Actions that God will Reward Part 1
Notes
Transcript
Today’s message will be split into three parts. Part 1 will be presented today and then next Sunday Part 2 then followed with Part three in following Sunday. The material on today's title which is “Actions that God will Reward” in the series of The Judgement Seat of Christ is just to lengthy.
As I have been study God’s Word on the topic of the Judgment Seat of Christ, I’ve identified multiple types of Christian action in this life (that is works that are done in the body) that God has promised to reward in the future. I personally believe these are things that the Lord will be looking for when we stand before Him on that great DAY. Here are the christian actions God will reward.
1. How We Treat Other Believers
1. How We Treat Other Believers
The Lord will graciously reward us based on how we treated other people here on earth, especially our fellow believers.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
God will never forget how we’ve treated His people, yet it’s often a shame how believers treat their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The people we should love most and care about most deeply are often the objects of criticism, gossip, and unkindness.
An old poem expresses this well:
To live above,
With saints we love,
O, wouldn’t that be glory.
But to live below,
With the saints I know,
That’s another story.
Let’s not allow that to be true in our lives. Let’s lovingly minister to the needs of God’s people. He will never forget our labor of love.
2. How Generous We Are with Our Money
2. How Generous We Are with Our Money
Concerning money, we’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you!” You may have also heard someone say, “You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.”
While it is true you can’t take it with you, Jesus did say, “You can send it on ahead.”
Every person on earth is a steward of God’s blessings. Everything we have belongs to Him.
During our brief stay on Earth, we are given some of His assets to manage. How we manage them will follow us to heaven.
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The main focus of Matthew 6:19-24 is not renouncing our earthly treasures, but rather, the accumulating of heavenly treasures.
You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.
Speaking of Moses, who looked for the heavenly reward (Hebrews 11:24-26), Tim Chester says,
The Egyptians locked up their treasures in the pyramids so that they could take them into the afterlife. But they couldn’t. How do I know? Because I’ve seen their treasures in the British Museum. Moses, though, still has his reward.
“You can’t take it with you,” people say. Not true. You can take it with you. But first you must convert it into the currency of heaven and that currency is love and being generous with earthly treasures. You can take it with you by giving it away!…
17 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.
Giving to those in need is a specific area of sharing that the Lord promises to reward, as long as our motivation is right.
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Listen to Jesus’ words recorded for us in Matthew.
1 “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.
2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
People today are always looking for safe places to invest their money. They consider stocks, bonds, treasuries, precious metals, and real estate.
While each of those investments have their advantages on Earth depending on the economic climate, Jesus said that ultimately, there is only one safe place in which to invest: heaven.
Where’s your treasure?
You and I will be reviewed and rewarded for how we invested our resources in God’s work.
3. How We Support Others in Ministry
3. How We Support Others in Ministry
Jesus will reward us for our secondary involvement and influence through our support of the ministry of others:
40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 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.”
This means if you support a church, local pastor, missionary, or ministry by giving them money you will receive the same reward they receive.
The way interpret what is being said in this text is when that missionary or minister receives his reward, you will stand with him and participate in his reward.
Jesus didn’t say you will receive part of his reward. He said you will get his reward.
This means we should be intentional and thoughtful about where we invest our resources. We need to make sure we plant our giving in fertile soil that will bring a bountiful harvest. Support missionaries and ministries that are bearing fruit so you can receive a full reward.
4. How Well We Accept Mistreatment and Injustice
4. How Well We Accept Mistreatment and Injustice
In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus said,
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If we suffer for our own foolishness or negligence, then that’s on us, but suffering for standing up for the truth brings reward.
Our culture today is turning more and more against Christianity.
It’s open season on us. We’re marked with a big bull’s-eye. As we stand for traditional marriage, life in the womb, and the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the way to God, we’re fair game.
This shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus told us repeatedly that we would suffer tribulation for His sake.
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
In Luke 6:27-28, 35 Jesus tells us how to respond:
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
35 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.
This takes the matter even further. Not only are we to endure the insults from today’s culture, but we’re to love unbelievers and do them good.
Responding in this way brings great reward, according to Jesus. It’s easy to get angry in response to the pressure and persecution we face today, but we need more agonizing for the lost and less anger towards them.
5. How We Endure Suffering and Trials
5. How We Endure Suffering and Trials
As with every test, some questions are more difficult than others. At the climax of the Beatitudes, Jesus revealed one of the more challenging points on the test we will face:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Scripture also says,
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Patiently enduring and persevering in the dark valleys of life will bring the Lord’s praise someday when you stand before Him.
I personally believe those who are truly His, will receive the power to endure whatever suffering, trial or troubles that may come upon them.