Rewards for the Authentic

The Reward worth seeking

Chuck E Cheese

$100 5000 tokens for an 1/4 scale off brand hardly functional slinky and three stale tootsie rolls

As adults, we work in a virtual chuck e cheese… make great sacrifices to get ahead at work so our title can change, and we can get a bonus…. what would if profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul.

In recap: Stephen Langston added chapters and verse for study - which we greatly appreciate

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you - If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Is it worth it.

We often insulate ourselves from people who are _____________ (toxic) annoying, needy, difficult to love. Proactive grace reaches beyond ordinary places to minister.

Be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect

more than without blemish or flaw…. complete, whole, mature… God want to grow…. to become.

The first time you drove on your own - freedom

The look on the face of bride and groom - joy

The love of holding your child - love

There is great reward in maturing - in becoming. It calls all of us to more… to say yes to our Father. He has reward.

If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more does your Father in heaven.

Without faith it is impossible - He exists and is a rewarder.

We have a Father problem:

Have lower grade point averages (GPAs).

Score lower on standardized tests.

Have higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness.

Be more likely to drop out of high school.

Increased aggression and conduct disorders.

Higher rates of delinquency and incarceration. Studies from the Department of Justice have consistently shown that a high percentage of youths in correctional facilities come from fatherless homes.

Greater risk of substance abuse.

Difficulties with social adjustment and peer relationships.

Higher levels of depression and anxiety.

Lower self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.

Increased feelings of abandonment and loneliness.

A higher risk of suicide, particularly among teenagers.

More likely to live in poverty. The U.S. Census Bureau has consistently reported much higher poverty rates for single-mother households compared to two-parent households.

Less likely to achieve upward social mobility as adults.

Being complete is being like your Father, not affirmed by men

Not fitting in, but living up….. Living up to the call God has for your life, who he created you and recreated you to be.

SHORTCUTS FALL SHORT Beware: constantly on guard

The triad: Alms, prayer, fasting

The pharisees marked this as important.

Practicing your righteousness In order to be seen by men.

Alms giving was a part of righteousness. Some said giving alms was a replacement for sacrifice (it covered sin).

It was also a way to have social clout

Since I am wealthy….

No Trumpets:

trumpet shaped offering boxes

They have their rewards.

Final, complete. There is nothing more.

How many of you had trophies from little league, or awards in a box… throw them away.

Let your light so shine among men …. they may see your Father.

Practicing your righteousness to keep score

Pride is sneaky, it doesn’t always look for stage, but it always keeps score.

Have you ever thought - I’m the first one here, the one that gives the most, the hardest worker, the _______

If you live for human reward, you will be constantly disappointed and never satisfied.

“what have you done for me lately” Spurgeon: Keep the thing so secret that even you yourself are hardly aware that you are doing anything at all praiseworthy. Let God be present, and you will have enough of an audience.

Don’t let you left hand know what your right hand is doing:

Not for your own ego.

We may do it for ourselves.

Pray not like hypocrites:

Hypocrites wear masks

act like someone they are not:

the world often has a poor opinion of Christians "because we perform Christianity instead of being Christian

to be seen by others or to be heard by God.

Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Have you ever been to a birthday party or festivity with gifts and you know the room. You know some gracious person will give you a kind gift, but you know who has the means to really buy extravagantly.

He will reward you. Your Father. provider, protector, rewarder. faithful.

When you fast.

The purpose of fasting was to give up the lesser for the greater.

Have you ever been so excited that you were not hungry?

Seeking the greater by denying the lesser…

When you

do not disfigure your face like the pharisees.

They came to town on Mondays and thursdays, busiest days to be seen.

Johnathon Edwards

"Observed duties maintain our credit, but secret duties maintain our life"

Anoint your head - prepare for celebration

wash your face

look like you found something greater!

Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Intentional Secrecy: Deliberately choosing to keep certain acts of giving, service, and devotion completely offline and unmentioned to others. This practice starves the ego and trains the heart to find its satisfaction in God's approval alone.

Motive Examination: Regularly asking the diagnostic question at the heart of this passage: "For whose glory am I doing this?" Is the goal for others to think more highly of God, or to think more highly of me?

Embracing Anonymity: Finding opportunities to give and serve anonymously, thereby ensuring that the only possible reward is the one that comes from the Father.