Eternal RewardsEternal RewardsMatthew 10:40-42Matthew 10:40-42

Logos Bible FellowshipLogos Bible Fellowship

4/25/074/25/07

A Sign of a True Believer (v.40)A Sign of a True Believer (v.40)

To receive a disciple is to receive To receive a disciple is to receive Christ and to receive Christ is to Christ and to receive Christ is to receive the Fatherreceive the Father

John 12:44-45 – “when he looks at John 12:44-45 – “when he looks at me he sees the one who sent me”me he sees the one who sent me”

1 John 3:9-18, 4:19-5:5 – Christians 1 John 3:9-18, 4:19-5:5 – Christians will love other Christianswill love other Christians

A Sign of a True Believer (v.40)A Sign of a True Believer (v.40)Rejecting a true believer is Rejecting a true believer is tantamount to rejecting Godtantamount to rejecting GodJohn 15:18,21 – The world hates John 15:18,21 – The world hates believers due to not knowing Godbelievers due to not knowing GodJohn 12:48 – Result is condemnationJohn 12:48 – Result is condemnationJohn 16:1-3 – Believers will be John 16:1-3 – Believers will be persecutedpersecuted3 John 1:5-10 – Even some in the 3 John 1:5-10 – Even some in the church will do sochurch will do so

A Sign of a True Believer (v.40)A Sign of a True Believer (v.40)

Both Old and New Testaments talk Both Old and New Testaments talk about false prophets (see Jude)about false prophets (see Jude)

Jeremiah 23:17 – False prophets Jeremiah 23:17 – False prophets speak peace to unbelieversspeak peace to unbelievers

1 John 4:1-3 – “test the spirits”1 John 4:1-3 – “test the spirits”

John 7:24 – “use righteous judgment” John 7:24 – “use righteous judgment” (c.f. Matt. 7:6)(c.f. Matt. 7:6)

Acts 20:28-31 – “Be on guard”Acts 20:28-31 – “Be on guard”

A Prophet’s Reward (v.41)A Prophet’s Reward (v.41)Luke 6:20-26 – “Great is your reward in Luke 6:20-26 – “Great is your reward in heaven”heaven”Jeremiah 20:7-11 – What was Jeremiah’s Jeremiah 20:7-11 – What was Jeremiah’s reward?reward?How about John the Baptist?How about John the Baptist?Hebrews 11:24-27 – Moses looked forward Hebrews 11:24-27 – Moses looked forward to his rewardto his rewardHebrews 11:32-40 – We have something Hebrews 11:32-40 – We have something even better!even better!Revelation 11:16-18 – A prophet’s final Revelation 11:16-18 – A prophet’s final rewardreward

Rewarded on Works (v.42)Rewarded on Works (v.42)Salvation is by grace alone (Ro. 5:9)!Salvation is by grace alone (Ro. 5:9)!

Rev 22:12 – “I will give to everyone Rev 22:12 – “I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”according to what he has done.”

2 Cor. 5:10 – Believers will have a 2 Cor. 5:10 – Believers will have a judgment of rewardsjudgment of rewards

1 Cor. 3:8-15 – What we do for the Lord 1 Cor. 3:8-15 – What we do for the Lord will be rewarded…notice the foundationwill be rewarded…notice the foundation

This is different from the white throne This is different from the white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11, John 12:48)judgment (Rev. 20:11, John 12:48)

Rewarded on Works (v.42)Rewarded on Works (v.42)Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14ff)Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14ff)– About stewardshipAbout stewardship– God gives according to abilityGod gives according to ability– No excusesNo excuses– Levels of rewards based on what we doLevels of rewards based on what we do– Note: there are levels of eternal Note: there are levels of eternal

punishment too (Luke 12:47-48)punishment too (Luke 12:47-48)

What are you doing with your What are you doing with your stewardship?stewardship?

““Do not be worn out by the labors which you have Do not be worn out by the labors which you have undertaken for My sake, and do not let tribulations undertaken for My sake, and do not let tribulations ever cast you down. Instead, ever cast you down. Instead, let My promise let My promise strengthen and comfort youstrengthen and comfort you under every under every circumstance. circumstance. I am well able to reward youI am well able to reward you above all above all measure and degree. You shall not toil here long nor measure and degree. You shall not toil here long nor always be oppressed with griefs. A time will come always be oppressed with griefs. A time will come when all labor and trouble will cease. Labor faithfully when all labor and trouble will cease. Labor faithfully in My vineyard; in My vineyard; I will be thy recompenseI will be thy recompense. Life . Life everlasting is worth all these conflict, and greater everlasting is worth all these conflict, and greater than these. Are not all plentiful labors to be endured than these. Are not all plentiful labors to be endured for the sake of life eternal? Lift your face therefore to for the sake of life eternal? Lift your face therefore to heaven; behold I and all My saints with me--who in heaven; behold I and all My saints with me--who in this world had great conflicts--are now comforted, this world had great conflicts--are now comforted, now rejoicing, now secure, now at rest, and shall now rejoicing, now secure, now at rest, and shall remain with Me everlastingly in the kingdom of My remain with Me everlastingly in the kingdom of My father.”father.”

Thomas a KempisThomas a Kempis

Rewards to Believers (v.42)Rewards to Believers (v.42)Hebrews 11:6 – God is a rewarderHebrews 11:6 – God is a rewarderDescribed as:Described as:– Honor from the Father (John 12:26)Honor from the Father (John 12:26)– Being with Christ (John 14:3)Being with Christ (John 14:3)– Beholding God’s Face (Rev 22:4)Beholding God’s Face (Rev 22:4)– Beholding Christ’s Glory (John 17:24)Beholding Christ’s Glory (John 17:24)– Judging (1 Cor. 6:2), Reigning (2 Tim. Judging (1 Cor. 6:2), Reigning (2 Tim.

2:12), Being Heirs (Rom. 8:17), Crowns, 2:12), Being Heirs (Rom. 8:17), Crowns, Inheritance, Rest, Joy, Prize, Treasure, Inheritance, Rest, Joy, Prize, Treasure, etc…..etc…..

Works revealed by FireWorks revealed by Fire““Gold, silver, precious Gold, silver, precious

stones”stones”

FaithfulnessFaithfulness

Reading the WordReading the Word

MinistryMinistry

EvangelismEvangelism

Enduring temptationEnduring temptation

WorshipWorship

Cheerful givingCheerful giving

Service to othersService to others

““Wood, hay, and Wood, hay, and stubble”stubble”

FearFear

Reading the newspaperReading the newspaper

WorldlinessWorldliness

Filthy speechFilthy speech

Sinful self-indulgenceSinful self-indulgence

Self-exaltationSelf-exaltation

Wasteful livingWasteful living

Self-centerednessSelf-centeredness

Rewards Motivate to… (v.42)Rewards Motivate to… (v.42)

Rejoice (Romans 5:2)Rejoice (Romans 5:2)

Be diligent (2 John 1:8)Be diligent (2 John 1:8)

Press forward (Phil. 3:14)Press forward (Phil. 3:14)

Endure suffering (2 Cor. 4:16-18)Endure suffering (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

Be faithful to death (Rev. 2:10)Be faithful to death (Rev. 2:10)

Group StudyGroup Study

1.1. Which reward do you look forward Which reward do you look forward to most and why?to most and why?

2.2. How are you motivated by rewards?How are you motivated by rewards?

3.3. Which “gold, silver, and precious Which “gold, silver, and precious stones” can the group pray would stones” can the group pray would be added more abundantly to your be added more abundantly to your life?life?