The second word for reward appears in our dinner story. APO-DID-OMAI
Apo means back Didomai means to give. Put simply it means to give back in return. or to repay.
Jesus used this word in the story of the good Samaritan. “Take care of him and I will APODIDOMAI you.”
Jesus rewards you not only for great acts but for every day acts of kindness.
“For whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will by no means loose his APODIDOMAI (reward)
Nothing will go unrewarded!
No cup of water
No ride to church
No word of encouragement
No prayer in the middle of the night.
No longer will you need to say Nobody seems to see anything I do for God!
You will receive your APODIDOMAI in full.
7 areas God will reward you.
1) Seeking (prayer fasting) Matt 6:6 Heb 11:6
2) Submitting to those in Authority Matt 24:45-47 Eph 6:8 Col 3:22-24
3) Self denial in His service Matt 16:24-27
4) Serving those in need in His name Matt 9:41
5) Suffering for His name Luke 6:22-23
6) Sacrifice we make for Him Luke 6:35
7) Sharing our time talent and treasure Matt 6:3-4 1Tim 6:18-19.
This is an introduction to the series A God who rewards!
