Heavenly Rewards

What is heaven all about. Some people think because salvation is a free gift that they get to be free loaders on the way to heaven. Others think they have to earn their way into heaven.

Doing this great deed

A fellow finds himself in front of the Pearly Gates. St. Peter explains that its not so easy to get in heaven. There are some criteria before entry is allowed.

For example, was the man religious in life? Attend church? No? St. Peter told him that's bad.

Was he generous? give money to the poor? Charities? No? St. Peter told him that that too was bad.

Did he do any good deeds? Help his neighbor? Anything? No? St. Peter was becoming concerned.

Exasperated, Peter says, "Look, everybody does something nice sometime. Work with me, I'm trying to help. Now think!"

The man says, "There was this old lady. I came out of a store and found her surrounded by a dozen Hell's Angels. They had taken her purse and were shoving her around, taunting and abusing her.

I got so mad I threw my bags down, fought through the crowd, and got her purse back. I then helped her to her feet. I then went up to the biggest, baddest biker and told him how despicable, cowardly and mean he was and then spat in his face".

"Wow", said Peter, "That's impressive. When did this happen"?

"Oh, about 30 seconds ago", replied the man.

Well, I’m here to remind you that most people fall into the false dilemma. Faith and Works will be found in the Bible, but not the way most people think about it.

The Bible does not teach Faith plus works = Salvation. The Bible teaches Faith = Salvation that works for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB95

9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB95

10 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 Corinthians 5:11 NASB95

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:12 NASB95

12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

2 Corinthians 5:13 NASB95

13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

2 Corinthians 5:14 NASB95

14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

2 Corinthians 5:15 NASB95

15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST IS FOR CHRISTIANS.

Paul tells us to

Be Ambitious! v9

Arise with the pray Lord may the meditations of my mind, the words from my mouth and the deeds of my hands be pleasing in your sight today. At night pray Lord may I rest in you and be ready to serve you again tomorrow.

Is that your prayer? Most of us are very good at petition, but praise, adoration, intersession.

Be Ready for an Evaluation. v10.

During World 2 many recruits for the US had been foreigners. My Uncle had been one such a guy. A number of these immigrant warriors did not speak English well. One private had such a hard time his friends tried to help him. The general would be coming for an inspection and had the habit of singling out young privates and asking him questions.

So they said we want you to pass this review and as far as we can figure out, he asks 3 questions and they seem to be in a particular order. So keep your answers simple and to the point.

1st he asks how many years have you been in the army? to which you respond 2 years.

2nd he asks how old you are? to which you respond 22 years.

3rd he asks, have you receiving good treatment and good food? to which you reply “Both.”

The general came. But that day he decided to change things up.

He approached the young man and asked

How old are you private? He replied, 2 years.

a bit flustered and thinking he might be the butt end of a joke, How long have you been in the army private? He replies, 22 years.

Now the general in anger asks, Do you take me for an idiot or a fool? To which he replies BOTH.

I do not think he passed review and we would not envy that young man.

Faithfulness

Fruitfulness

Well done my faithful service

EXAMINE your motives. v11-15

Gal1:10

Whose opinion matters most to you?

Take Action NOW!

Indiana Hoosiers entered finished the regular season undefeated. After running through the tournament gauntlet, the faced a perennial opponent.

In the championship game, Indiana squared off against No. 9 Michigan for the third match up between the teams that season. After Indiana lost Wilkerson early to a concussion, Michigan led at half-time, 35–29. The team faced a 6 point deficit going into the Locker room.

Bobby Knight entered the room last. The team thought maybe he’d rant and rave about their defense or helping out.

Instead, Knight in a low key manner said, Hey you’re in the process of throwing away something you worked on all year. I talked to you about your ability to go through the whole season undefeated. Here you are about to let something go that you will remember forever. “If you guys want to make history. If you want to be one of the greatest teams of all time, you’ve got 20 minutes to prove it.”

You’ve got one shot at forever, one shot

The Hoosiers ultimately prevailed 86–68. May had 26 points, Buckner 16, and Outstanding Player Award-winner Benson had 25.

Indiana finished the season with a 32–0 record, and since 1976 no men's NCAA Division I team has gone unbeaten the whole season.[4][5]

Well Christ gave you all the heavenly blessings when you put your faith IN HIM. He put you on the team roster. He said go get em. Go make a difference for eternity. But you only get one life. You have to live it day by day.

You only get ONE SHOT AT eternity. What are you doing with it?