reward for faithfulness
Review (Here’s a few highlights from Parts 1-3): Jesus is our Great Rewarder; we will all face the judgment seat of Christ; our works will be tested. Our rewards are like “wages”, and payday is coming. Let’s lay up treasures in heaven. Our REWARDS will be better than we could ever imagine.
It will be worth it all someday when we see Jesus…(1)
THE RACE
I Corinthians 9:24 – Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.
Hebrews 12:1-3 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.
SERVE FAITHFULLY
Ephesians 6:7. – “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people”
Colossians 3:23, 24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a REWARD. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
3 John 1:5 – Beloved, you do faithfully whatsoever thou do to the brethren, and to strangers;
Matthew 24:45 / Luke 12:42 – Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Luke 19:17 – And he said unto him, Well, you good servant: because you have been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.
Revelation 2:10 – …be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.
FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP
I Corinthians 4:2 – Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
BE A FAITHFUL SERVANT
Matthew 23:11 – But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mark 9:35 – “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Jesus)
Matthew 5:19 – Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Proverbs 20:6 – Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
Special note: Sadly, faithfulness is a rarity – it is hard to find faithful people. Are you FAITHFUL?
GOD IS FAITHFUL – HE WANTS US TO BE LIKE HIM
Lamentations 3:22-23 – Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is HIs faithfulness.
2 Timothy 2:13 – If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: He cannot deny himself.
Special note: Even when we are not faithful – God is FAITHFUL! (Let’s pass on that kind of FAITHFULNESS to others, even when they are not deserving of it…)
Revelation 19:11 – And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.
Revelation 21:5 – And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Revelation 1:5 – And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood
Romans 8:29 – whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..
2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
other SCRIPTURES ABOUT FAITHFULNESS AND UNFAITHFULNESS
Psalm 31:23 – O love the Lord, all you His saints: for the Lord preserves the faithful...
I Chronicles 16:9 – The eyes of the Lord run to and fro… to show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards Him.
Psalm 5:9 – For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue.
Psalm 12:1 – Help, Lord; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
Psalm 101:6 – My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Proverbs 13:17 – A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Proverbs 14:5 – A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Jeremiah 23:28 – … he that has my word, let him speak my word faithfully... says the Lord.
Ephesians 1:1 / Colossians 1:2 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: … To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse:
Special note:The books of Ephesians and Colossians are written to the FAITHFUL!
2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
EXAMPLES OF FAITHFUL MEN/WOMEN
ABRAHAM
Galatians 3:9 – So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Hebrews 11:8 – By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Romans 4:20,21 – He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
MOSES
Hebrews 3:5 – Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward…
JOSEPH
Hebrews 11:22 – By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Genesis 39:13 – (He FAITHFULLY refused temptation, and ran from it…) … she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.
RUTH
Ruth 1:16-17 – Ruth said (to Naomi): “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.”
THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 31)
Proverbs 31:10-12 – Who can find a virtuous wife? 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her…12 She does him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 11:16 – A gracious woman retains honor…
DANIEL
Daniel 6:4 – Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
PAUL’S EXAMPLE
Galatians 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The faithful Servant
Matthew 25:21, 23– “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Mathias and Justus were faithful MEN
God chose Mathias on the basis of Mathias’s faithfulness.
Acts 1:21–26 – 21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
Special note: Only two men filled these qualifications: Mathias and Justus. The qualifications to replace Judas were not just based on talent, knowledge, or ability. The qualifications seem to be heart level matters of faithfulness, loyalty, and consistency.
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen. 25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
HANANIAH
Nehemiah 7:2 – That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
FAITHFULNESS IN FINANCIAL MATTERS
2 Kings 12:15; 22:7 – Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
CALLED, CHOSEN, AND FAITHFUL
Revelation 17:14 – These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
ABUNDANT BLESSINGS UPON THE FAITHFUL
Proverbs 28:20 – A FAITHFUL MAN will abound with blessings...
HARVEST TIME IS COMING
Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”
GOD REWARDS FAITHFULNESS
When we are faithful in small things, God will reward our FAITHFULNESS. It’s a Biblical principle the Lord has put into place – in our work, our relationship, and our spiritual life. God will always reward faithfulness.
Luke 16:10 – He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…
Hebrews 11:6 – … He is a REWARDER of those that diligently (earnestly, sincerely, and faithfully) seek Him…
DEVELOPING FAITHFULNESS
Determine to be steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (faithfully) – knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).
SPENDING TIME IN THE WORD OF GOD!
Joshua 1:8 – Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 119:30 – I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.
Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”.
SPENDING TIME IN PRAYER
Prayer helps develop a consistent and steadfast relationship with God.
Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Psalm 32:6 – …everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found…
Psalm 55:17 – Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 67:13 – …as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God…
Matthew 21:13 – …“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer...” (Jesus) In Mark 11:17 -… house of prayer for all nations…
I Thessalonians 5:17 – …pray without ceasing.
BEING INVOLVED IN THE CHURCH.
God ordained the Church, and has a special, eternal plan and purpose for it. We part of His body, the church. We are part of His spiritual family, the church… Our fellowship, relationships and involvements with one another are very important. We are not to just be a “Lone Ranger” and do our own thing. Our Father wants us to be vitally involved and connected to the church – using our talents, time and treasures for the work of the Lord and help extend His kingdom here on earth.
SHARING WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR LIFE
Psalm 107:2 – Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy…
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Revelation 12:11 – …they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb an the word of their testimony…
Acts 1:8 – you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me... (Jesus)
Romans 1:16 – …I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…
giving consistently to the Lords work
God doesn’t bless and reward just on the basis of looks, talent, ability, but on faithfulness. He blesses the FAITHFUL giving of time, talents, and finances for His glory.
Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
I Corinthians 9:6-8 – But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
BEING A DOER OF THE INSTRUCTIONS IN GOD’S WORD, AND NOT JUST A HEARER
James 1: 22-25 – ...be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Stay faithful!!
God wants us to stay faithful in the good times, and in the hard times. Sometimes we go through valleys, and difficult challenges. Let’s stay faithful in Bible Studies, fellowship, prayer times, witnessing opportunities, and in our worship. Let’s maintain an attitude of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord in the midst of it all!
Romans 8:37 – … in all these things (in the midst of the circumstances) we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…
Jesus is coming back again
When He comes, He will reward the FAITHFUL!
Revelation 22:12,13 – “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [f]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
GOD HELPS US OVERCOME AND BE VICTORIOUS
1 Corinthians 10:131 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Special note: God promises to FAITHFULLY help us be faithful overcomers!
I Corinthians 15:57 – …thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema Seat)
Hebrews 9:27 – …it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
Romans 14:12 – So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
I Corinthians 3:12-14 – …if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss…
Revelation 20:11-12 – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works…
Special note: We will all face God someday. Will we joyfully receive rewards at the “Bema” judgment seat of God, or shamefully receive His just punishment?
Why are rewards important?
Rewards show the reality of sonship
Galatians 4:7 – Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Rewards show the justice of God
Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
Rewards fulfill the law of sowing and reaping
Galatians 6:7-9 – Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Rewards show our labor was not in vain
1 Corinthians 15:58 – So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
How we live right now matters A LOT
Personal purity and holiness matters. It matters because we will one day stand in front of Jesus. It matters because the light of God will examine our works. Our service to and for God matters – it lays up treasure in heaven! (Matthew 6:19-21)
“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C. T. Studd (2)
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- Special thanks and acknowledgement for the famous classic hymn of the church – “It Will Be Worth It All When We See Jesus (When We See Christ)“ by Esther Kerr Rusthoi.
- Special thanks and acknowledgement for C.T. Studd’s words of wisdom and exhortation.
- Special thanks and acknowledgement to Evelyn Asuncion for helping assist in the preparation of this message and for sharing it at our online service.
