God is a Rewarder

Colossians 3:22–25

(NKJV): Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

The Old Song, “By-and-by, when the morning comes. when all the saints of God are gathered home, we will tell story of how we overcome, we will understand it better, by-and-by

The Bible teaches that Christians will receive a reward in Heaven

Matthew 5:11–12 (NKJV)

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 10:42 (NKJV)

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Luke 6:35 (NKJV)

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Heaven will not be about rewards

When you mature, you value things as much, but you value family and loved ones.

the same will be true about heaven

When you are young, you think about the mansions, streets of Gold, gates or perl.

When you mature, you fall in love with seeing Jesus

Heaven will be about JESUS

The point of the reward, what we do on in this life matters

it matters if you are kind to people

it matters if you give up

it matters if you keep the right spirit/attitude

Don’t focus on the reward, focus on God and His will

When you focus on God, the reward will come

Getting your eyes on the rewards will cause you to lose focus

Whatever you do, put God first

Whatever you do = meaning God can you use whatever, whoever, whenever.

Don’t quit, even if you think you aren’t winning

Sometimes it is very difficult to know what a winner looks like

The Pharisees looked like winners

The Disciples looked like losers

It may not look like your going to win… but God is the rewarder

Wesley…. Giving up before the race is over

Like my son, many people give up way too easily and even before they try

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV)

I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

Gods economy works different

God is the Rewarder

“...knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward...” = there is a danger looking for approval from other places

From People:

Matthew 6:1 (NKJV)

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

From Success and Money

1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV)

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

From Beauty

Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV)

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

CLOSING

Stay in the Race -

Clarence Thomas said, “I would rather die, than quit the process”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.